Beware the Ides of March

 

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare, and it was first performed in 1955. The play tells the story of Julius Caesar, and it begins with his triumphant return after defeating the sons of his military rival, Pompey. During the victory parade, Julius Caesar encounters a soothsayer, who wars him to “beware the Ides of March”. However, despite its name, the main focus of the play is not Julius Caesar himself, but the central psychological drama focuses on his closest friend, Marcus Junius Brutus.

 

The Ides of March marks the day of Julius Caesar’s assassination and the fifteenth day of every March, exactly the middle of the month. “Et Tu Bruté?”  (Shakespeare, III. i. 77) Upon his death, Julius Caesar suffers the treason of his closest friend, Brutus, who participates in the conspiracy that assassinates Julius Caesar. Brutus’ internal conflicts are the major drivers of his life choices and their consequences, and they can be elaborated on with the use of Sigmund Freud’s concept on the person’s id, ego, and superego. To be precise, the application of Freud’s theory on the character of Brutus brings into light the way his id is dominant over his superego both in seeing the reality and in his idealism.

 

The Roman politician is often known for his philosophy, gentleness, idealism, and patriotism. The people love him for these qualities, and the qualities are characterized as his superego.  However, when faced with trouble, his id overpowers his superego, leading him to turn a blind eye to his reality and to find alternative solutions to the issue that threatens his country. Brutus fears that the crowning of Julius Caesar will lead Rome into becoming a monarchy, and it burdens him, for he knows his country as a Republic, and he wants it as nothing but so. He believes that Julius Caesar’s crowning will bring tyranny in victory’s stead for Rome, and he expresses his anxiety when he says: “He would be crown’d:

How that might change his nature, there’s the question.

It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,

And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that; --

And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,

That at his will he may do danger with.

Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins

Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar,

I have not known when his affections sway’d

More than his reason. But ‘tis a common proof,

That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder,

Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;” (Shakespeare, II. i. 10-34)

 

In his soliloquy, Brutus describes what he fears to be Rome’s cause of deterioration - Julius Caesar crowning as a legitimate king. Although they are friends, Brutus seems to lack understanding of Julius Caesar and his natures, which also reflects on his disorientation from reality and reason. He does not stop to ask himself if Julius actually imposes a threat to the country; instead, he is easily swayed by the beliefs of those around him - conspirators. This serves as clear proof to his id ruling his personality and decision, and he is mislead by his hasty conclusions.

 

Brutus fails to find salvation in a solution other than murdering his friend, which reflects on how his id controlled his idealism, not the superego. In the delirium of his patriotism, Brutus ceases to see the truth about what he thinks is a good deed, for good cannot come out of evil, and he sets aside all solutions that will keep him in morality: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (Shakespeare, III, ii. 14-28). Brutus’ inner conflicts later affect his life, the consequences namely: his wife’s death, loss of the feeling of self worth, and ultimately, he takes his own life.

 

By deciding to commit suicide, Brutus marks one last interpretation among the many other he made in his life. Once again, his id controls his course of actions, and he is convinced that taking his own life is for the best. He does not realize that destructing himself is not the best way out, and he resolves to overcoming obstacles by any means possible. He fails to understanding that murdering for a good reason is not justifiable, and he ruins his life and himself completely: “Farewell, good Strato. –Caesar, now be still; I kill’d not thee with half so good a will. [Dies.]” (Shakespeare, V.v. 50-51)

 

 

Works cited:

Goodreads. Gaius Julius Caesar quotes (author of the conquest of gaul). William Shakespeare. Accessed December 13, 2021, from https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/16535395.Gaius_Julius_Caesar

Sparknotes. Julius Caesar Quotes: Loyalty. William Shakespeare. Accessed December 13, 2021, from https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/quotes/theme/loyalty/

Sparknotes. Julius Caesar Quotes: Act II, Scene I. William Shakespeare. Accessed December 13, 2021, from https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/quotes/section/act-ii-scene-i/

Wikipedia. Julius Caesar (play). Accessed December 13, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar_(play)

 

Sparknotes. Julius Caesar Act V, scenesiv-v. William Shakespeare. Accessed December 13, 2021, from https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/section10/#:~:text=Impaling%20himself%20on%20the%20sword,(V.v.%2050%20%E2%80%93%2051%20).