preview

Examples Of Omens In Julius Caesar

Decent Essays
Open Document

During the time of Julius Caesar, people believe in omens and the supernatural because they feared their gods’ powers. They believe a sudden rainstorm could affect a thing as important as who becomes the next great emperor of Rome. This is because they think the Gods’ opinions decided all that happens in the world. In the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, there are many occurrences of omens and the supernatural. Three supernatural occurrences eventually affected the decisions made by certain characters in Julius Caesar: the storm that occurs before Caesar is crowned, the dream Calpurnia has before Caesar leaves to become king, and the visit of Caesar’s ghost to Brutus before the final battle. To begin, the storm that occurs at …show more content…

Calpurnia interprets this dream as a negative omen from the gods, and believes it means Caesar should not go to the Senate that day, since it may threaten his life. This is the day of Caesar’s crowning as king, and just happens to be the ides of March as well, the date the Soothsayer warns him to beware. He reluctantly agrees with Calpurnia that he will not go to the Senate, Decius convinces him otherwise. Decius tells Caesar that Calpurnia interpreted the dream wrong, when in fact , it is a positive omen. Decius says himself, “Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall press For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance” (II.ii.85-89). This convinces Caesar to go to the Senate, even though all signs warn him not to. Caesar is ambitious enough to believe any reason for him to go, because Caesar wants the power he has strived for. He is willing to ignore his wife’s pleas and endanger his life and reputation for power. The omen in the form of Calpurnia’s dream is the only thing that convinces Caesar that it may dangerous to go to the Senate. If there was no omen in the form of Calpurnia’s dream, Caesar does not have to think twice about going to the Senate. Thus, the omen directly influenced Caesar’s decision to go the Senate, and his …show more content…

Caesar's ghost visits Brutus in the middle of the night and warns him that they will meet again in Philippi. Brutus is completely calm during this encounter, and doesn’t act afraid or angry. He acknowledges the ghost and tells it he will meet the ghost at Philippi. Philippi is where Brutus and Antony's armies will meet and battle for who will rule Rome. In fact, they do meet Caesar’s ghost at Philippi, but not in the manner Brutus expects. Cassius stabs and kills himself during the battle, and this is when Brutus realizes what the ghost means. Soon after, Brutus commits suicide as well by running onto his own sword, and acknowledges Caesar as he dies. Brutus says “Caesar, now be still. I killed not thee with half so good a will.” (V.v.57-58) as he runs onto his good servant, Strato’s, sword. He is giving Caesar the credit for his and all the other suicides that happen during the battle. Caesar’s ghost is a negative omen in itself, as it is a supernatural occurrence that happens out of the ordinary. However, the ghost influences the plot by pushing both Cassius and Brutus over the edge, making them commit suicide. They feel as if suicide is the most honorable way to fall, considering the deeds they commit. Although, Cassius and Brutus are not the only victims of Caesar influenced suicide. Lucillius and young Cato also sacrifice themselves in the name of Caesar,

Get Access