Julius Caesar and the Supernatural
Saving people, hunting things, the family business. Okay, maybe not that Supernatural but Julius Caesar had many supernatural elements and some pretty blatant foreshadowing. However, is there too many supernatural elements in Julius Caesar? Some critics believe so but others do not. But without the omens and dreams, Julius Caesar would not have been complete. There were a couple of instances in Julius Caesar where animals were behaving unnaturally. “Against the Capitol I met a lion, who glazed upon me and went surly by without annoying me..” (Caesar I. iii. 18-20). Casca reported that a lion was just wandering around Rome and not attacking anyone. A lion is often called the king of the jungle, so if this
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Calpurnia dreamed that a statue of Caesar was spouting blood and the Roman citizens were smiling as they dipped their hands in his blood (II. ii. 4-11). Calpurnia tried persuading Caesar to stay at home and not go to the Capitol because her dream was signaling Caesar’s downfall. Whilst Decius Brutus, a conspirator, convinced him that the so called “horrible dream” was a good sign because it meant he was helping the Roman people and saving them from persecution. Obviously, Calpurnia was right in her assumption that her dream was bad. This dream was Caesar’s last and final warning and if only he listened. Romans believed that dreams were direct messages from gods and that they predicted the future (“Dream in History”), so it is not hard to understand why Calpurnia was so upset and why Shakespeare included the …show more content…
Caesar’s ghost tells Brutus that he will meet him at Philippi. The theologian Augustine Bishop of Hippo, classified spirits into three types. Lares were good spirits, lemures were considered evil spirits and manes if the spirit could not be identified (Gill, N.S.). Maybe the purpose of Caesar’s ghosts was to bring guilt to Brutus. Consequently, I think Brutus was distracted and yes, feeling guilty about killing Caesar when he and Cassius went to Philippi to fight with Mark Antony and Octavius. Therefore, I think that Brutus was not only feeling guilty about killing Caesar, he was feeling guilt for Portia’s suicide. I would like to make the assumption that Brutus did tell Portia his plans to help assassinate Caesar and that she was so distraught that her noble husband would do such a vile act. As a result of Brutus’s absence and treachery deeds, Portia swallowed coals and Brutus felt
Calphurnia describes Caesar the horrific images and disturbing sightings that she heard around the city: “drizzled blood...dying men...and fierce fiery warriors” (Lines 6-11). She vividly describes these images to Caesar in hope that he will fear them as much as she did. Calphurnia cleverly combines these disturbing sights to signify that a violent revolution is bound to come if Caesar decides to go to the Senate House. Calphurnia didn't get the outcome she wanted, instead Caesar interpreted this as works of the gods and that he will be unaffected since the gods have many other things to manage. Decius uses a good strategy by interpreting the dream in a different way. Decius states that Caesars blood is “such reviving blood” (Line 50). Decius use of the word “reviving” is important because it signifies that Caesars rule will be a renewal for the people of rome. This idea of reviving Rome is tempting to Caesar, and in the end is very effective. Calphurnia’s and Decius’s choice of details and interpretations are significant factors in Caesars decision to go to the Senate
In the Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, tells Caesar that he should not go out today because it’s the Ides of March, but that she also had a dream. A dream that she saw a statue of Caesar that had blood running down it while Romans were washing their hands in the blood of Caesar with smiles on their faces. Eventually, Caesar does get murdered and there's a funeral held for him which Brutus and Marc Antony talk at. They Roman's follow both men, but can not decide who is more effective.
Caesar’s ignorance shows itself most prominent when, after Calpurnia's nightmare, he holds a conversation with Decius about why he would be absent from the senate that day. Caesar informs Decius of his wife’s dream - believing him to be a trustworthy individual - unaware of the coup planned against himself. Caesar believes the outcome of Calpurnia's vision to be more than plausible, and conveys
But Caesar thinks this is a foolish idea and says "Shall Caesar send a lie/ Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far/ To be afeard to tell greybeards the truth" (II.ii.65-7). Caesar thinks that if he doesn't show up to the Capitol, that he would be seen as cowardly to the other senators if they found out why he didn't show up. After Caesar completely ignores what Calpurnia said, and tells Decius the real reason why his wife did not want him to go into the Capitol, Decius completely turns it around "This dream is all amiss interpreted/Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, signifies that from you great Rome shall suck/And that great men shall press for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance."(II.ii.89-95). Caesar then feels stupid for having believed in Calphurnia's thoughts, and says. "How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia/ I am ashamed I did yield to them" (II.ii.105-6). This showcases his pride, because he thinks he shouldn't have believed someone like Calpurnia. These actions displayed do show that Caesar's power
Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, and the other Senators held the power to do things others could not. With this authority came their ability to use poor judgement. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Julius Caesar the theme Power Corrupts is arrayed thoroughly. Murder, treason, and ethical/moral corruption were three prevalent themes that proved the overall topic of Power Corrupts.
Julius Caesar was a military commander that emerged from the chaos of civil war to take charge of the republic. He later became known as the dictator of Rome, the absolute ruler of Rome. He made many reforms and created a new program to employ the jobless and gave public land to the poor. Julius Caesar was a powerful man and becoming too powerful was what led him to corruption. The Senate was afraid and jealous of his power and they were worried he might plan to make himself king of Rome. Needless to say, the Senate wanted to save the republic and so they went against him. Julius Caesar became corrupt because he was too powerful, the Senate was jealous, and his actions posed a threat.
