Arrogance before the Fall People encounter arrogance on a daily basis. However, not many people are aware of the harmful effects that come from arrogance and pride. This concept of arrogance is explored in William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Many characters in this play are corrupted by arrogance and this always ends up hurting them. The play opens with Julius Caesar, the ruler of Rome, returning to the city after defeating Pompey, his rival, in battle. As he is celebrated by the Roman citizens, a group of superiors fear that Caesar is gaining too much power. A faction of conspirators hatches a plan for his assassination. Cassius and Brutus are two essential leaders of this plot. Each conspirator has a different reason for killing Caesar. The plan works well for the accomplices and Cesare is murdered. After Caesar leaves, the play mainly follows Cassius and Brutus and how they too are forced to their deaths. All of these deaths, however, would have been quite preventable if the characters had chosen to be more modest and humble. Throughout the play, Shakespeare warns his audience that arrogance leads to ruin, and this can be seen through Caesar, Brutus, and Cassius. Caesar is the first character Shakespeare uses to show how arrogance leads to death. On the day Caesar is killed, Caesar's wife Calpurnia tells him that he must not leave the house that day. She has had a nightmare in which Caesar was assassinated and genuinely fears for her husband's life. Cesare tries to act brave and tells her that he is not afraid of anything. He refuses to heed her warnings. His servant informs him that the animal sacrificed that day had no heart. In the culture of ancient Rome, this was a... medium of paper... wd, and has no idea that Antony will fascinate the audience even more. Finally, Cassius is so arrogant that he completely ignores what is best for his country and Brutus forcing him to take part in the assassination. His motivations are strictly personal and he is willing to risk the fate of Rome for his own satisfaction. Shakespeare's warning is quite clear after three characters who all behave arrogantly meet their demise. All of these characters have extremely smug personalities, and they all end up dead. In the wise words of Solomon, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (The English Standard Version, Prov. 16.18). Work cited Shakespeare, William and Alan Durband. Julius Caesar. Woodbury, NY: Barron's, 1985. Print. The English Standard Version of the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print.