Compare the characters of Portia and Calpurnia in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar | facexor

Compare and contrast the characters of Portia and Calpurnia.

Answer: Portia and Calpurnia appear to us principally in their wifely capacity. Yet how different in their character! Portia sets off the greatness of Brutus quite as much as Calpurnia humanizes the deified Caesar. Portia s devotion to her husband arises from a nature that is extraordinarily high-souled. But Calpurnia is an ordinary woman.

 Both are equally anxious for their husbands' safety, but where Portia shows a lofty fortitude and forbearance, Calpurnia is restless and agitated. Portia wants to share her husband's anxieties, but she would not by any means allow her fears to obstruct him in his duties. Calpurnia, on the other hand, is only foolishly superstitious, and, far from helping Caesar, pesters him with inconvenient insistence.

We cannot imagine Calpurnia in any way strengthening her husband, but Portia subordinated herself completely in order to strengthen and support her great husband. Calpurnia is Shakespeare's portrait of the ordinary wife of everyday life, but Portia is his portrait of the ideal wife as she should be.