Imagine a world where women were completely subservient to men. Imagine what it would be like to live in a society where women were homeschooled and could not attend any type of university. What would today's society be like if women lawyers, doctors, actresses and soldiers didn't exist? It would be a modern version of the Elizabethan era in England. This was a time when women had few rights, but the dramatic arts flourished thanks to Queen Elizabeth's appreciation of them. It was during this period that the literary genius William Shakespeare wrote his many plays, including The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Living in this time period led him to look at women in a somewhat submissive way and portray them as such. In the tragedy of Julius Caesar, women did not have strong roles. Women's roles are not common in the show, and their appearances are very limited. In fact, there are only two female roles in the opera; the submissive Calfurnia, wife of Caesar, and the bold wife of Brutus, Portia. These two contrasting characters bring an element of foreshadowing to most of the major events that occur throughout the show. An example of Calphurnia being used to foreshadow events is when she tells Caesar to “don't go out today; call it my fear” (2.2.50), indicating that he believes something terrible will happen to Caesar. Calphurnia has also seen many omens that she believes are indicators of Julius Caesar's death. In addition to the things we heard and saw, he recounts the most horrific sights seen on guard duty. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and the graves yawned, and gave up their dead; fierce fiery warriors fight on the clouds in ranks and squadrons and right form of warfare, Wh...... middle of paper ......there is her husband to tell her what's bothering him. Brutus continues to tell her that sooner or later he will inform her of what worries him, but not now. And soon your breast will share the secrets of my heart. I will explain to you all my commitments, all the character of my sad eyebrows. Leave me quickly. (2.1.305-309) The lack of power of women is also shown when Calphurnia fails to convince Caesar to stay at home, and away from the capital, after having had his dream. After hearing Decius' interpretation of Calpurnia's dream, Caesar shouts, “How foolish your fears seem now, Calpurnia! / I'm ashamed that I gave in to them. / Give me my robe, for I will go.” Caesar would rather believe a man's lies than a woman's truth. More often than not, the women in this play couldn't control any situation or their husbands very well.