REMEMBER CAESAR by Gordon Daviot
REMEMBER CAESAR by Gordon Daviot
Gordon Daviot (1896 – 1952) is the pen name of Miss. Elizabeth
McKintosh, a Scottish born novelist and playwright. She served educational
institutions in England and Scotland as a physical education instructor and
soon took to writing novels under the pseudonym Josephine Tey and Gordon
Daviot.
This play “Remember Caesar” is a light hearted comedy. It revolves
around the ides of March. Ides of March is the 15th of March, the
day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated. The play “Remember Caesar” is
about a pompous and proud judge who fears a life threat after he discovers a
message ‘Remember Caesar’ scribbled on a piece of paper.
The Play opens up in Lord Weston’s house. Weston is busy in
giving advices to his assistant Rodger. He insists that Roger should be more focused
on his own achievements in life. He then reminds Roger that he had been in the
path of success because he is ambitious, hardworking and focused. He doesn’t
forget to dismiss Roger’s request for a half holiday. While searching for a
fill for his pipe, Weston discovers a small piece of paper in his pocket with a
warning – “Remember, Caesar”
Being too pompous and self-important, Weston takes this
message as a warning for him, by someone who is planning to assassinate him. Being
an impartial judge with so many enemies, Weston’s suspicious strengthen. He even
seems to remember, when, where, how and by whom the paper was put in his
pocket.
Weston makes all kind of fuss over the message. He orders
Rodger to close and lock all the windows and doors and send everyone out of the
house. The Gardener, Joel feels so happy and left the bucket in the garden
itself and decided to move. Weston thinks that someone is hiding in the
cupboard and raised his pistol towards it. But it’s of no use. He even peeps
through the chimney, to check out whether anyone is hiding there.
Weston gets angry at the kitchen maid when she refused to
move out of the house. Though he is afraid, he doesn’t want others to sense it.
When Rodger says that they can inform police he refuses it. Weston suddenly
sees a parcel in his room and thinks that it is an explosive. He and Rodger
damage the daffodils and few valuable books in their attempt to diffuse the
infernal machine. Later when Mrs. Weston says about the danger that can happen
through the ilex tree, Weston plans to use his own pistol to save himself.
But in contrast to Lord Weston, Lady Weston was so playful and
does not give any importance to the message. She mocks at the handwriting and
also tells that Weston’s wish to be assassinated is going to be fulfilled. She tells
that only great person will be assassinated and Weston too was great lawyer, because
he is Charles II’s favorite judge. She even thanked the boy who left the
message and is grateful that the spill is not found anywhere.
She handles the kitchen maid coolly. When Weston was bothered
about his life, Lady Weston was bothered about the grocery list. When she sees
the mess created by Weston and Rodger, in the name of diffusing an explosive,
she mocks at it and even tells that ‘beautiful, brand-new’. But since Weston is
not ready to hear, she leaves her words unfinished. She even tells that Weston’s
property, an aunt’s portrait will be in danger, if they fail to be cautious. At
times her tone was so sarcastic.
When the door bell rings all the three, Lord Weston, Lady
Weston and Rodger gets surprised. Rodger manages to peep through the window and
finds Mr. Caesar, a gardener is waiting outside. At last Weston remembers that
the note ‘Remember Caesar’ was actually written by himself. Lady Weston just
moves away to continue with her work, as if she is used to this kind of things
often.
The contrast between the conceited, pompous judge Weston who
takes a serious view of the matter and the light-hearted but sensible Lady
Weston who is obviously used to her husband’s reaction to trivialities,
provides the humor.
----HAPPY LEARNING----
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