Audre Lorde once said “Your silence will not protect”. The principle of that quote is based that being silent in a problem will not help you or protect your from the pain, yet only your problem will become worse, till it could cause death just like in the The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Therefore, everyone should speak up just like Calpurnia, and Portia should have did their husbands Caesar, and Brutus. Over the course of the play in some situations the women characters speak up, yet a majority the readers see that “men rule”. Through the actions displayed that the idea of masculinity and feminism is overreached throughout the relationships of the characters in Julius Caesar, yet the women still love and care for their spouse they wed.
The concept of men being in power comes from the ancient Roman time when males were “[given] one power advantage over the other gender”
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(Damsen Blooms). Because of that, there was always a king figure in the house and the women were seen as a queen who did not come out the house, or either stayed at home and took care of the children. However, in our current society us women see that women are equal. The definition of feminism which is “the belief that women should be as free as men” the readers see that feminism is a theory that should have been enforced in the beginning of time (Higgins Feminism). Also, by understanding that women and men were not equal during the time that results in outcomes of women not having a big impact or being able to create such great work like the men did during the Roman time period. Another aspect throughout the play readers see that during the time period marriages were not as connected and the women”were less than man”. Once again in the world all of us live in, it is notable that men and women of are of the same sex ranking. Frequently it is mentioned of how women were supposed to clean, raise the children of the family, and cook for her husband. Since the men usually either continued their studies or join the army the women were forced to stay with the kids, if there was kids (Veney 19). Quite honestly most women were to be silent. “A woman was like a grown child; her husband was obliged to humor her because of her downy and her noble father”, that proves that women were to be seen and not heard during a time period as such (Veyne 39). Also the point that the “[the] man was the master of his wife, just as the master of his daughters and servants” shows men ruled (Veyne 39). When a women got married, which marriage was “perceived as a duty”, which in current times you are able to choose of the sex or even if you would like to follow in those steps, they were to bow down to their husband (Veyne 38). Though in today’s society women go and do during Roman time women “represent the private world” which is the idea that women must ask and get permission to go do anything, such as get bread from a store (Adney). The whole concept of confining a women to a space is taking away her rights of being free or feminism. Throughout the play readers really see that the idea of masculinity and feminism was a problem that male and females really dealt with. The characters Portia and Brutus who were married had a difficult time being able to communicate. “When Brutus still does not concede to inform her of his problems, she wouds herself in the thigh” (Adney Blooms). The pain Portia caused herself shows that a lack of communication and a lack of respect for not only a women but for a man’s wife can cause pain that could be life threatening. That pain from not receiving the attention that a woman deserves causes “battle scars like medals further demonstrating her constancy, and inherently, her devotion” (Adney Blooms). However, there was instances that Brutus referred to Portia as a noble wife, also that he was to be “rendered [by his worthy wife]” (II,i,303). The tone used to describe his feelings of Portia comes off in an sarcastic and quite rhetorical proves that Brutus did not actually treat her as the worthy women Portia was. Thus there is not much proof about why there was a lack of conversation readers do know that “[if there was much truth than I should know this secret]” which Portia mentions (II,i,291). Not only does Portia and Brutus relationship display that masculinity and feminism was anything during the time period, Calpurnia and Caesar's relationship also displays that. The fact that Caesar did have three wives including Calpurnia proves that men had little respect for women and decided to “go through” women, which is taking advantage of them. That idea of taking advantage of women really plays apart in the idea that men are over women. In addition to, the fact that when “[Calpurnia] begged her husband to stay, home, but he would not let it be” also shows the idea of a lack of worth for women (Adney Blooms). No women should be required to beg for her husband to be with her especially not on her wedding night. Caesar not listening to his new wife also shows the amount of tolerance that is incredibly disrespectful. Honestly, Caesar should not have really gotten married, yet he “cares only about his image of honor” and because of that he shows not much attention to the women he who married (Adney Blooms). One main idea that was miss constructed was also that men have much honor, and not only just men but Caesar.
At all times Caesar “[felt] concerned that his image and his honor could be tarnished” maybe because he was given the crown and had such a duty to uphold (Adney Blooms). Additionally, him being married and only worrying about his honor really put him in the situation of death. When Caesar “merely tries to preserve his honor and, in the process, loses his life” was really when he realised that life was not all about being the best it should have been about satisfying those in his life (Adney Blooms). The idea that if honor did not overtake him come when if he “stuck to his convictions, and respected his wife wishes, he might not have been killed” (Adney Blooms). Not only did Caesar think that he was very honorable Brutus also believed he deserved much honor. There was many cases that Brutus called himself “the most honorable and noble character” (Adney Blooms). That belief that you are so much greater than everyone including the female sex, shows the amount of masculine that such a guy
had. Realising that Brutus and Caesar were not the most honorable people of Rome during the time they lived in did not come till after they died. Ofcourse at that time it was to late, yet there was several time thru Caesar life he mentions things about cowards, which he was. Such as when Caesar says “cowards die many times before their deaths”, that just clarifies that the pain of not getting what he wanted and not having the best, exactly the idea of masculinity really killed him inside (II,ii,32). Also, when Calpurnia says that “when beggars die there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of the princess” proves that she was very indirectly talking about the death of Caesar would be like. In conclusion, the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar clearly displays the opinion that women are less than men. The relationships that are developed in the play, the concept of feminism and masculinity and the way males treated women clearly explains a strong hate during the Roman time for anyone of the female sex. However, through the actions displayed that the idea of masculinity and feminism is overreached throughout the relationships, yet the women still love and care for their spouse they wed.
