The Role of Women in Julius Caesar Essay - 820 Words

From the expansion days of Ancient Rome to the fall of the Roman Empire, women have always succumbed to living subjacent to the status of their omnipotent and dominant male figures. After leaving her childhood home and the rule of her father, a young Roman girl would then be coerced into the dominion of her husband, often taking a plethora of roles, ranging from lover, caretaker, and best friend. It is often lightheartedly stated that, â€Å"Behind every great man is an even greater woman,† and William Shakespeare exemplifies this concept beautifully in Julius Caesar, in which he effectively used the spouses of the two main characters to add more depth, drama, and literary elements to the play, bringing it to life. Although the only two†¦show more content†¦Thus, she indicates that she can endure whatever Brutus has on his mind, and makes it known that she is definitely not the fragile feminine flower that Brutus and the rest of humanity distinguishes her as. Throug h this succinct line, Shakespeare allows the reader to recognize that Portia is not an ordinary woman, rather she is an intense and strong willed woman with deep devotion for her husband. One of Brutus’ most notable characteristics is his stoicism, which is clearly seen through instances regarding Portia, as illustrated through Act II, scene i, when he refuses to confide in Portia about the plans to kill Caesar, and when Brutus utters, â€Å"Why farewell Portia,† (Brutus, IV, iii, 189) in regards to her death. Brutus’ stoicism impinges on their relationship, because he confines his secrets from her, and towards her death, he allows the audience to gain insight of his true character: the neglect of private feelings and loyalties in favor of what Brutus believes to be the public good. Brutus thus undermines Portia as the symbol of his private life and manifests on the fact that he puts his public life before his private one. Portia’s death also serves as an example of stoicism because he does not reveal any of the emotion that was brought to him in the light of her suicide. Thus, uncovering that stoicism and honor are put before all else. With a completelyShow MoreRelatedThe Role of Women in Julius Caesar773 Words   |  4 PagesEmpire, women have always succumbed to living subjacent to the status of their omnipotent and dominant male figures. After leaving her childhood home and the rule of her father, a young Roman girl would then be coerced into the dominion of her husband, often taking a plethora of roles, ranging from lover, caretaker, and best friend. It is often lightheartedly stated that, â€Å"Behind every great man is an even greater woman,† and William Shakespeare exemplifies this concept beautifully in Julius CaesarRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s Antigone And Julius Caesar 1297 Words   |  6 PagesJacobs 12/23/2014 Literature Survey II - Honors Essay: Antigone and Julius Caesar Option 3 The involvement of women is very important in the two stories, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare and Antigone by Sophocles. Throughout each story it becomes clear that the ideas and biases surrounding women play an important part in how society views women, and how women see themselves. Readers also see these ideas spread into the minds of women affecting what they do in their life, and how they act. AntigoneRead MoreShakespeares Julius Caesar851 Words   |  4 PagesImagine a world where women were completely subservient to men. 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Similarly, many warnings in the Rwanda history triggered the genocidal slaughterRead More The role of Women in Julius Ceasar Essay861 Words   |  4 PagesThe role of Women in Julius Ceasar In the play â€Å"Julius Caesar† by William Shakespeare, women play an important role. The women are important factors in foreshadowing and in the development of many of the characters. To look at the role of women in the play we must look deeper in to the roles of the only two women in the play; Calpurnia, wife of Caesar, and Portia, wife of Brutus. Both of these women are key in foreshadowing the murder of Caesar. After Caesar’s murder we do not hearRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s Julius Caesar 1008 Words   |  5 PagesJulius Caesar Assignment Tess Macintyre IGCSE English Literature Discuss the contribution made by the two women, Portia and Calpurnia, to the play as a whole. 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