Foreshadowing, Imagery And Figurative Language In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

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Throughout Julius Caesar, Shakespeare utilizes literary devices that affect the overall meaning or purpose of the story. A passage that establishes this theme is Calpurnia's dream in Act 2 Scene 2 lines 1 though 40. The setting of Julius Caesar is In ancient Rome around 45 B.C. right after Julius Caesar defeats Pompey in Battle and is planned on being elected consul of Rome. A literary device is used by an author in their publishing to convey a message to the readers of the piece. Shakespeare uses foreshadowing, imagery, and figurative language in the passage to achieve the tone and meaning necessary to explain the importance of Calpurnia's dream. Foreshadowing is a literary device in which the author gives a hint of the future in which will …show more content…

In the beginning, Caesar emphasizes Calpurnia's sudden awakening as she, "cried out"(II.ii.2), her dream regarding Caesar's murder. Shakespeare enhanced the connotation of the sentence by not using a literal word but instead using a robust eloquence. Some other words include, "horrid...hurtled...blaze...valiant" (II.ii.16,22,31,33). Some other words include, "horrid"(II.ii.16), "hurtled"(II.ii.22), "blaze"(II.ii.31), "valiant"(II.ii.33). These words are also examples of articulation used in the passage to expand the readers understanding of the situation. Imagery is used to appeal to the physical senses that symbolize actions, objects, and ideas. In the midst of Calpurnia's dream, "Fierce fiery warriors"(II.ii.19), clashed in the skies, "in ranks and squadrons"(II.ii.19). In the brawl, the reader can imagine the blazing, tough warriors out to battle in their assigned formations. Describing the vision of Caesar's murder, the "drizzled blood upon the capitol" laid a sense of despair. This displays a gruesome downfall for the tragic hero in