Shakespeare s Tragic History Julius Caesar - 1346 Words

Shakespeare’s tragic history, Julius Caesar, shows what can happen when mere men, though supposedly honorable, attempt to rid themselves of an apparently ambitious and therefore dangerous ruler. In the pages of this complex play, two words are used often and are applied to the main characters. Though initially appearing unrelated, these words, ambition, and honor, are actually related, and can help to unlock the theme of the play. First, it is important to know what meanings Shakespeare would have been intending by using these words in the play. After exploring how they appear in the play, they will then be used to explore the meaning of the entire play. Finally, how their meanings apply to real life today will be examined. Shakespeare lived in the 1500s and 1600s, and the meanings of honor and ambition he would have been accustomed to were not necessarily the same as the ones used today. According to an online etymological dictionary, ambition in the 1300s was defined as â€Å"a striving for favor, courting, flattery; a desire for honor, thirst for popularity† (www.etymonline.com). Again using the same site, honor in the 1200s and 1300s had several meanings, â€Å"glory, renown, fame earned† (1200s), or â€Å"nobleness of character or manners† (1300s), as well as the verb honor which could mean â€Å"action of honoring or paying respect to† (1300s) (www.etymonline.com). These definitions are exemplified in the play. Brutus, who claimed that â€Å"†¦I love the name of honor more than I fear death†Show MoreRelatedShakespeare’S Tragic Hero . William Shakespeare, â€Å" The1492 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s Tragic Hero William Shakespeare, â€Å" The Bard†, is one of the most influential figure that shaped the english language. He has wrote some of the most well known poetry and plays. Also he has has a large influence on the english language itself. 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