While reading Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, I found it interesting how women were completely overlooked and pushed aside. There are only two women in this play, each has a meaningful roles. They each attempt to console and protect their husbands from the danger that they feel is in the future.
Calphurnia is the wife of Caesar and her role is very important. Calphurnia has a dream one night, and in the dream it spells out the impending destruction of Caesar. “She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, / Which, like a fountain with a hundred spouts, / Did run pure blood. And many lusty Romans/ Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it“(Act 2. Scene 2. 76-79). Here Caesar is explaining to Decius the dream she had. He makes her out to be a silly woman who had a bad dream, and is taking it too far. The moment Decius gives Caesar his opinion of what the dream means, Caesar dismisses Calphurnia and states that he is ashamed that he ever considered her fears. It is interesting here because Calphurnia is clearly worried about her husband, and is begging him not to go. He brushes her off very easily not knowing that if he would have listened to her, he would not be murdered that day.
The other female character who is disregarded is Portia, the wife of Brutus. Being the ideal wife that she is, she asks her husband to confide in her and tell her what is bothering him. “Tell me your counsels. I will not disclose ‘em/ I have made strong proof of my constancy/ “(Act 2. Scene1. 300-301). He refuses to confide in her and this causes her a great sadness that eventually leads to her suicide. It is important for everyone to talk to someone and work out moral dilemmas. Brutus does not realize the importance of companionship and ignores Portia’s requests.
These women could have significantly changed the lives of Caesar and Brutus if only they were not overlooked and in fact given a second thought. This aspect is why I found these interactions to be so interesting.
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