Post by KevinW on Feb 21, 2013 4:59:57 GMT -5
Ms. Boyd in our class mentioned this as a very important question that will almost certainly be on our next test. So I decided to write up my analysis of the relationship between Calpurnia and Caesar and Brutus and Portia, as well as the differences between them.
It isn't complete, however.. I have nothing for the similarities between the two couples, and there are definitely different views you could take on either of them.
Anyway, here's my two cents. They're broken down into smaller pieces. The 1as and [b1b[/b]s and is are my reasons for believing it. The smaller/deeper you go down, the more detailed the analysis gets, so read 1, 2, 3, and 4 (without the 1a and 4a and stuff) for just the conclusions.
1. Portia and Brutus have a more equal relationship than Calpurnia and Caesar.
1b. Portia does not plead; she demands.
1c. Because Brutus puts honor above all (see 1a), he does not have deceptive or selfish personas. This makes his private and public selves pretty much the same: in both, he will do as he believes, and only bends to just peer pressure (i.e. he is only willing to do something if he thinks it noble or right).[/blockquote]
2. Women of ancient Rome were considered weaker than men.
3. Caesar's private and public self is closely related.
4. Portia is a much more assertive woman than Calpurnia. If Portia had married Caesar, Caesar would’ve beaten her into submission.
So how are the couples similar? What do you think about the two?
I hope this helps.
EDIT:
But to 4a.
I don't think Caesar considered Calpurnia as "annoying". He temporarily agreed with his wife to stay home because Caesar also senses the dangers in private self (inner side). It's just that Caesar doesn't express it since he's a jerk and doesn't want to admit that his wife is more right than him. Anyways, when Decius comes by, Caesar has to be the "public" Caesar who is not supposed to fear anything. So Caesar has to switch back and forth between the public and the private image. I think Brutus and Portia have more equal relationship indeed. But I don't think Caesar considers Calpurnia's opinion as trivial.
You know what, I think you're right. 2.27.2013 Edited.
It isn't complete, however.. I have nothing for the similarities between the two couples, and there are definitely different views you could take on either of them.
Anyway, here's my two cents. They're broken down into smaller pieces. The 1as and [b1b[/b]s and is are my reasons for believing it. The smaller/deeper you go down, the more detailed the analysis gets, so read 1, 2, 3, and 4 (without the 1a and 4a and stuff) for just the conclusions.
1. Portia and Brutus have a more equal relationship than Calpurnia and Caesar.
1a. Brutus likely did[/b] intend to tell Portia his secret, since:
i. Brutus has acted honorably throughout the play so far
ii. Deceiving or lying to his wife would not be honorable
iii. If Brutus did not want to tell Portia, the honorable thing to do would be to tell the truth.
iv. Telling the truth does not have very dangerous consequences.
v. Brutus's "subconscious" evil was never explicitly or implicitly identified.
1b. Portia does not plead; she demands.
1c. Because Brutus puts honor above all (see 1a), he does not have deceptive or selfish personas. This makes his private and public selves pretty much the same: in both, he will do as he believes, and only bends to just peer pressure (i.e. he is only willing to do something if he thinks it noble or right).[/blockquote]
2. Women of ancient Rome were considered weaker than men.
2a. Women of ancient Rome were also unable to deal with serious business as men.
(Women could not vote and could not hold political office at that time)
3. Caesar's private and public self is closely related.
4. Portia is a much more assertive woman than Calpurnia. If Portia had married Caesar, Caesar would’ve beaten her into submission.
4a. Calpurnia begged Caesar to not go, and when Caesar temporarily agreed, it was to placate his “annoying” wife. This gives a very strong message: Men > Women, since women have to beg for things and men only agree to what women say because women are annoying, like fruit flies.(See Bottom)
4b. Portia demanded Brutus tell her the truth, like a lawyer making a case. When Brutus agreed, it was because he was convinced by her and believed it the right thing to do. This sends the message of a more equal relationship, one where the women = men and whoever gives the better reason wins the argument.
So how are the couples similar? What do you think about the two?
I hope this helps.
EDIT:
I agree with your points.
But to 4a.
I don't think Caesar considered Calpurnia as "annoying". He temporarily agreed with his wife to stay home because Caesar also senses the dangers in private self (inner side). It's just that Caesar doesn't express it since he's a jerk and doesn't want to admit that his wife is more right than him. Anyways, when Decius comes by, Caesar has to be the "public" Caesar who is not supposed to fear anything. So Caesar has to switch back and forth between the public and the private image. I think Brutus and Portia have more equal relationship indeed. But I don't think Caesar considers Calpurnia's opinion as trivial.
You know what, I think you're right. 2.27.2013 Edited.