Another, of many reasons that Caesar’s assassination was a necessary tragedy is he ignored the warnings and signs. In the world today most don’t believe signs exist, but in Caesar’s time it was crazy to ignore them. In the Roman Republic it was believed that signs were set by the gods to warn people and no one would ignore the gods. The priests preformed a ceremony and got bad results, which led them to believe that Julius Caesar was in danger. Caesar still refused to miss the Senate that day, even as his friends begged that he postpone the meeting. ( "The Assassination of Julius Caesar, 44 BC." ) These days to many people this is all worthless and fake, but whether signs from gods are real or not is not the question. The question is what kind of many ignores not only the traditions of his people, but his own gods? A man who would rather be where he is in power, then heed the warnings of what he believed to be his gods is not a man the Senate believed Rome needed.
Julius Caesar was a very arrogant man. He thought very highly of himself. Although, everyone in Rome respected him. They didn 't care what he did. I ii 273 He claimed he was not scared of anything. Calpurnia had nightmares, they were thought as representations of signs of Caesar´s death. Caesar wanted to go to the capitol, Calpurnia told him it was not safe because of her nightmares. In her dreams, there were dead men walking, a statue running with blood like a fountain, while many smiling Romans bathed their hands in the blood. She also had a dream of ghosts wandering the city, a lioness giving
Decius subsequently explains the dreams of Calphurnia as a misinterpretation succeeding Caesars explanation; He describes it as being a “Vision fair and fortunate; 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 man shall press, for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance(Lines 46-51).” Through this interpretation, he is signifying the rise of the Roman Republic in Julius Caesar’s hands since he is possibly being declared the King of the Republic that day, seeing that in Line 56 Decius establishes, “To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.” Without a doubt, this is an opportunity Caesar desires instead of neglecting the meeting and having it thrown away for the sake of his life, of which Decius “explained” the meaning of the dreams Calphurnia perceived. Without a doubt, this is an opportunity Caesar desires instead of neglecting the meeting and having it thrown away for the sake of his life, of which Decius “explained” the meaning of the dreams Calphurnia perceived, notably in lines 57-61 explaining, "If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock Apt rendered, for someone to say 'Break up the Senate until another time When Caesar's wife shall meet with better
Superstition is considered a myth to most people, but for the ancient Romans, this was a historical belief. For the Romans, believing in superstition was a very ordinary thing. To them superstition explained the supernatural and strengthened their relationships with the gods (The Roman Empire). In the play Julius Caesar, the author William Shakespeare uses superstition repeatedly to affect the plot as well as the characters. Superstition in the play is used to foreshadow Caesar’s death, impact Brutus’ actions in the battlefield and to emphasize the Roman’s connection to superstition and fate.
Caesar says that cowards die many times before their death and death will come when it will come. Then Caesar asked a servant what the augurers say about the subject and they say they found no heart within the beast. This is a simple act of showing how superstitious Caesar is sends him in to a rage and he decides he will go to the capitol. Then Calpurnia (the voice of reason) says “your wisdom is consumed in confidence” and tells him to tell them it is her fear and not his own that keeps him from the capitol. And Caesar grudgingly agrees. Then Decius Brutus comes in and ruins the whole thing by telling Caesar that her dream was telling how great he is and Decius manages to flatter Caesar enough that he decides to go to the capitol and he tells Calpurnia how foolish her dreams seem now and he leaves. Calpurnia, as we know was right the whole time and Caesar gets assassinated at the capitol. This scene was important in foreshadowing Caesar’s death and showing how overconfident Caesar is, and although Calpurnia’s warning was only one of many she seems to be the only warning with real impact, that is until Decius Brutus comes in to play.
In Act II Caesar is presented with the dreams of his wife, Calpurnia. The night before Caesar is killed she has visions of his statue dripping pure blood. Shakespeare writes "She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,/ Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,/ Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans/ Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it" (II.ii.76-79). Caesar's statue is compared to a fountain, 'spurting pure blood' and Romans come 'smiling to bathe their hands in it', all scenes that are to occur during his actual
Calpurnia dreams that Caesar will be murdered and thinks it is foolish. It is a mistake by Caesar to think it is foolish because it foreshadowed his death that eventually happened. His personality got in his own way and ended up costing his life. Caesar ignoring the signs and foreshadows throughout the play ended up costing his own life as his personality got in his own way.
Julius Caesar is the tragic hero because of his noble stature. The noble stature of Caesar is made evident through his position in society and his outstanding qualities. Caesars position in Rome was that of a dictator. At the start of the play Brutus enlightens the reader that “.... the people/ choose Caesar for their king” (1.ii.77-78). When Brutus says “king” he is actually informing the audience the Caesar has been made dictator of Rome for life. At this time in Rome, the Roman society took pride in being republic. Therefore, electing Caesar as a dictator was a monumental event. A dictator was the most powerful position in Roman society. Indeed as a stated in Encyclopedia Britannica a dictator was a “a temporary magistrate with extraordinary powers” (dictator). Furthermore, as opposed to the usual six month term Caesar was appointed a life long term (dictator). With this in mind one could say the Caesar was the most
The clang of the swords on the shields pierced General Julius Caesar’s ear. He couldn’t wait till the war against the Greeks was over and he could return home to his wife. He slaughtered 113 enemy soldiers and was still on the hunt to find one. He stepped over 47 bodies, some of which were still breathing and groaning their last breaths on the eastern shore of the river Acheron. Caesar's nemesis was General Brutus,the leader of the greek army, and his old best friend. After the battle at the River of Acheron, General Julius Caesar rode back to his camp, Gleaming in his Ice-white armour, shining in his glory after his victory vs the Greeks.