In the Shakespearean play Julius Caesar, there are two relationships displayed. One relationship is that of Calphurnia and the character of which the play is entitled, Caesar. The other relationship represented is of Portia and Brutus. While both relationships are of that of a husband and wife, they are shown as very different couples. In the couples ' dialogues in Act 2, it is revealed that while Portia and Calphurnia both worry about their husbands, Brutus and Caesar appreciate and trust their wives differently.
In Calphurnia 's and Caesar 's conversation, it is shown that while Calphurnia deeply trusts and moreover worries for her husband, Caesar doesn 't appear to share that devout trust. In the beginning of the scene, Calphurnia is
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In Portia and Brutus ' conversation, we see a strong connection between the couple. Portia deeply cares for her husband and his well-being, and accordingly Brutus has a reverence for her that is superior to that of Caesar to his wife. In the scene, Portia confronts Brutus saying she has detected a change in his behavior. "You suddenly arose, and walked about. Musing and sighing arms across." (Act 2, Sc 1 line 239-240) She says she wants to know what is distressing him, but he won 't answer her, and as not to irritate him she did not question further. But here and now she wants him to confide in her as to alleviate his grief. She, like Calphurnia, is profoundly concerned for her husband 's well-being, but on a deeper level. She knows when he has reached his limits and furthermore when he needs support. Portia wants Brutus to not be afraid to tell her his secrets, as she promises to retain them. She knows a marriage is a distinctive connection, and that they are one entity. "...and that great vow which did incorporate and make us one." (Act 2, Sc 1 line 272-273) On the other side, Brutus, contrasting Caesar, is presented to ultimately have a profound, devoted respect for his wife. He knows she is "true and honorable." He exclaims "O he gods, render me worthy of this noble wife!" (Act 2, Sc 1 line 303-304) Although Brutus does not disclose his secrets to his wife during the scene, he promises that soon he will. He gives Portia more credit than Caesar of Calphurnia. This relationship is revealed as a solid bond between two
Brutus appeals to the audience's ethics and judgement of character. " ... any dear friend of/ Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his" (Brutus 7-9 IIIii). By explaining that he had a friendship with Caesar, Brutus portrays that he had to have had a just reason for killing Caesar since he would not want to kill a friend otherwise. "You all did love him once, not without cause" (Antony 33 IIIii).
This quote from Julius Caesar is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the characters in the play, and how their choices ultimately lead to their fate. Portia's death is a prime example of the sacrifices made by characters in Julius Caesar. She takes her own life after learning of her husband Brutus' plans, and her death serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of political ambition. Portia's death is particularly tragic because it was a
Shakespeare’s language and choice of words portrays one of the most vital characters of the play, Portia, as a powerless woman to a large extent… but only in a certain way. Being ‘powerful’ has three meanings, one is “having great strength”, two is “having control over people and events”, and lastly three is “having a strong effect on people’s thoughts and feelings”. The two latter definitions are similar yet very different in this context. Making it possible for Portia to seem like a powerless woman, but surprisingly remain one of the most important characters.
In Act 3 Scene 2 Brutus said during his speech, “If that friend then demands to know why Brutus turned against Caesar, this is my answer: Not because I cared for Caesar less, but because I cared for Rome more”. Brutus had courage to kill Caesar, not because he wanted to, but for the good of Rome and its people. During the entirety of the story, Brutus
She establishes her credibility by reminding Brutus of her loyalty to him, saying “I grant I am a woman, but withal a woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter” (II.i.305-306). Portia then employs an emotional appeal, expressing her concern for Brutus’ well-being, saying “I have a man’s mind, but a woman’s might” (II.i.315). Through this rhetorical device, Portia emphasizes her ability to handle difficult situations and appeals to Brutus’ protective instincts.
Keep Power or Kill If you believed that the only way to save your state was to kill one of your friends, would you? The character Brutus killed one of his friends in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar(JC) by William Shakespeare. Some people believe that he is a villain and only killed Caesar to keep his own power in the government. However many people think that he killed Julius Caesar to help prevent Rome from becoming dictatorship.
