Brutus vs. Antony: The Power of Persuasion

           The power of persuasion is a sought after trait that everyone desires especially those in politics. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar shows politicians using their own techniques to manipulate and deceive their audience. A particular scene in which the power of persuasion is particular strong is the speech in which Brutus and Antony give to the plebeians announcing the death of Caesar. Both men use different approaches to convince the plebeians of their position on the topic of Caesar’s death, but one proves to be more convincing.

            Brutus’s whole speech is presented in prose rather then verse in order to speak to the plebeians simply so they feel on the same level as Brutus. He tries to convince the crowd that acted as a concerned citizen of Rome and not as a power hungry individual. The plebeians seem to be convinced that he is telling the truth and did the right thing for Republic.

            In contrast, Antony speaks only verses unlike Brutus’ use of prose. Antony refers to the conspirators and Brutus as “honourable men” which starts as a compliment but through out the speech it is more of a mocking term.

He was my friend, faithful and just to me. 
 But Brutus says he was ambitious; 
 And Brutus is an honourable man. 
 . . . 
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. 
 . . . 
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 
 And Brutus is an honourable man. 
 . . . 
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 
 which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? 
 Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, 
 and sure he is an honourable man. (III.ii.82–96)

            Antony also takes Brutus’ logo and turns it into an anti-logo, such as Caesar being ambitious and Antony reminds the crowd that Caesar grew up in poor family and how he refused the crown three times. He even adds a bit of tears in the middle of the speech to build on the pathos in the crowd. Another tool he uses that Brutus tried to do was to be on the same level as the crowd. Antony does this by leaving the pulpit and actually standing on the same level as the plebeians. Again he uses pathos by showing the bloody body of Caesar. Then he can feel the pity and anger in the crowd and decides to mention mutiny. He tells them not to perform mutiny but he knows the mention of the word will have the power to plant the idea inside the plebeian’s minds and eventually will turn into action.

            These two honorable men try to inflict their opinion on to the public. As we learn in the beginning of the play being popular with the public is very important when you want to be in control. Antony realizes this importance and tries to win over the public in order to seek revenge for Caesar’s death. 

The Omens of Death

             After only reading the first few acts in Julius Caesar the presence of omens are scattered though out the scenes. Each character seems to interprets these omens differently. The omens that have appeared so far are the Calphurnia’s dream, the ides of March, and weird animal behavior. Every character interprets these omens as they see fit but all point to certain doom.

            One of the more important omens so far is Calphurnia’s dream. Calphurnia dreamed about Romans standing around washing their hands in Caesar's blood. Caesar’s wife correctly predicts that this dream foreshadows danger for her husband. But Decius tries to convince Caesar that this dream means he will be Rome’s’ savior. Due to Caesars’ pride he decides to agree with Decius and in turn dies.

            Another interesting omen that has been presented multiple times is concept of the Ides of March, which the Soothsayer insists to be heard. This date is of course the day Caesar dies and the date being repeated in the play is there to remind the audience of Caesars’ fate. But why does Caesar choose to ignore the warnings? If he didn’t ignore them would we have a different ending to this story? I think Caesar is blinded by the popularity of the Roman people that he chooses to turn his deaf ear to the warnings, which ultimately is his downfall.

            An additional omen that from the beginning of the play seems strange is the sighting of the lion from Calpurnia and Casca. Calpurnia sees the lion giving birth in the streets and Casca sees the lion walking by him with no attempt to attack him. This bizarre appearance of the lion could symbolize Caesar. Like the lion who is king of the jungle, Caesar could become king of Rome. But the weird behavior of the lion could mean that Caesar may not become King.

            While reading the begging of the play the biggest omen that stuck out to me was the sacrifice that was missing a heart. Like the other omens the meaning of the heartless sacrifice gets misinterpreted. Caesar believes that the lack of heart means that if he doesn’t go to the capitol that day it will show a lack in courage and therefore he will be removed from consideration of the crown. But I understood the omen to mean that the conspirators have no heart and will kill Caesar.

            The seriousness with which Romans looked at omens is evident in the beginning of this play. However it is very frustrating watching these characters misinterpret the warnings from the gods and their close ones. If only Caesar caught on to one omen that alluded to his death we might have had a completely different outcome. 

The Womanizer

             Why are Shakespeare fans embarrassed by The Taming of the Shrew? The controversy about controlling women in the play is hotly debated issue, but was it as big of a deal in Elizabethan society? The presence of gender roles is an important aspect of the play. The relationship between Petruchio and Katherine balances on a thin line between acceptable and controversial.

