week 9 review question 8

At the beginning of hamlet, prince Hamlet is both distraught by his fathers death,( "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me a the uses of this world!")  and he feels betrayed by his mother because of her marriage so soon after his fathers death ("frailty thy name is woman").

Julius Caesar lesson 3 thought question 2

Upon murdering Caesar, Brutus and Cassius say that they have not murdered the emperor of Rome, destroyed the happiness of Calpurnia and thrown Rome into chaos needlessly, but rather, "they have benefited Caesar by cutting short his time of fearing death."

 Now this is a pretty pitiful justification for their actions, especially since they do not do even that much seeing as in Caesars own words, "...Cowards die many times before their deaths ... it seems to me most strange that men should fear death."

But I suppose, it just goes to show that we sinful humans will believe just about anything to relieve ourselves of the pain of guilt.

julius caesar lesson 3 thought question 1

At the end of act two and in the beginning of act three, we see Artemidorus has prepared a warning note to give to Caesar to thwart the Brutus and Cassius's plans to kill Caesar.
However,  he is a bit overenthusiastic about the urgency of the note which causes Caesar to refuse the note, wondering "...is the fellow mad?"

Another factor at play here is Caesars air of confidence when entering the capitol, given him by Decius's interpretation of Caesars wife Calpurnia's dream.   Because Caesar has been led to believe that today is the start of Rome "sucking of reviving blood from Caesar," Caesar does not consider what warning might be contained by a message presented by a stranger.

In short, Caesars pride and arrogance lead him to think the fellow mad rather than concerned for his continued life.

Julius Caesar lesson two thought question 7

After Portia learns that Brutus is part of the conspiracy as-per her insisting he tell her and slight jabs at his affection for her for instance when she asks if he views her as just some friend that he wants to hang around only when he wants to, and is in a good mood, or to put it in her words..."dwell I only in the suburbs of your good pleasure?"  Remarks such as these eventually wear down Brutus (and about two thirds of his better judgment) and he tells her about his involvement in the conspiracy.
Her reaction I think is parallel to the fear that kept Brutus from telling her in the first place.
She becomes nervous and fearful, as the burden of her new found knowledge weighs heavy on her mind as she says herself when she says, "O constancy, be strong upon my side, Set a huge mountain ’tween my heart and tongue!  I have a man’s mind but a woman’s might.

How hard it is for women to keep counsel!" 

Julius Caesar lesson 2 review question 1

As we read act two we see the pattern that Shakespeare formed for the reader to compare Brutus to Caesar as would be emperors to let the reader decide for himself who is truly fit to be emperor.  Shakespeare shows us how both parties interact both with their colleagues, and with their wives.  
For example, with Brutus's interactions with Portia, we see him resist her request at first, but ultimately give in.  Whereas with Caesar, he tells her he will do as she suggests, but when he finds that she may be wrong, he shames her and follows his own arrogant will.
However though Caesar is just as arrogant with his colleagues, we also see Brutus to be a poor judge of character (as-per his assumptions about Antony), and will not easily heed advice.
We also see Brutus join the conspiracy against Caesar not because of firm evidence that Caesar is unfit, but rather because of what could be.  Whereas Caesar is much more confident about the future unless firm viable evidence is provided him.

Julius Caesar week 1 thought question 6

When in conference with Casca and Brutus, Cassius is informed that during the procession, Caesar fell to the ground foaming at the mouth.  When Brutus asserts that Caesar "hath the falling sickness"
(meaning he is prone to seizures) Cassius says, "No, Caesar hath it not, but you and I, and honest Casca, we have the falling sickness."  While this may refer to Caesar reflecting the rest of Rome,
for my part all I can say is, "I know not what he means by this."

Antony and Julius-week 1 thought question 3

Right from the beginning of the play, we see a strong mentor-student like friendship between Antonius and Caesar that was formed between them during the Gallic Wars.  Caesar holds a deep respect for Antonius as a consultant, asking him to "come on my right side and tell me truly what thou think'st of him." (the him being Cassius)  and Antonius shows his deep respect for Caesar by offering him a coronet during the procession.