Julius Caesar
What superstitions of the Romans does Shakespeare allude to in the play?
Superstitions were used by the Roman government to control the populace.
Superstitions were used by the Roman government to control the populace.
Superstition seems to play a role in the basic daily life of most Roman citizens. For instance, the setting of the first scene is based upon superstition, the Feast of Lupercal. This feast is in honor of the god Pan, the queen of fertility. During this time, infertile females are supposed to be able to procreate.... Other scenes depict how throughout Rome, roaming the streets
are mysterious sooth-sayers, who are supposedly given the power to predict
the future.Aside from the sooth-sayer's warning, we also see another sign
during Caesar's visit with the Augerers, the latter day "psychics". They
find "No heart in the beast", which they interpret as advice to Caesar that
he should remain at home. Ceasar brushes it off and thinks of it as a
rebuke from the gods, meaning that he is a coward if he does not go out,
and so he dismisses the wise advice as hearsay. Please see source-link below for this excerpt.