Portia was a loyal wife, and very patience and trustworthy. She had been ‘asleep,’ throughout most the play, although she had known there was something going on that Brutus is not telling her. Portia begged Brutus to tell her his intentions, and upon refusing, she reveals a stab, in which she had done herself, to prove her patience, a keeper of secrets, and to convince Brutus. She is well-aware of how to prove her honor, which was to inflict harm on herself. Portia exclaims, “Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife,” (2.1.310) this is her saying that if she, Portia, can not learn of her husband’s aim, she is not a wife, but another prostitute.
Brutus believes that Caesar will do more harm than good to the people, and reap benefits for himself. Brutus has already said this, but had said it in his own words, (II, i, 12-14). He has no clue if Caesar will use his power for the good and betterment for the people, or use it for his own needs and other
(II, i, 53-55) which allows to say that he wants Rome to be just and do whatever it takes to maintain it away from any threat. Indeed, Brutus states this very clearly when he says, “If it’s for the good of all Romans, I’d do it even if it meant my death. Let the gods give me good luck only as long as I love honor more than I fear death.” (I, ii, 86-88), he explicitly says that the good of the majority is over any feeling or personal benefit which in this case is the love of Caesar for him and viceversa, and the throne. To conclude, Brutus is a complex character that is characterized by three recurrent traits: his well-intention, his hypocrisy, and his naivet.
Portia can also give Brutus some ideas about how to run everything. Brutus says this about Portia, “You are my true and honorable wife, as dear to me as are the ruddy drops that visit my sad heart. ’’I chose this quote because it explains how Brutus thinks she honorable and will trust
During the Act 1, Scene ii, Brutus tells the audience that he loves Caesar and has never seen him misuse his power. Brutus makes his judgment based on possibilities and not
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare includes prophets, omens, and natural phenomenon that point to the tragic end of the three main characters: Julius Caesar, Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius. Writing a play based on such a well known historical event, Shakespeare’s audience would have known the outline of the events before entering the theater. Therefore, the inclusion of the omens would have served as a reminder for his audience. Though the omens suggest a sense of predetermination that would have satisfied the historical outlook of the audience, it is abundantly clear that it is the choices that those characters make that dooms them. Ultimately, Shakespeare suggests that it is the flaws of the main characters that leads
Brutus responds saying that it is not true; it's just that he had a lot on his mind lately. Brutus has a soliloquy that addresses his inner conflict over how to deal with Caesar. "The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power, and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd." Later after Caesar's death, Brutus and Cassius are preparing to assault the armies of Antony and Octavius. Brutus wanted power more than he valued his friendship with Caesar.
Marcus Junius Brutus and Mark Antony both deliver speeches to justify the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE and both use Logos and Ethos to convince the Roman citizens to join their sides. Both sides deliver their speeches with vehemence and start by elucidating why Brutus killed Caesar to begin with, why Antony’s desire for revenge is justified, and what the future of Rome will be because of his death. Antony teases the citizens of Rome with the will of Caesar that he holds in hand and claims it will dishonor Brutus and the other conspirators and is also one of his vital uses of Ethos in his speech. Most of the citizens, if not all of them side with Antony and will most likely help him accede to a great title of power in the future and also betray Brutus because of what Antony has them believe, i.e. an ignoble assassin. Brutus and Antony 's speeches were both compelling, although Antony´s speech was more successful, but it is because he was able to manipulate the people of Rome with
Deception and Manipulation William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar” illustrates many facts and characteristics of Ancient Rome, such as betrayal and confederacy. However, deception and manipulation are the most significant aspects of the play and played a huge role in the story, which eventually lead to the death of Julius Caesar. Examples of deception and manipulation in this play are the fake letters that sent to Brutus, Decius assured Caesar about Calpurnia’s dream, and Anthony’s speech against Brutus. One of the most significant deceptions in the play is when Cassius sent fake letters to Brutus to convince him to join the conspiracy. Cassius addressed the letters to make it seem that they were coming from the citizens.