20150226

Julius Caesar: Week of 2/23

Playlist for Julius Caesar
Read: Act 2-Scene 1-Rome to Act 3- Scene 2- The Forum
🍀Spoilers🍀

My reading of Julius Caesar continues to be a complicated and tedious one. Despite this, I have been able to take what I do understand, or help my understanding by connecting certain sections to song lyrics. Personally, I feel that this is a great way in which a person can further understand a piece of literature. I feel that this a great method, especially when it comes to William Shakespeare. Due to this I have decided that for this week's blog, I would make a soundtrack to Julius Caesar.

1. "King For A Day" by Pierce the Veil

You told me to think about it, well I did 
Now I don't want to feel a thing anymore
I'm tired of begging for the things that I want
I'm over sleeping like a dog on the floor

King For A Day is a song that best exemplifies the first act of the play. As seen in both the song and the book it is apparent that both characters seem to have a problem with the leadership they are placed under. In the music video and in the book, a plot is made against the "leaders" in order to get back at them or to receive what is truly theirs, as seen by the actions of Brutus and Cassius.

2. "Not Afraid" by Eminem

"I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just lettin' you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road
"And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, Imma face my demons
I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now"

The rap song "Not Afraid" by Eminem encompasses the idea in which Brutus prepares himself to murder Julius Caesar. Throughout the second act we see the struggle in which Marcus Brutus does not know what step to take in regards to hurting Caesar. We see previous to the ides of March, the day in which Caesar dies, Brutus finds himself torn in confusion and lost in what to do. Once he is finally able to make a conclusion, he decides that what is correct is to stand up to the man who he believed to be the end of Rome.

3. "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry
 
"I wish I knew then
What I know now
Wouldn't dive in
Wouldn't bow down
Gravity hurts
You made it so sweet
'Til I woke up on
On the concrete"

& "I'm wide awake
Thunder rumbling
Castles crumbling
I'm wide awake
I am trying to hold on
I'm wide awake

The song Wide Awake, in my opinion, describes the feelings that Caesar felt moments before his death. When reading Act 3, Scene 1, it is plain to see that in several ways Caesar is surprised to find Brutus, a person in which he confided to be part of his death. As Caesar states, *"Et tu Brute? -- Then fall, Caesar." Julius before his death experiences a deception led by those in which he believed he could confide in. Julius Caesar, in the end, was able to open his eyes and realize the falseness that was the  politicians he was surrounded by.


*Today's English: And you to Brutus? In that case, die, Caesar.





3 comments:

  1. These are some great song choices. At first I saw that you put "King For A Day" and was like 'wat' but it turns out the song is a great choice! It's always interesting to see which songs people choose for their modern books but an old play with modern music!? Outstanding blog, home chica! :+)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm proud of you plowing through Julius Caesar! Also, great interpretations with the song lyrics.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, I wouldn't think the Julius Caesar could connect the songs you choose, but you did a great job connecting them. I like how you interpreted the quote so the reader could understand. By the way, love the first song.

    ReplyDelete