Noble Women - Julius Caesar

Noble Women

         Throughout Roman history, marriages often lacked equality as both men and women followed their traditional expected role. Women were caregivers and keepers of the house, while men viewed themselves and more dominant and superior to their wives. As the playwright of “Julius Caesar,” William Shakespeare perfectly portrays the common struggles and challenges that come with relationships such as these. Shakespeare composes a subsiding storyline between two contrasting relationships where one follows the traditional ideas of a marriage, Caesar and Calpurnia, while the other does not, Brudus and Portia. From scene to scene, Shakespeare makes it clear to the viewer that although both wives are noble women, their relationships with their husbands is what sets them apart from one another.

        Caesar and Calpurnia share a typical Roman marriage where the man is in charge. Caesar does not view Calpurnia as his equal, and often talks down on her will. For example, in scene two, Calpurnia tells Caesar of her troubling dream as she expresses her concern for her husband’s safety. As a result, Caesar agrees with Calpurnia’s wish for him to stay home; however, Decius later persuades him to be in presence at the capital. In addition, Calpurnia allows Caesar to treat her this way as she acts as though he owns her. This makes Calpurnia a lesser woman in comparison to Portia.