Saturday, November 28, 2015

What are two quotes from the play Julius Caesar that show Caesar's pride and/or fear?The quote has to be from Julius Caesar himself.

Obviously the character of Caesar is more famed for his
pride than for anything else, and this is a key feature of his character. Examples of
fear are somewhat harder to come by, but have a look at Act II scene 2 for examples of
both.


This scene is where Calphurnia tries to persuade her
husband not to leave the house today because she has had a dream warning her of Caesar's
death if he does. Look how Caesar answers her fears after news from the
augurers:


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Danger knows full
well


That Caesar is more dangerous that
he.


We are two lions littered in one
day,


And I the elder and more
terrible.


And Caesar shall go
forth.



Here Caesar compares
himself to "Danger" and says he is more potent and more "terrible" than Danger as a
force.


I guess you could say the only fear Caesar displays
is a fear of a loss of prestige, status or honour. It is this that allows Decius to
convince him so easily to go to the Senate. Ater Decius' speech where he says Caesar
might not get the crown after all if he does not leave the house, Caesar
replies:



How
foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia!


I am ashamed I
did yield to them.


Give me my robe, for I will
go.



It is fear of losing more
power and prestige that makes Caesar bow to the rhetoric and persuasion of Decius, and
ignore the premonition of his wife.

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