There are two types of techniques an author uses in writings. One type is indirect characterization; this is when the author clues you in on the personality of a character. The other type is direct characterization. Direct characterization is when the author directly states what the personality of a character is. In the literary piece Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare uses indirect characterization to develop the character of Caesar. Shakespeare reveals to the reader that Caesar is superstitious, physically weak, and egotistical.
Shakespeare develops Caesar as a superstitious character is during the Feast of Lupercal. He is superstitious during the Feast of Lupercal, because he tells Mark Anthony to touch Calpurnia when he runs in the holy chase. This makes him superstitious, because Calpurnia has never had a child. The elders in the drama say that if someone touches a female who is sterile, it will break the sterile curse.
Shakespeare uses indirect characterization to reveal to the reader that Caesar is physically weak. The way Shakespeare shows that Caesar is physically weak is when Cassius is talking about the race that Caesar and Cassius had in the Tiber River. Caesar was caught in the tide, and he is asking Cassius for help. Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink.” Caesar was also physically weak, because he had epilepsy. Epilepsy is a falling disease.
Through indirect characterization, Shakespeare shows that Caesar is egotistical. Egotistical is to be self centered, and conceited. When Caesar ignores the soothsayers warning of “Beware of the Ides of March.” Caesar is being egotistical, because he thinks that nothing will happen to him on the ides of March. Caesar was also egotistical when he said he was like the North Star. Caesar is saying he is high above all people like the North Star is from the Earth.
Through indirect characterization, Shakespeare has shown the reader how Caesar is a superstitious, physically weak, and egotistical. The character of Caesar is an important one to develop, because of the name of the drama, Julius Caesar.
