Nobility or Not to Be?
Nobility or Not to Be
In a time of clear-cut class distinctions and social stratifications, William Shakespeare snatched up an opportunity to juxtapose the cultural norms of Elizabethan society with fictional plays on the stage of the Globe Theater. His use and demonstration of the word “noble,” throughout the play Julius Caesar, reflects the context of the word in 17th century England as well as its use and connotations in ancient Roman society. The word “noble” itself was loaded in both Elizabethan and Roman societies with multiple ideals clinging to its five letters. Questions of virtue, status, aristocracy and fame that both the characters in Julius Caesar, as well as Shakespeare’s audience at the Globe asked, connect the total meaning of this word to human nature across the boundaries of time and context. Shakespeare used the theme of nobility in Julius Caesar to interpret the relationship of commoners in the Elizabethan era and the social order, the role of the monarchy and the emphasis on virtue of his time. According to the online Oxford English Dictionary, noble is both an adjective and a noun. Therefore, you can be it or you can have it. The characters of Julius Caesar that are considered nobility in society—such as Brutus, Julius Caesar and Cassius, are the ones seeking to have nobility. This can be seen from the very beginning of the play, during one of Cassius’ first soliloquys: “Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!” (1.2.242). Depending on interpretation, it can be argued that this quote indicates that the higher social stratus of Rome is losing power as plebeians gain more influence on government and economy. Or it can be interpreted that Rome is losing its virtue, its moral superiority. To understand the difference, it is imperative to take a closer look at the definitions of both kinds of “noble.” As a noun, a noble is “a person of noble rank or birth” (oxforddictionaries.com). As an adjective, to be noble is defined as,
In a time of clear-cut class distinctions and social stratifications, William Shakespeare snatched up an opportunity to juxtapose the cultural norms of Elizabethan society with fictional plays on the stage of the Globe Theater. His use and demonstration of the word “noble,” throughout the play Julius Caesar, reflects the context of the word in 17th century England as well as its use and connotations in ancient Roman society. The word “noble” itself was loaded in both Elizabethan and Roman societies with multiple ideals clinging to its five letters. Questions of virtue, status, aristocracy and fame that both the characters in Julius Caesar, as well as Shakespeare’s audience at the Globe asked, connect the total meaning of this word to human nature across the boundaries of time and context. Shakespeare used the theme of nobility in Julius Caesar to interpret the relationship of commoners in the Elizabethan era and the social order, the role of the monarchy and the emphasis on virtue of his time. According to the online Oxford English Dictionary, noble is both an adjective and a noun. Therefore, you can be it or you can have it. The characters of Julius Caesar that are considered nobility in society—such as Brutus, Julius Caesar and Cassius, are the ones seeking to have nobility. This can be seen from the very beginning of the play, during one of Cassius’ first soliloquys: “Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!” (1.2.242). Depending on interpretation, it can be argued that this quote indicates that the higher social stratus of Rome is losing power as plebeians gain more influence on government and economy. Or it can be interpreted that Rome is losing its virtue, its moral superiority. To understand the difference, it is imperative to take a closer look at the definitions of both kinds of “noble.” As a noun, a noble is “a person of noble rank or birth” (oxforddictionaries.com). As an adjective, to be noble is defined as,
Cited: “Julius Caesar.” Opensourceshakespeare.org. George Mason University, 2003-2013. Web. 27 February 2013. Knox, Skip. “Social Structure.” Europe In The Age Of The Reformation. Boisestate.edu. Boise State University. Web. 27 February 2013. “Noble.” Oxforddictionaries.com. Oxford University Press, 2013. Web. 27 February 2013. Shakespeare, William. “Julius Caesar.” The Complete Pelican Shakespeare; Ed., Stephen Orgel and A.R. Braunmuller. Penguin Books, 2002. Print.