Topic > The Role of Personal Conflict in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

The unique choices that William Shakespeare makes when illustrating historical events within the play shape an individual's understanding of the event itself and the divergent perspectives that encompass them . Within his play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare successfully depicts the effects of personal conflict and engages the audience through the depiction of the conspiracy against Caesar and its impact on the flawed characters, which ultimately led to the fall of Rome. The play's historical narrative is enriched by intricate characterization, use of tragic structure, and manipulation of story and characters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay By dramatizing and manipulating story, composers exemplify how intrapersonal conflict leads to internalized vacillation and uncertainty, emphasizing the impacts of conflict to engage audiences. Shakespeare first introduces the audience to Brutus' inner conflict at the beginning of the play, "Of that poor Brutus, with himself at war", he describes himself as "poor" and "with himself at war" revealing to the audience its internal conflict. Brutus' intrapersonal conflict is also evident in his soliloquy. Through the use of an analogy, “It is the bright day that brings out the viper; … Crown him? … I admit, we have put a sting in him, so that he can run into danger at will.” Caesar's comparison to a poisonous snake paints him as someone who will no longer have compassion for the people of ancient Rome if he gains too much authority. Shakespeare cleverly influences Brutus to have conflicting opinions about Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, Shakespeare characterizes Caesar, "Caesar turned to listen", the use of the third person emphasizes his self-inflated view of himself and represents how ambitious he has become, causing Brutus to question Caesar's leadership, involving us with their personal unfolding. conflict. Furthermore, Brutus' cognitive dissonance is increased in Caesar's death scene, Shakespeare emphasizes a sense of closeness and intimacy between Brutus and Caesar, altering the story to have Caesar speak his last words: “And you, Brutus? Then fall Caesar. to Brutus. Shakespeare appeals to the audience's sense of pathos by having his last words spoken in Latin. We, along with Brutus, are engaged in a bond of sympathy with Caesar, but also alienated and forced to question Caesar while still clinging to his selfish self by referring to himself in the third person: “Then let Caesar fall.” Therefore, through the characterization of Brutus as an uninformed idealist, doubtful of the real danger that Caesar represents to Rome, Shakespeare skillfully investigates the intrapersonal conflict and at the same time interacts with the audience. Through the manipulation of historical events, Shakespeare effectively explores the consequences of interpersonal conflict. between the characters and at the same time successfully engaging the audience. Shakespeare highlights the impacts of interpersonal conflict during the funeral oration as he portrays Brutus and Antony with manipulative traits that allow them to dissuade the plebeians from forming their own perceptions. Caesar's 'ambitious' nature is the public illusion that Brutus creates for the crowd: “But because he was ambitious, I killed him. …death for his ambition.” Through the repetition of “ambition,” it shows how the conspirators believe that Caesar was on his way to becoming a tyrant, something that is against Roman values. To strengthen the conflict, Shakespeare influences Brutus' dialogue and uses a rhetorical question; “You would have preferred Caesar.