What does Caesar mean when he says "What touches (concerns) ourself shall be last served" after Artemidorus urges him to read the letter that concerns Caesar? Knowing that Artemidorus' "schedule" (letter), names all the conspirators and warns Caesar (see Act 2.3), how does this doom him?

In Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," the protagonist refuses to read Artemidorus' letter because he considers that personal matters are not a priority. In this manner, he dismisses Artemidorus as if he were insane and it is suggested that he should present the letter to the Congress. Thus, the fact that Caesar does not give preference to his own life weakens him and predicts his tragic fate, since he is now completely unaware of the plot to murder him and of the people that will turn agaist him.

"the monkey's paw" is a rare story in that the theme is actually stated in the story. sgt. maj. morris tells the whites that the old fakir who put the spell on the paw said, "fate rules people's lives and those who interfere with fate do so to their sorrow." the message is a warning, but mr. white doesn't believe it. even though sgt. maj. morris makes it clear that he tried wishing with unfortunate results and he tries to throw the paw on the fire,   mr. white makes a wish for 200 pounds only to find that he receives the money when herbert dies in a factory accident. according to the fakir, then, because mr. white had wished for something he should not have had, his son lost his life.

the second wish that mrs. white encourages him to make is for herbert's return--one week after his death. when the strange knocking begins at the door during the windy night, mr. white panicks, believing that the previously dead but still mangled herbert could have walked home from the cemetary and is now at the door. because he fears what his wife will find if she opens the door, mr. white makes his third wish--for the noise to stop.

therefore, he uses his three wishes and to his sorrow, loses his son and disappoints his wife, who fervently believed that their son was at the door. she wanted him back, regardless of his condition.

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