Conflicting Perspectives Julius Caesar

‘Conflicting Perspectives of an event, personality or situation may be manipulated by the different ways in which composers represent their ideas for particular purposes.’
Evaluate the different ways in which composers manipulate conflicting perspectives for particular purposes in your prescribed text and at least TWO other related texts of your own choosing.


In William Shakespeare’s   historical drama ‘Julius Caesar’ conflicting perspectives is explored through the themes of honour and pragmatism vs. idealism and through the character of Julius Caesar and the historical event of his assassination on the 15th March, 44 BC. Shakespeare uses the dramatic medium of production, textual form and figurative language to explore his ideas and to represent historical characters in conflict because of the power associated with differing political ideologies. In this play Shakespeare manipulates various aspects of characterisation to explore conflicting political perspectives through the individual characters and their relationships. The majority of the characters and events in Julius Caesar are portrayed as evil conspirators who plot to murder Caesar because of their fear that Rome may revert to a monarchy if Caesar becomes emperor. Shakespeare uses these events, personalities and situations as foils to contrast Caesar’s supporters and juxtapose opposing political points of view.

One aspect of conflicting perspectives is represented through the fickleness of the Roman Mob which is first referred to by Marullus in Act 1, scene 1, when he points out that the adulation they once demonstrated for Pompey’s triumphs are now being lavished on Caesar, for was responsible for shedding of Pompey’s blood.   Later, the easily distracted multitudes are referred to as “rabblement” by Casca on Caesar being offered the crown:

‘the rabblement hooted and clapped their 
chapped hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps 
and uttered such a deal of stinking breath’

Casca’s...