William Shakespeare s Julius Caesar - 1126 Words

Every character in Julius Caesar serves a purpose. While some characters are not featured heavily in the main plot, they serve as a means by which the author can illuminate aspects of the main characters, which are important to the plot development and overall depth of the story. Some of the more prominent characters that do this are Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife; Portia, Brutus’ wife; and Lucius, Brutus’ young servant. Lucius highlights Brutus’ affectionate side, Portia illuminates the issues growing in Brutus’ personal life and Calpurnia brings out Caesar’s pride. In the overall plot of Julius Caesar, Lucius plays a relatively minor roll. His main purpose is to reveal a gentler side to Brutus’ character. The reader only encounters Lucius†¦show more content†¦The term ‘knave’ is another word for ‘lad’, a form of endearment, like a father would call his son. By saying that the boy is ‘o’erwatch’d’, Brutus is putting any error on Lucius’ part down to the fact that the boy has become wearied through being kept awake for too long. From the glimpses of conversation the reader catches between Lucius and Brutus it is apparent that Brutus cares for and has a familiar relationship with the young servant boy. Therefore, Shakespeare’s use of this relationship brings out a less guarded, much gentler side to Brutus in comparison to what has already been seen of him. It can be noted that Lucius and Portia serve similar purposed in regards to emphasizing the human dimensions o f Brutus. Azad 2 Portia, Brutus’ noble wife, is included in the play to reveal Brutus’ doubts about the honorability of the conspiracy and to also expose the true toll it is taking on his life at home. The reader only hears Portia speak in Act 2 of Julius Caesar; this is after the Cassius and the other conspirators have left Brutus’ home. She asks Brutus to confide in her about what is causing him to act in such a strange manor. The way Portia describes Brutus’ behavior such as when he ‘urgently stole from her bed’ (2.1.237-238) and when at supper he had ‘suddenly arose and walk’d about, musing and sighing, with his arms across’ (2.1.239-240), show that he has been acting unusually unsettled. These tendencies indicate that