Julius Caesar Characterization Essay

Julius Caesar Characterization Essay J. P. Morgan once said, “A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason” (brainyquotes.com). Julius Caesar also did everything for two reasons: one for Rome and the other for his pride. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare frames Caesar to be a very active military leader but he doesn’t have much common sense. While all the omens are hinting that something bad is going to happen, he is lost in his pride. Julius Caesar’s arrogance drives him to make reckless decisions. The play begins with Julius Caesar’s victory against the forces of Pompey. In the streets of Rome, the working class is celebrating Caesar’s win at Pompey on the festival of Lupercal. Caesar also attends the festival where he is warned by the Soothsayer: “Beware the ides of March” (I. ii. 21). Caesar responds, “Who is it in the Press that calls on me?/ I hear a tongue shriller than all the music/ Cry ‘Caesar!’ Speak. Caesar is turned to hear” (I. ii. 18-20). The Soothsayer repeats his warning but Julius Caesar ignores him saying that “He is a Dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.” (I. ii. 29). If he had given his warning an importance, maybe he might have been able to find out about the plot that was being put against him. Hours before the Ides of March, Rome experienced a terrible storm, causing a sleepless night for Caesar and his wife, Calpurnia. That same night, Calpurnia had a nightmare about her husband’s brutal death, and she begged him not go to the Capital. She dreamed of “Fierce Fiery warriors [who] fought upon the clouds./ In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,/ Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol”(II. ii. 21-23).
While Calpurnia’s worried about her husbands future, courageous Caesar thinks that “Danger knows full well/ That Caesar is more dangerous than he” (II. ii. 49-50)
Instead he decides to send Mark Antony with a message that says Caesar is sick. But then Decius arrives to take Caesar to the