Supernatural Elements and Theme 4 Ambition and Conflict

� A soothsayer warns Caesar to beware of March. � The storm scene in Act I, Scene iii is a prediction of an unnatural happening followed by the strange sights of a slave with a flaming hand which does not scorch, men all in fire walking down the streets, a lioness giving birth in the streets and hooting and shrieking of the owl near the Capitol at noon time. � Calphurnia’s dream of fiery warriors fighting among the clouds in the proper rank of military which rained blood on the capitol and the dead men coming out of their graves. She also saw in her dream a statue of Caesar through which blood was coming out through hundreds of sprouts and some Romans washed their hand in it. Examples of Supernatural Elements

�There was a sacrifice of an animal ordered by Caesar and in it no heart can be found by the augurers; an unnatural thing. �While marching towards Philippi, Cassius saw instead of the usual stock of eagles that kites and ravens have replaced them which were known as the 'Bird of Death'. �Another referral was to the suicide of Portia, Brutus's wife by swallowing hot coals; another reference to fire.

�First of all it reflects the taste and belief of the Elizabethans. �Secondly, the supernatural helps us to understand the characters better. Various characters are affected differently by these supernaturals. �Thirdly, it brings forth the real character of the Romans and their regular beliefs in supernaturals. Superstitions role

� 3 examples �Caesar, Antony and Octavia, Brutus �The connection between how Ambition leads to conflict Conflict and Ambition

�Caesar Rome would have complete control of �He got rid of the other two parts of the triumvirate so that he could rule alone. �This was the thing that caused the conspirators to come after him. Caesar’s Ambition

�What examples of Ambition have we seen in Caesar?

�Antony is able to incite the mob against the conspirators after they kill Caesar because he convinces them they were wrong about Caesar’s ambition. Act 3, Scene 2 �Antony also turns on Lepidus because of his own ambition in Act 4, Scene 1 �Octavius is the more level headed of the three leaders but is also the most able to Antony and Octavius

�He tries to imply throughout that he does everything because of honour. �In reality, that honour that he follows is his ambition. He wants so badly to do whatever is honorable that he doesn’t think things through enough and allows for his need for honour to be his ambition; and his downfall (His tragic Flaw) Brutus

�I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. (1. 2) � Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. (1. 3) � 'Tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward 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. (2. 1) Quotes dealing with ambition

�Ambition's debt is paid. (3. 1) �As he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. (3. 2) �When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. (3. 2)

� Let me tell you, Cassius, yourself Are much condemned to have an itching palm (4. 3) � Shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes? (4. 3) � This was the noblest Roman of them all; All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He, only, in a general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man!‘ (5. 5)