Replies on Tyranny and Corruption

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First Reply
Although Gladiator’s message heavily focuses on tyranny and corruption, politics is also a message that has been greatly emphasized in the film. We hear the phrase “There was once a dream that Rome,” several times in the film. That “dream” is the politically idyllic situation of a Roman Democracy and Marcus Aurelius wished to revive that dream. Ultimately, Maximus helps in the realization of that dream. Much of the film’s drama concentrates on Commodus’ political conspiracies and Lucilla and Maximus’s attempts to rectify Rome’s atrocious situation. Gladiator’s depiction of this drama conveys how hard it can be to attain republican government, and how spiteful, dangerous, and conniving politics can be. In various ways, Commodus’s ideological conflict with the senators is just like a carefully planned gladiatorial fight outside the arena.
Second Reply
I think that Commodus was significantly dramatized because he was malicious, evil, and flat-out bad. Commodus was power-hungry and his murderous urges significantly contributed to his lust for power. He was also a fundamentally insecure individual, a liar, a creep, and a cheat. The writers really wanted us to hate Commodus and to wish him defeat at Maximus’ hand. The writers also wanted us to see the good in the Roman people. The Roman people chose Maximus and Commodus was merely a slideshow. This act showed that they were innately good.
Third Reply
I actually think...