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Julius Caesar: Calpurnia's Dream Analysis

The document discusses a pivotal scene from Act II, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, focusing on Calpurnia's ominous dream and the unnatural signs seen in Rome. It highlights the contrast between Caesar's confidence in facing danger and Calpurnia's warnings about his unique significance in the eyes of fate. The extract emphasizes themes of courage, destiny, and the perception of death, illustrating Caesar's belief that he is more formidable than the dangers he faces.

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128 views3 pages

Julius Caesar: Calpurnia's Dream Analysis

The document discusses a pivotal scene from Act II, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, focusing on Calpurnia's ominous dream and the unnatural signs seen in Rome. It highlights the contrast between Caesar's confidence in facing danger and Calpurnia's warnings about his unique significance in the eyes of fate. The extract emphasizes themes of courage, destiny, and the perception of death, illustrating Caesar's belief that he is more formidable than the dangers he faces.

Uploaded by

pratheekiskool
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Julius Caesar

The extract included in your syllabus starts at the point when unnatural sights had
been seen in Rome and Caesar’s wife Calpurnia had dreamt of terrible things. It
starts in Act II scene 2.

First differentiate between Calpurnia’s dream and what Calpurnia narrates. She
describes the incidents witness by the watch or night guard and people of Rome.
The audience waits to see whether Ceasar shall go forth or not. As the episode
shows the Fates win.
Fate, in Greek and Roman mythology, any of three goddesses who determined
human destinies, and in particular the span of a person’s life and his allotment of
misery and suffering. ( Britannica.com)

The three Fates spinning the web of human destiny, sculpture


these things are beyond all use- What does Calpurnia mean by this phrase? She
means that these sights are unnatural

“Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions

Are to the world in general as to Caesar.


CALPURNIA When beggars die, there are no comets seen;

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.’’

The above extract is important from the point of view of exam question

Here we see Caesar displaying a democratic spirit. He says that he should not be
alarmed by these sights as they are seen by all, and are meant to affect the lives of
all , not only Caesar.
Calpurnia reminds Caesar that he is different from the common people. When poor
people die no signs are seen as they are not important, but as the fate of a state
depends on Caesar, his death will be foretold by divine agencies. The heavens will
send signs to warn him.
CAESAR Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.

Caesar’s reply is equally significant and a favourite with paper setters.

His reply shows Caesar’s confidence in his courage and integrity. He states that he
is not a coward who fears death at every step of life. Such a person who always
fears death is as good as dying many times of fear, whereas the courageous person
dies only once.

If what Caesar says from the beginning in Act II is analyzed, the it can be seen that
he is resigned to death as an inevitable fact of life

‘’Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.

It seems to me most strange that men should fear;


Seeing that death, a necessary end,’’

And earlier,

‘’What can be avoided


Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?’’

Note how Caesar interprets the message from the augurers.

Caesar would be a beast without a heart, that means he would lack courage if he
stayed at home.
‘’Caesar should be a beast without a heart,

If he should stay at home to-day for fear.

No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well

That Caesar is more dangerous than he:

We are two lions litter'd in one day,


And I the elder and more terrible:

And Caesar shall go forth’’

This whole extract is metaphorical as first Caesar compares himself with a beast
without a heart, meaning courage, if he should stay at home out of fear. Next Caesar
compares himself with a lion
In the above extract personification too has been used. Danger has been
personified.Danger is a sentient being who knows full well that Caesar is more
dangerous than him.

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