La mort de César, by Voltaire

Description

La mort de César by Voltaire is a historical tragedy in three acts, written during the Enlightenment period of the 18th century. This play focuses on the themes of power, betrayal, and the moral complexities surrounding leadership and tyranny, revolving around the assassination of Julius Caesar and the implications it has for Roman society. The narrative begins with Caesar’s rise to power and his confrontation with various senators who are opposed to his rule. Central characters include Brutus, who grapples with his loyalty to Caesar and his duty to Rome, and Cassius, who incites Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar. As the political tension escalates, Brutus faces a moral dilemma upon discovering he is Caesar’s illegitimate son, ultimately leading him to participate in the fatal plot. The play explores deep philosophical questions about the nature of tyranny, freedom, and the responsibility of leadership, culminating in the tragic death of Caesar and the subsequent fallout for Rome, exposing the fragility of power and civic virtue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)