2017 Literature Julius Caesar Notes

Julius Caesar Location Quote Analysis Act 1 Scene 2 Caesar is turn’d to hear Caesar speaks in third person which is reflective of his arrogant nature and how he deems himself as a super important person. Act 1 Scene 2 Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous Caesar can be sharp and perspective. He does not like Cassius and finds that he is a dangerous person just by judging his looks. From this, it can be seen that Caesar is a good judge of character. Act 2 Scene 1 When I tell him he hates flatterers. He says he does, being then most flattered. Caesar prides himself on being objective and non susceptible to flattery. He says he will not be moved by flattery, and that he is “as constant as the northern star”. However, he was easily moved by persuasion in Act 2, where Decius’ positive interpretation of Calpurnia’s dream causes him to change his mind and go to the Senate. Decius’ comment displays irony as Caesar is flattered by Decius’ praise of him, despite Caesar’s assertion he is someone who hates flattery; Caesar is easily swayed by flattery. Hence, he allows Decius to fan his pride and makes the foolish decision of going to the Senate despite Calpurnia’s premonition. Caesar is explicitly offensive in his display of arrogance here. This makes it difficult for one to feel sympathetic towards him. He is further characterised as a proud and scornful person. Perhaps Brutus’ argument that he should be killed lest he became a tyrant seems to be a valid one. Act 2 Scene 2 Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions Are to the world in general as to Caesar. He is very much afraid that the general public will believe that he feels fear. Even though feeling fear is part of being human, he dares not show fear and projects an image that he is better than fear and other normal human beings Act 2 Scene 2 Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once Caesar sees himself as one of the “valiant”, refusing to show a fear of death and dismissing such fear as cowardice. He mentions how cowards frequently live in fear and are constantly dying as every moment in their lives are lived in fear

Act 2 Scene 2 It seems to me most strange that men should fear, Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come. He finds it amusing that people are afraid of death when it is inevitable. This shows how he portrays himself as someone who is not fearful of death at all. Act 2 Scene 2 Plucking of the entrails of an offering forth The gods do this in shame of cowardice Caesar should be a beast without a heart Caesar believes in superstition and sent an order for priests to sacrifice an anime, so as to read the god’s intentions for the day, or foretell his fortune Caesar turns the table around and offers his interpretation of the sacrifice, revealing his greater concern - being perceived as cowardly. He will be considered fearful if he does not go out. Act 2 Scene 2 Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he. We are two lions littered in one day and I the elder and more terrible Caesar speaks in third person, referring to himself by his own name (Illeism). This shows how he is self-absorbed. He states how he is more dangerous than danger itself and “the elder and more terrible”, which portrays him as a superior being that is above any danger. Caesar asserts his will and courage by comparing himself to Danger personified, claiming that he is more menacing than Danger itself. This displays his excessive arrogance and pride. By comparing himself and danger to “two lions litter’d in one day”, Caesar endows himself the qualities of a lion such as might and ferocity, again elevating his own status as a superior being. Act 2 Scene 2 And for thy humour I will stay at home He emphasises and re-emphasises that he is staying at home not in his own interests but due to Calphurnia’s worries. Act 2 Scene 2 I will not come today. Cannot is false; and that I dare not, falser; I will not come today He tells Decius to tell the Senate that he will not go as “Cannot” shows inability, weakness but Caesar cannot show fear. “Dare not” shows lack of courage but “will not” is his way of asserting his authority and telling the Senate how he has control over his choices and the situation as a whole. Act 2 Scene 2 The cause is in my will; I will not come He cannot be bothered to explain to Decius why he does not want to go to the Senate House. His “will” is enough justification for his actions and he expects the state council to be satisfied with this meagre reason.This shows that he thinks highly of his own authority

Act 3 Scene 1 If I could pray to move, prayers would move me But I am as constant as the northern star Caesar also positions himself as divine authority in this statement, by first saying that he is not one who is capable of praying or pleading in an attempt to appeal to others. Additionally, he portrays himself as a nonchalant recipient of prayers. The reference to the northern star further illustrates his self-aggrandisement through how he compares himself to a celestial object. Caesar’s pride in his constancy can be seen as foolish stubbornness, which leads him to make decisions that advance the plans of the conspirators. Act 3 Scene 1 I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Dehumanizes Metellus to be a stray dog, showing his condescending attitude. He also says that he can easily push Metellus out of the way, illustrating how Caesar is better than him. In this imagery Metellus is portrayed as an obstacle in Caesar’s path, yet an insufficient one, showing both how Caesar thinks of himself as capable and decisive as well as emphasizing his own confidence in his abilities. the word “cur” is also read out to be emphasized and its short and sharp pronunciation causes the word to seem vulgar and rude. This shows the extent of condescension Caesar has towards Metellus and his arrogance. Act 3 Scene 1 I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality. There is no fellow in the firmament Compares himself to a star in a sky that is used by sailors to navigate, possibly suggesting how he is a leader that people look up to and follow, and is key to the progress of society just as how the northern star is relied on by sailors to travel. He also says that there “is no fellow in the firmament”, implying that no one can compare with him in terms of power. However, the fact that his death arrives not long afterwards shows the irony in his statement, proving that he is not an almighty being, implying that hubris may possibly lead to one’s imminent downfall and thus this trait is dangerous and undesirable.

Marcus Brutus Location Quote Analysis Act 1 Scene 2 Set honour in one eye and death i'th other, and I will look on both indifferently The fact that Brutus will look on honour and death “indifferently” connotes that Brutus values honour as much as he values life. In perilous situations, he will contemplate his duty to the state and the danger he feels with equal calmness. Since life is generally very highly valued, by Brutus placing honour in as high a position as his life, he shows that he values such virtues greatly, proving that honour is one of his defining principles. Act 1 Scene 3 Casca: And that which would appear offence in us His cou