Motivators of Caesar

The Gods do this in shame of cowardice:

Caesar should be a beast without a heart

If he should stay at home today for fear.

No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well

That Caesar is more dangerous than he.

(Act 2, Scene 2, Line 41-45)

This quotation displays that Caesar saw himself as a powerful and strong person because he will not stay at home out of fears even if the Gods test him. He feels is more dangerous than danger itself and he determined to go out to the senate even though the omens show that he should not. Caesar was motivated for power and was determined to be seen as a powerful leader and fears nothing even if he was facing death. Caesar wants to gain power for him to become a successful leader. His determination to be seen as a leader is evidenced when he makes important decisions.

Caesar displays his power as a leader by enforcing his right to decide on important matters by himself, as he likes. By showing his power he proves that he was a strong and powerful leader of Rome. When Decius asked Caesar the reason why he won’t come to the senate that day, Caesar told him that it was because he didn’t need any reason.

“The cause is in my will. I will not come. That is enough to satisfy the senate.”

(Act 2, Scene 2 Line 71-72)

In this quotation, Caesar show his power when he says that he will not go to the senate just because he doesn’t want to go to the senate and that should be a good and enough reason for the senate. It is in his power to make any decision he wants and no one should question Caesar. Caesar also shows his power that once he made a decision, he has the right as a leader to keep in his decision even though people beg or appeal to him.

“But I am constant as the Northern star, Of whose trur-fix’d and resting quality. There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks, They are all fire, and every one doth shine; But there’s but one in all doth hold his place. (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 58-65)

In this quotation, Caesar compares himself to the Northern star, which never changes its position in the sky. As a leader, he shows his power by saying that he stands above people and is firm in his decisions. To express his power Caesar shows determination in ensuring that he maintains his power in the best way he can.

Caesar’s determination made him face and overcome any obstacles in order to become more powerful and to maintain his power. He is determined to make sure that only loyal people are close to him and he will get rid of the people that he thinks are dangerous to him.

“Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-night. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.” (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 192,195)

In this quotation, Caesar tells Anthony that he prefers big people around him who are happy and contented and not thin people who think too much because they are dangerous to him. He gives Cassius as an example of a man who thinks too much and doesn’t look satisfied which makes him dangerous to him. Caesar is determined to ensure only people who are fat and satisfied around him because they will not do him any harm. Caesar also shows his determination when he decided to go to the senate even his wife Calpurnia and the priest advice him to not go to the senate.

“How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go.” (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 105-107)

In this quotation Caesar show his determination to go to the senate and tells his wife that her interpretation was foolish and he felt ashamed that he listened to her at first. As a leader, Caesar had struck his first decision to go to the senate and accepted Decius’s interpretation of his wife’s dream.

Caesar wants power in order to be a successful leader. Caesar also has the determination to ensure that he can express his power and maintains the power in order to secure his position as Rome’s leader. He showed his power when he decided that he did not have to give any reason why he did not want to go to the senate and when he kept firm to his decisions and never changing his mind. Determination made him show when he wanted to make sure people close to him were loyal and when he finally decided to go to the senate ignoring his wife’s warnings. I think that Caesar was successful in showing his power and determination because the people respected him as a leader. Unfortunately this made some nobles jealous and they conspire to assassinate him.