Julius+Caesar

In Scene I Act II, we learn that Caesar is deaf in one ear. We know this, because it says in the dialog that Caesar is "turned to hear", meaning he has turned his best hearing ear towards the speaker. This revelation is important, because it suggests that Caesar is not the god he wants everyone to think he is; rather, he has imperfections just like the rest of us. **
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In Act I Scene i, Caesar is compared to a bird by Flavius. He is compared to a bird because a bird will fly high, but if you pluck its wings then it won't fly as high. This applies to Caesar because he is like a bird that is flying high with his power and leadership. But if some of his "wings are plucked" (meaning some of his glory and achievement is taken away) then he won't be so arrogant and ambitious.

In Act I Scene ii, the reader finds out that Caesar fears a particular person. That person is Cassius because Caesar feels that his power could increase and soon Cassius could be more powerful than Caesar. By simply fearing Cassius, this shows that Caesar is not godly because God is all-powerful and is fearless.

In Act II Scene ii, readers can begin to see how much Caesar looks at the opinions of others towards him and what they think of him. After hearing Calpurnia's dreams and her begging him to not go to the Senate's meeting, Caesar decides to stay in. But Decius tells Caesar that the Senate will laugh and mock him for being scared to go out. Caesar, upon hearing this, decides to go to the meeting as to not destroy his image. Decius knew that by saying that people would look down upon him, Caesar would immediately change his mind and decide to go to the Senate. This shows that Caesar takes into consideration every opinion towards him and how people think of him.

In Act III Scene i, Caesar does not realize that the senators are planning on killing him. This is an example of dramatic irony because we know Caesar is about to die while he himself does not. Caesar and the conspirators have an exchange of words before they each stab him. Brutus is the last one to stab Caesar. Once Caesar sees that Brutus has stabbed him, he says "Et tu, Brute? Then Caesar falls" (823). This means, "And you, Brutus?" and that once Brutus stabbed him, Caesar was truly dead. He was in shock to realize that Brutus had gone against him. Caesar loved Brutus and trusted him, while Brutus and the rest of the conspirators betrayed him.

In Act III Scene ii, Caesar's will is shown to the Roman Public by Antony after Caesar has died. When Antony shows the will to the people, he says "Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal, To every Roman citizen he gives— To every several man—seventy-five drachmas" (833, Lines 232-234). this showed the public that Caesar was really a noble man and was generous enough to give his money to the people of Rome instead of someone from his own family. This also shows a side of Caesar to the reader that is unlike his usual appearance. From his will, you can see that Caesar cared for Rome and it's people.

In Act I Scenes i and ii, Flavius and Murellus explain to us that Caesar is walking through the streets being very flambouyant. Although they are not fond of this, many people are following Caesar and praising him as if he were a king. Cassius even states, "And this is the man who has now become a god" (783, Line 116). This provides us with the theory that Caesar has much respect and power currently in Rome, and by walking through the streets with pride, he is well aware of this power he has obtained..

In Act I Scene II, Caesar admits that he fears Cassius. This shows another weakness in Caesar’s power. He does not directly admit his fear for Cassius but he says if he were capable of fearing anyone, it would be Cassius. Caesar’s reason for fear is Cassius never smiles and men like that are not capable of accepting someone that has more power then them. Caesar says, “ Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid so soon as that spare Cassius”(786). Caesar believes Cassius to be a very dangerous man and as much as Caesar doesn’t want to admit it, he fears him. This weakens the reader’s outlook on Caesar because he is no longer flawless, like a god should be.

Even though Caesar is looked at as a king, he does portray many flaws throughout Julius Caesar. In Act I Scene II, Caesar admits to being deaf in his left ear. This also shows weakness of Caesar because a true god would not be deaf. It is assumed that gods are flawless and Caesar is considered a god but he is certainly not flawless. Caesar says, “ Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, and tell me truly what thou think’st of [Cassius]” (786). Caesar’s followers view him as a god but his imperfection of being deaf in the left ear proves otherwise.

In the beginning of Julius Caesar, Caesar is all-powerful and fearless. He is very arrogant and sees himself as the best possible. On page 783, Cassius talks about how Caesar dared him to jump into the Tiber River during the winter. They both jumped into the water but Caesar could not make the swim and cried for Cassius to save him. This is another act of weakness performed by the almighty Caesar. More toward Caesar’s death, his outlook on himself and others change. He becomes less judgmental and more accepting of others. Also, he wants people to view him better and he is afraid of people turning against him. From the beginning to the end of Julius Caesar, Caesar’s confidence level drops significantly.

