Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-21
HISTORIANS NOT
FAIR TO CAESAR
DR.. JEFFREY CHAMPIONS TIE
ROMANS GREATNESS IN LEG
TURE AT HIGH SCHOOL.
LIFE WAS A TRAGEDY
Speaker Asserts That Shakespeare
Presents Famous Character From
Standpoint Of conspirators
and Was Prejudiced.

Presenting the point that in the
vicious jealousy which julius Caesars
brilliancy, courage and high position
had aroused in the hearts of his con-
spirators lay the real tragedy of the
mighty Romans greatness, Dr. 7. w.
jeffrey pastor Of the First NJ. E.
church, filled the minds of Ottumwa
ideas of the famous character of his
tory and drama at his lecture yester-
day afternoon at ahe high school.
The lecture was given as the open
ing number of the Teachers associa-
ton season and the members of the
Ottumwa Woman's club were invited
to hear the address. The gathering
was held in the assembly room of the
building, which was practically filed
with interested listeners.
Dr. Jeffrey's discourse was on
"Shakespeare's Tragedy of Great
ness Instead of presenting Caesar as
the Roman despot universally present
ed by historians, or the victim or
Shakespeare's limited knowledge and
prejudice, the speaker rather drew
powerful picture of the great leader
from the standpoint of scholar. 1t
was Caesars irresistible greatness
that DR.. Jeffrey dwelt on continually.
AS an introduction, the speaker
briefly related a few instances where
writers had been unjust to Caesar,
had charged him with all possible de-
signs and had presented a picture of
the Roman which was not fair.
Greatness Undisputed.
''The historians who labor to show
that Caesar was only designing
man, urged on by a great ambition, in
variably show that his greatness was
overwhelming" DR.. Jeffrey said in
this connection "They must admit
that when elevated to unlimited power
he used that power beneficially. He
pardoned his enemies, gave security
to property and life; hurled the cor
rupt senate down; established order;
and devoted himself to useful reforms.
He checked the extravaganza of lux
ury and improved morals. He, and not
Brutus, was the noblest Roman Of
! them ALL
Before taking up the Caesar Of
Shakespeare, the speaker briefly re.
lated his subjects exploits in Gaul as
$500"
to that wild country as a Punishment.
He was popular with the masses, and
the senate. composed only OF the arts
| tocracy, which was corrupt to the very
core. feared his power. The conquest
and subjugation of the Gauls, instead
of winning Caesar the merited APP
plause and praise OF. a grateful senate,
melted all the jealousy and hatred OF
the naughty officials. They called Pom
Dey, Caesars greatest rival, to be
their leader, and civil war ensued,
with Caesar issuing triumphantly from
the battles leaving the might of the
Roman arjstocracy forever broken.
Shakespeare Differs
Stating that the Caesar presented
by him was different from the man in
Shakespeare writings, DR.. Jeffrey
| then entered into an explanation OF
the tragedy.
"In the first place" said DR., JEFF
frey, "Shakespeare's source of infor-
nation was Plutarch who was a pref
udced Greek. He wrote Of several Ro-
mans, but less wisely of Caesar than
the rest. The whole drama of julius
Caesar is to be found in the lives Of
!
written by Plutarch, who was born a
century after Caesars death and was,
on account of his Greek prejhdices,
untitled to appreciate Caesars great
ness.
The speaker further exonerated the
Caesar of Shakespeare by stating
that Shakespeare had created the man
from the standpoint of the conspira-
tors and not from an unbiased view
point.
"But We must remember that his
opportunity for knowledge of Caesar
was very limited" DR.. jeffrey eontin-
ued. so l beg you to remember that
the Caesar of Shakespeare is the Gaze
sar of the jealousy Of Cassius, the in
gratitude Of Brutus and Cicero's
spite"
Other Characters.
The speaker mentioned at some
length the other important characters
in the play. He presented Cicero, one
who was not in reality a conspirator
| but was interested as being prominent
through his main characteristic, de
ceit He stated that the only reason
Cicero was not in the conspiracy was
because he could not even be trusted
by his comrades, but they argued that
his silver hairs would purchase fol
, their cause the good opinions Of the
Romans and would deliver their acts
from rashness and witness attend
ant upon YOUTH" DR.. Jeffrey added
that the only reason Cicero did moi
5 have as great name as Demosthenes
as an orator was because he did MOI
!; ossess the character to uphold it.
: Brutus was represented to be in
:. genuous greatness. Brutus, the speak
: er declared, was really great man
: poisoned by Cassius. He asserted tina
this greatness was evidenced by hi!
hesitancy to enter the plot and also b,
the fact that Brutus never forge
: Caesars kindness to him, and that a
: the last battle Of Philippi, when ev
erythinp was lost, Brutus exclaimed