Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival.
Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally superstitious, but these dreams, as well as other supernatural signs, frighten her. The macho Caesar is concerned but reluctant to show vulnerability. He eventually agrees to stay home for her sake. However, Decius Brutus arrives and convinces Caesar to go to the senate. He appeals to Caesar’s ego and pride. Caesar dismisses his wife: “How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! / I am ashamed I did yield to them.” In an apparent desire to assert his masculinity, Caesar ignores his wife’s premonitions, goes to the Capitol, and is assassinated by his friends.
Portia seems to have a more equal relationship with her husband Brutus. She is surprised that he is hiding something from her. She knows him well and observes that he has “some sick offence within [his] mind.” Portia demands that he tell her the truth, invoking his love for her and her position as his wife. She asserts her stoicism by revealing wounds she made in her leg. Brutus says he will relate his plans to her, but the audience is not certain whether he does. Either way, she fears for her husband’s life and eventually commits suicide.
Calpurnia is an example of a character who is helpless to change her husband’s mind due to her position as a woman and wife, and Portia is a powerful, brave woman who is also excluded from the circle of male politicians who decide the country’s fate.
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