In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, some points are shown about human nature in Ancient Rome between 100 BC to 44 BC. Two characters who particularly show this are Brutus and Cassius. Themes include power, loyalty, corruption and manipulation.
Brutus is a close friend of Julius Caesar, and has his trust. "I love the name of honour more than I fear death." - Act 1 Scene 2. This shows that Brutus is an honourable and patriotic man, who would willingly sacrifice his life if it benefits Rome. In this case, he conspires against his friend Caesar and risks his life doing so for he believes that Caesar has grown arrogant and may turn corrupt from power. This is shown in "that lowliness is young ambition's ladder, whereto the climber-upward turns his face; but when he once attains the upmost round. He then unto the ladder turns his back."
English: Map of the Roman Republic in 40 BC after ...
English: Modern bronze statue of Julius Caesar, Ri...
Bust of Gaius Julius Caesar in the National Archae...- Act 2 Scene 1.
Cassius is a high class person who has an enormous greed for power. He is so jealous of Caesar for being the sole leader of what he thought was the world then that he wants to kill him and hopefully he will get more power. This is shown in "Now is it Rome indeed and room enough, when there is in it but one only man?" - Act 1 Scene 2.
The theme of power is an important one in Julius Caesar. Power is what led Brutus to fear Caesar would turn corrupt and therefore resulted in him conspiring against Caesar. It is also this love of power from Cassius that caused him to plot against Caesar.
The theme of loyalty is shown by Brutus. "It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn...