Exceeds man's might: that dwells with the gods above

Exceeds man's might: that dwells with the gods above

In the works of William Shakespeare, the theme of surpassing human capabilities and reaching the realm of the divine is a recurring motif. One of the most famous lines that encapsulates this idea is "Exceeds man's might: that dwells with the gods above" from the play "Julius Caesar". This line is spoken by Cassius as he reflects on the power and influence of Caesar, whom he sees as a threat to the Roman Republic.

The phrase "Exceeds man's might" suggests that Caesar's ambition and authority go beyond what is humanly possible. It implies that he possesses a kind of otherworldly strength and dominance that sets him apart from ordinary mortals. This idea of transcending human limitations and ascending to a higher plane of existence is a common theme in Shakespeare's works, where characters often grapple with the idea of fate, destiny, and the divine.

The phrase "that dwells with the gods above" further emphasizes the idea of Caesar's godlike status. It suggests that he is not just a powerful ruler, but a figure who is on par with the gods themselves. This notion of divinity and the blurring of the lines between the mortal and the divine is a central theme in many of Shakespeare's plays, where characters often wrestle with questions of power, ambition, and the nature of authority.