Shakespeare's Urgent Warning to America | The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Explained

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A lecture on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Some links to further guide your study:

Companion lectures and interviews:

Reference Texts:
* Chapter 4 explores the "Caesar wanted to die" thesis

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 0. Introduction
00:03:28 1. Rome and America
00:12:17 2. Marcus Brutus
00:38:25 3. Julius Caesar
01:09:07 4. Mark Antony
01:29:55 5. The Fall of Brutus
01:32:47 6. Will America Fall like Rome?
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* Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io

Companion lectures and interviews:

Reference Texts:
* Chapter 4 explores the "Caesar wanted to die" thesis

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 0. Introduction
00:03:28 1. Rome and America
00:12:17 2. Marcus Brutus
00:38:25 3. Julius Caesar
01:09:07 4. Mark Antony
01:29:55 5. The Fall of Brutus
01:32:47 6. Will America Fall like Rome?

bi.johnathan
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Spent half my life looking for brilliant and illuminating minds such as yours… easy to find in old books… hard to find in real life… most pretend… you are the real deal.

Thank you for giving!!!

JeffreyWhitt
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This is such a fantastic and refreshing take on the Shakespearean play! Bravo.

vinnygarr
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Your best lecture yet Jonathan. The Nietzsche and Girard videos were educational, but this one was just as riveting as it was informative. You should analyze more narrative works in the future.

adrianjohn
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Absolutely banging. Perfect timing too.

JohnDorian-jx
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This is an awesome YouTube channel. Thank you.

JTL
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Very well thought out and presented.

Captivating throughout!

robertortiz-wilson
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God this brings me back to 10th grade English when we read this during one of our semesters. Fun lecture as always.

richardyim
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Until I watched this video, I thought I knew this play well. So well-informed and perceptive. Well done!

cartertimothy
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I've never read Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, but I've been expressing this general sentiment to others for some time. I think it sobering to remember that our Founding Fathers were conscious of the histories pertaining to other republics that came before our own. I quote to you Benjamin Franklin, "I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it."

