Topic > Shakespeare Themes: How Shakespeare Uses Themes in His Plays

William Shakespeare was an incredibly intelligent play writer; some of his greatest works include Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare attributed approximately 1,700 to 3,000 words to the English language, estimates of its vocabulary range from 17,000 to 29,000 words (Facts about William Shakespeare). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayShakespeare survived the outbreak of the bubonic plague while in London, the plague also came to Stratford, when Shakespeare was only 3 months old (Facts about William Shakespeare). There are many themes in his works that are portrayed through his characters. In the work Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, the themes used by the author are contrasting worlds, the rise of one character at the expense of another, deception and disguise, disorder giving way to order, forgiveness, redemption and conversion. The first theme in Julius Caesar is 'Contrasting Worlds', this theme is shown through the two main characters, Brutus and Caesar. Some examples of how this theme is portrayed are the differences in how Brutus and Caesar act and communicate with their respective wives. Brutus is logical in the sense that he does things like a computer, he does them step by step. When a very logical person like Brutus is in a relationship with a not-so-logical person like Portia, some things aren't communicated as well as in a "normal" relationship. Brutus very rarely says: I love you, that's just what he is. While Caesar has an affair with his wife, Calphurnia, in which she is somewhat important in the decisions Caesar makes. Just like she told him to stay home because she had nightmares of people killing Caesar and because of the bad omens that were happening, like the lioness giving birth in the street (Shakespeare 79). Another example of this theme is how they think. Caesar considers himself very important and actually has an unlimited supply of ego to keep his balloon nice and full. While Brutus considers himself a protector of the people and democracy. Another theme of Julius Caesar is "The rise of one character at the expense of another", this is represented by the controversial and horrible things the characters have done. An example of this theme is the way Caesar killed Pompey. Another example of this is how it is foreshadowed that Brutus will kill Caesar. The third theme of Julius Caesar is "Deception and Disguise." Some examples of this theme are how Cassius tricked Brutus into joining the conspiracy by using rocks written by "different" citizens. This made him feel obliged to do the people a service. Decius convinced Caesar to join the Senate by turning the intent of the nightmare into a positive rather than a negative thing. Caesar is deceived by hearing a false appeal, so he is unaware of the conspirators gathering around him. The last two themes of Julius Caesar are "Disorder giving way to order" and "Forgiveness, redemption and conversion", which is exemplified by the absolute and dramatic irony relating to the situation. Examples of these themes are when Caesar forgave Brutus for fighting with Pompey. An example of redemption is when Brutus redeemed himself by killing Caesar to maintain democracy and discourage monarchy. Finally, an example of disorder leading to order is when bad omens showed that there was disorder and then the foreshadowing of Caesar's death showed how there would be order again. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay In the work of Julius Caesar, the five themes.