Examples Of Calpurnia In Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, centers around the idea of Romans killing their leader, Julius Caesar. His death a consequence when Decius successfully convinces Caesar to attend the senate meeting. The event of his death could have been avoided if Caesar listened to Calpurnia, his wife. She attempts to persuade Caesar to stay at home, but her attempts fail. Calpurnia starts with convincing Caesar by telling him about a detailed, visual dream. She claims that “a lioness hath whelped in the streets, and graves have yawned, and yielded up their dead; fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds…which drizzled blood upon the capitol” (II, 2, 5-9). She explains her dream to Caesar because the dream includes a horrible, visual image to scare and worry Caesar.

Caesar is not impressed with Calpurnia who is wanting him not to be present at the senate. After telling Caesar her dream, she says Caesar attending the senate is “my fear” (II, 2, 30). Calpurnia aims again to convinces Caesar; her technique partly works. Desperate Calpurnia kneels and begs for Caesar not to leave the house. She is using the credibility of herself, ethos; she appoints herself into the situation because Caesar views Calpurnia as a wise, caring person. The power of love connects Calpurnia and Caesar, which makes Caesar start to realize Calpurnia is right that Caesar should not leave the house. Calpurnia says that Caesar he does not have to attend the senate, and he can blame her. Using ethos, Calpurnia has assured Caesar; since Caesar is convinced, he agrees to this idea. Although Calpurnia was able to convince Caesar, her strategies were not as persuasive as Decius when he interprets Calpurnia’s dream and convinces Caesar to attend the