The Ides of March may sound like a familiar phrase. It is likely that the familiarity stems from a play largely read in American high schools, Julius Caesar, which was originally written and performed in 1599 by William Shakespeare. The play is considered a historical fiction tragedy, and centers on two characters named Brutus and Cassius as they plot to kill Ancient Roman statesman Julius Caesar to prevent him from becoming a political tyrant.
The Ides of March specifically refers to March 15, and the word “ides” is derived from the Roman “idus”, which refers to the middle of a month. In Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar is murdered on the Ides of March. The date has become associated with frustrating minor inconveniences or strange happenings in contemporary pop culture. Notably, the play’s feature in the 2004 film Mean Girls, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams, and Lacy Chabert has sparked countless memes across Twitter today.
It’s the #IdesOfMarch bitches pic.twitter.com/2rXaKGQRV5
— David Leavitt ????????????♂️???? (@David_Leavitt) March 15, 2023
Notably, Caesar is stabbed in the back in Shakespeare’s famous play. The day serves as a reminder for people to beware of “back stabbing” friends. This plot line was certainly present in Mean Girls, when Lohan’s character finally decides to get back at popular girl gang “The Plastics.” One Twitter user took the plot literally, and shared a photo of Caesar salad dressing being stabbed in the back.
Beware the Ides of March #IdesOfMarch pic.twitter.com/WSB4JQMuE6
— Ticia Verveer (@ticiaverveer) March 15, 2023
Similar food jokes continued to spread across the platform, including this Twitter user’s stabbing of a Little Caesar’s pizza box (just to be safe).
Beware the Ides of March: Julius Caesar was assassinated on this day in 44 BC and stabbed 23 times by the senators during a meeting in the Theatre of Pompey. pic.twitter.com/AVNWs2Qvd9
— John HopperstadTV (@JohnHopperstad) March 15, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Some even dressed their pets in ancient Roman-esque outfits to honor the pivotal day in Roman history.
Beware the Ides of March!
-Julius Caesar Salad pic.twitter.com/Gnkn7cB4qa— Satori ????✨ (@Satori232323) March 15, 2023
Others continue to discuss politics today, as former U.S. President Donald Trump’s media company is now officially under federal investigation. Suspicion of money laundering involving Russian funds is what led to the investigation. Some hope for a Trump indictment on the Ides of March, given the political undertones of the story the date is associated with.
The Ides of March…
The perfect day for a trump indictment.  pic.twitter.com/Ckio2k1d1o— ❤️????????ᗰia???????????? (@mommamia1217) March 15, 2023
Hey, Donald. Beware the Ides of March. pic.twitter.com/reXf6aXzBi
— Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) March 9, 2023
The political undertones of the original play combined with today’s news regarding former President Trump has some reminiscing on the star-studded 2011 film aptly titled The Ides of March. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood, George Clooney and more as they all find themselves embroiled in a political campaign that becomes rife with backstabbing tactics.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the film “Ides of March” Ryan Gosling gives a shoutout to the University of Cincinnati.
Go Bearcats! ???? #IdesofMarch | #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/lmYPqKh3Uh
— University of Cincinnati (@uofcincy) March 15, 2023
Meanwhile, some chose to focus on more positive aspects of this time of year. Several parts of the world are entering early Spring right now, and one Twitter user decided to ignore the warnings of the Ides of March.
Good morning, My Wonderful Tweeps!!!☀️❤️☕️
It's the Ides of March! Happy Wednesday.
The red buds are blooming. pic.twitter.com/NH7B7m8u3x
— Walter Klingler (@WalterKlingler) March 15, 2023
Regardless of the feelings one may have towards the validity of this holiday of sorts, Twitter seems to continue pushing one reminder–to beware, and maybe watch your back a little extra today.
