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This episode of Narratives that Shape Our World explores the themes of societal values and personal identity in the films Hail Caesar and the play Julius Caesar. Both narratives highlight the pressure individuals face to conform to society's judgment and the need to protect their private selves. In Hail Caesar, characters like Deanna and Hobie hide aspects of their true selves due to societal expectations. Similarly, in Julius Caesar, Brutus masks his true feelings for the sake of public perception. The importance of social justice and equality is also discussed, with Hail Caesar showcasing sexism in Hollywood and Julius Caesar highlighting the threat to equality under Caesar's rule. The concept of honor is explored in both narratives, as characters navigate moral dilemmas and compromise their values. Hello students! On this episode of Narratives that Shape Our World, we will be taking a deep dive into timeless narratives that have helped provide an understanding of ourselves through representing societal values. My name is Scarlet and you are listening to NSOW Let's Get Unpacking. The narratives we will be addressing are the Coen Brothers comedic film Hail Caesar and Shakespeare's historical tragedy Julius Caesar. They both represent comparable values that influence a deeper perception of ourselves. Happy or we feel insecure, whilst as a society we are privy to protecting ourselves in the confinement of our own homes as we are often subject to the judgment of others. This projection of the insecurity leads us to having a so-called private self. During Hail Caesar, Deanna is revealed to be pregnant without wedlock which is a sin in society. This negative judgment from society reinforces the need for pregnancy to be resolved privately by Mannix. While Hobie in Rarely We Dance is struggling to fit in, distinguished by the awkward diegetic sound of the door during his entrance and due to his western features, he perseveres to relinquish his true personality so he can please Laurence Florence. Exhibiting society's rough standards, actors must fit to be worthy of the stage. These examples reiterate a tragic flaw that Hobie and Deanna possess, leading them to hide their true self, but throughout the storyline both of the characters never change themselves or are ashamed of themselves due to society's judgment. Similarly in Julius Caesar, Brutus acknowledges his friendship with Caesar in his speech to Rome. To him I say that Brutus's love to Caesar was no less than his. Brutus is talking in third person which indicates that he is serving the needs of the Roman public above his true feelings as he is perceiving himself as a third party, using his speech to explain how his actions were honourable and discuss Brutus with the public as if he is an outsider so society doesn't judge his actions. Earlier in the play, Brutus had a discussion with Cassius. Yet I love him well, but wherefore do you hold me here so long? Brutus's conflict between his heart and mind is evident through his contradictory remarks and questions. Cassius's plans prevail but Brutus's characterisation is displayed in his ability to speak freely among the Roman citizens as Caesar's death was an honourable action. His public affection and pride that worries now in alignment. Social justice is crucial in allowing individuals to feel a sense of dignity as well as responsibility. To successfully achieve social justice, equality must be visible among all individuals. In the 1950s based film Hail Caesar, sexism is showcased within the film through the Hollywood studio's subjective view. Diana is forced to fill roles that show off her physical demeanour as women were primarily judged and objectified on their beauty as a trait rather than their actorial skills. The studio neglecting equality as a societal value is minimally pinpointed by the introduction of Thora Sacker through a tracking shot that highlights her appearance. She exploits Hollywood in her gossip column but values her credible reputation which suffocates her curiosity into the true secret Manix is hiding. The defiance of women having the spotlight signifies pathos as it engages the audience in sympathetic imagination of sexism in the 1950s and how equality is poorly executed in Hollywood's golden age. In Shakespeare's world of Julius Caesar, we see equality being exhibited as a cherished human principle. Brutus's intrusive thoughts of murdering Caesar are formed because he is construed by Cassius that Caesar's increasing power threatens the republican society. Speaking of Brutus and groaning underneath this age's yoke, Cassius uses this metaphor to comment on Roman suffrage under Caesar's rule and paints him as a tyrant which Brutus suspects will affect the equality of republican's choice. Throughout my years of education, I have learned that honour is vital in understanding morals. Honour drives the actions of characters and hails Caesar proving to be an important nuanced value. The unchecked ambition of Manix forms moral dilemmas as he has to balance his starlet and personal needs. His ethics become compromised because as a studio fixer he has to find a solution to problems even if it is unethical. An example of this is in one of the opening scenes when he succumbs to using physical violence and bribery in order to refrain from legal action incriminating one of his starlets. Manix's previous concession brings contrast into the scene between Manix's job and his personal life. Manix's job intervenes with his morals depleting his honourable qualities and leading to the destruction of his promises made in concessions. Utilizing his ethos registers the significance of morality. Thank you fellow listeners, see you next week on NSOW.