The Incorporation Of Superstition, Omens, And The Theme Of Fate In Julius Caesar, A Play By William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare used superstition to bring omens and fate to the forefront of the scenes in his political drama, Julius Caesar. The play’s omens, portents and their significance have caused many readers to wonder what they are for and why they exist. They also question how these omens reflect the times in which Julius Caesar was alive. Shakespeare, a writer who lived in late 1500s wrote about Julius Caesar. He was around 100 B.C. Readers can ask themselves if superstitions, omens and themes about fate reflect more the Roman Empire than the Elizabethan Era. Researchers have found that many of the omens & portents are reminiscent of the Roman Empire. There is, however, also evidence of superstitions that were prevalent during Shakespeare’s Elizabethan Era. It is through this knowledge of omens, fate, and superstitions that has been gathered by research into two different times periods, the reader will be able to better understand the play.
Shakespeare is well-known for incorporating supernatural elements into many of Shakespeare’s plays. Shakespeare’s plays are full of portents and omens. Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar is also full of supernatural forces. But, which of these forces reflects what Julius Caesar was taught and which were Shakespeare’s own beliefs at the time? Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. In 44 B.C., Julius Cäsar was assassinated. Shakespeare was born 1564, and died 1616. There is a large difference in time between Julius Caesar’s life and Shakespeare’s. This means that there will be omens or other supernatural forces that are more reminiscent of Shakespeare’s time than Julius Caesar’s.
This report, “A threefooted-mule was birthed at Reate,” (Maltz), shows that strange births are something to be reported. This is an example of a strange birth that was ominous enough to be reported. The omens in 100 B.C. are reflected in the Julius Caesar play. Calpurnia begged Caesar not to go to the meeting of the senate and told him that during night, a “lioness hath whelped in streets” (The tragedy of Julius Caesar, 2.2, 25). Calpurnia told Caesar that she begged him not to attend the senate’s meeting, and that the watchmen had reported that during the evening, a “lioness had whelped” in the street (The Tragic Julius Caesar, 2.25). This quote is a reference to a lioness giving birth on the streets during the evening. This incident is a reflection of the Roman Empire’s omens of strange births.
The play has many bird encounters. Although birds have been associated with bad luck throughout history, the Roman Empire is reflected in their behavior. Assassination of Julius Caesar took place on a stormy and lighting filled night. This added to all the other omens from the time. Casa tells Brutus and Messala that in Act 1 Scene 3, he witnessed “the bird” of the night, which was likely an Owl, “Even when noon-day was upon the market, Howting shriekingly”. (Lines 34-35). Cassius then tells Brutus that in Act 5 Scene 1, he saw two mighty eagles “falling, perching, and eating from the soldiers’ hands …. The eagles are gone and fled this morning. In their place, ravens, kites, and crows have taken over (Lines 106 and 108). Cassius viewed these eagles in the same way as Brutus, and thought that both of them would die in battle if the eagles are replaced by ravens or crows. These two examples of bird behavior are common omens of the period. Shakespeare’s use of omens in this play is also a reflection on the Roman Empire. Lightning strikes (Maltz), which were present on the night Cassius and Brutus planned to assassinate Caesar, are also omens from Caesar’s day. Thunder and lightning were also present on the day that Caesar met with the Senate. In an omen book, between 84 B.C. In a book of reported omen, from 84 B.C. Shakespeare knew that the Romans believed that lightning was a sign of good luck.
