Women In Julius Caesar Research Paper
Were the female characters of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar really strong women? People can look at Portia and Calpurnia as just weak women that lived in the shadows of their marriage. The five act play consists mostly of the plot involving the assassination of Julius Caesar and very little of Portia and Calpurnia involvement. However, it can be analyzed that William Shakespeare intended that these women were meant to be complex characters, both women unique to her circumstances/marriage. To begin, there is Portia. In Act II Portia sees that Brutus is struggling with something so she approaches him about it. “Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, Is it expected I should know no secrets That appertain to you?” Act 2 Scene 1 lines
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From the start of the play the reader can assume Caesar’s wife Calpurnia is a weak person. In act one we see the first of Calpurnia, “To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.” Act 1 scene 2 Lines 7-9. In this scene Caesar is telling Antony to touch Calpurnia during the race, in hopes to bring fertility. It is known that in times such as when the play took place it was necessary for a wife to produce a child, this would be shown as a weakness. However, it is without regard to if Caesar is the issue. Another example of weakness readers may see in Calpurnia is the way she gives up convincing Caesar to stay home. “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe for I will go.” Act two scene 2 lines 105-107 Caesar says this to Calpurnia after Decius convinces him to leave the house. After this is said it is more understandable as to why Calpurnia would back down to her husband. Unlike Brutus’s fairer treatment of Portia, Caesar speaks down to his wife and treats her much to the way most women were in Roman times. Calpurnia spoke up to her husband about her fears and begged him to stay which showed strength. Although she was not as bold as Portia, Calpurnia was a strong
From the start of the play the reader can assume Caesar’s wife Calpurnia is a weak person. In act one we see the first of Calpurnia, “To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.” Act 1 scene 2 Lines 7-9. In this scene Caesar is telling Antony to touch Calpurnia during the race, in hopes to bring fertility. It is known that in times such as when the play took place it was necessary for a wife to produce a child, this would be shown as a weakness. However, it is without regard to if Caesar is the issue. Another example of weakness readers may see in Calpurnia is the way she gives up convincing Caesar to stay home. “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe for I will go.” Act two scene 2 lines 105-107 Caesar says this to Calpurnia after Decius convinces him to leave the house. After this is said it is more understandable as to why Calpurnia would back down to her husband. Unlike Brutus’s fairer treatment of Portia, Caesar speaks down to his wife and treats her much to the way most women were in Roman times. Calpurnia spoke up to her husband about her fears and begged him to stay which showed strength. Although she was not as bold as Portia, Calpurnia was a strong