Julius Caesar would have become a tyrant

The conspirators, who were Metellus Cimber, Ligerius, Trebonius, Cinna, Decius Brutus, Cassius, Casca and Brutus, had many different reasons for wanting to remove Julius Caesar from power.

Brutus, however, was probably the only one who did it, not for personal gain but, because he believed that Caesar posed a serious threat to Rome. Brutus, therefore, can give us the fairest portrayal of how Caesar was really behaving apart from what we see of Caesar himself.We know that in the time before the play is set, Julius Caesar had been part of the leadership of Rome (voted in by the Senate) along with Crassus and Pompey, in what was known as a triumvirate. Caesar, after Crassus was killed in battle, is alleged to have had Pompey assassinated, although Pompey was actually killed by one of his own soldiers. Pompey's followers certainly believe that Caesar has Pompey's blood on his hands.

In Act 1 Scene 1 Merullus reprimands the rejoicing citizens saying"O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,Knew you not Pompey?.....

..."Whether or not we believe Caesar was responsible is important in deciding whether the conspirators were right that he would have become a tyrant. Giving the order for Pompey's assassination would certainly demonstrate cold hearted ruthlessness and an ambition to not just succeed (he was very successful already), but to take over completely, using violence if necessary.

Violence and intimidation are key characteristics of tyrannical behaviour. At the beginning of the play, Julius Caesar has just taken control of the Senate and the characters believe he is soon to be crowned King. They are afraid that Caesar, overcome by such power will turn his back on those close to him and use his power randomly and without reason. Brutus states this view in the soliloquy in Act 2 Scene 1 lines 24-27 when he says"...

.when he once attains the upmost round,He then unto the ladder turns his back,Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degreesBy which he did ascend."The conspirators do have more reason than most to fear the wrath of Caesar as they were former supporters of Caesars rival Pompey. Although they seem to have been accepted by Caesar and some have even been promoted by him they obviously still feel threatened by him. In Act 1 Scene 2 Caska talks about Murellus and Flavius being 'put to silence' for 'pulling scarfs off Caesar's images'. The conspirators are also firm supporters of the Republic, or government by the Senate.

Caesar seems to be demonstrating a lack of regard for the processes of the Senate. When Decius Brutus asks what reason he can give to the Senate for Caesar not attending, Caesar's response is very arrogant."The cause is in my will; I will not come"Caesars extraordinary vanity was another characteristic that the conspirators felt indicated a growing tyrannical streak. It is his vanity and ambition that lead him to change his mind about going to the Senate after Calphurnia had persuaded him not to go. He prefers the interpretation that Decius gives Calphurnia's dream and doesn't like the idea that he may be laughed at by the Senate. Decius also suggests to him that the Senate are intending to crown him that day and that they might change their minds if he doesn't go.

He often speaks about himself in the third person, even when speaking directly to his wife. This underlines his arrogance and many feel aggrieved at his self importance. Just before Caesar is stabbed in Act 3 Scene 1 he asks"Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?"This suggests that he thinks of himself as a God, as Mount Olympus was the mythical home of the Gods.Almost in contradiction to this arrogance and vanity Caesar appears to display slight paranoia and also has a superstitious nature.

Although Caesar says " I fear him not" he is quite plainly wary and paranoid about Cassius. He tells Antony that Cassius "is a great observer", who "loves no plays" and when he occasionally smiles, "smiles in such a sort as if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit". Caesar is anxious for Calphurnia to stand in the way of Antony during a run because he believes in an old wives tale that a barren woman, touched by the straps the runners are wearing, will become fertile.In Act 1 Scene 2 Cassius tells Brutus of Caesars weakness and of how he had to rescue Caesar from the Tiber because he got into difficulties when they were out swimming.

Cassius seems outraged that he now has to bow down to a man that he had rescued from drowning."...

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...and this manIs now become a god, and Cassius isA wretched creature, and must bend his body,If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.

"Cassius then tells Brutus about Caesar having a fit whilst in Spain and at the end of his account of Caesars feeble groaning and crying he again questions Caesars suitability as a leader and voices his amazement that a man of such weak ability should lead Rome and then take total credit for Rome's successes.".....

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Ye gods, it doth amaze meA man of such feeble temper shouldSo get the start of the majestic world,And bear the palm alone."Although it must be remembered that Cassius was, at this point, trying to turn Brutus against Caesar and may have exaggerated or even fabricated these stories.Shakespeare shows us, through how Caesar behaves and what others say about him, that Caesar can be ambitious, arbitrary, vain, ruthless and arrogant but also weak, superstitious and nervous of conspiracy. These can all be traits of a tyrant and also it is arguable that no good ruler would have such disregard for the processes of the Senate.Atypically for a tyrant Caesar is popular with the citizens of Rome.

In the opening scene crowds are gathered to welcome him back from abroad where he has won a victory over Pompey's sons. One of the crowd, a cobbler, tells Flavius that his reason for being out is "to see Caesar and rejoice in his triumph".Flavius seems quite worried about Caesars popularity with the common people and says that it needs nipping in the bud to prevent Caesar growing too powerful."And drive away the vulgar from the streets;So do you too, where you perceive them thick.These growing feathers plucked from Caesar's wingWill make him fly an ordinary pitch,"Despite Brutus being one of Caesar's assassins it is obvious that it was a very hard decision for Brutus to come to.

He seems to hold Caesar in high regard even though he is fearful of Caesar being crowned King.When Cassius asks Brutus whether he would have Caesar as a King he says"I would not Cassius, yet I love him well."The last words of Brutus are addressed to Caesar. Brutus has run onto his sword, which is held by Strato,"Caesar, now be stillI killed not thee with half so good a will."This means that he killed himself far more willingly than he killed Caesar. Caesar also inspires great loyalty from his friend Antony who cares enough about him to want to avenge his death.

In his first speech to the crowd in Act 3 Scene 2 he speaks movingly about his feelings for Caesar."My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar."Later in the same scene Antony tells the crowd of the legacy that Caesar has bequeathed to the citizens of Rome. He has left money to each Roman citizen and has given his gardens and private walkways to the public. A very thoughtful gesture from which he would gain nothing and not what the conspirators would have led us to expect from him.

Two other incidents seem to contradict the conspirators view of Caesar as a tyrant. Firstly, in Act 2 Scene 2 Caesar addresses the conspirators warmly as " good friends" and invites them to "taste some wine" with him. Later in Act 3 Scene 1 because of his wish to put others before himself he unknowingly turns down the opportunity to save himself. When Artemidoros approaches Caesar with a letter warning him of the conspiracy and explains that it directly concerns Caesar and he should therefore open it first he replies"What touches us ourself shall be least served"Although I do agree with the conspirators that Julius Caesar had some bad qualities, some of which may be linked with tyrannical behaviour, I do not think that there is enough evidence against him to be sure beyond reasonable doubt that he would have turned out to be a tyrant. He was very arrogant, vain and ambitious but these traits are not unusual in men in positions of power.

Also, a tyrant is, as the dictionary says 'an oppressive or cruel ruler', and someone who cares enough to leave money and grounds to his people does not seem cruel or oppressive to me.