The Use of Suspense in Julius Caesar :: Julius Caesar Essays

The Use of Suspense in Julius Caesar         Suspense can be defined as the uncertainties the reader feels about what will happen next in a story, or in this case, a play.  William Shakespeare incorporated in Julius Caesar three in truth distrustful events on which the whole play depends.         The first suspenseful event of this play occurs when the conspirators join and discuss their reasons for assassination.  Cassius feels that he is equal to Caesar, if not even better that him.  Shakespeare builds suspense by using this statement made by Cassius  I was born free as Caesar.../we some(prenominal) have fed as well, and we can both / endure the winters cold as well as he.  Then cassius tries to persuade Brutes to join in on the conspiracy by telling him that it would be well(p) to assassinate Caesar.  Cassius tells Brutes that the fate of Rome is in trouble with Caesar in power, which helps buil d suspense early in the play.  To convince Brutes conclusively, cassius forged letters and threw them into Brutuss window where he was sure to find them.  Shakespeare wrote this statement  we will awake him and be sure of him. This is a very powerful statement that builds suspense because the reader most belike feels that Brutes will join in and want to assassinate Caesar, yet the reader is uncertain as to whether or not the plan will work.  These events are very suspenseful as they lead up to the assassination of Caesar.         The next series of suspenseful events that foreshadow Caesars assassination happen on a very different night.  One night before Caesars death there were many strange occurrences the foreshadows darkness in the future.  A lioness gave birth in the streets, the dead rose from their graves, violent worriers fought in the clouds so fiercely that blood drizzled upon the capitol, horses neighed, dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed along the streets all events of this strange night that Shakespeare makes so suspenseful. Also on this unusual nigh, Calpurnia had a very frightening dream that was very suspenseful.  The dream was of Caesars statue emitting blood and many Romans were bathing in it.  When the reader reads this he is on the edge of his fanny