Sunday, February 22, 2015

Caesar, Macbeth, and yes, Death







A prevalent theme in the play of “Macbeth” is that of death. The painting above depicts Cesar, arguably the most successful Roman Empire to ever live, being stabbed to death by his senators, including his best friend Brutus. Cesar lived a life that people can only dream of. He had an affair with the beautiful Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra, enjoyed luxuries because of his high status as emperor, and maintained power over a massive and powerful country. His reign compared to Macbeth, the King of Scotland, not in how he achieved it, but in the way that any people in positions of power compare to one another; they both have a lifestyle limited to a select few people and supreme power and influence. Death for Cesar, depicted in the painting above, directly relates to Macbeth because it is what makes them equivalent to any other member of the global community. It is permanent and the same for everyone. Caesar and Macbeth had the luxury of being powerful, and when they were killed (as a result of mistakes made with that power) they were dead. Their high status no longer mattered, nor did their power or influence. it put them both on the same level as any other living thing in the world. Death for Macbeth, Caesar, and anyone is equitable and permanent.



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