Question

AccordingtothecriticMauriceCharney,JuliusCaesaris
“. . . deeply ambiguous. We grow increasingly certain after the middle of the play that the conspirators will lose, but we feel a strange balancing of values between the party of Brutus and the party of Caesar.” Do you agree that Shakespeare offers a balanced view of the conflict, or does he portray one side more favorably than the other? Support your opinion with evidence from the play

Answer 1

Answer

Shakespeare does offer a balanced view. However, I believe Shakespeare's purpose is not to show that some harmony is restored, but just the opposite – to show that the best of intentions can still lead to catastrophe. The point of the play is the utter contingency of our actions. Despite not knowing the consequences of our actions, we must make decisions and fully accept their consequences, good or bad.