The Modernity Of Julius Caesar Analysis

Modernity vs. The Ancient Era The Renaissance era, brought about a remarkable change in the world. It dramatically changed society’s view of science, music, art, religion, and even philosophy. Through the renaissance, man began to view the world differently, man saw himself as the center of the universe. In ancient times man had always seen himself as subject to a predestined fate, that had been decided by the gods. The renaissance brought about a new era, the modern era, where in man was an autonomous being, capable of defining himself and deciding his own fate. The renaissance was earth shattering, creating a break between ancient times and modernity. The renaissance was the doorway between ancient times and modernity. Furthermore, …show more content…
Both Brutus and Caesar battle different personalities within themselves. Brutus’ personality splits between a sense of public and private duty. In Maynard Mack’s commentary, “The Modernity of Julius Caesar,” Mack discusses Brutus’ internal battle, “a conflict between a quiet, essentially domestic and loving nature and a powerful integrity expressing itself in a sense of honorable duty to the commonwealth” (Mack 157). Brutus is torn between standing by his friend or by his country. Brutus eventually chooses to protect the roman commonwealth and stand by ancient tradition, “I slew my best lover for the good of Rome” (Shakespeare 3.2.46). This exemplifies how modernity focuses on the individual man, while ancient times centered itself on the public …show more content…
While Caesar questions supernaturalism within himself, Cassius and Caesar together embody the quarrel between Supernaturalism and Naturalism. Caesar takes on the supernatural point of view while Cassius accepts the naturalist one. Myron Taylor’s article, “Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the Irony of History”, discusses the opposing philosophical points of view, “The debate between naturalism and supernaturalism, Cassius and Caesar, is a major concern in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar” (Taylor 302). Cassius looks at the world as an atheist and believes in the autonomy of man. He believes that man creates his own destiny and that the universe is self governing. Taylor describes Cassius as an Epicurean which the dictionary defines as, “the philosophical doctrine of Epicurus, holding that the external world is a series of fortuitous combinations of atoms and that the highest good is pleasure” (Dictionary.com). Caesar, in his youth questioned epicureanism, later converted to a more skeptical view of the world, and yet ultimately he rejects his superstitions and consequently meets his demise. He does not listen to the warnings of the soothsayer nor the request of his wife, Calpurnia (Shakespeare 2.2.8-64). Caesar turns away from his own superstitions, he ignores the signs of the earth and meets his death in the senate. Once