Requirements

• Formulate a clear, arguable thesis that goes beyond merely summarizing the plot.
• Back up your argument with at least three specific textual examples, including direct quotes from both speeches.
• Examine how Shakespeare's language choices reflect his wider commentary on the dynamics of political power and public persuasion.
• Acknowledge and respond to a counterargument: how might Brutus's speech be viewed as effective, and why does it ultimately miss the mark?

In your essay, make sure to:

• Craft a clear, defensible thesis that takes a specific stance on how ambition functions in the play.
• Analyze at least two characters (such as Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, or Antony) and explore how their ambitions — whether real or perceived — propel the plot and influence their destinies.
• Incorporate textual evidence (including direct quotes and paraphrases) to back up your assertions.
• Address a counterclaim: recognize an alternative view on ambition in the play (for instance, that ambition can be noble or necessary) and explain why your perspective is more compelling.
• Conclude by linking Shakespeare's exploration of ambition to a broader theme related to power, politics, or human nature.

Guiding Questions to Consider Before Writing

• Is Caesar genuinely ambitious, or is he merely a reflection of others' anxieties?
• How does Antony's repeated use of the term "ambitious" in his funeral speech function rhetorically?
• How does Brutus's ambition differ from that of Cassius? In what ways?
• What conclusions does the play ultimately reach regarding the connection between personal ambition and the common good?

Scoring Focus

Argumentation · Textual Evidence · Rhetorical Analysis · Thematic Complexity