Srayosi Monir & Zarya Shaikh
Discussion Questions
1. How and why had Romans construed and believed in mystic legends?
2. What type of omen elicited more of an emotional response than physical response from Romans?
3. Are there more bad omens than good omens present in your life?
Bibliography
"Omens and Superstitions." Omens and Superstitions. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.roman-empire.net/religion/superstitions.html>.
The Role of Omens
- foreshadow events to come
- reflect the state of Roman politics
- a slave's hand was consumed by fire, but not at all burned the nexton
- the Capitol's lion was set loose in the city
- highlight Caesar's refusal to accept advice and accept his fragility
- on the eve of battle, Caesar's ghost appeared to Brutus
Initial Romans . . .
Commonplace Superstitions
- adopted ideas (the Greek alphabet) from the Etruscans, the first literate people in the Italic peninsula
- fabricated to explain relationships between Roman gods and men
- developed omens by predicting the future through examination of sacrificial animal entrails
- nasty creatures consuming naughty children
- form-changing women/donkey-legged women
- ghastly monsters in stormy seas
- half man/half beast creatures
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Preceding Romans . . .
In Act 1, protagonist Julius Caesar arranges for Antony to poke his barren wife Calphurnia because he believes the touch may cure his wife of her sterility, which results in her inability to have children.
Though Caesar strongly emphasizes his superstitious beliefs, Caesar ignores them when he fails to follow the Soothsayer's advice to beware the ides of March, the day that would determine his faith.
- wore amulets and lucky charms to ward off bad omens
- meticulously planned events to prevent an overshadowing bad omen
- construed the notion of numina, a spiritual nature in animals and furniture
Roman Dreams, Omens, and Superstitions