Julius Caesar had great political ambitions and also arrogance, and for this he was assassinated.
Caesar created his fate through a variety of choices that caused his political opponents to worry that he was getting too powerful. The first and most obvious is the war with Pompey. Caesar marched his army across the Rubicon and to Rome, threatening tradition and the political order. Not only that, he succeeded. Many senators and patricians were horrified that Caesar would cross that line (literally and figuratively).
Shakespeare reminds us of all of this and sets the stage with the craftsmen and Marullus and Flavius. They chastise the workmen for celebrating Caesar when he has defeated Pompey, another Roman.
Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
To grace in captive bonds his chariot-wheels?
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey? (Act 1, Scene 1)
The political campaign against Caesar gains ground with each authoritative move that Caesar makes. Caesar is so powerful, bold, and arrogant that the senators begin to fear that he wants to make himself king. Their fears seem confirmed with the small crown Mark Antony presents to Caesar during the Feast of Lupercal. Caesar refuses it, but that does not lay the matter to rest.
Was Caesar a tyrant? Except for the act of war against Pompey, there really is not a lot of evidence to that fact. The senate was placating Caesar with one hand and vilifying him with the other when he accepted statues, holidays, minted coins, and even demigod status. The truth is that the senators were running scared. Caesar had a strong following, especially among his soldiers. He had the people’s support, and that made him dangerous. It was enough to get him killed.
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