Thursday, July 2, 2015

What are some examples of the motif of sickness? I need at least three.

Certainly, the sickness of Julius Caesar provides one of
the arguments for Cassius in what is known as "the seduction scene" of Act I in which
Cassius persuades Brutus to join him and the other conspirators.  As Casca describes
what has happened on the day of Caesar's return to Rome after having defeated Pompey and
his sons.  Casca tells Brutus that Marc Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, but
thrice he refused it; however, when the crowd cheered they "uttered such a deal of
stinking breath"  that it nearly choked Caesar.  And, then, Caesar "swounded and fell
down at it."   When Caesar comes to himself, he tells the others that his fall has been
caused by his "infirmity." For,  apparently, Caesar has
epilepsy.(1.2)


Further, in Act II as Portia awakens in the
dawn and realizes that Brutus has been in his orchard all night, she concernedly asks
him,



: Is
Brutus sick, and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humors

Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
And will he steal out
of his wholesome bed
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And
tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus,

You have some sick offense within your mind,
(2.1.272-279) 



Here Portia
refers to a psychological sickness, rather than physical; she knows that Brutus has been
talking with the conspirators and asks Brutus what has transpired between him and the
others, telling him she is strong and can bear whatever he tells her.  However, just as
Brutus begins to tell Portia Lucius and Ligarius enter and speak to Brutus.  Ligarius is
ill, but he has such respect for Brutus that he comes to his house, anyway.  Lucius says
to Brutus, "Here is a sick man that would speak with you," and Brutus
exclaims,



LIGARIUS: I am not
sick, if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honor.(330)

BRUTUS: Such an exploit have I in hand,
Ligarius,
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it.

Ligarius
tells Brutus that he will be well now because he is so inspired by Brutus's plan to rid
Rome of a tyrant.


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By all the gods that Romans bow before,

I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!
Brave son, derived from
honorable loins!(335) Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
My mortified
spirit. Now bid me run,
And I will strive with things impossible,

Yea, get the better of them. What's to
do?



In these scenes, the
motif of sickness is connected to Julius Caesar.

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