Monday, July 1, 2013

How do the nobles in Julius Caesar speak of the citizens in Rome?

In this play, the citizens in Rome are mostly dealt with as a mob.  They are lumped together and referred to as the "citizens", as if they are of one mind.  In the first Act of the play, there is a short interaction between some of these citizens and the nobles Flavius, Marcellus, and some citizens on the street.  Shakespeare gives proper names to the nobles, but the citizens are known only by their occupation, "Carpenter" and "Cobbler."  In addition, in the first line, Flavius calls them "idle creatures."  Further on, Marcellus uses the term "knave" and "saucy fellow" in reference to the Cobbler. 


Shakespeare is clearly drawing a disntinction between the two classes in this first scene, and he carries that distinction throughout.  In Act III, there are again some speaking lines for the general population.  However, they are given the names "First" and "Second Citizen" only.  These citizens demand to hear explanations of the Caesar's murder, and claim they will carefully consider the speeches.  But Antony proves clearly how easily they can be manipulated.  He lies to Brutus and carefully plays the audience to make them forget all that Brutus says, showing his feeling of superiority to these plebians.


Brutus himself is the only noble that shows respect for his lower class countrymen, considering what is best for them and trying to honestly explain his motives.  However, his assumption that he does know what is best further underscores that sense of superiority that the other nobles show.

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