“The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Pride Quotes Stand and deliver each of the following passages using the tone implied in the explanation below. Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition. Such men as he be never at heart’s ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, And therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell thee what is to be fear’d Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar. (1.2.208) Caesar is unashamed of his arrogance. He doesn’t see his condescension as arrogance; instead it’s a quality he has earned by proving to be a powerful man. CASCA But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the part of men to fear and tremble, When the most mighty gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. (1.3.53) Casca has fear before the gods, while Cassius interprets heavenly interference as a signal that his traitorous enterprise will go well. Cassius is arrogant in his interpretation that the gods are on his side, while Casca displays humility. CAESAR Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten’d me Ne’er look’d but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished. (2.2.10) Caesar is shockingly cocky. Even if he just talks a good game, it is hard to be sympathetic towards him. ARTEMIDORUS O Caesar, read mine first, for mine’s a suit That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar. CAESAR What touches us ourself shall be last served. (3.1.6) This seems a poor choice of time for Caesar to be self-sacrificing. Then again, we’ve only seen Caesar be really arrogant when he’s being challenged. What evidence do we have to think that Caesar would put his own affairs above the affairs of the state? CASSIUS Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown! BRUTUS How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey’s basis lies along No worthier than the dust! CASSIUS So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call’d The men that gave their country liberty. (3.1.111) The conspirators believe they’ll go down in history for their act, yet they arrogantly (or naively) assume they will be remembered as heroes, not traitors. The glory of being preserved by history is enough of a lure that it’s what they dwell on after the murder, second only to having liberated Rome. ANTONY Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honorable. What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it. They are wise and honorable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts. I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend, and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him. For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men’s blood. I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me. (3.2.2210) False humility is often worse than arrogance. Antony sets himself up as an ignoble and untrustworthy character. OCTAVIUS You may do your will, But he’s a tried and valiant soldier. ANTONY So is my horse, Octavius, and for that I do appoint him store of provender. It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on, His corporal motion govern’d by my spirit. (4.1.28) Antony is shamelessly arrogant when speaking of Lepidus. Antony displays the same trait Caesar’s had: thinking he’s naturally above others, giving him freedom to do and say whatever he wants. Antony doesn’t see his own prideful arrogance. Perhaps he doesn’t see it as arrogance, but honesty. Still, whatever bad stuff you can say about Caesar, he’s been pretty remarkable; and he has earned some degree of cockiness. Antony, a little party-hearty fellow, arguably has a lot more to prove. CASSIUS I did not think you could have been so angry. BRUTUS O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. CASSIUS Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils. BRUTUS No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. (4.3.143) Brutus exercises another type of humility here – the humility of stoicism, realizing that life is a burden that each man bears. He might as well bear it nobly, instead of getting worked up over every little accident, like when his wife dies, or that one time he murdered his best friend. http://www.shmoop.com/julius-caesar/pride-quotes.html “
Leave a Reply