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All Site ContentJulius CaesarAct 3Scene 1
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Caesar as a Star
Context and Language Videos
Act 3,
Scene 1
Lines 59-74

An explanation of the metaphor comparing Caesar to a star in Act 3, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's Julius Caesar. 

myShakespeare | Julius Caesar 3.1 Metaphor: Caesar as a Star

Caesar

I could be well moved, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fixed and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks,
They are all fire and every one doth shine;
But there's but one in all doth hold his place.
So in the world: 'tis furnished well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That, unassailable, holds on his rank,
Unshaked of motion; and that I am he.
Let me a little show it, even in this —
That I was constant Cimber should be banished,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Video Transcript: 

SERVILIA: In explaining why he will not change his mind about the banishment of Metellus Cimber’s brother, Caesar makes a comparison to the night sky. All of the stars in the night sky move except one, the North Star, which remains fixed in its location. Other men are like all of the stars that move, but Caesar claims that he is like the North star in that he never changes his position.

 

RALPH: And then he continues with another comparison that implies his godly status. He says that trying to get him to change his mind—to move him—is as futile as trying to move Mount Olympus, the mythological home of the gods.

 

SERVILIA:  He certainly has a pretty high opinion of himself!

 

RALPH:  True—but he’s also kind of right.  He seems to be the center of attention, as well as the one with all of the power. So is he just telling it like it is, or is he deluding himself with these comparisons?