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Kyle Zukowski
Period B1
June 5th, 2017

Commented [1]: needs

Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, is an intriguing play due to the extensive

character development. In this play, Julius Caesar was the general of the Roman army until

Pompey was assassinated, then Caesar became the Emperor of Rome. After he was in

power, his excessive pride lead him to view himself as a god. While Caesar thought that

this was for the best of Rome, the citizens and his friends thought differently. Caesar

received many warnings, both from citizens as well as the gods, but he foolishly

disregarded them. Excessive pride caused Caesar to become arrogant, view himself as a

god, and ignore warnings that were given to him.

Many people think that Caesar has excessive pride, and an example of this is Caesar

ignoring omens given to him. One of the most famous examples is when the Soothsayer

warned him about the Ides of March, and Caesar stated that He is a dreamer. Let us

leave him. (1.2.24) When Shakespeare wrote this play, he was referencing the time period

where everyone believed what the soothsayer said, and when Caesar dismissed it, he was

stating that he was above that, and he was too powerful and liked by the people for

anything unfortunate to happen to him. When Caesar was ignoring this omen, he was

viewing himself more as a god, than the Emperor of Rome. Caesar dismissed the omen

because he thought that the gods chose him to be ruler of Rome, and that they wouldnt let

anything happen to him. Right before Caesars assassination, Calpurnia said to Caesar that

she saw his statue spilling out with blood. After Calpurnia stated that, Caesar stated How
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Kyle Zukowski
Period B1
June 5th, 2017
foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamd I did yield to them. (2.2.106-

107) When Caesar heard this from her, he was ignoring another omen that was given to

him. Even though that Caesar had gotten many other warnings from people and the gods, he

wouldnt listen to them. He did this because, again, he was viewing himself as a god, and

nothing was going to happen to him because he was surrounded by his trusted senators and

his friends. This would lead to his assassination because he wouldnt listen to anyones

warnings.

During Caesars reign over Rome, he became egotistical. An example of this is when

Caesar stated that But I am constant as the northern star (3.1.61) When Caesar stated this,

he was saying that he wouldnt change his positions, just like the northern star wont

change its position in the night sky. From what Caesar stated, he is also saying that he

wont change his views on anything in the future, and what he says is final. When that

happens, he is viewing himself more as a god, and with that, he thinks that he has all of the

power in the Roman Empire. With this power, he believes that nothing will harm him.

Caesar also became more arrogant as he continued his reign. An example of this is

Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me Neer looked but on my back. When they

shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished. (2.2.10-12) When Caesar stated this, he

wanted to go to the Senate House, but Calpurnia wouldnt let him. The things that

threatened him on the Ides of March, he would put behind his back, and he wouldnt look at

them until they came face-to-face with him. Calpurnia is strongly advising against Caesar Commented [2]: tense

going because of her dream where Caesars statue was pouring out blood. Instead of

listening to Calpurnia, he thought that nothing would happen to him that day. By Caesar
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Kyle Zukowski
Period B1
June 5th, 2017
doing this, he pushed his problems behind him, and headed off to the Senate House to face

his ultimate death.

Many people viewed Caesar as having excessive pride. Because of this, Caesar thought

nothing bad would happen to him. Caesar thought he was doing what was best for Rome,

but a number of his friends and citizens of Rome thought differently. They were seeing

Caesar as being too arrogant and egotistical. Caesar also received many warnings from both

Soothsayers, Artemidorus, and the gods, but he foolishly disregarded them. When Caesar

went to the Senate, he was filled with pride because he was getting the crown. Ambition

leading to becoming Emperor led to his assassination and death.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William, and David M. Bevington. Julius Caesar. Toronto: Bantam,

1988. Print.