At the beginning of the play, the reader learns that Caesar thinks of Antony with high regard. He often is by Antonys side and orders him preform very important tasks. An example of this is when Caesar intrusts Antony with the duty of touching his wife, Calphurnia, during the Feist of Lupercal. Ceasar states, "Forget not in your speed Antonuis, to touch Calphurnia; for our elders say the barren, touched in this chase, shake off their sterile curse" (779). Having the great Caesar order Antony to make his wife fertile is considered a great honor.

The reader begins to witness Caear's arrogance first hand during his conversation with his wife in Act II, Scene 2. She tells him of her most horrible dream; she dreamt of his murder. His very first reaction is that no evil or danger can harm him. He states, "Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he" (812). This arrogance is his tragic flaw that will lead to his demise.

After Calpernia’s horrid dream of Caesar’s death, it does not even faze Caesar. Then he becomes less confident in his decision when he talks to his wife. At first he says he refuses to stay home because of his fearlessness and arrogance. After further discussing the matter with his wife, he decides it would be best if he stays home. Then he goes back to his original decision to go to the Capital. With this matter, Caesar is not very confident in his decisions. He allows his public image to take over his private self.

On page 823 Caesar proves to the reader how highly he thinks of himself. Caesar has a very large ego and it does not always work in his favor. When there is talk of his death, he does not fear it because he claims he is safe due to his power. Caesar is very arrogant and will not take and signs warning him of his death. There are many ways he could save his life but he is to fearless to take precaution.On page 823 Caesar relates himself to the North Star. As everyone believes, the North Star is the one that should always be followed. This is just another minor detail that adds proof of Caesar's arrogance.

Ceasar wants his public image to be of power and greatness, but he is very incosisntent in his decision making process. An example would be his decision on whether to go to the Senate or not. His wife, Caphurnia, begs him to stay home. At first he disagrees and wants to go to the Senate because "Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he" (812). Then he gives in to his wife and orders Decius to tell his fellow Senators that he will not come today. Finally, Decius persuades Caesar into coming. Caesar is easily swayed by those close to him.

At the beginning of the play, we learn that Caesar turned down the crown three times during the Feast of Lupercal. There are two ways to interpret this action. First, his denial of the crown can portray Caesar as being modest and not ambitous. Second, we can interpret this as him manipulating the minds of the Roman people, a power play. Him refusing the crown would make him more human to the average Roman and win their support in return.

Through out the majority of the play, Caesar is much loved by his Romans portraying his great leadership qualities. When entering Rome, the citizens adorn the streets with flowers and wreaths to welcome him as a great hero. Furthermore, after the race, the Roman public offers Caesar the chance to be their king three times. Finally, after reminded of his greatness by Antony, the Roman people rise up in mutany against the people who killed their beloved Caesar. Without immense leadership characteristics, Caesar would not of been able to cause a whole society of pepole to act in such ways.

In Act II Scene II, we learn Caesar is easily swayed by his followers, and not the absolute ruler he tries to be. At first, Caesar is going to leave for the Senate house. But then his wife Calphurnia, scared by her bad dreams, pleads for her husband to stay home. With this plea and unfavorable omens from the augers, Caesar is convinced he shouldn't go after all (812-813). However, after hearing an alternate interpretation of Calphurnia's dreams and the omens from Decius Brutus, Caesar is just as vehement about going to the Senate house as he was about staying home just a few moments ago (813-814). This tendency to be convinced shows weakness in the previously unconquerable armor of Caesar.

Throughout the play, we see that Caesar is primarily concerned with his image in the eyes of the Roman public and the Senate. For example, he doesn't allow himself to be worried by the warnings of the soothsayer in the crowd until he is out of public view. Finally, when he is alone, Caesar confides to his best friend Antony that he is afraid of being harmed by Cassius. Later, when deciding whether or not to go to the Capitol and the Senate proceedings, one of the deciding factors is what the Senate will think of him if he acts like a coward and stays home. Self-image, more so than the good of Rome or the safety of himself, is Caesar's primary goal.

If not ambitious, in Act III Scene 1 Caesar certainly shows himself as egotistical. With all of the greatest minds of Rome and the Senate backing the return of Publius Cimber from exile, Caesar will not back down from his original decision even though it causes his death, because Caesar is "as constant as the Northern Star" (page 823). As well as comparing himself to the North Star, Caesar uses images of height and the lowness (e.g. Olympus/base spaniel fawning) to show the degree of difference between him and all the other Romans. This is a prime example of the narcissism Caesar develops after his successful conquests and quick political ascension.

Another selfish trait that Caesar shows in Act III Scene 1 is his focus solely on himself. His last words, "Then fall Caesar." (823) show what he was thinking about right before he died, himself. His last words could've been about what would happen to Rome, or asking why the conspirators were doing this, or at least pleading not to die so that he could lead Rome in a better direction. Instead, Caesar talks about himself dying (in the third person no less), showing that Caesar has been warped by his career in military and politics only to look out for his own skin.

