A Predetermined Fate The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by...

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare depicts the dictatorship of a powerful Roman emperor in 44 B.C. This play consists of various elements some of which are historical events, people and places, which disclose the conspiracy to overthrow Julius Caesar. The fates of the characters are predetermined although they attempt to avoid and ultimately change their own fate, which attributes to the humanity each character possesses giving a predetermined fate that is unavoidable and uncontrollable. Individual perception of omens and superstitions controls characters fates. The omens and superstitions shown throughout the novel ultimately determine a person’s fate which can be tied directly to Julius Caesar. Caesar’s neglect of other people’s warnings and omens leads to his demise. One example of this is that he ignores a soothsayers warning to â€Å"Beware the ides of March† (line 1.2.21). Caesar does not take this superstition seriously, as his arro gance forbids him to see his fate and ultimately leads to his impending doom. Other examples can be shown in Caesar’s misinterpretation of the priest’s reading, Caesar orders the priests to present a sacrifice to the gods and inform Caesar of the outcome, which they did â€Å"not find a heart within the beast† (2.2.43). Caesar disregards the outcome of the sacrifice, chooses not to stay at home, and ultimately asserts his own fate of death. After Caesar dies, Antony declares the fate of his enemies and seeks for revenge. As AntonyShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Julius Caesar Essay1833 Words   |  8 Pages INTRODUCTION The seemingly straightforward simplicity of â€Å"Julius Caesar† has made it a perennial favourite for almost 400 years. Despite its simplicity, almost Roman in nature, the play is rich both dramatically and thematically, and every generation since Shakespeare’s time has been able to identify with some political aspect of the play. The Victorians found a stoic, sympathetic character in Brutus and found Caesar unforgivably weak and tyrannical. As we move into the twenty-first century, audiences