Deception in Julius Caesar

Deception and manipulation are forms of concealing the truth. Throughout the play"Julius Caesar", deception and manipulation are common themes used to sway many fatal decisions.

A major use of deception in Julius Caesar is when Cassius is trying to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy to kill Julius Caesar. Taking into consideration Brutus' close friendship with Julius Caesar and the fact that without Brutus there can be no conspiracy, Cassius must think of a very persuasive technique to get Brutus to join the conspiracy. At first, Cassius tries flattering Brutus saying such things as "And it is very much lamented, Brutus, / That you have no such mirrors as will turn / Your hidden worthiness into your eye / That you might see your shadow. I have heard / Where many of the best respect in Rome / Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus / And groaning underneath this age's yoke, / Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes." meaning he wishes that Brutus could see himself as the commoners see him as being noble and trustworthy. He also tries to say that the commoners wish that Brutus would open his eyes to what Caesar is doing, and take over. Cassius knows that Brutus' first love is for Rome. Cassius also knows that Brutus would do anything to help his country; therefore, Cassius instructs forged letters by citizens to be placed in various locations so that Brutus will find them. These forged letters were written to convince Brutus of the true dangers of Caesar and his unchecked ambition. Seeing the citizens concern, Brutus feels he must do something to help Rome. Brutus feels that assassinating Julius Caesar is a sacrifice that must be made for the betterment of Rome. He decides to join the conspiracy, never finding out that the letters were forged by Cassius. In this case, deception had a negative effect because killing Julius Caesar proved to do more harm than good. The assassination led to a second civil war in Rome that caused many citizens to lose their lives.

Another major use of deception in Julius Caesar is when Caesar is persuaded into going to the Senate House despite Calphurnia's many objections. When the Ides of March come, Calphurnia awakens from her dream shouting "Help, ho! They murder Caesar!" Calphurnia's dream foreshadowed Caesar's death. Caesar begins to believe the dream is a bad omen but does not believe it enough to stay home. Caesar sends his servant to have a sacrifice performed, and as it is being done Calphurnia orders Caesar to not leave the house by stating "What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth? / You shall not stir out of your house today." Calphurnia crossed a very thick line by ordering her husband to stay home considering women's role during 42 B.C. After this Caesar's servant returns telling him the priests do not want him to go out today because they could not find a heart in the animal they sacrificed. Caesar decides to grant his wife's wishes and stay home. Knowing it is cowardice for a man to stay home due to a women's order, Calphurnia plans to "...send Mark Antony to the Senate House, / And he shall say you are not well today." After Calphurnia says this, Decius enters to accompany Caesar to the Senate House. Caesar states "The cause is in my will: I will not come. / That is enough to satisfy the Senate. / But for your private satisfaction, / Because I love you, I will let you know. / Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home. / She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, / Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, / Did pure blood, and many lusty Romans / Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it. / And these does she apply for warnings and portents / And evils imminent, and on her knee / Hath begged that I will stay at home today." Taking into consideration