Comparing Calpurnia And Portia In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

In the Roman world, women were irrelevant.There are only two female characters in William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. Calpurnia, the wife of Julius Caesar, and Portia, the wife of Brutus. Both women are the wives of the two main characters. Although there are only two women in the entire play, the short areas of the play where the women are shown are important to the play's development. The women are critical to this play, because their presence is foreshadowing of tragic events that will occur in the future. Portia is the daughter of a famous Roman general who opposed Caesar. She is Brutus’s wife and is considered his backbone. As a wife, Portia is extremely loyal to Brutus. Even though she doesn’t have power, she voices her opinions …show more content…
In the second act, Brutus’ interactions with his wife illustrate that women are isolated from politics. Portia proves to her husband that she’s intelligent, however, Brutus does not confide in her with his issues. “Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose ‘em. I have made strong proof of my constancy” (II.i.298). In this scene, Portia is begging her husband to confide in her. Portia knows her worth, because of her father and her husband, making her superior to other women. This demonstrates the tension between Portia and Brutus, and how there are holes in their marriage. Act two scene one proves how Portia’s faithful to her husband, however, this is reversed in act two scene four. “O constancy, be strong upon my side, set a huge mountain ‘tween my heart and tongue! I have a man’s mind, but a woman’s might. How hard is it for women to keep counsel!” (II.iv.6). This scene proves that women can’t cope with political concerns. Portia is saying that her determination is keeping her from speaking what she needs to say, she has a man’s mind but a woman’s strength, and woman cannot keep