Julius Caesar: The Use Of Suspense :: essays research papers

Julius Caesar The Use of Suspense     Suspense can be defined as the uncertainties the reader feels about what entrust happen next in a story, or in this case, a sportsman. William Shakespeareincorporated in Julius Caesar three very suspenseful events on which the wholeplay depends.     The first suspenseful event of this play occurs when the conspiratorsjoin and discuss their reasons for assassination. Cassius feels that he isequal to Caesar, if not even better that him. Shakespeare builds suspense byusing this line of reasoning made by Cassius "I was born free as Caesar/we both havefed as well, and we can both / endure the winters cold as well as he." Thencassius tries to persuade Brutes to join in on the conspiracy by telling himthat it would be honorable to assassinate Caesar. Cassius tells Brutes that thefate of capital of Italy is in trouble with Caesar in power, which helps build suspenseearly in the play. To convince Brutes c onclusively, cassius forged letters andthrew them into Brutuss window where he was sure to find them. Shakespearewrote this bidding "we will awake him and be sure of him. This is a verypowerful statement that builds suspense because the reader most likely feelsthat Brutes will join in and want to assassinate Caesar, yet the reader isuncertain as to whether or not the plan will work. These events are verysuspenseful as they terzetto up to the assassination of Caesar.     The next series of suspenseful events that foreshadow Caesarsassassination happen on a very unusual night. One night earlier Caesars deaththere were many strange occurrences the foreshadows darkness in the future. Alioness gave birth in the streets, the dead rose from their graves, fieryworriers fought in the clouds so ferociously that blood drizzled upon the capitol,horses neighed, dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed along thestreets all events of this strange night that Sh akespeare makes so suspenseful.Also on this unusual nigh, Calpurnia had a very excite dream that was verysuspenseful. The dream was of Caesars statue emitting blood and many Romanswere bathing in it. When the reader reads this he is "on the edge of his seat"finding that he cannot arrest to find out what this dream foreshadows. Calpurniawas so frightened by these strange occurrences that she begged Caesar not toleave the house. Shakespeare created suspense by having Caesar speak thesewords "and these does she apply for warnings and portents / and evils imminent,and on her knee / hath begged that I will stay at home today.