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Et Tu Brute? Why You Should Read JC!

© Erica Davis

I have to acknowledge that I have never read very much of Shakespeare’s work. Being big on literature, this surprises some people since he is one of the most influential writers in history. The thing is I’m just not big on Shakespeare. However, I have read in full as well as seen several readings of “Julius Caesar” and have to count it among one of my favorite plays. It is interesting, if a little dramatic and is incredibly perceptive.

“Julius Caesar” is more or less the story of the Emperor himself and his impending assassination. More importantly it is an examination of the key players, namely Brutus. Brutus has gone down in history as Caesar’s best friend who ended up literally stabbing him in the back. The old quote, “Et tu Brute?” is synonymous with Caesar’s dying scene and has managed to remain in our brains for centuries. So much of the story focuses on this hidden enemy that a good case could made for renaming the who thing “Brutus.”

Aside from the characters, which I might conclude are expertly written and interesting, we have the plot. The plot, no pun intended, is to kill Caesar. Why? He’s about to become King which is a four letter word in ancient Rome and the Senators feel they need to do away with Caesar before he becomes unstoppable. Never-mind all of the things he has already done and that naming him King will not really give him any EXTRA power because he rules over everything undaunted as it is. So, they plot and scheme, rope in old Brutus who is dissatisfied enough with his friend’s actions and feeling a little threatened himself and boom, you’ve got the entire plot of “Julius Caesar.” “ So what?” you’re asking? Political dramas are always interesting and this one was much better than our modern Watergate or Impeachment hearings. Shakespeare wrote about a historic event that helped to change the shape of the Western world. The murder of Julius Caesar was an incredibly potent moment in history that left numerous countries up in arms, feeling vulnerable and shed light on the true inner workings of a few men called Senators.

Although the election process was a little different back then, Senators were not especially different from modern ones. They were rich aristocrats who hungered for power and when it was threatened did everything they could to hold on to it. “Julius Caesar” follows these Senators, explains why the chose to kill Caesar (according to the Bard of course) and illuminated the lives of government officials.

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