Julius Caesar

In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. This statement holds true in the famous play by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. In it, the chief act of violence is the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus and the other conspirators.

Throughout the play, as was true in history, Caesar had been gaining power as an excellent military leader and strong dictator of the people. Although he had many friends and allies, he also created many new enemies as a result of his growing might. Even within the Senate, where he was once a highly-respected man, there was malice and ill-feeling towards the powerful dictator. His growing strength frightened many people. This led to corruption and then a conspiracy against Caesar. In the climax of the play, Caesar is attacked by the Senators, including his best friend, Brutus. In a famous quote, Caesar says, "Et tu Brute?" This means "and you, Brutus?"

In those three words are explained one of the main themes of the play. It advises the audience not to trust anyone, even a best friend. It warns people to be wary of others, especially when in a position of great power. This leads to the other main message in the play: power breeds contempt in others. With every ounce of strength Caesar gained, he gained one more enemy, until at last even his best friend could not be trusted.

By providing a graphic murder of the chief protagonist in his play, Shakespeare emphasizes the themes, and, in turn, provides valuable advice to the audience. It would serve no purpose if a minor character died, since it would not affect the audience as greatly. However, it is not as if Shakespeare could choose since the play Julius Caesar is a historical / biographical drama. The history of what happened on the Ides of March: March 15, 44 B.C., gave the world a lesson. Even today's leaders must keep in mind the message that Shakespeare reminds us of in his play, Julius Caesar.

Hills vs. Lysistrata

Hills, a short story by Vasily Belov, points out how men go off to war and women stay home. This is where they die and are buried. The general message is very similar to that of Lysistrata, an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes. In Lysistrata, it is pointed out how women are just as able, or even more adept, at running society. Although written in two different times and in two different genres, a universal theme is presented: that women are just as apt as men, yet do not receive any credit for their contributions.

The theme of Hills is that women are forgotten after death, while men have monuments to commemorate their death and to serve as eternal reminders of their lives. This message can be found around the world, just as this attitude will not likely change soon. The theme of Lysistrata is that women are more capable than men in handling political and international affairs. Although the themes slightly differ, they both demonstrate the "underratedness," or lack of respect for the female gender throughout history. It is for this reason that the story will stand the test of time until attitudes or policies toward women change.

In Hills, I do not think the story was presented in the best possible way to deliver Belov's message. He writes a good deal about the man before he comes to the graveyard. It is finally at the graveyard that Belov presents the theme of his story. The man looks for his grandmother's grave, but there is "not a sign of her grave." Her grave is "overgrown with grass and docks," since she just as all women have virtually been forgotten in death. On the contrary, though, the man's father has a monument on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd where there is a Hall of Fame with his name on it. The theme is presented quite clearly, even though there is a lengthy exposition.

If Hills raises a question to women's rights, then Lysistrata answers it.