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Julius Caesar Metaphors

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In the beginning, Shakespeare presented the conspirators as noble and Caesar as an unfit leader. This narrative, however changed when Caesar died, as Shakespeare alters the tone and overall theme. In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare shows that the conspirators are not justified through the development of the idea that seizing power only furthers dark intentions of those with questionable morals. Shakespeare first presents the conspirators as noble and Caesar as an unfit leader. This is shown through the characterization of Caesar by others and his own dialogue. Cassius analyzes Caesar in “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves” (I.ii.135-138). The author uses a metaphor to show an imbalance of power between Romans and Caesar. This metaphor compares the way Caesar acts to a colossus, a giant statue of a god, depicting Caesar as someone who believes he is above all. During this metaphor, Shakespeare uses “bestride” to show Caesar steps over others, conveying he has no respect for Romans. On the contrary, the metaphor also creates a resentful tone. “Pettymen” suggests that everyone else remains in Caesar’s shadows and “peep” creates the idea of smallness and fear showing how an ordinary person compares to Caesar. Arrogance is also shown during Caesar’s conversation with Casca about his desires. Caesar speaks “Let me have men about me that are

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