He undermines Brutus, conveyed through his lamenting tone “thou art the ruins of the noblest man” to further challanege the perspective that caesars thirst for power was a threat to the roman republic. Shakespeare furthers these conflicting perspectives in Act 3 scene 2 to demonstrate the power of political rhetoric. In the funerary speeches, Brutus’ patriotic tone in “not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved rome more” representes him as a protector of the roman republican values that Caesar threatened. This is sharply
To what extent were Henry VI failings responsible for the outbreak of conflict in 1455? In some ways, Henry VI’s failings could be classed as wholly responsible for the outbreak of conflict in 1455. However, other factors remain and other people can be to blame for the eventual downfall of the monarchical state. Henry VI managed to fail not only in his political leadership but his military leadership as well. If it cannot be pinned on, what A.J Pollard can be quoted as calling, his overall astounding “antipathetic nature towards to the chivalric world his ancestors had adored”, it can definitely be blamed on what A.J Pollard called his “improvident, malleable, vacillating and partisan” personality.
As a tragic hero, Brutus maintains noble intentions throughout the play. Grabbing at any opportune moment, Brutus desirably protects the Roman Republic from becoming corrupt and ruled by dictatorship. Cassius and other conspirators felt that Caesar’s ambition and tyrannical ruling reflects upon a dangerous outcome for future Rome. Persuaded by Cassius’s hatred of Caesar’s immediate gain in power and acknowledgement, Brutus constructs a plan for the assassination of Caesar. He greatly fears that “the people// [will] choose Caesar for their king” (I.ii.78-79).
Despite the increased responsibility and independence the senate became more subservient to him, “Though at first the senate showed real independence, it soon realised the risk of encroaching too far” (Scullard). This was due to the fact of the growing treason trials and Sejanus’ influence, senators afraid of their safety began to win favour by sycophancy. Whilst through his reserved temperament and ambiguous instructions led confusion to the senate steering towards deterioration, Tacitus notes he remarked them “men fit to be slaves”. This declining power of the senate under Tiberius became more obvious when he administered the empire from Capri failing to create the diarchic balance, Scullard writes “Tiberius had tried and failed and his failure was made irremediable by his retirement to Capri” illustrating the impact on Princeps becoming more dominating issuing imperial
‘Burke is a conservative thinker and therefore opposed to change.’ DISCUSS ‘We must not attempt to fly, when we can scarcely pretend to creep.’ The words of Burke himself seem almost apt for describing the caution with which one must to approach this essay title. At first glance Burkes championing of the prejudices of his forefathers combined with he’s fierce criticism of the French Revolution, seem damming evidence to support the view that he was a strong opponent of change. However, this conclusion seems to be unjust. Robert Peel suggests conservatism can be described as ‘changing what you have to in order to preserve what you can’. If we accept this premise we can disregard the conclusion that Burke was of not of the opinion that change must be avoided altogether.
This is reinforced by his rejection of imagery through the us use of personification, “whose horrific image doth unfix his hair” which shows Macbeth is a man who is sensible enough to dismiss the prophecy, however, he has also thought about what he can do to become King. Shakespeare has given us a shaded image of Macbeth, no longer is he just a noble, obedient soldier of Duncan, but he is a man who is attracted to power, with great ambitions.
Othello wounds Iago, and then kills himself. In response to Othello, there are three different authors who have analyzed the tragedy and each provided their own insight to further explain the play. A.C Bradley wrote “The Noble Othello’ which discussed Othello and explanations to his actions. Millicent Bell wrote “Othello’s Jealousy,” which discusses the racial dynamics of Othello’s character and struggles that he ultimately suffers from his inability to completely conform into a community that deems him a racial outsider. There is also the essay by Jeffrie G. Murphy’s “Jealousy, Shame, and the Rival” which discusses the jealousy that was expressed between each character and how it led to the outcome of the tragedy as exposed through tragic flaws.
To what extent was the reign of Tiberius successful? An evaluation of Tiberius’ success or otherwise is difficult. Ancient sources are quick to point to his failings, right from his accession to the ‘princeps’, which Suetonius claims only came about by default, “for want of any better choice”. Tacitus may not be as theatrical in his treatise on Tiberius, but he too was often critical of the emperor, highlighting how Tiberius was cruel and arrogant, and how Tiberius’ murder of his potential rival, Agrippa Postumus, was callous. Such subjectivity clouds much of the ancient appraisals of Tiberius.
Ambition is used with an extremely negative connotation in Shakespeare's writing, but today, ambition is seen as a good trait for a hardworking person. Everyone carries their own ambitious desires, whether they are good or bad. After Caesar's death, Antony uses Caesar's compassion as an example to “prove” that Caesar wasn't ambitious, saying, “When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; / Ambition should be made of sterner stuff” (JC 3.2.91-2). Antony argues that because of Caesar's compassion, he could not have been an ambitious ruler. He turns compassion into a foil for ambition, therefore making the reader go back to the question of, “What does ambition really mean?” It appears that the real question involves the meaning of ambition in Shakespeare's time.
Tammy Adams Marie Mahon ENG 450 21 September 2012 Play Expert Paper-Macbeth The Tragedy of Macbeth warns of lofty ambitions and ill-gotten gains. A highly respected general faced with a moral dilemma, goes against his previous strengths, and unearths his morbid weaknesses. The active decision to choose good over evil appears evident at the start of the play, yet the once brave general, loyal to the crown and his country seems driven by another force. A force stronger than Macbeth’s valor seems highly unlikely, but the tragic events escalate and Macbeth abuses his position and the trust his King places in him. The turn of events poses, the question of whom or what has coerced Macbeth to surrender his control?