The Use of Suspense in Julius Caesar

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The Use of Suspense in Julius Caesar

Suspense can be defined as the uncertainties the reader feels about what

will happen next in a story, or in this case, a play. William Shakespeare

incorporated in Julius Caesar three very suspenseful events on which the whole

play depends.

The first suspenseful event of this play occurs when the conspirators

join and discuss their reasons for assassination. Cassius feels that he is

equal to Caesar, if not even better that him. Shakespeare builds suspense by

using this statement made by Cassius: "I was born free as Caesar.../we both have

fed as well, and we can both / endure the winter's cold as well as he." Then

cassius tries to persuade Brutes to join in on the conspiracy by telling him

that it would be honorable to assassinate Caesar. Cassius tells Brutes that the

fate of Rome is in trouble with Caesar in power, which helps build suspense

early in the play. To convince Brutes conclusively, cassius forged letters and

threw them into Brutus's window where he was sure to find them. Shakespeare

wrote this statement: "we will awake him and be sure of him. This is a very

powerful statement that builds suspense because the reader most likely feels

that Brutes will join in and want to assassinate Caesar, yet the reader is

uncertain as to whether or not the plan will work. These events are very

suspenseful as they lead up to the assassination of Caesar.

The next series of suspenseful events that foreshadow Caesar's

assassination happen on a very unusual night. One night before Caesar's death

there were many strange occurrences the foreshadows darkness in the future. A

lioness gave birth in the streets, the dead rose from their graves, fiery

worriers fought in the clouds so fiercely that blood drizzled upon the capitol,

horses neighed, dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed along the

streets; all events of this strange night that Shakespeare makes so suspenseful.

Also on this unusual nigh, Calpurnia had a very frightening dream that was very

suspenseful. The dream was of Caesar's statue emitting blood and many Romans

were bathing in it. When the reader reads this he is "on the edge of his seat"

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