The Ides of March: A Novel of Political Intrigue and Betrayal

Thornton Wilder's novel The Ides of March tells the story of Gaius Julius Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March (March 15) in 44 BC. The novel is written in the form of a series of letters, diaries, and other documents from various characters involved in the plot to kill Caesar.

The novel begins with a letter from Cicero to Atticus, in which Cicero expresses his fears about Caesar's growing power. Cicero believes that Caesar is a threat to the Roman Republic, and he fears that Caesar will become a dictator. Other characters in the novel share Cicero's concerns, and they begin to plot Caesar's assassination.

The Ides of March: A Novel

by Thornton Wilder

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2922 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	169 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The plot to kill Caesar is led by Marcus Junius Brutus, a close friend and confidant of Caesar. Brutus is a noble and idealistic man, but he is also a staunch defender of the Republic. He believes that Caesar's assassination is necessary to save the Republic from tyranny.

The other conspirators include Gaius Cassius Longinus, a skilled military commander; Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, a close friend of Caesar; and Trebonius, a tribune of the plebs. The conspirators meet in secret to plan Caesar's assassination. They decide to kill Caesar on the Ides of March, when Caesar is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Senate.

On the Ides of March, Caesar arrives at the Senate House unaware of the plot against him. The conspirators surround Caesar and stab him to death. Caesar's death sends shockwaves through Rome. The Republic is thrown into chaos, and a civil war erupts.

The Ides of March is a gripping and suspenseful novel. Wilder does an excellent job of creating a sense of time and place, and the characters are complex and believable. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in Roman history or in the themes of political intrigue and betrayal.

Themes

The Ides of March explores several themes, including:

• The dangers of tyranny: Caesar's assassination is a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power. Caesar's ambition to become dictator leads to his death, and it also plunges Rome into civil war.
• The importance of idealism: Brutus is a complex and contradictory character. He is a noble and idealistic man, but he is also willing to commit murder to achieve his goals. The novel explores the tension between idealism and pragmatism, and it asks the question of whether the ends justify the means.
• The fragility of the Republic: The assassination of Caesar leads to the collapse of the Roman Republic. The Republic is unable to withstand the pressures of civil war, and it is eventually replaced by the Roman Empire.

Characters

The Ides of March features a cast of complex and believable characters. The main characters include:

• Gaius Julius Caesar: Caesar is a brilliant military commander and a charismatic leader. He is also a ruthless and ambitious man, and he is determined to become dictator of Rome.
• Marcus Junius Brutus: Brutus is a close friend and confidant of Caesar. He is a noble and idealistic man, but he is also a staunch defender of the Republic. Brutus believes that Caesar's assassination is necessary to save the Republic from tyranny.
• Gaius Cassius Longinus: Cassius is a skilled military commander and a close friend of Brutus. He is a more pragmatic man than Brutus, and he is less idealistic. Cassius believes that Caesar's assassination is necessary to prevent him from becoming a dictator.
• Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus: Decimus Brutus is a close friend of Caesar. He is a more ambitious man than Brutus, and he is willing to betray Caesar to further his own career.
• Trebonius: Trebonius is a tribune of the plebs. He is a close friend of Brutus and Cassius, and he is a willing participant in the plot to kill Caesar.

Setting

The Ides of March is set in Rome in 44 BC. The novel vividly recreates the sights and sounds of ancient Rome, and it provides a rich sense of the political and social climate of the time.

Style

The Ides of March is written in a clear and concise style. Wilder uses a variety of literary devices, including foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism, to create a suspenseful and engaging novel.

The Ides of March is a classic novel of political intrigue and betrayal. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in Roman history or in the themes of idealism, pragmatism, and the fragility of the Republic.

The Ides of March: A Novel

by Thornton Wilder

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2922 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	169 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE