Omen+Period+4

**Aim~ Sophia Phillips**
 Omens are used in the play, //Julius Caesar//, in order to foreshadow tragic future events, engage the audience, and help bring out the true nature of the main characters. //Julius Caesar// has “universal themes of… fate [which] continue to strike chords in the heart’s of audiences” (“//Julius Caesar//: About the Play”). Omens in the play tell the audience what is going to happen while the characters remain unknowing, which leaves them desperate to find out how the plot unravels. In addition, //Julius Caesar// contains a “complex plot with profound psychological insights into people” (Corbett). The “complex plot” is caused by the precursors that are evident in the play and how the characters react to them. There are multiple omens throughout the storyline, suggesting that Caesar should not go to the Senate on the Ides of March, however, he disregards the signs. This reveals “profound psychological insight into people” as the audience learns of Caesar’s arrogance and obliviousness, which is essential to understand the actions of the other characters and why he is eventually killed. Therefore, the purpose of omens in //Julius Caesar// is to hint at occurrences later in the play to keep the audience “at the edge of their seat” and to show who the characters really are. WORKS CITED Corbett, Bob. "//Julius Caesar//." //Webster//.//edu//, 2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. "//Julius Caesar:// About the Play." //Bard//, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.

Omens ~Audience~ Alexis Roether
In the play, //Julius Caesar//, the audience is evidently the people in that certain time frame that William Shakespeare wrote the play. The play was written in 1599 and during that time frame people were thriving off of new shows being done. "In the Elizebethan era there was a huge demand for new entertainment and Julius Caesar would have been produced immediately following the completion of the play" ("Julius Caesar the play by William Shakespeare"). This quote shows that the intended audience of the show would basically love any kind of new and unique story. William Shakespeare did the honor of doing that by incorporating omens into the show. This was a new type of foreshadowing to the audiences at that time period. "The reason is that the characters do not want to interpret what it had to say. Everything, small or large, could have been misinterpreted into something good or bad" ("Omens and Supernatural in the Julius Caesar play").

Works Cited:

"Julius Caesar the play by William Shakespeare." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. .

"Omens and Supernatural in the Julius Caesar play." Omens and Supernatural in the Julius Caesar play. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012 .

Historical- Jenna Gossen

Omens, have had a major impact over human lifestyle for many centuries. The earliest evidence of Omens was found on an old tablet of Babylonian and Assyrian priests, "By means of omen tablets the Babylonian and Assyrian priests from time immemorial predicted events which they believed would happen in the near or in the remote future. They deduced these omens from the appearance and actions of animals, birds, fish, and reptiles; from the appearance of the entrails of sacrificial victims; from the appearance and condition of human and animal offspring at birth; from the state and condition of various members of the human body."(H. Nineveh). In general omens reflect the society around them such as Shakespeare play ‘Julius Caesar’ uses the omens of Roman rule to signify the time period and relate back to the actual time of Julius Caesar. Such as the sight of Eagles a good omen, sign of the Roman god Jupiter, or dreams "One man dreamed of the citizens of Rome bathing in the blood of Julius Caesar"(Williams) predicting the murder of Caesar. Omens have adapted to society many common omens are crows, black cats, broken mirrors, spilling salt, etc.. It is second nature to have negative on positive connotations with Omens which have completely altered the human mindset. For example, whenever salt is knocked over it is a habit for most to through a pinch of the spilled salt over their left shoulder. Another quirk created by Omens would be saying ‘Bless you’ after someone sneezes, it was originally believed to be a good omen to sneeze it meant that the body was riding of evil spirits among other things. Omens effect mannerisms as well, such as not walking under ladders, avoiding cracks and black cats. Throughout history Omens have altered the perception of the world and effected many decisions of those following these beliefs.

Work Citied - ‘Omens’ Eric Williams, Julius Caesar Themes, Web. 21 October 2012 

-‘Omens and Meanings’ Omens and Meanings Web. 21 October 2012< [|ww.readingtealeaves.info/omens_meanings__]>   Cultural- Abby Gritis   Omens, or as more popularly known as signs, are a part of everyday life. “A study finds that 7- to 9-year-old children that have an idea/concept of a supernatural force are more likely to allow a "sign" to influence their behavior” (Sarkis 1). Children and adults alike can be brought up to believe something even if said belief is not really backed up by any facts. Some popular omens of today are black cats, cracks in the sidewalk, broken mirrors, or even just a certain item that is personal to that person.Another example of an omen would be "If you feel a chill up your spine, someone is walking on your future grave" (Superstitions 1). Omens in today’s culture may be negative or positive depending on the omen and that person’s personal belief. Bad luck is closely associated with omens; many people believe that when an omen is seen there is going to be a period of bad luck. There are also positive omens as well, such as seeing an animal or a picture after someone has passed away as almost a sign that things will be okay. Over all, even though the term ‘omen’ is used sparsely in today’s world, there are still many sign and traditions of sorts that people mold their life around. Works cited:

Sarkis, Stephanie. "Here, There, and Everywhere." //Signs and Omens: Are They For Real? // N.p., 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

"Superstitions, Omens, & Myths." //Superstitions, Omens, and Myths //. Halloween Web, 2003. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

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