Julius Caeser Essay

Beware the Ides of March (I. iv. 52). This familiar line by the Soothsayer in Julius Caesar reflects the presence of omens and ghosts in the play. What exactly is the significance of these supernatural references? The supernatural establishes mood, develops character, and foreshadows the plot. First, the supernatural creates mood in the play. The most important mood is impending doom which gradually increases until the scene of Caesars assassination. This mood is first introduced with the scene of a terrible storm on the night before Caesars murder.Many supernatural things draw during this storm, including men on fire and lions walking on the streets of Rome. Tension is further created as Casca describes his unearthly visions. The feeling of doom continues as Calphurnias dream is revealed when Caesar says, She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, / Which, deal a fountain with a hundred spouts / Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans / Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it ( II. ii. 1. 76-79). The audience feels that something is about to happen and that the dream is an omen that foreshadows Caesars demise.Tension builds once again as Caesar is warned repeatedly by the soothsayers to beware the ides of March. The supernatural events which occur in the play distinctly help to create the mood which keeps the audiences interest throughout the rest of the play. A second suggest of the supernatural is to reveal characters. Julius Caesar is a self-confident, futile man when he ignores the warning of the Soothsayer in his statement, He is a dreamer, let us leave him. Pass (I. ii. 1. 22-24).His words show that either Caesar does non believe in omens, or he is trying not to appear superstitious in front of the crowd to keep up his public image. Caesar is not the only character in the play who can be assessed by the way he reacts to the supernatural. Some of Brutus characteristics are also revealed when he comes into contact with queer forces of nature. For instance, Brutus is unmoved when the storm is raging outside. However, when Caesars ghost appears in front of him, he is shown as a superstitious but noble man, who accepts his destiny.Brutus says, The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me / 2 several times by night, at Sardis once / And last night here in Philippi fields. / I know my hour is come (V. v. 1. 16-19). Brutus believes that everything is mold and that there is no way of changing his fate therefore, he does not try to battle with it and accepts his punishment readily. Clearly, Shakespeare reveals characters through their reaction to the supernatural. The final dramatic purpose served by the supernatural is to foreshadow the plot.The storm before Caesars assassination is a perfect example. Casca, who is deeply influenced by the storm, describes the unusual sights, A common hard worker you know him well by sight / Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn / Like twenty torches joined, and yet his hand, / Not sensi ble of fire, remained unscorched (I. iii. l. 15-32). These terrible phenomena augur violent times for Rome and the death of the emperor. Also, Calphurnias dream and the soothsayers warnings convince the audience that the murder of Caesar is inevitable.Another superstitious event that foreshadows the action, occurs in the first scene of the last act, when Cassius says And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites Fly oer our heads and downward look on us As we were sickly ask their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. (V. i. l. 84-87) The ravens and crows are a bad omen and the audience expects the whip of Brutus and Cassius troops. However, the spectators may not be sure and may, therefore, anticipate the ending with interest.Clearly, plot is developed by the supernatural. In conclusion, supernatural events create the moods of tension, suspense or impending doom they reveal some strengths and weaknesses of the characters and th ey also foreshadow the action which helps to keep the audiences interest. The characters are warned by the forces of the supernatural about their gloomy prox everything seems to be predetermined. The spectators are left with the feeling that the destiny of humans is preordained and they cannot change their fate.