William Shakespeares play Julius Caesar, the theme of friendship would prove to be a very delicate and manipulative element. This element would be the very entity that would seal Julius Caesars fate. Brutus, Decius, and all the other conspirators would use this to their power, and to Juliuss weakness. Friendship was used as a cover to blind Julius from the truth, from the plots against him. Flattery along with manipulation was used as a way of persuasion to soothe any feelings of doubt or weariness. These essentials would gain trust , the key to all friendships.
This trust would be lost and transform into betrayal. Even though Caesar was plotted against and murded by the likes of Brutus and Cassius, friendship still proved a strong theme because it would falsify the conspirators intents. Julius was susceptible to the power of friendship and was blinded by the shrewd ways of Decius, Brutus, and all the other conspirators. Decius uses flattery and persuasion to form a strong union with Caesar. Decius is an active member of the Conspirators so he is very motivated into getting Caesar to go to the Senate House.
The first thing that Decius says when he walks into Caesar’s house is “Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar. ” Decius would also refer to Caesar as “most mighty”. This would only make Caesar grow comfortable with Decius. Julius had lost all feelings of doubt and did not presume any caste of dire plot against him. Decius would deceive Julius into thinking that they had a resilient friendship by using his devious words. Caesar was not able to foresee his true faithful friends, such as Antony. He would mourn the killing of Julius and try to justify his murder by killing Brutus and Cassius.
Antony was one of Juliuss true and trustworthy friends. The conspirators had premeditated the death of Julius. Brutus and Cassius, along with Decius, knew they had lure Caesar close. Proving Caesar that they had a stout friendship, that would solidify their situation and leave Julius completely sightless to his doomed fate. Caesars wife Calphurnia would have a dream. She would see Caesars statue run with blood and men with swords surrounding him. This event would alarm Julius making him weary. Decius would asses Calphurnia’s dream.
Using his quick wit, he would distort Calphurnia’s foreshadowing dream by stating that it was simply miss-interpreted. He explains that the dream “Signifies that from (Caesar) Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall press for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance” Caesar seems to be amazed by this version of the interpretation. This would be a key point in the play because this vision made by Decius would capture Caesars gullible mind, and the conspirators would gain Juliuss trust; therefore gain his friendship as well.
Antony would prove to be crafty with his actions and words towards Brutus and the conspirators. He would deceive Brutus and the other conspirators with his keen wit and his sweet talk to gain their reliance and friendship. Antony was angered by the death of Caesar because he was a true friend to Julius. He would mourn Caesars death. After a brief minute of expressing sorrow, Antony would state “Friend am I with you all, and love you all. Antony is using these cunning words to manipulate Brutus, he would say this so he could persuade Brutus and put his uncertainties at ease.
Antony would ask give the eulogy at Caesars funeral, and Brutus agrees without any hesitation. Antony then gets up to the pulpit with the plebeians and uses his witty charm and wise words. He starts off with “You gentle Romans, Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. Antony would manipulate and persuade the whole crowd of plebeians to loathe Brutus. This betrayal was all kindled from the murder of Julius. Antony and Brutus would only go to war. Friendship would unfold throughout the whole play.
There would be many persuasive and manipulating moments. Caesars weakness of flattery and manipulation would let him be blinded by friendship, it would be his character flaw and downfall. Trust was very fragile and the key to friendship, and in some cases it was easily gained. Brutus and Cassius were very persuasive and clever in their ways of plotting against Caesar. Antony, who was Caesars true friend in all of the conspiracy, would gain Brutuss trust only to betray him and justify Juliuss murder.
