The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar

694 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: the tragedy of julius caesar brutus character

Julius Caesar The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is one of great woe, but could it all have been avoided? In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the characters were warned of their downfalls through supernatural omens. Many of these characters either refused to or couldn’t see them. All the events leading up to Caesars death are predicted by characters such as his wife and a Soothsayer. Cassius was also presented with several warnings concerning the result of the assassination. Throughout the novel there are many omens of Caesar’s impending death that he refuses to see. The first warning comes early in the play which is blatantly stated to Caesar by a Soothsayer that he passes on the street. The Soothsayer warns him to, “Beware the ides of March” (13). Caesar disregards the comment by saying the man is dreamer thus ignoring the warning. This caution reoccurs several times during the course of the play, serving as a constant reminder of Caesar’s approaching demise. This was not the only warning Caesar had of his imminent doom, for on the night before his assassination Calpurnia, Caesars wife, has a dream. Fearing evil, she tried to convince Caesar that her dream was a warning for him not to go to the senate that day. Caesar, being Skeptical of his wife, calls for an animal sacrifice to predict the course of the day, the heart of the animal is nowhere to be found. These two omens portray something horrible, but Caesar again refuses to see his fate and turns the omens around to mean him well. He says that the heart means he is a coward if he stays home and the dream that Rome will prosper from his rule. Calpurnia declares “your wisdom is consumed in confidence” (77). Caesar’s pride and blindness to the omens e... ... middle of paper ... ... will” (207). Not only dose Brutus fear this supernatural occurrence but actually killing himself is something he wants to do more than he ever wanted to kill Caesar. Death will be Brutus's penance for his most grievous deed. Not only was Caesar himself given plenty of warning concerning his untimely end, but other characters were given similar omens. Many of the characters do not want to interpret omens that do not suit what they are doing. Cassius wanted to assassinated Caesar no matter what because of envy and Caesar was going to the capital no matter what because pride and confidence. There were numerous omens showing Cassius the flaws in his decision to kill Caesar, yet he did not heed them. Caesar had good reason to stay home on the ides of March yet he still goes. This inability to see what the signs actually meant, ultimately lead to their down fall.

Show More
Related

  • Julius Caesar

    2828 Words  | 6 Pages

    a. 11-20) He did not make this prediction after he heard that Caesar was going to be assassinated, or the night before when everyone knew that he was going to die. He made this prediction many months in advance. The soothsayer knew that Caesar was going to die, because it was Caesar’s fate to die on the Ides of March. It has been predetermined that it was Caesar’s time to go on the Ides of March.

    Read More

  • Free Will In The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar

    839 Words  | 2 Pages

    CAESAR: He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass.” (1.2.28-29) Othsayer appears to be the fortuneteller who tries to warn Caesar of an unknown danger in this situation but Caesar quickly dismisses the idea. Caesar demonstrates his control of his own life, that the predictions are merely dreams that can never turn into reality. Under such conditions, it cannot be the fate but rather the free will of Caesar himself to blame for his death for taking risks and facing life in his own way. Another instance of fate is Casca's observations of a dreadful night. He describes the setting as if there are burning slaves, crawling lion, and ghostly women on the street of the Capitol. (1.3.25-32) These omens are usually associated with fate, as that supernatural sights hints the happening of a tragedy soon, but they don't necessarily define the tragedy itself. They can refer to a series of other events and not the assassination of Caesar. Lastly, the night before the assassination, Calphurnia convinces her husband to stay home due to a nightmare, but Caesar responds with as if it is no big matter in "CAESAR: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight. Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out "Help, ho, they murder Caesar!" (2.2.1-3) In her dream, Calpurnia claims to see the death of her husband whose blood flows all over Rome. Her fear toward

    Read More

  • Machiavellian Ministry

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    Caesar’s lack of somewhat savage Machiavellian traits foreshadows his downfall a multitude of times. From the beginning, the soothsayer warns him to watch out for the Ides of March. There are also bad signs; men in fire walks up and down the streets, and a lioness gives birth on the streets. Likewise, before he heads to the Senate House to receive the crown, Calphurnia tells him that she has had a nightmare, and pleads him to stay home. However, he ignores all the premonitions and moves toward where the Senators are, with no one to protect him when he is in danger. This action of Caesar contradicts the teachings of Machiavelli, “Before all else, be armed” (The Prince). As a result of his carelessness, the conspirators see that he has no chance of circumventing, and assassinates him. Similarly, he is unsuccessful in recognizing the outrage of Cassius and a few others; he isn’t doubtful enough of their secretive deeds and eventually loses the reigns to eliminate the defiance. "The same thing occurs in affairs o...

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Fate Vs Free Will Essay

    528 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare both fate and free will is demonstrated. Cassius argued that everyone has the power to change their future in what they do when Casca came to him frightened by omens. Though, omens have seemed to prove correct throughout the play, therefore it dominates the argument of Fate versus Free Will. All major events had an omen foreshadowing it. The first five were seen by Casca throughout the day.

