Dynamic Between Caesar And Calphurnia In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Within act 2 scene 2 of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the dynamics between Caesar and Calphurnia, and shows some character traits of Caesar, as well as a point on human nature. The scene begins with Caesar entering and complaining about how Calphurnia has woken up three times yelling, “Help ho, they murder Caesar!” Calphurnia then tells Caesar how she had a dream that she believes to be an omen. In said dream, Calphurnia says she saw risen dead, warriors fighting, and ghosts shrieking, as well as fountain of Caesar with blood pouring out of it, and many Romans washing their hands with the blood. Caesar, after hearing this description decides to stay at home, at the recommendation of Calphurnia. This section of the scene shows the dynamic between
Caesar and Calphurnia, and how Caesar trusts his wife enough to skip his work at the Senate. However, this also could be a different point reflecting on Caesar’s fear of death and his cowardice.
Decius Brutus comes to the house of Caesar and questions why Caesar is staying home. Caesar describes Calphurnia’s dream to Decius. After hearing about Calphurnia’s dream, Decius says that instead of being a bad omen, like Caesar and Calphurnia believe, it is actually, a good omen and he says that, “Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall pass for tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.” This shows the potential differences between the way Decius, Caesar, and Calphurnia think, and how Decius, who is part of the conspiracy, is trying to convince Caesar to go to the Capital so that they may follow through with their plan.
Decius also mentions that the Senate plans to crown Caesar for all to see, declaring him their king. After hearing this, Caesar decides to go to the Capital for work, against the warning of Calphurnia. This is an example of Caesar’s greed overtaking him. Shakespeare, with this exchange of dialogue, shows how humans, when offered power or wealth, or something similar, they are overtaken by greed and accept, even while knowing the consequences.
Caesar and Calphurnia, and how Caesar trusts his wife enough to skip his work at the Senate. However, this also could be a different point reflecting on Caesar’s fear of death and his cowardice.
Decius Brutus comes to the house of Caesar and questions why Caesar is staying home. Caesar describes Calphurnia’s dream to Decius. After hearing about Calphurnia’s dream, Decius says that instead of being a bad omen, like Caesar and Calphurnia believe, it is actually, a good omen and he says that, “Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall pass for tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.” This shows the potential differences between the way Decius, Caesar, and Calphurnia think, and how Decius, who is part of the conspiracy, is trying to convince Caesar to go to the Capital so that they may follow through with their plan.
Decius also mentions that the Senate plans to crown Caesar for all to see, declaring him their king. After hearing this, Caesar decides to go to the Capital for work, against the warning of Calphurnia. This is an example of Caesar’s greed overtaking him. Shakespeare, with this exchange of dialogue, shows how humans, when offered power or wealth, or something similar, they are overtaken by greed and accept, even while knowing the consequences.