In today’s society, people often create a figure of themselves, making them act like someone they are not. They do this by creating a public face, which is used in front of other people, and a private one, which shows the person's true desires and intentions. This duality is necessary to please others around them, while still pleasing themselves. William Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, had the conspirators, and Julius Caesar himself construct public and private faces in front of one another, and Rome. The characters use these faces to deceive one another to please themselves, and one another, covering up their true intentions. The play begins with Julius Caesar, the soon to be leader, swaying the crowd with his roaring personality and invulnerability. When the soothsayer exclaims …show more content…
“Ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by, mine honest neighbors shouted.”(1.2.239-241) Casca exposes Caesar's private face as he tells Brutus and Cassius that although he denied the crown three times, it was obvious that he was doing it rather to sway the crowd than for himself. He did this to try and show that he was not greedy for power and did not care to be leader of Rome. However, the idea that each time was harder for him to give up his desire to be leader, uncovered his “private face”, and his true intentions. Caesar creates this bold and courageous reputation for himself in front of the Romans, which he continues to build on, eventually leading him to his death. One night, Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, is awoken after having a nightmare about his death. She vividly goes into detailing persuading Caesar to stay home, for she fears if he goes out he may die. “Mark Antony shall say I am not well,/And for thy humor I will stay at home.” (2.2.59-60) He comforts his wife by deciding he will stay home, for his own well-being. Soon after he makes up his mind about staying home,