What are 5 words that strike you as important to the author's intent, tone, or purpose of Julius Caeaser

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mwestwood eNotes educator| Certified Educator

Indeed the response to this question is going to be somewhat subjective, but here are five words for consideration regarding Julius Caesar:

1.  The title of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, has long initiated debate as determining who is really the protagonist is a main issue regarding this drama.  Since Caesar is dead by the third act, Brutus seems to truly be the tragic character of this play.

2. Marc Antony's famous funeral oration that repeats the word honorable with irony raises the question of whether the assassination of Caesar was truly performed with the noble intentions that Brutus has professed.

3. Of course, the question of fate enters into any consideration of Shakespeare's play.  Cassius's famous remark to Brutus that the fault lies not in their stars, but in themselves is pivotal to the actions of both Caesar himself (" Beward the Ides of March") and Brutus, who acts upon what he feels is the welfare of Rome rather than waiting.

4. Ambition is another word/concept that is thematic in the play has there is the rivalry among Cassius, Brutus, and Antony.

5. Love is yet another concept that prevails throughout the play.  Brutus contends that the assassination was committed because he loves Rome more than he has loved Caesar; Antony seeks to avenge Caesar's death out of his love for his ruler, yet he incites a civil war which is far worse than the state in which Rome has been; Caesar and Brutus both act as though they love their wives, yet they ignore the loving warnings from them.  The actions of the characters raise the question of whether love is their motivator or whether it is actually ambition.

happyface22 | Student

I'm sorry, I meant words that were mentioned in the text(play)

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Julius Caesar

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