Julius caesar conflicting perspectives essay

It seems that in the modern world and throughout history, we have been shrouded in conflicting perspectives. Everybody has a different point of view, a unique perspective and this is reflected heavily throughout most if not all literature. Further more, the conflicting perspectives often supply the text’s main interest and drama. ‘ Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare and ‘ Saving Private Ryan’ directed by Steven Spielberg are superlative examples of this, being riddled with conflicting perspectives and ideals. By using techniques such as symbolism, imagery and dialectical language throughout ‘ Julius Caesar’, Shakespeare emphasizes these conflicts of interest between the characters and therefore extends the drama in the play. Steven Spielberg exploits the conflicting perspectives of the characters and the bigger picture of the opposing countries in World War 2 to create suspense, excitement and tension throughout the film. Spielberg skilfully uses a variety of camera angles, costume and lighting to make clear the perspectives and feelings of each protagonist and to differentiate between the ‘ sides’ of the war. The main source of conflict in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is the difference in opinion between the conspirators and Caesar along with his supporters. Brutus, Cassius, Casca and Cinna, the main conspirators, believe that Julius Caesar’s agenda revolves around his hunger for power and that him becoming the emperor of Rome will be disastrous for the empire. The two tribunes, Flavius and Marullus share the conspirators’ opinion about Caesar and this is represented by Shakespeare in Act 1, Scene 1. The people of Rome are spread through the streets celebrating the return of Caesar to Rome. Flavius and Marullus, fearful of Caesar’s increasing power, disperse the crowd and lecture the commoners for their fickle loyalties reminding them that Caesar has conquered a fellow Roman, Pompey. This is evident in the quote: “ And do you now strew flowers in his way that comes in triumph over Pompey’s blood? Be gone! ” After the conspirators assassinate Caesar, Brutus addresses the people of Rome at the pulpit before Marc Antony arrives. He delivers a convincing speech on how the assassination was just and was for the benefit of Rome. The sheepish commoners are easily satisfied by this explanation and when Antony arrives he has to bellow to gain their attention. Antony then commences a skilfully rhetoric argument against the conspirators. The repetition of the word ‘ ambitious’ by Antony in act 3, scene 2 subtly ridicules and discredits Brutus and wins over the crowd. By using this rhetoric dialogue in Antony’s speech, Shakespeare communicates Antony’s perspective and personality. The clash of the two personalities and perspectives of Brutus and Antony in this scene extends the drama and emphasizes the contrast of characters included in ‘ Julius Caesar’. ‘ Saving Private Ryan’ tells the story of a company of American soldiers who are sent on a mission to retrieve a Private safely and relieve him of duty. All four of his brothers have been killed in action and to save his mother the pain of losing every son; orders are given to save the last Private Ryan. There is a plethora of conflicting perspectives in Saving Private Ryan but the main points of interest are the conflict within the company arguing over whether it is worth risking the lives of the whole company to save one man. The other main point of conflict throughout the war is the literal conflict between the American and German soldiers. During the film, there is a scene where the company has captured a German soldier who has killed their friend and fellow soldier Irvin Wade. Spielberg uses close up shots from below the American protagonist’s faces to show that the Americans hold all the power in this situation. These shots replicate the view that the German soldier has lying on the ground cowering from the American’s and gives an almost literal point of view to the scene allowing the viewer to empathise with the enemy and therefore experience both perspectives. Another way Spielberg differentiates between the allies and the enemies is the use of costume. He guises Germans and the Americans differently in their authentic uniforms, helping the responder to see what side of the conflict each person is on. Spielberg also represents the American soldier’s personalities, attitudes and ideas through intricate details in their costumes like a slightly different jacket to the other soldiers to symbolise the rebellious nature of Private First Class Richard Reiben. ‘ Saving Private Ryan’ both opens and closes to the image of the American flag waving in the wind. By starting the film and ending it with this cliché image and symbol, Spielberg reinforces the perspective that the film is made from the perspective of the Americans. ‘ Saving Private Ryan’ directed by Steven Spielberg and ‘ Julius Caesar’ written by William Shakespeare can be analysed to discover how different authors can manipulate texts using techniques to shape the conflicting perspectives of the texts. These two texts are prime examples of how conflicting perspectives are represented in literature and how drama, meaning and interest can be laced through the text through these differing ideals. This universal concept of differing perspectives can be seen and recognised within most literature and in real life.