Feminist Implications in Julius Caesar

To discuss Julius Caesar in any critical way is to be bound by the facts of history as reported by the historians writing roughly in the same period as the events that took place. Shakespeare's principal source was undoubtedly Plutarch, and the core of the story is undoubtedly the assassination conspiracy formed by political rivals of Julius Caesar who also engage Caesar's longtime friend Brutus in their plot. Later, there is a falling-out of the conspirators, notably between Brutus and the plot leader Cassius. But they are pursued and defeated as rebels by allies Mark Antony and Octavius, who ascends the imperial throne.

All this is the stuff of melodrama and action-adventure stories,- which is to say the stuff of men's stories. The plot, the battles, the conflict over the throne--these are the concerns of the military, of strategy. The sweeping nature of the story, from central Rome to the distant plains of Philippi, is suited to the heroic/epic/poetic form that is associated chiefly with the deeds of great men. Even the personal tragedy that befalls Brutus in the wake of the assassination and the ignominy of defeat can be seen as the tragedy of a fl

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should command the respect of a respected husband. I grant that I am a woman; but withal A woman well-reputed, Cato's Daughter. Think you I am no stronger than my sex, Being so father'd and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em: I have made strong proof of my constancy (II.i) In other words, I'm as strong and virtuous as any man, hence worthy of any confidence you, a man, may have. If only you would pay attention! Brutus pushes her away, only privately praying that he may be worthy of such a woman; it.was ever thus for women to be pushed aside in favor of more important manly pursuits. Later, Portia misinterprets Brutus's unsettled manner as the anticipation that Caesar will deny a request of state, and in her anxiety she sends a servant to find out the substance of what is troubling her husband so that she may help him in her quiet way ("Brutus hath a suit / That Caesar will not grant"--II.iii). Brutus is drawn into conspiracy; he does not start with the ambition of Cassius or the mean-spiritedness of the conspirators as a whole. What is important about Brutus's actions and Portia's response to them from the feminist perspective, however, is that, despite his motives and despite his
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Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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