    Read More

  • The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar - Tragic Hero

    488 Words  | 1 Pages

    Each of the two characters gained some kind of wisdom before they came to an unhappy end. Caesar found out that one of his best friends, Brutus, had betrayed him just seconds before he died from the daggers of the conspirators. Brutus also learns something before he dies. When he knows that Cassius had committed suicide, he too commits suicide. He knew that be doing that, Caesar’s ghost was truly avenged.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Fate In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

    726 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare’s portrayal of Cassius is based on Plutarch’s historical description as a “choleric man” who “even from his cradle could not abide any manner of tyrant (“Sources” 115).” It is not through divine power that men begin to conspire against Caesar, but it is through Cassius’ decision to use the power of rhetoric in order to persuade men, especially Brutus, to conspire against Caesar. According to Cassius in the play, “Men at some time are masters of their fates. / The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves, that we are underlings (1.2.139-141).” Through careful and strategic planning is Cassius able to persuade Brutus, a man who “for his virtue and valiantness, was wellbeloved of the people (“Sources” 120),” into conspiring and acting upon the death of Caesar. Caesar also believes that men control their own fate by stating, in response to the omens and portents, “Danger knows full well / That Caesar is more dangerous than he (2.2.44-45).” Through this quote, Caesar presents his belief that he has the ability to overcome a superstitious fate. Therefore, he ignores all the signs and omens and thus determines his fate through an action that would seal his death. Unlike Calphurnia 's beliefs, Shakespeare makes it clear that it is the free will of these men alone that shaped history into the tragedy which it became. It was not

    Read More

  • Honorable Betrayal

    1051 Words  | 3 Pages

    First of all, Marcus Brutus has the character flaw of poor judge of character. He cannot discern a person’s character or true motivation. He, however, acts on his judgments, regardless of whether they are true or not. Brutus feels that Caesar is too ambitious for power, and that he, along with the other eight men plotting the demise of Caesar, must prevent it, “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg— / Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous— / And kill him in the shell” (911). Brutus decides that Caesar must die because he ambitious. Ambition is not necessarily an evil and virulent thing. Ambition causes men and women to strive towards reaching an attainment. Brutus assumes that Caesar will turn his back on his supporters due to this ambition. One of the most famous lines in Julius Caesar is the dying words of Caesar: “Et tu, Bruté?—Then fall, Caesar” (938). If Caesar had truly turned h...

    Read More

  • Superstition In Shakespeares The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

    1411 Words  | 3 Pages

    It truly must have shocked the people of that era when Caesar went to the Capitol against all warnings, because “Elizabethans generally believed that prophecies were to be taken seriously, and certainly that no prudent statesman could run the risk of ignoring them” (Ribner 58). The people of the Elizabethan era were very proper, and to see someone, even if only a character in a play, break one of the laws of nature in which they so firmly believed, was quite astounding.

    Read More

  • Why Is Julius Caesar A Tragic Hero

    1105 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ultimately, Caesar’s pride helped cause the end of his life. He was so self-absorbed and so confident that Decius was telling him the truth that Calpurnia’s dream was taken the wrong way. Noble Caesar believed the Roman citizens loved him and that he was their lifeblood, but really they wanted him gone. It is possible that Caesar would have been killed by the conspirators another day, but since he did not listen to what the soothsayer and his own wife had to say, he was tragically taken for

    Read More

  • The calamities of Julius Caesar

    494 Words  | 1 Pages

    Tragedies most often refer back to the actions of men. The play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, provides a good example to how the quote is shown to be accurate." The calamities of tragedy do not simply happen, nor are they sent [by the gods]: they proceed mainly from actions, and those actions of men." This statement is profoundly proven through the past and present actions of the conspirators throughout the play. From the beginning of the play, the reader can identify who will necessarily betray and plot to murder Caesar.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Leadership Essay

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play ends in a tragic way, as most of the main characters are assassinated or chose to die themselves. In conclusion, Caesar is a man without fear, he believes in himself which leads to his arrogance, which is shown when he ignores the omens. Brutus realizes the faults of his actions and decides that death is the only way to put himself out of his misery. Both men made crucial mistakes which ultimately led to their downfall

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar's Responsibility for His Own Death in William Shakespeare's Play

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    Caesar's death was a most tragic event indeed, for he would have made a great Roman monarch. However, there were many unheeded warnings. caveats which might have averted his death. In the first act itself we see that Caesar comes across a soothsayer. who fore tells that the future holds terrible things for Caesar.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar - A Tragic Hero

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    Brutus also frequently demonstrated many acts of affection toward others. In Act 1, Scene 2, he is reluctant to join Cassius's conspiracy because he did not want to betray Caesar. He had to weigh his choices and in Act 3, Scene 2, Brutus kills Caesar only because he is afraid of what will happen to Rome if Caesar remains ruler. He knew the commoners life would be difficult with the ruling of Caesar. He realizes what a honorable man Caesar was. This is shown again in the same Act and Scene when Brutus allows Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral even though Cassius highly disagreed. Brutus realized Caesar deserved an proper ceremony, and that the best way to do that would be to let Caesar's best friend speak.

    Read More

  • Analysis of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    From the absolute power of ancient kings and medieval monarchs to the tyrannical dictators of today, political corruption has been a persistent aspect of governed societies since their emergence early in human existence. In the quest for power, individuals create furtive conspiracies to overthrow governments and destroy policies. The presence of political corruption and conspiracy in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is prominent, as Brutus and Mark Antony conduct opposing conspiracies in relation to corruption in the Roman government. Shakespeare depicts Antony’s emotional drive, ability to set aside honor, and capacity to use manipulative language as additive to the strength of his conspiracy. These qualities allow his conspiracy to undermine Brutus and, in doing so, emphasize Brutus’ flaws of uncertainty, excessive accentuation of honor, and naïveté.

    Read More

  • The Theme of Friendship in Julius Caeser

    766 Words  | 2 Pages

    The conspirators had planned the death of Julius. Brutus and Cassius, along with Decius, knew they had draw in to Caesar close. Proving Caesar that they had a firm friendship, that would solidify their situation and leave Julius completely sightless to his doomed fate. Caesar's wife Calphurnia would have a dream. She would see Caesar's statue run with blood and men with swords surrounding him.

    Read More

More about The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar

Open Document