Much of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, revolves around the death of Julius Caesar by his close friends and confidants. One of the reasons behind his death was due to characters’ failures to correctly interpret and listen to the omens and portents that they encounter. During the time of the Roman empire, many people believed in superstitions and signs. However, many failed to recognize the warning of portents or omens, some which lead to fatal consequences. Omens and portents play a large role in setting the atmosphere in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Bizarre events or frightful dreams suggest to characters that strange events could occur. An omen or portent foreshadows what may happen in the future. During this time,
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With so much ambition and rivalry, the ability to measure the loyalty of one’s fellow politicians is a key factor to success. However, as Caesar’s confidants planned his death, he failed to recognize the portents which resulted in the success of his murder. Caesar’s first warning came from a Soothsayer; he warns, “Beware the ides of March” (I.ii..23). Although Caesar is interested in what the Soothsayer has to say, he does not heed his warning with caution. His ignorance towards the man and his warning is one of the reasons that lead to his death. Nevertheless, Caesar gets additional warnings from his own wife Calpurnia. She explains how she has seen terrible omens in her dreams and how her husband cannot afford to ignore them. Calpurnia insists that Caesar must not go out as she says: “Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies./Yet now they frighten me./Besides the things that we have heard and seen/Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch” (II. ii. 13-16). She explains to Caesar that she never concerned herself with omens, until she recalls what happened in the city: dead men walked, a lioness gave birth in the street, and lightning shattered the skies. Fearful that the events portend to danger, she begs him to stay home. However, Caesar is unwavering and refuses to stay home out of fear, despite the dangerous portents. He views Calpurnia’s warning as foolish fails to listen as
With so much ambition and rivalry, the ability to measure the loyalty of one’s fellow politicians is a key factor to success. However, as Caesar’s confidants planned his death, he failed to recognize the portents which resulted in the success of his murder. Caesar’s first warning came from a Soothsayer; he warns, “Beware the ides of March” (I.ii..23). Although Caesar is interested in what the Soothsayer has to say, he does not heed his warning with caution. His ignorance towards the man and his warning is one of the reasons that lead to his death. Nevertheless, Caesar gets additional warnings from his own wife Calpurnia. She explains how she has seen terrible omens in her dreams and how her husband cannot afford to ignore them. Calpurnia insists that Caesar must not go out as she says: “Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies./Yet now they frighten me./Besides the things that we have heard and seen/Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch” (II. ii. 13-16). She explains to Caesar that she never concerned herself with omens, until she recalls what happened in the city: dead men walked, a lioness gave birth in the street, and lightning shattered the skies. Fearful that the events portend to danger, she begs him to stay home. However, Caesar is unwavering and refuses to stay home out of fear, despite the dangerous portents. He views Calpurnia’s warning as foolish fails to listen as