Blood Imagery in Shakespear’s, “Julius Caesar”

“Thematic patterns of fire and blood, with their vivid imagery, are among the most immediately noticeable in the play.” (McMurty, 67) In Julius Caesar, the image of blood introduces the idea of violence into the readers mind. The fluidly creates a sinister mood, contributes to characterization, foreshadows, and reinforces the theme of politics. This sinister mood is almost always means of foreshadowing. Blood appears in two forms in the play. Blood in the body, and blood outside of the body. When blood is out of its normal confine, it symbolizes political disturbance.

Blood as seen inside the body, or controlled blood, appears in a seemingly peaceful, practical aspect. Blood is not always used to convey violence. It may keep to its proper place and traverse through ones veins. Brutus is one to speak of blood in this tense. Brutus speaks:

“every drop of blood

That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,

Is guilty of a several bastardy” (II.i.136-138)

Similarly, Brutus while confirming his own love for Portia, dreams of his own blood coursing in an orderly, yet gloomy matter, flowing through his veins.

“You are my true and honorable wife,

As dear to me as are the ruddy drops

That visit my sad heart.” (288-290)

Before Caesar is murdered, he uses blood in an ordinary sense of safe circulation.

While being begged by the conspirators to repeal the banishment of Metellus
Cimber’s brother, Caesar speaks:

“I must prevent the, Cimber.

These couchings and these lowly courtesies

Might fire and the blood of ordinary men…

…Be not fond

To think Caesar bears such rebel blood.” (III.i.35-40)

In all of these above quotations, blood is used for means of characterization. Shakespeare has Brutus speak of the citizens of Rome while trying to convince the conspirators that they need not sign an oath. He defines the character of Brutus revealing his non-stoic side. Shakespeare loved to characterize the people of Rome with blood.

“And men are flesh, and blood, and apprehensive.” (III.i.67)

During the famous argument between Cassius and Brutus, Cassius uses blood to describe Brutus’ mood.

“To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus

When grief and blood ill-tempered vexeth him?”

Politics play a key role in the use of controlled blood. Usually when the people of Rome are being spoken about (when blood is in context) someone is trying to sway another opinion in their favor.

Blood’s second form in the play is a less ordinary, more dangerous, and uncontained state. This is the more usual function of blood in the play. The words “blood” or “bloody” occur thirty six times in the play, almost one hundred percent of the time, referring to violence. The state of blood not only affects humans, but inanimate objects also. Blood runs from Caesars statue in Calpurnia’s dream.

“She dreamt tonight she was my statue,

Which, like a fountain with a hundred spouts,

Did run pure blood…” (II.ii.76-79)

This dream is a major means of foreshadowing. Yet, Caesar, a usually superstitious man, is only momentarily swayed from his trip to the senate. Brutus makes his first fatal mistake when choosing not to kill Mark Antony. He thinks that if the conspirators do murder another person, their cause will seem too bloody.

“Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,

To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,” (II.ii.162-163)

It is this flawed political decision that is arguably the cause of the fall of the conspirators. Uncontrolled blood is again talked about regarding politics when Calpurnia talks about the storm that just occurred.

“Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds…

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol.” (II.ii.21)

This type of blood is also used for characterization. Brutus describes himself and Cassius to Antony:

“Though now we must appear bloody and cruel.” (III.i.165)

After Brutus and the other conspirators kill Caesar, they dip their hand in Caesar’s blood (III.i.106) This is done to show the audience that they sacrificed Caesar, rather than murdered him.

The two types of blood are used as political symbols, means of foreshadowing, and grounds for dazzling characterization. The use of blood shows us different angles of the characters, occasionally creating a gruesome mood of impending doom and catastrophe. Politics are enhanced through this heavy use of blood. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare purposely uses two types of blood imagery to sharpen the language used in the