The Characters of Portia and Calphurnia in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

While the love between Portia and Brutus is equally reciprocated, we can see and contrast Calphurnia's love for Caesar this way. Portias' concern for Brutus

In the play “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, women play an important role. The women are important factors in foreshadowing and in the development of many of the characters. To look at the role of women in the play we must look deeper in to the roles of the only two women in the play; Calpurnia, wife of Caesar, and Portia, wife of Brutus. Both of these women are key in foreshadowing the murder of Caesar. After Caesar’s murder we do not hear much of either of them.

By using pathos and repetition, Portia uses Brutus’ name and makes it clear that with their bond of marriage she should be allowed to know the secrets her husband keeps. Brutus is not a skilled orator and Portia uses rhetorical devices to show her devotion to her husband. Her strong oration and use of repetition attracts Brutus’ attention. Portia also uses a rhetorical question in which she proves her strength of why she should know the secret. When Portia reveals her strength she states, “Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience. / And not my husband’s secrets” (2.1.323,324). With the use of a rhetorical question, Portia is not asking for an answer. She is just trying to prove her point that she can bear with knowing the secret. Although it is a question, she is not really confused, but rather is proving that she is liable. Her question is not looking for an answer but is allowing Brutus to think about why he can’t tell her. The use of a rhetorical question shows that she is able to deal with her husbands secrets. She states that she can deal with a stab in the thigh, so she also could handle knowing the secret Brutus is

Love, fantasy and lust are the underlying themes of this passage. There is an evident binary between the two very diverse characters, Romeo and Mercutio, in which Shakespeare has

Through the tragedy of Julius Caesar, Shakespeare showed the importance of respect between couples. Through not found in primary manuscripts, Shakespeare effectively developed the perceptive and loyal personalities of the wives. Wedded to Portia, Brutus distanced Portia from his emotional battle. Aware of this, Portia spoke to Brutus showing great oratory skills as she emphasized three-points displaying why Brutus must consult her. Likewise, Calpurnia pushed persistently to convince her husband, Caesar, to remain in the safe confines of their villa, because she noticed the oddities occurring and knew the severity of her dream. Though in a worldly environment, the godly principles of listening to wise council, but also submitting to one’s spouse

That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks. But that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor. (Much Ado About Nothing 1.1.229-237)

Moreover, when Brutus and Cassius argues within themselves for the matter of bribe, Brutus again gives more preference to his honor instead to his love for friendship. For example, Brutus publicly disgraces Cassius for not

Draped in flowing teal cloth, Portia is a visual anomaly in comparison to the rest of the cast, who standardly is dressed in a strict uniform of white collared shirts, black kilts, and red sashes to accent. The stark contrast of just colour itself ostracizes Portia from the rest of the characters; a notable costuming choice, as she represents an entirely different dimension to the life of Brutus. In Julius Caesar. By William Shakespeare. Dir. Ron Jenkins. Shakespeare Company, Ground Zero Theatre, and Hit and Myth Productions, at Vertigo Theatre, Calgary. 06 October 2017. Performance, designer Victoria Krawchuk creates an archetype of Portia’s role in the show through costuming. Portia’s more traditional Roman look, an elegant dress and bare feet, resonate the image of a mythological goddess; symbols of both femininity and strength. Encompassing these characteristics perfectly, Portia acknowledges them herself in 2.1, 292-302, (Shakespeare, William. “Julius Caesar.” The Norton Shakespeare: Essential Plays, The Sonnets, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Norton, 2016, pp. 1115-1180,) in which she states,

The feminist critical perspective examines the roles that women play in literary works and their true significance to the text. Their roles are usually decided on by the society or time period in which the story is set. In "The Merchant of Venice," females were suppressed by the societal ideals of Shakespeare's Elizabethan era, which is portrayed through the characters of Portia and Jessica, who could not establish their own powerful identities because they were women. Portia and Jessica are the main female characters in the play. If they had been given a chance to show their skills, they undoubtedly would've been extremely strong women. However, they had to mask their abilities in order to appeal to their male counterparts. Their

I desire that my letter shall find you well. Additionally, I and the broader Rome hope that your conquests to overtake the Triumvirate are going as planned. Rome will be waiting for your leadership. I wish that I was writing this letter on a good account, but that is unfortunately not true. Although as a Roman I must, I deeply regret sharing the news that is the true matter of my letter: your wife, Portia, is dead.

However, he did appreciate their unity, and displayed this when he told Antony to touch Calpurnia. Roman superstition claimed that the touch of a ceremonial runner would cure barrenness. This displayed Caesar’s value of marriage and family because it implied that he wanted to have a child and start a family with Calpurnia. Although Caesar was ambitious, he also respected and cared for Calpurnia as a companion. On the other hand, Portia also had good intentions when it came to her husband. However, her attention was sometimes overbearing. For example, Portia had a constant desire to know what her husband was doing and thinking and as a result, she refused to give Brutus space despite his obvious need for it. Portia said, “…yesternight at supper/ You suddenly arose and walk'd about, / Musing and sighing, with your arms across; / And when I ask'd you what the matter was, / You stared upon me with ungentle looks. / I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head, / And too impatiently

In a cast of over 30 characters, there are only two women. This is a statement describing the world renown play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. These two female characters are Calpurnia, the wife of Julius Ceasar, and Portia, the wife of Marcus Brutus. Other than these two women, the cast is composed entirely of male characters. In a work of literature so populated by men, one may ask why Shakespeare takes the time to include any women at all. However, after further reflection, it is clear to see the reason as to why they are included. Upon including Calpurnia and Portia in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare deepens our understanding of their husbands, highlights the social values of the time, and

From the expansion days of Ancient Rome to the fall of the Roman Empire, women have always succumbed to living subjacent to the status of their omnipotent and dominant male figures. After leaving her childhood home and the rule of her father, a young Roman girl would then be coerced into the dominion of her husband, often taking a plethora of roles, ranging from lover, caretaker, and best friend. It is often lightheartedly stated that, “Behind every great man is an even greater woman,” and William Shakespeare exemplifies this concept beautifully in Julius Caesar, in which he effectively used the spouses of the two main characters to add more depth, drama, and literary elements to the play, bringing it to life. Although the only two

Shakespeare uses the character, Portia, to display that even when you do love someone you do not always have full trust in them. Portia, despite her love for Bassanio, tested the loyalty and trustworthiness of her husband. She dosesn't know if she can fully trust him to keep the vows and the promises he made, in marrying her and to the ring of their love, in his time of trouble. When Bassanio leaves to try to save Antonio from his debt, Portia begins to talk to Nerissa and hatching a plan: “Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand / That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands / Before they think of us.” (3.4. 50-61) Through this passage, we see it's clear that Portia does not have complete trust in her husband. She makes a secret plan with

Even though it is natural to share vulnerability with loved ones, Brutus’ personal troubles lead him to keep his secrets and feelings from his wife Portia as well. She senses that Brutus is anxious and is putting on an act when he is around others. “No, my Brutus, / You have some sick offense within your mind, / Which by the right and virtue of my place / I ought to