Self Righteousness In Julius Caesar - 1066 Words

It appears that the largest conflict surrounding William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar seems to be the uncertainty concerning the exact role that Caesar himself is meant to fulfill within the play. It is truly unknown whether he was meant to be the domineering tyrant that need desperately to be stopped in the interest of the greater good or the vulnerable victim of Brutus’ lineage-driven self righteousness. The unknown significance of Caesar’s hearing impediment and his disregard for both the prophecy and letter regarding his death only obscures his already indeterminate role even further. In his essay, â€Å"‘Wisdom Consumed in Confidence’: An Examination of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar†, Douglas L. Peterson attempts to address these two large†¦show more content†¦The first belief he discusses is one in which Caesar’s statement is to be read figuratively. Caesar does not pretend to be hard of hearing and is not truly deaf. Instead, he is simply telling Antony that if he supports Caesar and wishes to reap the benefits that shall come from the affiliation, then he should remain on Caesar’s good side (Peterson). This belief does not seem overly unreasonable, as the proposed interpretation fits coherently within the conversation being held between Caesar and Antony at the time. Yet, Peterson does not seem convinced. He then introduces a second popular belief surrounding Caesar’s ear, that his partial deafness comes as a result of the epileptic seizure he suffered earlier on in the play (Peterson). It was a common belief at the time of Shakespeare that temporary deafness that occurs as the result of an epileptic seizure affects the left ear more often than not. Peterson finds this belief to be the most agreeable, yet still does not commit to it as the most correct interpretation. The final belief that he explains seems to sit most comfortably with him. This final belief explains how Caesar s poke his line about being deaf proverbially to express his belief that Antony’s estimation of Cassius is vacuous. A common proverb of the Elizabethan Era of Shakespeare used the imagery of being partially deaf to show disregard for an opinion that is not sensible andShow MoreRelatedHonor : A Tragic Hero1399 Words   |  6 PagesTragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus takes the role of the tragic hero. Brutus’s honor, nobility, and self-righteousness makes him â€Å"a tragic figure, if not the hero† (Catherine C. Dominic). As the play opens, Brutus is known as a Roman nobleman and a member of one of the most illustrious families in Rome. He is first seen in Act I, scene ii, as one of Caesar’s â€Å"close friends† who is part of his entourage. But while alone with Cassius he is persuaded into taking a part in the assassination of Caesar. 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