Sunday, April 1, 2018

Waves in the Wake of Caesar's Death


Things begin to change after Caesar's death. 

Shakespeare begins Act 4 by displaying powerful diction and structural elements in scene 1, line 1, "These many, then, shall die; their names are pricked”. He uses the word pricked to illustrate the specificity of selection for the men Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus wish to execute in order to avenge Caesars death. Shakespeare skillfully incorporates specific placing of commas and semicolons to create a sense of passion and emphasize how serious they are about their cause. These men are willing to kill the friends and families of their enemies, “Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus”? “I do consent”. “Prick him down Antony”. I noticed a portion of imagery when Antony said “He shall not live. Look, with a spot I damn him”. Act 4, Scene 1, line 6. I imagined him placing another mark by someone’s name on a long list of people to eradicate. From this scene I gathered this meaning of forming alliances and creating plans of power in hopes of ruling together. In another portion of the book I noticed another moment where a bigger picture lies beneath the surface. In Act 4, Scene 3, Shakespeare structures his phrases in a short and to the point way, to emphasize Brutus’ apathy towards the fact that his wife Portia is dead. “Portia is dead”. “She is dead.” Brutus also states “Speak no more of her: give me a bowl of wine” (156). Messala proceeds to ask Brutus about her, but he just dismisses the topic and moves on. This shows how Brutus refuses to show weakness in front of his troops, representing stoicism.

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