Shakespeare used, either deliberately or unintentionally – omens, supernatural forces, and other symbols that reflected his time. Soothsayer makes for a memorable character. The Soothsayer warns Caesar about the Ides of March (1.2.30). Then, when Caesar informs the Soothsayer that the Ides of March have arrived (3.1.1), the Soothsayer replies, “Aye Caesar. But not gone.” The Soothsayer is reminiscent of witches in the Elizabethan Era. Shakespeare lived during a time when there were at least 270 Elizabethan witch-trials. While the Soothsayer did not have the supernatural powers of foretelling future events, his influence on the beliefs held by Shakespeare’s age is evident. Calpurnia’s Dream the Night Before Caesar Goes to Meet with the Senate is also an important Omen. This Omen is evident in the Elizabethan’s complex view of dreams. Calpurnia’s dreams are reminiscent of Elizabethan times because they were supernatural dreams. There are many other examples of Omens (portents), supernatural forces, and reflections of the Roman Empire in Julius Caesar. But, the point is, Shakespeare used portents more in line with the Elizabethan Era while still using some of his own beliefs.
Fate was an important theme for Julius Caesar. The omens & portents show that the ideas of fate in Julius Caesar reflect both Shakespeare and Julius Caesar. During Elizabethan times, people strongly believed a person’s destiny was predestined because of their astrological alignments at birth (Alchin). The events and decisions that a person made in their lifetime were not considered important because their destiny was already determined (Alchin). The play reflects this belief each time Julius Caesar dismisses omens or events presented to him. Then, in Act 2 Scene 2, Calpurnia explains the events of the previous night to Caesar. Caesar responds: “It strikes me as strange that people should fear. Death, a necessary conclusion, Will be when it is due” (Lines 25-37). It is clear that Caesar thinks that he has no control over his destiny, as did the Elizabethans. Cassius’s words to Brutus in which he says, “The blame, dear Brutus… is not with our stars. But within ourselves, we are subordinates,” is a good example.
In comparison to the Elizabethan Era’s belief in fate, Roman Empire beliefs were very different. Religion regarded omens as grave warnings and took them very seriously. Cassius says that it’s not the stars at fault, but your decision. This belief explains the fact that some characters, like Cassius, believe in omens. Cassius noticed that the eagles had left Act 5, Scene 1, and they were replaced with crows or ravens. Cassius believed in fate, and this event reflects that belief. Cassius believes that these two eagles are symbols of Brutus and himself. Cassius knows he won’t survive the battle when crows or ravens take the place of the eagles. Cassius could have ignored the birds if he believed in traditional Elizabethan fate beliefs. He would not have believed that the birds had told him to. Instead, he realized that his death in battle was due to fate and not because they said it. Cassius understood that while he didn’t act against the omen he knew he would eventually die. He also understood that the battle could have been avoided and his death prevented. Julius Caesar’s actions would have been different if he had accepted the ancient Roman beliefs in fate. He would not have entered the senate the next morning. This information and examples in the play show that themes of fate are present both during the Elizabethan Era as well as the Roman Empire.
Although the omens or beliefs about fate that were prevalent during the Elizabethan Era, the Roman Empire and other periods are fascinating, why do they matter to the play and to the audience? These ideas, and the period that they represent, are significant because they affect the way the play is read and understood. It can be difficult for the reader to know what happened because Julius Caesar is a historical figure. Because there are many elements from this play which can also be found in Shakespeare’s other plays (e.g., nightmares in Macbeth or Hamlet, and ghosts in Macbeth), it is easy for the reader to assume that Shakespeare wrote what he felt like. Shakespeare, however, did draw on real facts and culture from the Roman Empire when writing this play. In fact, An Ancient Rome Chronology, 264-27 B.C. Shakespeare wrote, “Despite his illness and a number of disquieting predictions, Julius Caesar decided to go to a senate session, where, unfortunately, he was killed.” Shakespeare did not write the entire play, and the fact that he added some of his own details should not be taken as proof. The time period in which the events are set is crucial to understanding whether they were real or Shakespeare’s additions.
The omens are mixed with supernatural forces and fate from the Roman Empire. This blend is crucial to understanding what the reader is reading. Understanding the historical context and viewpoint of the play is crucial. The play does not only focus on omens, fate, or supernatural forces. It also shows the differences between Roman and Elizabethan culture. The reader should do some research and check the facts before reading to make sure they understand from what point-of-view they are coming.
