You are here

All Site ContentJulius CaesarAct 1Scene 2
Back to the Play
"start a spirit"
Language
Act 1,
Scene 2
Lines 142-147

An explanation of the phrase "start a spirit" in Act 1, Scene 2 of myShakespeare's Julius Caesar. 

Cassius

'Brutus' and 'Caesar' — what should be in that 'Caesar'?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name.
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well.
Weigh them, it is as heavy.  Conjure with 'em,
'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar'.

It was commonly believed by superstitious Romans that the spirits of the dead could be conjured up by invoking the names of gods.