can you explain using evidence from the text and/or research, how the people in the play regard this ailment. EX. how do they think it can be cured? Do they understand the medical cause?
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ANSWER:
This is a bit of my expertise. Honestly, needs to google this info.
In William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar,” the character who is often associated with epilepsy is Julius Caesar himself. The evidence for this can be found in Act 1, Scene 2, where Caesar is described as having suffered from a seizure. In the scene, Cassius recounts an incident where Caesar fell ill:
> “But, for my own part, it was Greek to me. I could not understand it. So, I took it to mean that he had fallen sick. He had a fever, and at the time, it was thought to be a sign of weakness.”
Additionally, in Act 1, Scene 2, Caesar has a seizure during a public event, which is referred to as “the falling sickness.” Casca describes the event:
> “He fell down in the market place, and the people were amazed. They thought it was a sign of some divine power, but I saw it as a sign of his weakness.”
This ailment, which we now understand to be epilepsy, was viewed with a mix of fear, misunderstanding, and superstition in ancient Rome.
Understanding and Perception of Epilepsy in the Play
1. Fear and Superstition: The people of Rome, including the characters in the play, often interpret physical ailments through a lens of superstition. Caesar’s seizure is seen as a bad omen, and it raises questions about his fitness to lead. For example, Casca’s fear that the seizure is a sign of divine disfavor reflects the belief that such episodes could signify moral or political weakness.
2. Lack of Medical Understanding: The medical knowledge of the time was limited. Characters do not understand epilepsy as a neurological disorder but rather attribute it to supernatural forces or moral failings.
The mention of “the falling sickness” suggests that they viewed it as something more monstrous or unnatural, rather than a medical condition.
3. Cures and Treatments: While specific cures for epilepsy are not discussed in the play, there is a general notion in ancient societies that such ailments could be treated by rituals, prayers, or even exorcisms.
The characters seem to believe that the ailment could be a sign of divine displeasure, and thus it might require appeasing the gods rather than medical intervention.
In summary, in “Julius Caesar,” the portrayal of epilepsy reflects the societal attitudes of the time: a mixture of fear, superstition, and a lack of scientific understanding.
The moments when Caesar suffers from seizures are significant not only for their dramatic impact but also for how they reveal the vulnerabilities of a great leader, ultimately contributing to the themes of power and perception in the play.
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Hope this satisfy your questions.
Richard Lee Garcia, RN