William Shakespeare's timeless play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, is full of mystery, suspense, betrayal and murder. Jealousy and honor give way to an epic power struggle for control of the greatest empire on earth. A story like this is pushed forward by foreshadowing; subtle hints at the outcome of the story that leave the reader guessing, and motivate them to read on. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing specifically to give clues as to the fate of his main characters: Caesar, Cassius and Brutus.
             The most obvious instances of foreshadowing are used to portend the death of the title character, Julius Caesar. Before his death in Act III, he is presented with numerous omens, such as the dreams of his wife, Calpurnia. She has visions of Caesar's "statue, which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, did run pure blood." (Act II, Scene ii, Lines 76-78) Unbeknownst to him, these were actual scenes from his imminent assassination. The unusually violent thunderstorms also serve as warnings, frightening those in the city and creating an ominous mood. Calpurnia even mentions to Caesar, "When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes." (Act II, Scene ii, Lines 30-33) Soothsayers warn him to "Beware the ides of March," (Act I, Scene ii, Line 18), and Artemidorus warns him frantically of the tragedy about to befall him, but Caesar dismisses all these and goes to the capitol anyway, not wanting to miss him chance to become King. In the end, his pride became his own downfall, for if he had heeded the warnings he may have survived.
             Another character whose death is foreshadowed in the story is Cassius. During Act V, the battle of Phillipi, Cassius kills himself after misunderstanding the fate of his friend Titinius. He exhibits tendencies to suicide long before this, though. While convincing Brutus to join the conspirac...