Who is the tragic hero in Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”? To answer this question, we need to know what is a Shakespearean tragic hero. The Shakespearean tragic hero is a person of noble stature, who has a flaw (often fatal) and leaves a legacy. After we know what a Shakespearean tragic hero is, the next step in order to answer the question is finding out which character fits the description of Shakespearean tragic hero the best in the play. The character that best fits the description of the Shakespearean tragic hero is Brutus.
In Shakespeare’s play, the conspirators are not justified because of their selfish motives. During the beginning of the play, Cassius is depicted as covetous when he tries to convince Casca to join the conspirators by speaking poorly of Caesar. “What trash is Rome, what rubbish and what offal, when it serves for the base matter to illuminate so vile a thing as Caesar” (I.II.108-110). Using a disgusted pattern of diction, Shakespeare helps to convey a bitter tone when Cassius states, “trash”, “rubbish” and “offal” to express his belief that Rome will become a terrible place when Caesar rules. Also, the fact that Cassius says, “a thing”, to describe Caesar shows how disrespectful he is, portraying his revolting attitude as a bad motive. This language characterizes Cassius as jealous and greedy of Caesar’s power,
What is honor? Honor coins an individual’s nature. A principle that exists on the purpose of perception, a martyr willing to conform and accomplish. In the case of Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus was the most honorable of men. A brother to Caesar, but a father to Rome, he persist and perish for the future of his child. The idea of ignorance, and the belief of a false faith, turns this noble man toward a vulgar grave, with virtuous notions.
Over the course of time, the roles of men and women have changed dramatically. As women have increasingly gained more social recognition, they have also earned more significant roles in society. This change is clearly reflected in many works of literature, one of the most representative of which is Plautus's 191 B.C. drama Pseudolus, in which we meet the prostitute Phoenicium. Although the motivation behind nearly every action in the play, she is glimpsed only briefly, never speaks directly, and earns little respect from the male characters surrounding her, a situation that roughly parallels a woman's role in Roman society of that period. Women of the time, in other words, were to be seen and not heard. Their sole purpose was to please or to benefit men. As time passed, though, women earned more responsibility, allowing them to become stronger and hold more influence. The women who inspired Lope de Vega's early seventeenth-century drama Fuente Ovejuna, for instance, rose up against not only the male officials of their tiny village, but the cruel (male) dictator busy oppressing so much of Spain as a whole. The roles women play in literature have evolved correspondingly, and, by comparing The Epic of Gilgamesh, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and The Wife of Bath's Prologue, we can see that fictional women have just as increasingly as their real-word counterparts used gender differences as weapons against men.
Brutus thinks that killing Caesar is a noble act because it is for the good of Rome. However would Brutus have thought this if Cassius had not tricked him into believing it? It could be argued that Brutus manipulated himself into thinking what he did was honorable when really it was not and he was just following what Cassius wanted him to do. Brutus even says in the beginning of the play that he does not have it in him to kill Caesar. “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius/ That you would have me seek into myself/ For that which is not in me?” (1.2.60-71) It seems that Brutus’s thoughts on the subject change completely after assuring himself that it is for the good of Rome. Cassius does the same thing. He convinces himself that Caesar is corrupt when really he is just jealous of his power. Caesar is also guilty of this. For example, he is superstitious only when it is convenient for him. He does not believe the soothsayer when he tells him to “beware the ides of March,”(citation?) but he believes Decius when he says that Calpurnia’s dream means he will be a good ruler. Caesar does not want to accept that he could be in danger. He trains himself to only believe in good omens.
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (3.2.24) This quote reflects the motive of Brutus for the assassination of his friend, Caesar. I believe Brutus killed him not out of disrespect, but in a selfless act to protect Rome from the decree of Caesar yet to come. I also believe that he did this out of force from the manipulation from his “friend” Cassius. In Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar”, Brutus’ two most significant characteristics are virtue and unconscious hypocrisy. In order to fully understand these characteristics, it is necessary to analyze all other contributing characteristics, the manipulation of friendship that Cassius uses against him, and the motivations for
1599, is a tragedy about the tyrannical Roman emperor Julius Caesar and the events that lead to
Do Women Play a Vital Role in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar? In my essay I will be analysing two critics, Jan H. Blits and Mary Hamer, that discussed whether or not women played a vital role in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The first critic, Jan H Blits, discusses how the women in the play are inferior to the men. Blits states this opinion by comparing the two genders roles in the entire play, “The manly is associated with the firm, the brilliant, the cold, the independent, the high and the noble”.
