Julius Caesar

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Content
A storm has started and Casca is very scared of all the parts of a storm like lightning, thunder and rain. Casca describes that other weird things have been happening like men were on fire, a man put his hand in fire without getting burnt, a lion was at the Capitol and owls were hooting and shrieking in daylight. Casca believes that they are omens and that the gods are sending some sort of warning. Then Cassius then comes out the storm and explains to Casca that the gods were against Caesar and this is also the part where Cassius joins Casca into the conspiracy.

Significance of Passage
This passage is significant because it characterizes some characters and also sets a mood to the play. Casca is characterized as a scared and frightened, and is wary of omens. Since Casca is wary and believes that this is a warning form the gods, Cassius can easily put Casca in a state of mind that Caesar is the reason behins all of these weird occurences. Cassius does this by telling Casca that he offered himself to the gods to see if he was the trouble maker but because the gods didn't strike Cassius he proved himself innocent. This action immediatley gives Casca the idea that the true cause is Caesar even though it is a normal storm. This really characterizes Cassius as cunning and manipulaitve because he has turned Casca against Caesar in only a few lines. This can also charatcerize Casca as a gullible man. It also shows that Cassius has a lot of confidence in himself because he tells Casca is plan so quickly, not even taking his time or making sure that Casca was completly on his side. When Cassius says:
"But of Grief,
Where hadst thou led me? I, perhaps, speak this
Before a willing bondman; then I know
My answer must be made. But I a arm'd,
And dangers are to me indifferent."
This quote tells us that Cassius has purposely told Casca that he plans to kill Caesar and was so good at it, we know that Cassius is extremely confident and manipulative with people. The importance of this is that we've gone deeper into the character of Cassius which later on helps us notice how his character differs further into the conspiracy. Also when Cassius says:
"Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already
Some of the noblest-minded Romans
To undergo with me an enterprise."
This quote ups the tension in the story. We've beem thinking that Cassius has just started gathering all the consprirators but suddenly Cassius is telling us that he's got some of he 'noblest-minded Romans" on his side which probably foreshadows that by having these types of people, Caesar will probably be killed. By knowing that there are more people against Caesar the tension goes up. Plus, this whole scence is about violent storms and weird things happening gives a scary mood and fear. There is a lot of imagery too especially when Casca decribes all the abnormal things which he saw and people saw. Altogether, this passage shows a lot of literary elements such as mood, characterization, foreshadowing and imagery.

Passage
Since the parts are in the same scene but are not together I would like to read out the parts that are most significant. I joined different parts together so it made sense. Hopefully I am allowed to do this.

Casca
"A common slave, wou know him well by sight,
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn
Like twenty torches join'd; and yet his hand,
Not sensible of fire, remained unscorch'd.
Besides (I ha' not since put up my sword)
Against the Capitol I met a lion,
Who glazed upon me, and surly by,
Without annoying me. And there were drawn
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw
Men, all in fire, walk up and down the streets.
And yesterday the bird of night did sit,
Even at noonday upon the market place,
Hooting and shrieking. With these prodigies
Do so conjointly meet, let not men say,
'These are their reasons, they are natural';
For I believe, they are portentous things
Unto the climate that the point upon."
(Lines 15-32)

Cassius
You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life
That should be in a Roman you so want,
Or else you use not. You look plae, and gaze,
And put in fear, and cast yoursel in wonder,
To see the strange impatience of the heavens;
But if you would consider the true cause
Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts,
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind
Why old men, fools, and children calculate,
Why all thesse things change from thir ordinanc,
Their natures and pre-formed faculties,
To monstrous state. Now could I, Casca name to thee a man
Most like this dreadful night,
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
As doth the lion in the Capitol;
A man not mightier than thyself, or me,
In personal action, yet prodigious grown,
And fearful, as these strage eruptions are.
(Lines 56-78)

Casca
'Tis Caesar that you mean, is it not Cassius?(Line 79)
Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow
Mean to establish Caesar as a king;
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land,
In every place, slave here in Italy.
(Lines 85-88)

Cassius
And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf,
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep:
Here no lion were not Romans hinds. (Lines 103- 106)
But, O grief,
Where hadst thou led me? I, perhaps, speak this
Before a willing bondman; then I know
My answer must made. But I am arm'd,
And dangers are to me indifferent.
(Lines 111-115)

Casca
You speak to Casca, and to such a man
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand;
Be factious for redress of all these griefs,
And I will set this foor of mine as far
As who goes the furthest.
(Lines 116-120)


Cassius
Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already
Some of the noblest-minded Romans
To undergo me an enterprise.
(Lines 121-123)