Topic > Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare - 975

Julius Caesar by William ShakespeareWalter Lippmann said: "The final test of a leader is that he leaves in other men the conviction and will to carry on." This is accurate. A true leader prepares so that when he is no longer in control, he leaves behind people with the strength, will, and intelligence to lead, along with the general preparation to move forward. Leadership was demonstrated in the character of Julius Caesar in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Caesar was a strong leader who prepared Rome for a long-lived society and the ability to continue without him. Characterization and irony help demonstrate these qualities and show that Caesar left Rome ready to continue without his leadership. His strength as a leader allowed his kingdom to be followed after his death. Julius Caesar was an ambitious leader. He fought to improve, to make Rome the best community possible. Before his death, he had planned to dissolve the Senate to give power to the common people. Caesar was not only ambitious, but he was also admired. The people of Rome admired him. Marcus Brutus declared, “I honor him” (III, ii,27-28) which demonstrated that although Brutus was a conspirator against Caesar, he honored him for what he had done and for his ability to lead. Antony was Caesar's right-hand man. Antony illustrated his admiration and respect for Caesar through his words: "I will remember. When Caesar says, 'Do this,' it is executed" (I, ii, 12-13). Because Antony thought Caesar was an honorable, ambitious, and modest leader, he did what Caesar asked of him. Modesty was one of Caesar's many qualities. Casca related Caesar's modest actions to Brutus and Cassius: "I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown... and, as I told you, he put it aside once. But for all that, in my opinion, he would have gladly received it. Then he offered it to her again; in my opinion he was very reluctant to take it out of his hands.