Literary Devices Present in Julius Caesar

Allegory
An allegory is a narrative that holds more than just its literal, surface meaning - it
holds a metaphorical, hidden meaning as well. Allegories can be utilized through
characters or events, for example. In the case of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, an
allegory can be seen in the strange weather events that occur in Act I scene iii.
The night before Caesars assassination, thunder and lightning roar as a storm
occupies the sky. While the characters think that the storm is the gods reaffirming
their actions, it is in fact a metaphorical omen warning that death destruction is
soon to follow. At the end of the play, all the conspirators present during this
stormy night end up killed.
Allusion
An allusion is a direct or indirect reference to a person, place, event, or character
in history, mythology, or sacred texts. An argument can be made that
Shakespeares entire play is an allusion, as it is based off and references real
Romans. However, in the text some specific allusions can be found that reference
mythology. In Act I scene ii, Cassius says, Ay, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, did
from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder the old Anchises bear He is
referencing Aeneas, the Trojan hero who is associated with the founding of Rome.
Aeneas was well known in Greco-Roman mythology, and is the protagonist in the
Aeneid.
Figure of Speech
A figure of speech is an nonliteral expression used to portray a metaphorical
meaning. Such examples can be simile, metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, etc. In

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, a metaphor can be found in Act III scene i during
Mark Antonys speech to the crowd, gathered to mourn Caesar. He proclaims,
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bayed, brave hart; here didst thou fall; and
here thy hunters stand. Mark Antony compares Caesar to a deer hunted and
murdered by its hunters, the conspirators. This metaphor gives Caesar the pity of

the Roman people, as it emphasizes how Caesar was slaughtered like an animal as
well.