In Act 1 Scene ii, Caesar's first few lines show us that he has a major power over the people. He grabs Antony and tells him that he must "touch Calphurnia, for our elders say The barren, touchèd in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse (line 8)." Right away Antony responds with "When Caesar says, “do this,” it is performed (line 130)." The audience now is aware that Caesar believes in the folk tales of his elders and looks towards them for guidance in his ruling. But, most importantly, we learn the instant obedience shown by Antony means Caesar is in very high authority and greatly respected.

Throughout the play Caesar is known to be very judgmental. We are first shown this when the Soothsayer yells "Caesar" from the crowd. Although Caesar quickly responds in hopes of discovering the owner of the bold voice, as soon as the Soothsayer tells him of the Ides of March, Caesar is very quick to regard him as an insane person. He does not stop to ask why or what the Soothsayer is talking about yet he abruptly moves on. Only to later discover, if he listened, he could have the power of saving himself.

Cassius is a very good source to look for in order to find Caesar's negative characteristics. In Act 1 Scene 2, Cassius explains how weak Caesar once was. When they were both younger, Caesar made a dare with Cassius to jump into the raging water with him and swim to a certain point in the waters. Cassius took him up on that dare. Cassius explains how Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink (line 113)!” This line is an example of a weakness in Caesar. During Caesar's powerful era he built his name into all-mighty, all-powerful person. In truth, Caesar is no different than one of his followers. Also towards the beginning of the play, Caesar has a quiet chat with Antony about Cassius. He pinpoints how Cassius acts in a manor that Caesar does not accept. He explains how Cassius should be avoided, that he reads a lot and is a major observer and sees the hidden motives in what men do. Caesar also continues by saying how Cassius does not like plays like Antony does, does not listen to music, and rarely smiles. Caesar marks Cassius as a dangerous man. This shows us again how judgmental Caesar can be but it also shows us Caesar values the opinion of Antony. After his rampage about his disapproval of Cassius’ ways he says, “ Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truly what thou think’st of him (lines 214-215).” ||
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 * In Act I Scene II readers can already tell that Julius Caesar is an ultimate ruler. This is shown when he orders Antony to whip Calpurnia during the foot race. The people of Rome respect him because his commands are always followed. An example of this is when Antony says on in Act I Scene II "When Caesar says 'Do this' it is performed." Based on this quote, we can tell that no one would dare to disobey Caesar because of his great power. Also, since Caesar believes that if Antony was to whip Calpurnia she would be fertile, readers can assume that Julius Caesar is superstitious and believes in tradition and rituals. However, in this scene he also completely disreguards the warning from the soothsayer to beware of the Ides of March. When hearing this warning, a weakness of Caesar is displayed. Readers find out that Caesar is deaf in one ear. This weakness supports the views of Brutus and Cassius. They believe that Caesar is not fit to be the god-like leader that so many people believe him to be. According to Cassius, Caesar is also the only person that doesn't talk about how great of a person Brutus is. Cassius also tells stories about Caesar, revealing he isn't an almighty god worth worshiping. In Act I Scene II, readers figure out that Caesar is basically the supreme ruler in Rome based on all of his power and support, but he does have weaknesses as well as some "friends" who think he doesn't deserve what he has achieved.

> > -In Act 1, Scene 2, Caeser and Antony have a conversation about Cassius. Caeser hints his weaknesses when he talks about "fat" people. Caeser would be more happy if he were surrounded by "fat" people, meaning jolly people who are not likely to rebel against him. Caeser shows his fear toward Cassius by stating that "Cassius has a lean and hungry look" (785). and he is always thinking. Because of this, Caesar thinks Cassius is more likely to rebel. He wishes Cassius was "fatter" because then he would be less dangerous. However, Caesar tries to cover up his fear and strongly shows his arrogence by saying in line 211, "I rather tell thee what is to be feared than what I fear; for always I am Caesar" (786). > > -In Act 2, Scene 1, Brutus compares Caesar to both an adder and a man on a ladder. Caesar is similar to an adder because they're both sneaky, powerful, dangerous, spontaneous, and killers. Caesar is similar to a man on a ladder because he climbed from bottom to top (no power to very powerful), they're both ambitious, supported, and able to fall. When these two comparisons are thought of seperatly, Caesar does not appear extremely powerful and strong. However, when you link the comparisons of a man stepping on people to get to the top and the poisonous serpent together, it makes the image of Caesar very powerful and fearful.
 * In this same scene, Caesar shows a side to the people that can be interpreted differently. When he turns down the crown that has been given too him, to some he seems humble and is respected even more while others see right through his "act." This utter disgust present among some of the conspirators is evident when Casca calls in "mere foolery" on page 787 in line 235. Also, readers are exposed to another weakness he has which is that Caesar is plagued with the falling sickness, meaning he is constantly having seizures.


