Julius Caesar Group

Question:

mankaran
mankaran
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Describe the supernatural happenings in "Julius Caesar" and the effects which they produce.

are these stll relevant today?how?

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Posted by mankaran on Saturday June 7, 2008 at 11:24 PM and tagged with effectsrelevance today, julius caesar, supernatural happenings.

Answers:


  1. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This question has been asked a number of times. Check the links below for a great headstart!  Good luck and thanks for using enotes!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/jc/group/discuss/supernatural-happe...
    http://www.enotes.com/jc/q-and-a/what-examples-supernatur...
    http://www.enotes.com/jc/q-and-a/what-supernatural-happen...

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Sunday June 8, 2008 at 4:10 AM

  2. ophelia35
    ophelia35 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The supernatural happenings include the appearance of ghosts, a horrible storm in which blood rains on the capital building, references to graves giving up their dead, as well as other incidences which betray the natural order of things as they "should be" (nightbirds-or owls-seen during the day, lions-something savage and animalistic-giving birth in the streets-the place of commerce and civilization).  Several of the characters refer to bad omens (Calupurnia's prophetic dream, Cassius' description of the eagles replaced by scavenger birds on their journey to meet Antony's army, etc.).  Perhaps the most important supernatural event is the appearance of Caesar's ghost to Brutus, causing him to move his armies more quickly than caution would dictate. 

    All of these events create tension in the play and help motivate other rash deeds.  They also provide a backdrop of impending doom and growing instability which makes Caesar's assassination more dramatic.

    As for their relevance, I'm not sure if you are referring to the supernatural events or the historical events which they lead up to.  I would say that we are definitely not as superstitious as the Elizabethans were, making omens seem irrelevant; but we are still very sensitive to situations which are unstable and unsure.  Witness the national devastation and insecurity following 9/11.

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    Posted by ophelia35 on Saturday July 26, 2008 at 2:04 PM