Thursday, October 6, 2016

In the play Julius Caesar, what are some warnings of death Julius Caesar receives?

The theme of fate versus free will is very evident in the play Julius Caesar, especially when it comes to whether or not Caesar will use his free will to allow himself to listen to the three warnings he receives, or if fate will prevail and he will succumb to the conspirators daggers.

The first warning he receives is in Act I, Scene 2 from the soothsayer when he says, "Beware the ides of March." Caesar thinks him insane, dismisses him with "He is a dreamer," and continues to move with his entourage. Later in Act III Scene 1, the soothsayer meets Caesar again before he enters the senate, and Caesar mocks him with "The ides of March are come," meaning that he is safe and the soothsayer's prediction did not come true. At this, the soothsayer responds, "Ay, Caesar, but not gone," meaning that there is still time for his doom to come this day. Caesar dismisses his warning once again.


Another warning Caesar receives is from his wife, Calphurnia. In Act II, Scene 2, Caesar says that Calphurnia cried out three times in her sleep, "Help, ho! They murder Caesar!" She also cites all of the omens that have recently been seen in Rome and says, "When beggars die there are no comets seen," meaning that the omens signify the death of someone powerful such as he. Caesar states that he cannot avoid what the gods want (fate), but for some reason, he considers not going to the senate that day to appease his wife. However, Decius then interprets the dream as a lucky dream meaning that Caesar will bring success to Rome and that "so many smiling Romans bathed" in his blood (success). Caesar agrees with this interpretation of the dream and asks Calphurnia, "How foolish do your fears seem now...?"


Finally, Artemidorus, a friend of Caesar's, writes him a letter and hopes to give it to him as he heads to the senate. In the letter, he cites Brutus, Cassius, Casca, and others as conspirators with an intention "bent against Caesar." In this soliloquy, Artemidorus acknowledges that Caesar's survival rests on whether or not he chooses to read the letter (free will), and "if not, the Fates with traitors do contrive." Unfortunately, when Artemidorus approaches Caesar with his letter in Act III, Scene 1, Caesar rudely dismisses him with, "What, is the man insane?" and the conspirators push Artemidorus out with their own petition.

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