 * In Act II Scene I, the conspirators plan to murder Caesar. They arrive at the home of Brutus where Brutus agrees to help thir side. They plan to murder just Caeser after Decius Brutus convinces him to disregard the omens and predictions and come to the Capitol. Decius Brutus goes to the home of Caeser because he is a trusted friend. Once Caesar gets to the Capitol, the conspirators will stab him.


 * In Act II Scene II, Calphurnia has a nightmare where Caesar is murdered. His statue is spewing blood and the people of Rome are wading in this pool. Earlier in this scene, Earlier in the scene, Caesar sent a lion to be sacrificed. However, the augurers found no heart in this lion. Calphurnia interpreted this as a sign that he should stay home. Caesar interpreted this as though if he did stay home, he would be seen as a coward like the lion without a heart. After the pleas of Calpurnia, Caesar finally gives in and agrees to the excuse that he is ill and will stay home (Caesar accepts the opinions of Calphurnia, eventhough she is a woman). Once Decius Brutus arrives, Caesar changes his mind and says that he is not coming to the Capitol today. Not that he can not, just he will not. But Decius needs some sort of excuse. To the Senate, the excuse is simply his will. But, since Decius is such a close friend, Caesar tells him the truth about the nightmare of Calpurnia. Decius convinces him that he interpreted the dream incorrectly. The blood spewing out of the statue is actually the new blood of Rome because he has revived the city. Caesar agrees with him and decided Decius is right and he will look weak and scared if he does not go to the Capitol. In this scene, moe weaknesses of Caesar are revealed. First, he is easliy persuaded. Both Caphurnia and Decius were able to convince Caesar to take their side. Caesar just chooses the option that sounds best at the time. Also, Caesar makes impulsive decisions.

- In Act 3, Scene 1, Caesar makes a poor choice by not listening to Artemidorus when he wants to warn Caesar about the possible danger in Caesar's future. Caesar does not take Artemidorus' letter because he says "what touches us ourself shall be last served" (821). Also in Act 3, Scene 1, Caesar shows arrogance. Metellus begs Caesar to free his brother from exile. In response, Caesar says if he were an ordinary person, he might be able to be pursuaded. However, since he is Caesar, he cannot be moved by Metellus' request. "I could be well moved, if I were as you" (823).

- In Act 3, Scene 1, Caesar compares himself to the North Star because the North Star is very bright, constant, it guides people, and more importantly, it's always there and holds it's place in the sky. Caesar says the star is "[u]nshaken of motion; and that I am he" (823) meaning Caesar is constant like the North Star and nothing can make him change. This scene prooves how big of an ego Caesar has.

- In Act 3, Scene 2, Brutus preaches to the Roman Public about the conspirators reasing for killing Caesar. He doesn't give much detail, but he does say they killed Caesar because "he was ambitious" (831). Before ruler, Caesar and his army took over much of Rome. Because of this, Caesar developed a big ego and started to think he was greater than everyone and everything. Brutus thought if Caesar were crowned king, Caesar's ambition would become too great. Because of this speech by Brutus, the citizans start to think "Caesar was a tyrant" (834). However, Antony changes the Roman Public's mind when he gives his speech about Caesar. Antony prooves with logical appeal that Caesar was not ambitious making the Roman Public on Caesar's side and against the conspirators.


 * In Act III Scene II the speech given by Antony is very convincing. Prior to Antony (Caesar's loyal supporter), the Roman public had been convinced by Brutus that Caesar was a very ambitious man. However, Antony proved otherwise. After using logical appeal, he used some emotional appeal. He is a strong and athletic man whos "heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and [he] must pause until it comes back" (page 835 lines 108-109). The Romans were previously on the side of Brutus and were concerned that Antony would speak badly of Brutus. However, subtly he leads the Roman Public to "mutiny and rage" (a common phrase in his speech) (page 836 line 124). He makes the Roman Public feel guilty about how they ever swayed their loyalties form Caesar. Antony also uses the emotional appeal of Caesar's will. He emotionally tells the Roman Public that Caesar is very generous and left his belongings to the public and not only to his family.


 * In Act III Scene III, the level of munity and rage that the Roman Public was brought to by Antony's speech is displayed. An innocent poet named Cinna is murdered because he has the same name as one of the conspirators against Caesar. When Cinna explains to the Romans that their names are the only similarity and he supports Caesar, he is still killed. The Romans were very angry and out for blood. Ther excuse for murdering him: "Tear him for his bad verses! Tear him for his bad verses!" (page 842 lines 30 and 31). This is one example of how the peoples' loyalty to Caesar has gotten a little out of hand. This also shows how infuential of a leader Caesar was and how indeed he will be missed. ||