Julius Caesar Confirmation Bias Analysis

When writing The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare sought to define his characters by their overarching traits. Brutus was defined by his honor, Caesar his desire for power. Yet these characters all shared one fatal flaw. Their willingness to accept information that concurred with their predispositions. It is the confirmation bias of many characters that Shakespeare critiques. He shows Brutus seeking to reinforce his belief of humanities basic decency, in spite of contrary evidence. This belief leads Brutus to pardon Antony, essentially ensuring his own death. Shakespeare also shows Caesar’s illogical belief that he was loved by all, and that the senate wanted to crown him. His acceptance of Decius’ interpretation on Calpurnia’s

Brutus tends to believe that all Romans are noble and are guided by honor. This belief has been proven to be false on multiple occasions, yet Brutus continues to seek evidence that there is a societal moral code. For instance, when the conspirators speak about a need for an oath, Brutus objects, “Did need an oath; when every drop of blood/That every roman bears, and nobly bears,/Is guilty of a several bastardy,/If he do break the smallest particle/Of any promise that hath pass’d from him” (2.1.136-140). He states that because Romans share a special bond and ethical code, that an oath would be unnecessary. This view is utterly incompetent because there is a plethora of evidence in the contrary. For instance, Brutus views Caesar as unethical, yet he shares the same Roman blood. Additionally, Brutus looks for this blind faith in the shared Roman honor when in spite of logical argument, he allows Antony to speak at Caesar’s Funeral, “Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body./You shall not in your funeral speech blame us/But speak all good you can devise of Caesar/And say you do ’t by our permission,/Else shall you not have any hand at all/About his funeral” (3.1.269-274). He does so even with Cassius pointing out the likely consequences, “You know not what you do. Do/not consent/That Antony speak in his funeral./Know you how much the people may be moved/By that which he will utter?” (3.1.255-259) These glaring oversights show

For instance, although Caesar received many signs of his impending death, he was quick to accept Decius’ explanation for the signs. This is because Caesar believes himself to be beloved by Rome, so when Decius shared this view Caesar agreed immediately. In spite of the fact that Calpurnia interpreted her dream alternatively, even saying, “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!/I am ashamed I did yield to them./Give me my robe, for I will go” (2.3.105-107). Furthermore, Caesar disregarded the premonition of the Soothsayer, who warned Caesar of the Ides of March. Caesar did not believe that he was disliked, so therefore could not believe that he was to be assassinated, “He is a dreamer, let us leave him. Pass” (1.2.24). In conclusion, Caesar illustrates confirmation bias regarding this future, seeking the opinion of the conniving Decius over his loyal wife and unbiased