Julius Caesar Scapegoating Analysis
In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Cassius, a main character, discussed the integral role of humanity's decisions, saying, "The fault...is not in our stars, but in ourselves" (I.ii.139-141). Within a modern context, Cassius's viewpoint is secular, demanding that all of us, not fate, is in control of the courses of our lives. However, it is also countercultural as our society ingrains itself in the norm of scapegoating, where humanity points to individuals/groups whom we can dump our rage for our societal plagues. Scapegoating is a topical issue today as we blame Islam for terrorism and sexism, Hispanics/African Americans for rape, drugs, and shootings, and etc. As we continue excluding different groups, our society confirms stereotypes
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Another major reason for scapegoating is taking comfort in our personal beliefs, not contributing to issues like violence on a larger scale. Placing the blame on others gives us an escape from the gaping holes in our respective sets of morals, in turn solidifying our beliefs. One example is from Douglas Coupland's Hey Nostradamus, where Jason, a teenager, became scapegoated by the media and his church for having a role in a school shooting. However, this was a relief to the parents of his late "wife" Cheryl, who both took comfort in knowing how Jason "'seemed like the kind of guy who'd plan...assist in murdering a whole school" (Coupland 88). Jason's scapegoat was a coping mechanism for Cheryl's parents after noticing that Jason's way of life carried over to their daughter dying. As they were more adamant about their beliefs, they didn't see the need to reconcile with Jason. Similarly, in Beyond the Divide, the movie details the dissension between pacifists and Vietnam veterans in Missoula, Montana. After Vietnam, peace advocates protested against Vietnam vets for being murderers, their hands covered in cold blood. Once they added more insult to injury with the Missoula peace sign, veterans were angry over their country, not welcoming them with the respect that they should have received. As both sides became angrier over their conditions, the more effort it took for each side to listen to each other. Therefore, we can be open by learning that we don't have all the
Another major reason for scapegoating is taking comfort in our personal beliefs, not contributing to issues like violence on a larger scale. Placing the blame on others gives us an escape from the gaping holes in our respective sets of morals, in turn solidifying our beliefs. One example is from Douglas Coupland's Hey Nostradamus, where Jason, a teenager, became scapegoated by the media and his church for having a role in a school shooting. However, this was a relief to the parents of his late "wife" Cheryl, who both took comfort in knowing how Jason "'seemed like the kind of guy who'd plan...assist in murdering a whole school" (Coupland 88). Jason's scapegoat was a coping mechanism for Cheryl's parents after noticing that Jason's way of life carried over to their daughter dying. As they were more adamant about their beliefs, they didn't see the need to reconcile with Jason. Similarly, in Beyond the Divide, the movie details the dissension between pacifists and Vietnam veterans in Missoula, Montana. After Vietnam, peace advocates protested against Vietnam vets for being murderers, their hands covered in cold blood. Once they added more insult to injury with the Missoula peace sign, veterans were angry over their country, not welcoming them with the respect that they should have received. As both sides became angrier over their conditions, the more effort it took for each side to listen to each other. Therefore, we can be open by learning that we don't have all the