Yet when heroes in movies, books and television shows are faced with the Ides of March, it’s always a bad omen. Several television shows have had episodes named “The Ides of March.” And it’s never good news.
Posted on 03/15/2020 10:15:29 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
You've probably of heard the soothsayer’s warning to Julius Caesar in William Shakespeare's play of the same name: “Beware the Ides of March.” Not only did Shakespeare’s words stick, they branded the phrase—and the date, March 15—with a dark and gloomy connotation. It’s likely that many people who use the phrase today don’t know its true origin. In fact, just about every pop culture reference to the Ides—save for those appearing in actual history-based books, movies or television specials—makes it seem like the day itself is cursed.
But the Ides of March actually has a non-threatening origin story. Kalends, Nones and Ides were ancient markers used to reference dates in relation to lunar phases. Ides simply referred to the first full moon of a given month, which usually fell between the 13th and 15th. In fact, the Ides of March once signified the new year, which meant celebrations and rejoicing.
Yet when heroes in movies, books and television shows are faced with the Ides of March, it’s always a bad omen. Several television shows have had episodes named “The Ides of March.” And it’s never good news.
(Excerpt) Read more at history.com ...
My wife and I began dating on this day in 1997.
Great post. Thanks.
Et tu, Brutus?
Pass the croutons...
Interesting article. Is education so poor these days that people are growing up without reading Shakespeare or knowing that the ides refers to the middle of the month?
Didn’t end up so well for Cassius or Brutus either. Octavian, however, came out quite well.
It was a bad day for our Akita. I had to get her put down one year ago because she had bone cancer. “ Et tu, VanShuyten?”
She was a pretty high-maintenance dog, but we still miss her.
LOL! Are you serious? Forcing people to learn Western Civ? Just how big of a racist are you?
Sorry for that micro-aggression, I'll go back to my snowflake safe zone and ponder rainbows and unicorns.
Sorry for your loss. I had to put down my 13-year old cat Joey about this time last year and I still think of him and miss him. He was a real pal.
My 1st husband was born on the Ides of March-from day one, some relatives from both my family and his told his mom-and him-that he would come to a bad and early end if he was not careful-we Latinos tend to be superstitious- turns out they were right-his much younger girlfriend at the time had a vengeful and jealous significant other who had him offed-hired a sicario-so the unfortunate man did come to a bad end at the age of 61-but it was not on the Ides...
Found out I was pregnant and due in early March. My dad said throughout my pregnancy “beware the Ides of March” —well, wouldn’t you know, my daughter was a week late and born on the 15th. Today she celebrates her 46th birthday. I talked to her and she’s stuffing envelopes for a school project while her beloved child, the object of the envelope stuffing, is out and about. What we do for our children...... Happy Birthday, K!
Glad to hear how well that Ides turned out-my 1st hubby’s early and violent demise was certainly a result of his foolish and risky behavior-not his birth on the date of Caesar’s demise...
So we have to look over our shoulder on March 15?
My wife and I began dating on this day in 1997.
...................................................
And you dare not forget it either.
Is her name Ida?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.