I have some essays questions to do and I have some answers, but could someone add to them? Any one of them could be the one i have to write and essay on. They are all about Julius Caesar
1. What are the virtues and limitations of Brutus? Would he be a good ruler? Why or why not?
I think his virtues are his honesty and how honorable he is. His limitations are that he is pretty naive since he thinks everyone is in the plot to murder Caesar for an honorable reason. I don't think he would be good ruler since he doesn't realize that not all people are good.
2. Compare and contrast Brutus with Antony and/or Cassius (Choose one or both. Which would make a better ruler? Why?
Brutus and Cassius - They are both very persuasive, have great military skills, and do not want Caesar to become king. However, Cassius doesn't care as much about Rome as Brutus does, and Cassius cannot really stand alone - he needs someone to help him to kill Caesar while Brutus can take care of himself.
3. If Shakespeare meant to make a political statement through this play, what was it? What was he trying to say about the power of a monarchy, the ability of people to rule themselves, etc.?
I think he was trying to say that people feel that they cannot rule themselves and need someone to do it for them. But then of course they rebel and attempt to murder him and things like that so I'm not really sure.
4. What evidence do you see in the play of the corruption and instability of human nature? Are people-kind good or evil? How do these aspects of human nature contribute to the grim outcome of the play?
This one is tough, and I realize I cannot get much help with it since it mainly for me to answer. The evidence is all throughout the play from the murder of Caesar to the death of Brutus, I have no problem finding that. But are people good or evil? I think that they are innately good, but must do things to survive or to be accepted that may make them be considered evil. So really people are just very unstable.. Maybe they weren't meant to be here :)
I am really not sure..
I haven't read this play since I was 15, and that's a long time ago!
Try these sites to see if they offer you some insights:
http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/
See Study Guides, top left.
http://absoluteshakespeare.com/index.htm
http://www.shakespeare.com/
http://www.bardweb.net/
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/
http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/
http://www.pinkmonkey.com
http://www.bookrags.com
For the first question, "What are the virtues and limitations of Brutus? Would he be a good ruler? Why or why not?", you've already mentioned some virtues of Brutus, such as his honesty and honorability. To add to that, you could discuss how he is a respected and well-regarded figure in Rome, known for his commitment to the Republic. Additionally, Brutus shows wisdom and rationality in making decisions and is capable of self-reflection.
However, one limitation of Brutus is his naivety, as you mentioned. He fails to see the ulterior motives of some of the conspirators, which eventually leads to the downfall of the assassins. Another potential limitation is Brutus' lack of political experience, as ruling requires a deep understanding of governance and administration.
To determine if Brutus would be a good ruler, you can consider his virtues and limitations. While he possesses some qualities that could make him a competent leader, such as his integrity and respectability, his naivety and inexperience may hinder his ability to effectively govern. Ultimately, it is up to you to weigh these factors and form your own opinion.
Moving on to the second question, "Compare and contrast Brutus with Antony and/or Cassius. Which would make a better ruler? Why?", you've provided a good starting point. In comparing Brutus with Cassius, you've highlighted their similarities in persuasive abilities, military skills, and shared purpose of opposing Caesar's ascent to power. However, you've also noted that Cassius lacks the same level of dedication to Rome as Brutus and is more reliant on others for support.
To further develop your answer, you can elaborate on Antony's qualities and compare them to Brutus and Cassius. Antony possesses strong charisma, powerful public speaking skills, and a deep understanding of human nature and politics. He is able to rally the people of Rome against Brutus and Cassius, ultimately leading to their downfall. Based on these qualities, you can argue that Antony would make a better ruler since he is skilled at manipulating public opinion and has a greater understanding of the complexities of power.
To answer the third question, "If Shakespeare meant to make a political statement through this play, what was it?", you've made a good start by considering the idea that people feel they cannot rule themselves and need someone to do it for them. Shakespeare's play can be seen as a critique of political power, specifically a monarchy or dictatorship. He may be suggesting that absolute power corrupts and that individuals should be wary of placing too much trust in a single ruler.
To further develop your answer, you can look for evidence throughout the play that supports this interpretation. For example, you can analyze the manipulative tactics used by both Brutus and Antony to sway public opinion and the subsequent chaos that ensues. Additionally, Shakespeare presents a contrast between the idealized image of Caesar as a strong leader and the reality of his ambition and tyranny when he gains power.
For the fourth question, "What evidence do you see in the play of the corruption and instability of human nature? Are people kind or evil? How do these aspects of human nature contribute to the grim outcome of the play?", you've acknowledged that there is evidence of corruption and instability in human nature throughout the play. You've also provided some insight into your perspective that people are inherently good but may resort to evil actions for survival or acceptance.
To further explore this question, you can delve into specific examples in the play that demonstrate the corruptible nature of characters, such as the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar and the subsequent power struggle. Additionally, you can analyze the various betrayals and conflicts that arise among characters, showcasing the darker side of human nature and its contribution to the tragic outcome.
Remember, literature and its interpretation are subjective, so your personal perspective is valid. Provide evidence from the play to support your arguments, and aim to present a well-rounded analysis that considers different viewpoints.