Julius Caesar’s wife Calpurnia has foreboding dreams about her husband. In her sleep, she cries, “'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!'” She begs him not to go to the capitol that day. The lioness in the streets, the “drizzled blood upon the Capitol,” and ghosts escaping their graves are actually reported phenomenon, not Calpurnia’s dream.
Caesar argues that fate is unavoidable and that these strange sights are general and do not specifically relate to him. Calpurnia...
Julius Caesar’s wife Calpurnia has foreboding dreams about her husband. In her sleep, she cries, “'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!'” She begs him not to go to the capitol that day. The lioness in the streets, the “drizzled blood upon the Capitol,” and ghosts escaping their graves are actually reported phenomenon, not Calpurnia’s dream.
Caesar argues that fate is unavoidable and that these strange sights are general and do not specifically relate to him. Calpurnia notes, “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; / The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” Caesar famously replies, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; / The valiant never taste of death but once.”
Even the prophets find ominous signs and suggest Caesar stay home. Caesar agrees to remain at home for Calpurnia’s sake, until the conspirator Decius Brutus appears and convinces him otherwise. Then Caesar relates Calpurnia’s dream: his statue spouted blood, “and many lusty Romans / Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.” This foretells Caesar’s murder at the hands of the senators, who do wash their hands and knives in his blood.
However, Decius gives the nightmare a positive spin: “from you great Rome shall suck / Reviving blood.” It symbolizes Caesar’s greatness. He further tempts him by letting him know that the senate plans to offer Caesar the crown, which might be revoked if they learn that he stayed home due to his wife’s fear. Caesar laughs off Calpurnia’s apprehension and goes to the senate, only to be stabbed by some of his closest friends. It may very well have been avoided if he had heeded her dreams.
No comments:
Post a Comment