William Shakespeare carefully selects his language that makes obvious use of many literary elements to create the perfect scene and to enrich the minds of countless individuals engaged in his works. In Julius Caesar he uses an immense variety of elements that contribute positively to the plot and the overall understanding of the play. He uses examples of foreshadowing, metaphors, puns, diction, imagery, and numerous others to give the play a symbolic meaning.
In Act I, Scene II Shakespeare uses several omens foreshadowing the onset of civil strife in Rome (15-32) to indicate that the ides of March are just around the corner. Casca shares with Cicero the sites he has seen while in the streets of Rome . Panting and out of breath he says he has seen a slave with his hand(s) on fire, but the skin was not burning. He then goes on telling him about the lion that walked right passed him without a bother. Given that these events happen to be repugnant omens, and both men are equally bothered. Shakespeare clearly stated these proceedings happened on the eve of the ides of March foreshadowing an appalling to nefarious forthcoming. This method contributes both positively and accurately to enhance the movement of the plot.
Cassius uses a precise pun in Act I Scene III, which has a colossal (learned this in your class) significance in the theme of the play. In lines (104-106) he quotes “Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf but that he sees the Romans are but sheep; he were no lion, were not Roman hinds. Cassius is saying the Romans follow Caesar blindly, he is essentially calling the people rear ends, and the only reason seems powerful at all is because the people are so fainthearted. Shakespeare has Cassius use this pun to give the audience yet another example of figurative language to enhance the plot, but also to demonstrate how green-eyed Cassius is towards Caesar.
But ‘tis common proof that lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, whereto the climber upwards turns his face; but when he once attains the upmost round, he then unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend. So Caesar may; then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel will bear no color for the thing he is fashion it thus: that what he is augmented, would run to these extremities; and therefore think of him as a serpent’s egg which hatched would as his kind grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell. Brutus uses this exact extended metaphor to compare Caesar to a serpent’s egg, Caesar is not going to be dangerous until after he reaches his ambition. Brutus also says Caesar will climb ambition’s ladder meaning as he climbs toward his ambition he will turn his back on the people. This metaphor enhances Julius Caesar’s implication giving the conspirators a reason to kill Caesar, and instead of bluntly shout “we have great reason to kill Caesar”, Shakespeare uses literary elements to keep an audience on the edge, and to give symbolic meaning.
Shakespeare creates imagery when he has Brutus demand the conspirators bathe their hands up to their elbows in Caesar’s blood. He has the audience find the physical senses of blood. Blood is very symbolic throughout the entire theme of the play. He uses examples of foreshadowing, metaphors, puns, diction, imagery, and numerous others to give the play a symbolic meaning. Language is a powerful weapon and in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others. Shakespeare is the only exception to this quote, he uses powerful language to entertain and to teach positive messages not to manipulate.
In Act I, Scene II Shakespeare uses several omens foreshadowing the onset of civil strife in Rome (15-32) to indicate that the ides of March are just around the corner. Casca shares with Cicero the sites he has seen while in the streets of Rome . Panting and out of breath he says he has seen a slave with his hand(s) on fire, but the skin was not burning. He then goes on telling him about the lion that walked right passed him without a bother. Given that these events happen to be repugnant omens, and both men are equally bothered. Shakespeare clearly stated these proceedings happened on the eve of the ides of March foreshadowing an appalling to nefarious forthcoming. This method contributes both positively and accurately to enhance the movement of the plot.
Cassius uses a precise pun in Act I Scene III, which has a colossal (learned this in your class) significance in the theme of the play. In lines (104-106) he quotes “Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf but that he sees the Romans are but sheep; he were no lion, were not Roman hinds. Cassius is saying the Romans follow Caesar blindly, he is essentially calling the people rear ends, and the only reason seems powerful at all is because the people are so fainthearted. Shakespeare has Cassius use this pun to give the audience yet another example of figurative language to enhance the plot, but also to demonstrate how green-eyed Cassius is towards Caesar.
But ‘tis common proof that lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, whereto the climber upwards turns his face; but when he once attains the upmost round, he then unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend. So Caesar may; then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel will bear no color for the thing he is fashion it thus: that what he is augmented, would run to these extremities; and therefore think of him as a serpent’s egg which hatched would as his kind grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell. Brutus uses this exact extended metaphor to compare Caesar to a serpent’s egg, Caesar is not going to be dangerous until after he reaches his ambition. Brutus also says Caesar will climb ambition’s ladder meaning as he climbs toward his ambition he will turn his back on the people. This metaphor enhances Julius Caesar’s implication giving the conspirators a reason to kill Caesar, and instead of bluntly shout “we have great reason to kill Caesar”, Shakespeare uses literary elements to keep an audience on the edge, and to give symbolic meaning.
Shakespeare creates imagery when he has Brutus demand the conspirators bathe their hands up to their elbows in Caesar’s blood. He has the audience find the physical senses of blood. Blood is very symbolic throughout the entire theme of the play. He uses examples of foreshadowing, metaphors, puns, diction, imagery, and numerous others to give the play a symbolic meaning. Language is a powerful weapon and in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others. Shakespeare is the only exception to this quote, he uses powerful language to entertain and to teach positive messages not to manipulate.
