Julius Caesar And Superstitions Essay Research Paper

Julius Caesar And Superstitions Essay, Research Paper

Superstitions are thought to be irrational, and resulting from either ignorance,

or fear of the unknown. Some believe that superstitions can take control of

their life, for instance, if a black cat crosses you?re path, you will have

bad luck. Most regard this as folklore and witchcraft. In the play Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare, superstitions took hold and played an important part of

many people?s lives. The characters believed that they were getting a vision

into their future. Each character dealt with the superstition differently, some

feared them, and some disbelieved them. These superstitions not only gave the

characters, but also the audience quick looks at what is to come. They are

important, and help shape the way the play was performed, and interpreted. The

first superstition, which was clearly visible, is the soothsayer, who in the

first act tells Caesar beware the ides of March. This is a superstition, because

it is irrational, and it comes from a situation of high risk, and involves

influences, which are unseen. This also shows Caesar?s arrogance, its not just

that he is not superstitious, but he also does not even let the soothsayer

explain himself. He laughs at the soothsayer, and says ?he is a dreamer, let

us leave him, pass.? The soothsayer is warning him of his own death date, and

he laughs at him. He does not believe in superstition, and this is clear by his

reaction, many others in his situation would be fearful of the ides of March,

from the warning and omen, he got. Caesar believes he is more powerful then

destiny, and that he will have nothing to worry about. Caesar?s arrogance cost

him his life, and showed that superstitions sometimes do come true. The next

superstition occurred the day of his death. Calpurina urges Caesar not to go to

senate today. She tells Caesar of the horrible dream she had, the night before

the ides of March. Caesar recalls the dream to the other men. ?The cause is in

my will. I will not come. That is enough to satisfy the senate. But for you?re

private satisfaction, because I love you, I will let you know. Calpurnia here,

my wife stays me out home. She dreamt tonite she saw my statue, which like a

fountain with an hundred spouts, did run pure blood; and many lust Romans came

smiling and did bathe their hands in it. And these does she apply for warnings

and portents and evils imminent, and on her knee hath begged that I stay at home

today?(Shakespeare, 79-81) Caesar just recalled and foreshadowed his own

death, and yet he still leaves for the senate. Caesar?s arrogance is again

showed. He does not believe in fortune telling, or superstitions, although

everything is warning him of the upcoming danger he is about to face. His wife

however, is the opposite of him, in that she is very superstitious, she fears