In the end, the characters of Julius Caesar all have more complicated relationships with honor than they appear at first glance. Brutus, while well intentioned and seemingly honorable, cannot see the line that separates honor from murder, Cassius who appears dishonorable in every way aims, at least in part, to protect rome and its people and Portia who appears dedicated loyal and honorable, commits suicide and believes the lies she is told about her self, beneath the surface of these characters, lies complex motives and twisted logic, which makes singling them out as honorable or dishonorable, nearly impossible, as they are very human, and humans are rarely one or the
Throughout the play, Brutus speaks about honor and his loyalty to his country. These two concepts become major conflicts for him when it comes to his friendship and loyalty to Caesar. Brutus life is conducted by the concept of honor. He constantly throughout the play speaks of how honorable he is and how honorable men should live. He 's very proud of how Romans view him as a noble and honorable man, who fights for what is right and is always following the moral and ethical code. Brutus ends up using the concept of honor and loyalty to his country as a reason why Caesar must die. He 's convinced that his countrymen will thank him for saving them from a tyrant and that Rome would be much better off without Caesar, but it ends up being a big miscalculation
The portrayal of gender roles in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, demonstrates the inferior treatment of women and the certain stereotypes of men placed on them by society. Both the male and female characters in the play have these certain gender expectations placed on them. In a society dominated by men, it is understood that the women are to be seen rather than heard. The women are referred to and treated much like property. If indeed they do speak up, they are quickly silenced. One woman’s attempt to be the perfect wife is what ultimately led to her demise. The expectations of men are equally stereotypical. Men are to be leaders and to be in control and dominant especially over the women. The male characters compete for position and use the female characters in the play as leverage to manipulate each other. Shakespeare provides insight in understanding the outcomes of the men and women who are faced with the pressures of trying to live up to society’s expectations, not only in the workplace, but also in the home. The pressure creates jealousy issues amongst the men and they become blind to the voice of reason and are overtaken by jealous rage, leads to the death of many of the characters.
During the Elizabethan era women had a status of subordination towards men. They had a role to marry and oblige to their husband’s wishes. Shakespearean literature, especially illustrates how a woman is psychologically and physically lesser to their male counterpart. The play, Othello, uses that aspect in many different ways. From a Feminist lens others are able to vividly examine how women were subjected to blatant inferiority. Being displayed as tools for men to abuse, women were characterized as possessions and submissive; only during the last portion of the play did the power of women take heed.
Both Cassius and Brutus conspire against Caesar, yet Shakespeare depicts Brutus as doing a noble job compared to Cassius as doing a greedy and envious task. Cassius believes that he is stronger than Caesar. Therefore, Cassius does not understand why Caesar is in power and he is not. Cassius is also envious of Caesar. In Act I Scene II, Cassius describes to Brutus the time he had to save Caesar in a swimming race. Since then, Cassius feels superior to Caesar. In Cassius’ mind, kings’ right to rule should be based off of strength, not intelligence or virtue. On the other hand, Brutus knows that although a king should be strong, he must also be virtuous. Brutus always elaborates on the topic of honor. In fact, his first priority is to keep his own honor intact and Brutus fears that Caesar will change when he is crowned. Brutus says, “He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.” (Act II, Scene I, Page 49, lines 12-14) He senses Caesar’s greed for power, and ...
In his novel, Othello, he uses the courage of the women in his literature to depict how women should be treated, and to contrast from how little respect they once obtained. The society in Shakespeare’s Othello is strongly dominated by men who were the political and military leaders of their homeland during the Elizabethan era. These men are expected to stay loyal to their reputations and to uphold the strong sense of character that earned them their positions in the first place. In contrast, during the Elizabethan period of time women were viewed as weak second-class citizens and inferior to males, with their only job being to serve their men.
From the expansion days of Ancient Rome to the fall of the Roman Empire, women have always succumbed to living subjacent to the status of their omnipotent and dominant male figures. After leaving her childhood home and the rule of her father, a young Roman girl would then be coerced into the dominion of her husband, often taking a plethora of roles, ranging from lover, caretaker, and best friend. It is often lightheartedly stated that, “Behind every great man is an even greater woman,” and William Shakespeare exemplifies this concept beautifully in Julius Caesar, in which he effectively used the spouses of the two main characters to add more depth, drama, and literary elements to the play, bringing it to life. Although the only two female characters in Julius Caesar, Portia and Calpurnia do not play a pivotal role in the overall plot of the story, their presence is vital in illuminating and developing the characters of their husbands, Brutus and Caesar. What they reveal about their husbands leads the reader to infer that Portia is the more admirable and redeeming character.