Caesar Quotes

Question 1

‘Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once’ Act 2 - Scene 2

Answer 1

• Idea of stubbornness.
• Use of noun ‘cowards’ connotes weak and inferior. C doesn’t want his image and God-like authority to be tarnished.
• Juxtaposition of ‘cowards’ and ‘valiant’ reflect his view. He would rather be ‘valiant’ than be a ‘coward’.
• Hyperbole ‘die many time’ illustrate that if he does not go to the senate, he will be a coward. Caesar will not shy away.
• Caesar guided by principles of God-like image - he does not want it to be tarnished.

Question 2

‘If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am as constant the northern star’ - Act 3 - Scene 1

Answer 2

• Theme of arrogance.
• Simile of ‘as the northern star’. Image of supremacy and authority.
• Frontal conjunction ‘but’ show he will not move, he will stay put, which reflects his elevated status.
• Use of verb ‘pray’ has religious connotations, which reflects his belief in his Godlike status.

Question 3

‘Caesar should be a beast…. if he should stay at home for fear’ Act 2 - Scene 2

Answer 3

• Theme of ignorance but argue a sense of bravery.
• Metaphor of ‘should be a beast’ illustrate lack of human and inferior.
• His role as leader of Rome means he has to keep his image and authority.
• Alliteration of ‘for fear’ represents weakness and imperfection. He will not shy away but instead go on to show he is brave and courageous.
• Use of noun ‘home’ connotes comfort and peace. Rather than stay, he chooses to go to represent himself as leader of Rome.