            In Elizabethan society, men were permitted to beat their wives. Men at the time were concerned of shrewish women because of their power to disrupt the model of a perfect household. Shakespeare might be showing a lighter side of the Elizabethan gender treatment. He does not show physical violence against women in the play. But Petruchio does threaten to hit Katherine and uses other tactics to tame and exert his superiority. Even in the courting process Petruchio makes Katherine his property. He offers to marry Katharine to save her from being a spinster. Petruchio also comments on Katherine’s physical beauty and says that she has passed the test but implying that she just barely passed. But the main controversy is the means in which Petruchio “tames” Katherine. 

            Petruchio uses many different controversial techniques to “tame” Katherine. From there first meeting Petruchio tell Baptista that Katherine has agreed to marry him when she obviously did not wish. Later at the wedding, Petruchio shows up late, in unfashionable clothes, and riding a broken horse. In the middle of the reception Petruchio asserts his authority on Katherine and forces her to leave. When they arrive to Petruchio’s house he decides to “kill her with kindness”. He does this by saying that nothing is good for her and therefore she is not allowed to have anything that is not perfect. This put Katherine in an awkward position because he has never claimed that he does not want the best for her.  Because of this Katherine cannot retaliate in anger. Katherine’s speech at the end of the play proves that Petruchio’s strange tactics have worked to tame Katherine.

            In the 21^st century, The Taming of the Shrew is seen as more controversial than it was when it was originally written. I think we have to remember that the play is written as a comedy and in a time where traditional gender roles were practiced therefore we should not take the play too seriously. 

My Journey to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

            As a Christmas gift, my Grandma heard I was taking a class on Shakespeare and decided that I should experience his work in person. I received tickets to see “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 4^th. It was an amazing performance that had me laughing non-stop. This play is interesting in the fact that we know very little about the history of the play. Historians do not know the exact date of the play’s first performance but they do suspect that the play was performed for a wedding celebration in the palace. From class we have learned how difficult it is to direct a play that has limited direction. Kent Thompson, the director of this particular play had some different interpretations from other directors.

            Originally the play has more emphasis on the young lovers and their complex relationship in the magical forest. In Thompson’s rendition he finds interest in the veteran lovers, Oberon and Titania. The two old loves seem accustom to the young lovers due to their long relationship of squabbling for 30 years and usually get over it.

            Thompson also wanted to focus on the danger of the forest. Even though no one is in danger. Thompson wanted to have the characters be unaware that the forest could become a jungle. Puck is playful but that could get out of control. He feels that it “is the classic opportunity for comedy. Audiences love to see characters almost go too far and then find their way back.” This interest in pushing the boundaries of the play allows for a different personality from other interpretations of the play.

            Unlike other versions of the play, Thompson went for a fresher and lighter version that allows the humor to shine through.  He did an amazing job at making a play that was written in the Elizabethan era seem relevant in the 21^st century. A wonderful summary of the performance by Dan Sullivan says, “Dream remains an amazingly fresh play, a remix of classical legend, down home superstition and backstage foolery, braided into a tall tale that keeps us laughing and leaves us reflecting.” 

Why is there an Induction in "The Taming of the Shrew"?

              The purpose of the induction in the Taming of the Shrew could be for many reasons. The use of this technique was a common feature during the Renaissance period, but a rare element in Shakespeare’s plays. Although none of the characters in the induction are present through out the main part of the play they do serve as an important role. The Induction serves to introduce key themes that will become present in the main play such as identity, disguise, illusion and reality.

            The induction consists of the Lord playing a practical joke on homeless, drunk named Christopher Sly by dressing him up and making him believe that he is the Lord. This funny, little story draws a parallel to Katherine’s story in the main play. Sly’s story reinforces the idea that a person’s environment and treatment can determine their behavior. Sly is told and treated like a Lord therefore he believes it is true. In the main play Katherine is told from her father and husband to be an abiding wife. Although Katherine struggles with the thought of being a dutiful wife she has no choice and is forced to conform. Katherine and Sly are treated like puppets and whatever their controller decides to make them do they are at there will.

            Another theme in the induction and play is the concept of “social mobility”. In Shakespeare’s time many people were worried that someone from the lower class would simply move up in class by dressing in nicer clothes and acting as though they were of a higher class. The Lord in the induction does exactly that and dresses up the lower class drunk in nicer clothes and then is presumed to be a Lord. It brings up the issue of individual identities and whether people can disguise themselves as others and believe that their new identity is true. This concept might be a clue from Shakespeare that someone or something is pretending to be something other than what they seem in the main play.

            The interesting and humorous induction ends with the beginning of the play. We never find out what becomes of Christopher Sly and his beautiful wife, but the induction serves as a valuable lead in to the main portion of the play.