Sample paragraph
Introduction
Authentic experiences literature are significant in shaping an individual’s ability
to feel empathy demonstrating a texts ability to transcend its time and influence
modern audiences. (text)In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (1599), the
universality of power is explored as audiences are challenged to gain an
underrating of how it can corrupt individuals causing chaos within the political
realm. Moreover, Shakespeare communicates to audiences how the value of
honour is uncomfortably due to its subjectivity causing individuals to act against
the norms of society and degrade their reputation. Through his use of Form
dramatic and rhetorical devices Shakespeare, exemplifies to audience of his time
and transcends contexts to influence a modern understanding of politics.
Body 1
The corrupting effects of power and personal ambition illustrate how the pursuit
of political dominance can lead to moral compromise and ethical erosion,
revealing the corrosive nature of a corruption of power. Within the Elizabethan
context, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, crafted during the late 16th century,
captures the tension between republican ideals and autocratic power, using the
historical backdrop of the Roman Republic to comment on the potential dangers
of political instability as the reign of Elizabeth I was ending and she had no
rightful heir. Shakespeare characterises Cassius as the instigator of rebellion to
demonstrate how the seeds of corruption are sown, “Upon what meat doth this
our Caesar feed that he is grown so great?" his rhetorical question placing doubt
on Caesar’s achievements in battle as ‘valiant Brutus’ can neak in quotes -
was also responsible for military victories, but without exaltation. However,
Cassius is wary of the corrupting force of power as he speaks of it
metaphorically, "It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, and that craves
wary walking." Shakespeare’s use of biblical allusion plays to the Elizabethan
understanding as the ‘adder’ conveys the ultimate corruption of man which
Cassius is tempting Brutus subversively. The use of soliloquy justifies Caesar’s
assassination, “…as a serpent’s egg, Which, hatched, would as his kind grows
mischievous,” as Brutus informs the audience of fear of tyranny the motif of
‘serpent’ used again by Shakespeare to create tension between the ideology of
the conspirators and the act of murder. Shakespeare’s universality is in his
framing of power corrupting ‘honourable’ men as he didactically warns against
subversion of power structures. This is exemplified in Brutus’ catharsis, “Caesar,
now be still; I killed not thee with half so good a will,” the irony that Brutus must
sacrifice himself to allay Caesar reinforces the notion that morally compromised
power leads individuals to sacrifice their being to set the world in order. Brutus
does this honourably shown in the juxtaposition, "I shall have glory by this losing
day… vile conquest shall attain unto,” as “losing day’ and the oxymoron ‘vile
conquest shows threw antithetical forces Brutus unleashed in falling for Cassius
rhetoric and committing murder. Therefore, through Shakespeare’s 5 Act
structure he represents the tension between the corrupting nature of power to
justify dishonourable actions which then must be paid for through self-sacrifice to
regain honour.
