Julius Caesar Essay: Flawed Models of Leadership -- Julius Caesar Ess

Julius Caesar  Flawed Models of Leadership        Leadership is a recurrent theme in Shakespeares Julius Caesar. The play is centred on a group of men in leadership positions. The political setting and mood of Julius Caesar, lend itself well to Shakespeares insights into the human condition. As the players personalities split through the course of the play, we see that his portrayal of their character-types (which still endure today) is both consistent and accurate.             Julius Caesar has many fine examples of arrogance in leadership. We see Caesars pretensions as kind of laughable. But I am constant as the northern star, of whose true-fixd and resting quality there is no fellow in the firmament, and the things that threatend me neer lookd but on my back when they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished demonstrate his pride. Shakespeare suggests that although being sure of yourself is a neces sary characteristic for a good leader (as it enables decisive action and courage) it should likewise be tempered with humility.             The confidence of a leader, in turn, instils confidence in his/her pursuit. The quote,  And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive yet in the number I do know but one that unassailable holds on his rank, unshaked of motion and that I am he, is an example of the comfort and security that his words provided the commonalty people. Caesars absolute faith in his greatness and right to rule was in the perfect climate, in the midst of a community that was seeking a ruler. The followers were more sheep than thinker... ...other conspirators as traitors, the crowd is wild. Antonys transparent sweet friends let me non stir you up to such a sudden flood of mutiny is on the nose the beginnings of his carefully-orchestrated urgings to them. When he finally sets them loose, it is with a Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt- an exclamation which sounds heartstrong, but not very well-thought out. Shakespeare advises that such a leader can be dangerous.             Through a well-developed cast and a complex play about men, politics and government agency Shakespeare has once again demonstrated his mastery of the humanity of the characters he creates. The flawed models of leadership we examine in Julius Caesar aptly lend themselves to the theory that an imperfect origination gives power to imperfect men.