JULIUS CAESAR
By William Shakespeare
INTRODUCTION
Julius Caesar is a historical play which depicts events that took place around 42 B.C. Shakespeare has very deftly presented this political drama which is punctuated by personal strifes and moral dilemmas, faced by the main characters of the play. Julius Caesar is an able general, statesman and an immensely popular Roman. He returns to Rome amidst cheers and adulation after defeating the sons of Pompey. The Romans turn up in large numbers to cheer him since he has filled up the coffers of Rome. Caesar refuses the crown, which is offered to him three times. But it is feared that he may one day ascend the throne and revoke the privileges of men like Cassius. The threat that Caesar was moving away from the ideals of Roman principles towards an empire ruled directly by himself, is the chief reason that Brutus joins the conspirators. Brutus is the most trusted, respected and „noble of all Romans‟, but has a false conception of honour. He is an idealist, but is not shrewd enough to sense the purpose of the conspirators like Cassius.
SUMMARY
Caesar wanders about in his night-gown and is kept awake by Calpurnia‟s nightmares. She called out in her sleep about supernatural omens that spelled disaster. Calpurnia believes that such bad omens are a premonition of evil and some harm would befall Caesar. Caesar rebuffs her, refusing to give in to fear. Caesar deems the signs to apply to the world in general and refuses to believe they bore ill for him personally. Finally, Calpurnia prevails upon Caesar to stay at home. Decius Brutus jeopardizes Calpurnia‟s plan and forces Caesar to go to the Senate, where the senators were waiting to offer a crown to him. On his way, Caesar rejects the petition of Cimber to revoke the orders for his brother‟s punishment. This proves to be the last nail in his coffin. Immediately afterwards, Casca and other senators along with Brutus stab Caesar. Caesar‟s last words are, “Et tu Brute?” The conspirators turn to the lebians and start shouting slogans of “Liberty, Freedom and Enfranchisement” as if they were safeguarding the rights of all the Romans. Mark Antony is too dumbstruck to see Caesar‟s dead body in a pool of blood, but tactfully restrains himself from making any statements. He requests Brutus for allowing him to make a funeral speech. Dismissing Cassius‟ objection, Brutus allows him but only after he has himself addressed the plebians. Antony uses his excellent oratorical skills very cleverly and succeeds in inciting the mob to mutiny and wreck havoc against the conspirators. Brutus and others have to flee for their lives and Octavious Caesar arrives to clinch the victory for Antony and save Caesar‟s honour.
CHARACTERS
JULIUS CAESAR
He was a formidable conqueror who expanded Roman empire; brought war booties to it, defeated the sons of Pompy and dominated the political life of Rome. However he had some weaknesses. He was superstitious, boastful, haughty and arrogant. Immensely popular among the commoners, he was adorned and worshipped by them. Being large-hearted, he thought of common welfare. This courageous and brave General had won many wars.
Though credulous by nature he dismissed Calpurnia‟s fears as foolish and showed complete disregard for the bad omens He was very firm and rigid. Once he took a decision, he stuck to it. Having rejected Cimber‟s petition once, he didn‟t accept it again. He felt proud of not being moved by „couchings‟ and „lowly courtesies‟. He wished to rise higher and higher hence he kept on carrying out military campaigns.
MARCUS BRUTUS
He was a patriot and a much respected nobleman of Rome. He was held in great esteem by Romans. He had genuine love for common welfare and was the champion of the rights of the people. Upholder of the republicanism and a firm opponent of dictatorship, he ignored his love for Caesar because of his love for liberty. Apart from having these qualities, Brutus was wise, gentle and philosophical. He had a lot of selfconfidence, that‟s why he allowed Mark Antony to speak at Caesar‟s funeral much against the advice of Cassius. This mistake cost the conspirators dearly.
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
(a) How do the heavens „blaze forth‟ the death of Julius Caesar?
Ans. Calpurnia sees ill-omens that predict the death of Caesar beforehand. The heavens predict the death of princes and great kings. There were fierce battles, blood rained, ghosts were seen, graves opened up, battle cries were heard. All this signalled that someone as powerful as Caesar was bound to suffer.
(b) What does Calpurnia convince Caesar of?
Ans. She convinces Caesar to avoid going to the senate. She believed that Caesar would be safe if he stays at home.
(c) Why does Calpurnia say Caesar‟s „wisdom is consumed in confidence?‟ What does it mean?
Ans. When Caesar is adamant about going to the senate, Calpurnia dissuades him. But Caesar believes that ill-omens are for the weak and not for the mighty like him. Then Calpurnia says that Caesar‟s over confidence has clouded his wisdom. He was so confident that he refused to see reason nor understood the indication behind the ill omens.
(d) What was Calpurnia‟s dream? How was it interpreted by Decius Brutus?
Ans. Calpurnia sees a terrifying dream in which Caesar is murdered, his statue is gushing blood and many smiling Romans are bathing their hands in his blood. Calpurnia was not superstitious but earlier in the night she had a nightmare comprising the dead man walking about. She felt that the dream was a premonition of the evil that was going to befall Caesar. So she forbids Caesar to go to the Senate. But Decius cleverly interprets it positively. He says that the vision of Romans bathing in Caesar‟s blood signifies that Caesar‟s spirit or influence will touch many lives; staining their handkerchiefs‟ in Caesar‟s blood indicates reverence, dedication and a token of memory on part of the Romans.
(e) What arguments did Brutus and other conspirators give to justify the killing of Caesar?
Ans. Julius Caesar is an able general and a mighty conqueror who has brought great glory to Rome. It is believed by many that Caeser is too ambitious and would one day be the Roman emperor and a dictator. Jealous of Caesar‟s growing power, Cassius instigates a conspiracy to murder Caesar. The conspirators were unhappy with Caesar‟s obstinacy and egoistic behaviour. Cassius was jealous of Caesar‟s soaring power and popularity. According to Cassius, Caesar was
a tyrant who wanted to treat the Romans as slaves and that Roman liberty and democracy were under threat from Caesar. Brutus stabbed Caesar because he was an idealist and believed that ambition and tyranny should be nipped in the bud but Cassius killed Caesar because he wanted to be a part of the Roman triumvirate.
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