The two tragedies that are written by “Julius Caesar and “Macbeth” are pretty much similar when one talks about their basic plot and premises (Kaufmann and Clifford , 1970). The stories are about the conspiracy and later on an agreement between the people to carry out an illegal act. In both the cases, the plot involves killing someone who is in the higher power (Kaufmann and Clifford , 1970). The key difference though is the fact that how the perspective of the people who are involved in the story and what are some of the reasons behind that conspiracy. The aftermath of the conspiracy is also considerably different from each other (Kaufmann and Clifford , 1970).
Nature of the Conspiracy
Looking closely at the plot of both these plays, it can be said that the way conspiracy is being shaped, both the stories revolve around killing of a king (Kaufmann and Clifford , 1970). However, the main difference that one gets to see is that how people are involved during the due course as well the ultimate plan that one gets to see for it (Lear et al. 2000). Talking about “Julius Caesar” there were many conspirators such as Brutus, Cassius and Decius that hatched the plot. Specially if one talks about Cassius, his role is important due to the fact that he was the one who came up wit the idea. Not only that, he also persuaded the rest of the people to ensure that the execution of the idea is being done (Lear et al. 2000). On the other hand, if one talks about the way plot unfolded during the course of the Macbeth (Kaufmann and Clifford , 1970). In this play, the whole premises of the plot was revolving around certain individuals. Not many people were involved in the assassination attempt and it was not as well planned of a murder, instead, it can be regarded as a matter of impulse and how this whole thing unfolded during the given time period of the play (Lear et al. 2000). So the level of planning and detail that went into the plan was different (Kaufmann and Clifford , 1970).
Foreshadowing of the Events and Death
There is an element of foreshadowing in both the stories. The way these stories panned out, it can be seen that both the anti heroes are well aware of the fact that their fates are sealed, Brutus and Macbeth, who both are anti heroes in this story are able to see the fact that their time is close (Shakespeare et al. 2017). The difference is that Brutus has anticipated about his death for a very long time. Comparing the situation with Macbeth, in the earlier part of the issue, and it was later on in the story that it dawned upon him that his days are numbered (Lear et al. 2000). Thus Macbeth tried to make sure that he died during the course of the battle in a noble manner. Macbuth was eventually successful in doing that as he failed in combat against the Macduff (Lear et al. 2000). Brutus on the other succeeeds in making sure that they are able to committing the Roman equivalent of the seppuku (Shakespeare et al. 2017). So even though death of both the characters is well known, the way they reacted to this realization is also different which is in synch with the character of these people (Lear et al. 2000).
Death of the Spouse
The other similarity between the plots is that how they involve the death of the spouses of each of the respective antiheroes. Now, it has to be noted that as far as the her role and active involvement, Lady Macbeth is one of the most important pawns in the play, she gets a bit panicky and is later disposed off in a very discrete fashion during the course of the narrative. The word that is being used to discuss about the way she killed herself through harsh means. Portia on the other hand comes across as a dutiful wife of Brutus and the key difference between both the women is that unike Macbeth, she is not that assertive and there is a bit of naivety in the way she does her thing (Lear et al. 2000). Her health is also far from ideal. Later on she also kill her off stage and the whole thing is described as how she ate fire. There are different versions and interpretations of the story as some people claim that she had swallowed live coals which resulted in burning her innards (Shakespeare et al. 2017). In both the cases, the husband is sad after the death but due to the lack of time that they had at their disposal, they are not able to mourn their death in a proper manner (Lear et al. 2000).
Interpretation of the Supernatural Theme
The way supernatural themes and imagery are discussed during the narrative is also quite similar to each other (Lear et al. 2000). There is large presence looming of the independent practitioners of the supernatural art (Lear et al. 2000). While the Scottish play starts with three witches, they made sure that they witheld some infomration from Macbeth and that makes them all the more intriguing (Shakespeare et al. 2017). Not only that, they serve as a large part regarding the amount of mischief that one gets to see in the play (Shakespeare et al. 2017). On the other hand, the same role is being played by soothsayers who Julius Caesar consults time after time (Shakespeare et al. 2017). The major diversion though in both the plays is that while on one hand Macbeth seems to be listening to the portents even when he is not supposed to. The Caesar does not think highly of these people and their advise is not heeded at all by Caesar (Lear et al. 2000). As is the case that is pointed out before, Pretty much like another famous character from Shakespeare, Hamlet, Caesar at all the costs makes an effort that the augery has to be defied (Lear et al. 2000). This is specially the case where Macbeth and Hamlet are intersting their ideas about the supersitions and the way they play.
Conclusion
The way both these characters are framed in these tragedies is the quite similar but it is the circumstances that they are surrounded and the choices that they make them different from each other (Lear et al. 2000). The power dynamics and the understading of the power is also similar is also similar in both the individuals. The key difference though is the fact that Caesar comes across as someone who is aware of his reach and the extent of his power. He has a fair hold of this ambitions, while on the other hand, Macbeth comes across as someone who is more interested in gaining the power though he does not have much of an idea that what he would be doing with this power once he gets the hold of it (Lear et al. 2000). The class difference and the upbringing of these people is such that they have a strong sense of self entitelemt with regards to the way they get their things done (Lear et al. 2000).
Works Cited
Kaufmann, R. J., and Clifford J. Ronan. “Shakespeare’s” Julius Caesar”: An Apollonian and Comparative Reading.” Comparative Drama (1970): 18-51.
Lear, Othello, Coriolanus Macbeth, and Antony Julius Caesar. “Shakespeare and the Bible.” ARMENIAN FOLIA ANGLISTIKA (2000): 113.
Shakespeare, William, and Grace Ioppolo. Measure For Measure: The Folio of 1623. Routledge, 2017.
