Discussion About the Consequences of Pride
“A proud man is always looking down on people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you” - C.S. Lewis. Pride is defined as a feeling of satisfaction or pleasure with one’s accomplishments. Although it could be used in a good sense, an overbearing amount leads to arrogance and ignorance. This is shown in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar demonstrates how one can be blinded by an immense amount of pride.
As Calpurnia recounts a nightmare, Caesar scoffs in disbelief. Despite her bloody and gruesome description, Caesar claims that it does not apply to him. He asserts, “What can be avoided/ Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?/ Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions/ Are to the world in general as to Caesar”. Caesar’s confidence prevents him from correctly interpreting Calpurnia’s dream; as a result, he ignores the major details which distinctly indicate his downfall. An effort to understand the dream could have hindered Caesar’s assassination. Then, both Calpurnia and their servant attempt to apprise Caesar about going to the Capitol. Caesar replies, “Danger knows full well? That Caesar is more dangerous than he./ We are two lions litter’d in one day,/ And I the elder and more terrible./ And Caesar shall go forth”. Caesar’s justification for disregarding Calpurnia and the servant is that is more dangerous than danger himself. He avoids both and continues on the path that will lead him to his defeat.
Later on, Caesar ignores both a soothsayer and Artemidorus’ warnings about their appalling predictions. The soothsayer reminds Caesar that the Ides of March have not passed: “The ides of March are come./ Ay Caesar, but not gone”. Soothsayers and superstition held great importance in Ancient Rome; and yet, Caesar continues to believe that he is above these beliefs. Then, when Artemidorus ceaselessly attempts to apprise Caesar about the conspirators, Caesar refuses: “Read it, great Caesar./ What touches us ourself shall be last served./ Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly./ What is the fellow mad?”. Caesar scoffs at Artemidorus and calls him mad. His self-confidence is what prevents him from reading the letter that informs of the conspirators. His pride hinders him from identifying signs portending his death.
Caesar’s inflexibility and refusal to reason further angers the senators. After banishing Metellus’ brother, he claims no one can change his mind: “If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him/ I spurn thee like a cur out of my way./ Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause/ Will he be satisfied” . He refers to Metellus’ brother as a dog and refuses to reason. Caesare justifies this by claiming he is always correct. He then compares himself to the North Star: “If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;/ but I am constant as the northern star,/ Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality/ There is no fellow in the firmament”. He uses this simile to assert that he has no equal and no superior. Caesar is unaware that this domineering mindset is only further angering the conspirators.
Caesar is an accurate representation of how pride left uncontrolled interferes with one’s ability to reason; for this reason, one becomes arrogant and ignorant. Caesar repeatedly believes that he is above all beliefs or superstitions and is incognizant of the conspirators and their plan.
