Julius Caesar, Coursework Question
In what ways does the character of Julius Caesar seem to dominate the play even after his death?
The character of Julius Caesar seem to dominate the play even after his death in many ways, one of the most obvious ones is Julius Caesar’s ghost. Caesar ghost appears in front of Brutus when he is alone (apart from Lucius who is sleeping) in his tent, Brutus is shocked, then the ghost tells Brutus that he will see him at Philippi:
Act four Scene three lines 282-3
Brutus: ”Why comst thou?”
Ghost: ”To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi”
This leaves Brutus undaunted but worried about why Caesars ghost is going to Philippi. After he has awoken Lucius, Varro and Claudius he gives the order for Cassius to advance in good time before his. From this I feel that Brutus’s encounter with Caesars ghost has made him more anxious about the Philippi and even what part Caesar’s ghost will play in that. We no from earlier in this scene that Cassius and Brutus argued about whether to attack of to defend and Brutus had won the argument, wanting to advance and attack and this meeting with the ghost has encouraged these views. So in some respect Caesar is affecting the views, feeling and actions of Brutus towards the battle at Philippi and therefore still playing a part in the play even after his death.
