The chaos of the U.S. election is unprecedented in history. President Trump said: I am not for myself, but to defend the country.
The Shakespearean play “Julius Caesar” provides some inspiration for interpreting the current scene. At the beginning of “Julius Caesar”, Julius Caesar returns triumphantly from war and is welcomed by the masses.
At this time, the Roman republic was on the decline, the military power was on the rise, the Senate and government officials were suppressed by the military, but the military was gradually dissatisfied with the republican system, which was the time when the old Roman system was coming to an end and the autocratic monarchy was about to be restored.
The first act of “Julius Caesar”, Caesar’s return, the common people cheered Caesar’s support, but the government bureaucrats were secretly dissatisfied with Caesar. Caesar’s beloved Brutus and General Cassio, privately resent Caesar and resent him.
At the beginning of the drama, Caesar’s glory is only superficial, and there are cracks within the strength of Rome. Beyond the rejoicing, the situation is chaotic and complex, creating great tension.
Cassio provokes Brutus to assassinate Caesar. He says: “What is so great about Caesar? He was only a mediocre man, but he conquered the world and monopolized the glory of victory. You are no less talented than he is, so kill Caesar and you will be on top.
But Brutus refuted Cassius: to kill Caesar, not because of my own selfish desire to rise to the top, but for the public good. Not because of his ability and reputation, but because Caesar had too much power and was afraid of becoming a tyrant.
What Brutus wanted to defend was the institution of the Roman republic and the public interest, and had no private ambition, and had no quarrel with Caesar. Cassio was helpless and warned: after killing Julius Caesar, you will address the Roman people, and if Antony also wants to speak, do not let him speak.
But Brutus could not do it. Then came the two speeches that the two men made famous in Shakespeare.
Understanding the difference between the motives of Brutus and Cassio in their plot to assassinate Caesar, it is easy to see that Cassio was jealous of Caesar, and Brutus and Mark Antony each had great ambitions. The union of the anti-Caesar coalition is not solid and can cause disputes at any time.
Today’s Trump is also the Caesar of the 21st century. Its sudden rise to power and the achievements it has made during its tenure have caused unease among the so-called East Coast elite – that is, the Roman military group. Biden is no Brutus either, just a vulgar career politician. Brutus is a tragic transitional figure, too, as he is a cicada hunter and a bird of prey.
Look at Washington today: Obama and Clinton, in the guise of Brutus and Mark Antony, full of moral ideals, but in fact all Cassius, the role of Jia Lian equivalent in the Dream of the Red Chamber. Americans are more stupid, lack of cultural cultivation. Shakespeare’s demon mirror, just a game of “Julius Caesar”, through the shape.
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