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