Ceasar's Downfall in Julius Caesar Essay

I came, I saw, I conquered. These were the famous words spoken by the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar. Caesars coming to power signalled the Roman Empire escalation in terms of economy, citizen rights, military strength, etc. Caesars leadership brought Rome many fortunes; some historians credit his success to the fact that he was ambitious. However, becoming overly ambitious has often been the cause of downfall for the leaders of the past, and Ceasars case was no different. While ambition gives an individual a goal and proper motivation towards it, sometimes the culprit can become obsessed with his own legacy, and forego rationality to in an attempt to carve his name in stone. For a ruler, this is a particularly undesirable attribute; ambitious power can lead to corruption and inevitably, the deterioration of a nation. Indeed, this was the case for the venerable yet foolish Roman ruler. Julius Caesar, the feared general of the Roman army, and the leader of the Roman state, suffered a tragic downfall due to his ambitious desires. William Shakespeares Julius Caesar and E.B Shaws Caesar and Cleopatra portray Caesars ambitious persona. Caesars ambition interfered in three main areas in which inevitably lead him to his demise. The first was Caesars defiance of religious morality and his insolence towards the gods. The second was his ignorance and disrespect towards society, and third was Caesars general ambitious desire towards complete supremacy and rule.

To achieve a level of greatness unattained in history is arguable, but to extend that level of ambition to the spiritual realm, in other words, the angels and the gods, shows utmost arrogance and disrespect. Caesars egotistic idea of becoming greater than the all-mighty gods was one factor that led to his tragic demise:

he was also totally ruthless in the pursuit of his personal goals and ambitions, which included not only absolute power over the Roman Empire, but also divine honours and recognition as a human god.

Caesars high level of personal goals made him determined in attaining them. Caesars ambition rose to such a margin that he wanted to be recognized as a human god. This desire is as impossible as the sun rising from the west yet his determination to attain godly status shows his over excessive ambition that disregards any religious morality. Caesars defiance was primarily due to his views on religion. Historians suggest that even though Caesar was taught about religion during his childhood most of it would be left for him to judge on practical basis, as it was said that he would come to view most aspects of religion as an empty superstition. In E.B Shaws drama Caesar and Cleopatra, Caesar rudely questions Cleopatras religious practice with What table rapping! Are such superstitions / still believed in this year 707 of the republic? He refers to Cleopatras religious practices as mere beliefs that have been adopted by a society based on the teaching of their ancestors and having no practical use at all. This proves his inability to understand and respect religious rituals proves his ignorance towards religious morals. In addition, we see Caesars disrespect for religious practices in William Shakespeares, Julius Caesar when Caesar says, If I could pray to move, prayers would move me; / But I am constant as the Northern Star, This quotation portrays Caesars defiance and arrogance in the system that has been a part of Rome for centuries as he states that hes the only Roman who remains constant as the Northern star (ie. his beliefs). He is trying to portray himself as a model of perfection, a man who doesnt need any divine help nor is he afraid of the all mighty power. Like a rebel who goes against preset rules, Caesar has his own ideas about deciding his own fate through his rules rebelling in the belief of predetermined fate that the gods have set for mankind, thus showing how indifferent he was when it came to the beliefs of his ancestors. To furthermore prove his defiance, Caesar says,

Danger know full well

that Caesar is more dangerous than he.

we are two lions littered in one day,

and I the elder and more terrible,

and Caesar shall go forth.

Caesar claims he is more dangerous than danger himself. Danger, a supernatural force is insulted by Caesar when Caesar claims he is more dangerous and more terrible. Caesar openly mocks the gods in Caesar and Cleopatra when he says,

Your gods are afraid

of the Romans; you see Sphinx dare not bite

me, nor prevent me carrying you off

Caesars overconfidence and immense level of pride allows him to say this bold statement where he challenges the mighty power with, your gods are afraid of the Romans. The cocky ruler then challenges the gods power when he states, you see Sphinx does not bite me. Like a stuck-up, ignorant teen who challenges his/her parents, Caesar does the same to his superior guardian once again proving his defiance towards the gods. In addition, Caesar also says,

Sphinx, my place is as high as yours

in this great dessert; only I wander, and you sit still;

I conquer and you endurefor I am

he of whose genius you are the symbol,

part bruteand part God

The conceited Roman general starts with my place is as high as yours, which puts him side by side with the status of the gods, and differentiates in an overconfident manner between himself and the almighty God, Sphinx. Secondly, Caesar claims that he too is part God. As daring as a hare going into a lions den, similarly, Caesar defies the gods in Shakespeares Julius Caesar, with The gods do this in shame of cowardice. / Caesar should be a beast without a heart. This quote depicts the height of defiance towards the gods. After requesting that the Priests dissect a beast (most likely bird) and look at the innards and reveal the holy prediction of whats to come, Caesar opposes this interpretation and challenges the gods by saying that the Gods do this in shame of cowardice As a result, Caesars mockery and ridicule towards the gods leads him to his merciless, cruel murder.