How Does Julius Caesar Believe In Fate

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice," proclaimed William Jennings Bryan. Many people believe in destiny and fate and a set-in-stone, unbreakable path for their lives. Caesar's ego warps and distorts his interpretation of various superstitions in Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. Although he believes in superstition and the supernatural, he selectively chooses his interpretation. Be it a dream, fortune-telling, or a common superstition, it always benefits Caesar, or it just isn't true. Caesar's distorted sense of self-superiority ultimately leads to his assassination. If he had listened to some of the ‘signs of the gods,' his tragic fate may have been avoided. Caesar believes in some sort of fate and ultimate destiny. He believes that there is no escaping what ‘the gods' have in store. "What can be avoided, whose ends is purposed by the might gods?" (Shakespeare, pg.. 77) says Caesar when he has to make a decision about going to the forum or not. His belief in fate sometimes contradicts his belief in superstition. On one hand, he states that no end can be avoided, and on another, he asks Antony to touch his wife for fertility, as if without Antony,
He could have been much more wary had he heeded to the multiple warnings. All the way in the beginning, a soothsayer warns him, "Beware the ides of March." (Shakespeare, pg. 15) Caesar's ego hides any pessimistic predictions for his future, and he pays little attention to the warning. There were many more signs, all pointing to the same fate, and Caesar did not listen, "Alas, my dear, your wisdom is consumed in confidence. Do not go forth today," (Shakespeare, pgs. 77-78) warns his wife on the day he was murdered. Caesar does not listen to her in the end. His murder was executed as forecasted, and if he had listened to all the warnings, he may have saved his own