The Ides Of March Have Come Quote
Introduction
"The Ides of March have come" is a famous quote from Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. It refers to the day when Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators on March 15, 44 BC. The phrase has become synonymous with impending doom or danger. In this article, we will explore the meaning and origins of this quote, as well as its significance in modern times.
The Meaning of "The Ides of March"
The term "ides" was used in the Roman calendar to refer to the middle of the month. In March, May, July, and October, the ides fell on the 15th day of the month, while in other months it fell on the 13th day. In Julius Caesar's time, the ides of March was a significant date because it marked the beginning of the Roman new year.
The Significance of Julius Caesar's Assassination
Julius Caesar was a Roman politician and general who played a crucial role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. He was a controversial figure who had many enemies, including members of the Roman Senate who felt that he was becoming too powerful. On March 15, 44 BC, a group of senators led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus assassinated Julius Caesar in the Roman Senate.
The Origins of the Quote
The quote "The Ides of March have come" comes from Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. In the play, a soothsayer warns Julius Caesar to "beware the Ides of March." Despite the warning, Julius Caesar goes to the Senate on March 15, where he is assassinated. After the assassination, Brutus utters the famous line, "Stoop, Romans, stoop, and let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood up to the elbows, and besmear our swords: then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, and, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'"
The Significance in Modern Times
The phrase "The Ides of March have come" has become a popular saying that is often used to refer to a sense of foreboding or danger. It has been used in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television. For example, in the film The Godfather, the character Michael Corleone tells his brother Fredo, "Don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever." Fredo responds by saying, "The Ides of March have come." The phrase has also been used in political contexts to refer to times of upheaval or change.
Conclusion
The quote "The Ides of March have come" is a famous line from Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. It refers to the day when Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 BC. The phrase has become synonymous with impending doom or danger and has been used in various forms of media. Despite its origins in ancient Rome, the quote continues to hold significance in modern times.