EricLeCrenn-Sanchez
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Caesar’s Ambition vs. Trump’s Power Hunger
Parallel: Caesar is accused of excessive ambition, seeking to become a dictator of Rome. Similarly, Trump’s disregard for democratic norms (e.g., contesting election results, calling for loyalty over legal systems) reflects Caesar’s alleged pursuit of unchecked power.
Quote: “He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
2. Cult of Personality
Parallel: Both Caesar and Trump command intense loyalty from their followers, turning their personas into almost divine entities. Trump's rallies resemble Caesar’s triumphal processions.
Quote: “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world / Like a Colossus, and we petty men / Walk under his huge legs and peep about.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
3. Flattery and Ego
Parallel: Caesar is vulnerable to flattery, as is Trump, whose decisions often appear driven by praise and adoration rather than reason or strategy.
Quote: “But when I tell him he hates flatterers, / He says he does, being then most flattered.” (Act 2, Scene 1)
4. Manipulative Allies (Mark Antony and MAGA Loyalists)
Parallel: Antony manipulates public sentiment to avenge Caesar’s death, much like Trump’s loyalists stoke division to maintain his influence.
Quote: “You all did love him once, not without cause: / What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?” (Act 3, Scene 2)
5. Brutus as a Moral Antagonist
Parallel: Brutus is torn between his loyalty to Caesar and his sense of duty to Rome. In the MAGA context, some former Trump allies (e.g., Liz Cheney) exhibit a similar moral conflict.
Quote: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
6. Mob Mentality
Parallel: The Roman mob is easily swayed by rhetoric, as seen during Antony’s funeral oration. Similarly, Trump’s base often reacts emotionally rather than critically, echoing the dynamics of mob psychology.
Quote: “You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!” (Act 1, Scene 1)
7. Fear of Tyranny
Parallel: The conspirators justify Caesar’s assassination by claiming they are saving Rome from tyranny. Critics of Trump often warn that his behavior undermines democratic institutions.
Quote: “As he was valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
8. The Omens
Parallel: Caesar ignores numerous warnings (e.g., the soothsayer’s “Beware the Ides of March”). Similarly, Trump has ignored institutional warnings and legal risks, pushing ahead with his agenda.
Quote: “The ides of March are come.” / “Ay, Caesar; but not gone.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
9. Division Within the Ruling Class
Parallel: Rome’s Senate is deeply divided over Caesar’s rule, mirroring the split in U.S. politics over Trump, with some Republicans questioning his actions but fearing political fallout.
Quote: “Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar!” (Act 3, Scene 1)
10. Betrayal
Parallel: Caesar’s assassination is marked by betrayal by those closest to him, including Brutus. Trump has similarly experienced defections from former allies who no longer support his actions.
Quote: “Et tu, Brute?” (Act 3, Scene 1)
11. Populism as a Tool
Parallel: Caesar uses his image as a man of the people to justify his authority, much like Trump employs populist rhetoric to appeal to his base.
Quote: “I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
12. Public Manipulation
Parallel: Antony’s speech to the Roman crowd manipulates their emotions, similar to how Trump crafts his rhetoric to mobilize his base.
Quote: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
13. Exploitation of Fear
Parallel: Caesar’s death leads to chaos, partly because the conspirators fail to address the public’s fear of instability. Trump exploits similar fears to maintain influence.
Quote: “Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!” (Act 3, Scene 1)
14. The Fragility of Democracy
Parallel: Rome teeters between democracy and dictatorship, much like fears that Trump’s actions erode democratic norms.
Quote: “These growing feathers pluck’d from Caesar’s wing / Will make him fly an ordinary pitch.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
15. Media and Messaging
Parallel: Antony uses Caesar’s will to manipulate public sentiment, akin to how Trump leverages media and social platforms to control narratives.
Quote: “You are not wood, you are not stones, but men.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
16. Unchecked Hubris
Parallel: Caesar’s arrogance blinds him to his vulnerabilities, just as Trump’s overconfidence leads to repeated missteps.
Quote: “Cowards die many times before their deaths; / The valiant never taste of death but once.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
17. Perceived Invincibility
Parallel: Caesar believes himself untouchable, as does Trump, evidenced by his dismissal of legal challenges and critics.
Quote: “Danger knows full well / That Caesar is more dangerous than he.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
18. Disregard for Warnings
Parallel: Both leaders dismiss critical advice, undermining their long-term positions.
Quote: “He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
19. Rhetorical Power
Parallel: Both Caesar and Trump rely on rhetoric to solidify their power.
Quote: “Let me have men about me that are fat.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
20. Legal Loopholes
Parallel: The conspirators justify Caesar’s death legally. Trump’s actions often skirt legal norms without crossing definitive lines.
21–25: Additional Parallels
Political infighting, ego-driven decisions, collapse of public trust, cult dynamics, and abuse of power.
This analysis draws upon Shakespearean dialogue and modern political analysis to highlight the enduring relevance of Julius Caesar.

michaelbellingham
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I subscribed because this is one of the most detailed, interesting and brilliant analyses I've ever heard, and from someone so apparently accomplished in his youth. However, I may have assumed incorrectly, but your last line, "sometimes the fault IS in our stars, " seems to be contradictory. Is not one of Shakespeare's most foundational conclusions designed for all men to recognize is that the world is primarily woeful as a society of individuals who have gone personally wrong, leading to our demise, but whose demise is not brought about primarily through the responsibility of a few bad "actors?"

davidpickup
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Awesome lecture. You should have more subs considering your content and production quality. I was hoping youd provide more allusions to present day. As they say, forms change but content stays the same.

mediatechjohn
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How do you get to be an audience member?

fortheloveofbooks
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can appreciate the Staloff / Sugrue pace

TheConceptTheProcess
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This guy remind me of our most articulative then Hon Mr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi

matsobanemosehla
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On your astrological point, you may not be fully educated on how the field has evolved since the birth of depth psychology. So I’ll point you to Richard Tarnas’ “Cosmos & Psyche”. He is also the author of “The Passion of the Western Mind” which is right up your alley. Astrology is actually not just based on individual birth charts, it’s also an incredible telescope into the collective zeitgeist. Appreciate your work Johnathan, thanks for the stellar content!

somyadesai
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nice Anne Barton essay in lecture talks

williambo
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Allow the government to make mistakes but in the most transparent way

zackpane
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Wake up babe bi just dropped a new video

Nueres