Chapter V: The Character of Caesar 57

Peculiarities of Shakespeare’s Delineation—The Influence of
Medieval Conception of the Character—Pescetti’s Treatment—His
Appreciation of Caesar’s Nobler Qualities—Their Submergence in
the Action and his Emphasis of Caesar’s Weaknesses—Caesar’s
Susceptibility to Flattery, his Pride, his Boastfulness, his
Vacillation—Reasons for Pescetti’s Delineation—The Parallels in
Shakespeare’s Treatment—Caesar’s Relative Inferiority in the
Action—His Spiritual Domination of the Tragedy.