Beware the Ides of March Meaning

San Francisco (GaeaTimes.com) – ‘Beware the Ides of March’ is a quote from Act I, Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caeser’. The quote is short but has an ominous tone and sense of supernatural. But the meaning of the quote is greatly misunderstood.

An Ide is a term in ancient Roman Calender. It signifies a division depending on the moon’s phases. The Ide falls on the 15th day for March, May, July and October. For other months, it falls on the 13th day. By ‘Beware the Ides of March’, the 15th March is indicated in the quote. Julius Caeser was assassinated on March 15, 44 BC by a group of Nobles including Brutus and Cassius. For more clarification let us take this portion of exchange .

CAESAR

Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry ‘Caesar!’ Speak; Caesar is turn’d to hear.

Soothsayer

Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR

What man is that?

BRUTUS

A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

CAESAR

Set him before me; let me see his face.

CASSIUS

Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.

CAESAR

What say’st thou to me now? speak once again.

Soothsayer

Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR

He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.

Clearly the piece portrays the day of 15th March in 44 B.C. when Caeser will be assassinated by conspirators. Caeser clearly shrugs off the warning and heads off on his political business. The day of 15 th March is thus immortalized by Shakespeare in his play about the Roman emperor.