Explication De Texte

EXPLICATION DE TEXTE

I. SUBJECT: What is the author talking about? Begin with a general statement about the book and then go to the specifics of the book which illustrate the general statement. A short 2 or 3 paragraph statement which reveals the plot. DO NOT RETELL THE ENTIRE STORY.

SUBJECT

The subject of William Shakespeare’s famous play, Julius Caesar, is his brutal massacre. It is around the feast of Lupercal, in 44bc. Cassius casts jealous eyes upon Caesar’s growing power and popularity with the mob. With his manipulation, deception, and wit, he convinces the ever-naïve Brutus to agree to help assassinate Caesar. He also convinces 6 others to assist in his brutal killing of a war hero and a compassionate leader. Omens were placed against Caesar, and multiple warnings were given to him. Unfortunately for him, he was too trusting, and confident in his senate members. He was deceived upon the reasoning on going to the senate house on March 15, 44 b.c., otherwise known as the Ides of March. There the conspirators stabbed him in the back, and brutally butchered Caesar.

After Caesar’s death, orations were spoken by both Brutus, the head conspirator, and Mark Antony, the portrayed playboy of the play. Brutus played on words, with his “noble Men” and justified the vicious murder. An unforgivable blunder on Brutus’ part, he leaves when Antony steps up to say his peace, although agreeing with Brutus about the nobility of the men, he used this to his advantage, and sways the crowd. He shows the mob Caesar’s dead corpse, then proceeded to read his will, all the while infuriating the crowd. They begin a riot in Rome, and turned against the conspirators, mistakenly killing a poet in their path of rage, but manage to kill all but 2, Cassius and Brutus, who flee to Sardis.

A new triumvirate arises to the occasion. Anthony, Octavius and Lepidus join forces, and travel for the epic battle at Philippi. Several fatal errors in indement are made here. Cassius kills himself on his own birthday, and Brutus runs on his own sword. The victorious triumphant traveled back to Rome, with the death of Caesar avenged.

II. THEME: What judgment is the author making about the subject: Theme is usually expressed as a universal statement concerning all mankind. It often expresses a lesson or truism about life. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS THE SUBJECT!!!

Theme Thread: Plot examples, quoted statements, and character motivation which illustrates the theme.

1. Sometimes stated directly; often implied

2. Must account for all major details of the story (how has the main character changed and how has the conflict been resolved?) 3. Must rely on the facts of the story, not assumptions of the reader.

4. Should be expressible in the form of a statement with a subject or verb. (Not “Love” for example).

5. Should be stated as a generalization about life.

6. Should not include general terms such as “all”, “every”, etc.

The theme for William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is: Deception and manipulation go hand in hand. This theme is proven to be evident throughout the entire play. Everyone was either deceiving, being deceived, or deceiving themselves. When it comes down to it, deception plays a major role in the character’s lives.

Cassius, a prime example, manipulated 7 other people to trust in his sick and twisted scheme to kill Caesar. He truly believed he could manipulate anybody into doing anything he wanted. Cassius while talking to the naïve Brutus openly admits to being a manipulative creature. “That noble minds keep ever with their likes; for who so firm that cannot be seduced?” (1.2.371-318) He had a certain wit for deception, that later leads to his own military men turning against the ever-clever Cassius.

Caesar even knows that he is being manipulated. Unfortenately, he doesn’t realize it because his pride is so strongly overpowering his judgment. “Let me have men about me that are fat…. “(1.2.199) He realizes that people are power hungry and easily deceiving in appearance.

Decius Brutus, a conspirator was a very devious man. He misled Caesar on reasoning to come down to the Senate House on the Ides of March. He told Caesar that they were going to grant him the crown. His deception and manipulative reasoning, contributed largely to Caesar’s death.

Brutus, in some ways, deceived even himself. He had the thought of killing Caesar placed into his head by the manipulative Cassius, but in the end, Brutus deceived himself, because he thought what he as doing was honorable, and it was for the good of Rome. Cassius worked very arduously to get Brutus, who was the crucial member of the conspiracy on this side. He flattered Brutus relentlessly, and then squandered to figure out his weaknesses and exploit them to convince him what he is doing is right. When Brutus finally does agree, he takes control of the group. Subconsciously, he knows what he is doing is deceitful. He even says, “Let not our looks put on our purposes, but bear it as our roman actors do, with untired spirits and formal consistency.” (2.1.238-241)

Another deceptive man who creates turmoil in this play is Mark Antony, the supposed playboy. When Antony got word that Caesar had been maliciously murdered, he came to find the conspirators, although he deceived them into believing that he was on their side, He shook hands with each one of them, and vowed over Caesar’s dead body that he would avenge his death, by killing each of the conspirators. “I doubt not your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand. Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;….That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, either a coward or a flatterer.” (3.1.197-207) He later admits to what he will do in a monologue, where he openly admits to plot to avenge Caesar’s wrongful death. He succeeds through a skillful oration where he manipulates the word ambition, and accomplishes turning the angry mob against the conspirators.

Until the very ending scene, everybody continuously plots against each other, hoping to prevail, all using manipulative ways. Deception is a common thread throughout the story. The characters used this powerful tool to accomplish what they wanted. In the end, they all ended up getting exactly what was coming toward them, deception and dishonor.

III. DICTION: How does the author use words? Connotative meaning gives richness - what one’s senses, intellect or emotions conjure up.

Dialogue or Narrative? How does the plot move?

Vivid images? Uses examples

Sentence style? Short simple sentences or long and involved? Does sentence style contribute to the mood or is it related to a period of time?

Dialect? Foreign language? What does language tell you about the characters’ education or social level, etc. Examples!

Does the diction uphold the subject and theme and why? This should be your longest section.

DICTION

Diction is the way the author utilizes the language. In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, he uses a very descriptive, and detailed portrayal of the thoughts and feelings of the characters internally. He shows them as they truly are. He uses both connotative and denotative words in this work. His connotative speech shines through Brutus in Act II Scene I when he is weighing heavy heart on his decision regarding Caesar’s impending death. “Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the first motion, all the interim is like a phantasma or a hideous dream.” (2.1.63-65)

IV. TONE (Mood): What attitude does the author have toward his subject and theme? What feelings and motions does he excite with respect to his subject and theme. A writer’s choice of words and details (diction) helps to convey the tone. Setting conveys the tone. Usually one or two overriding moods and possibly a few minor ones. Tone should be stated using abstract words -

Ironic, mournful, despairing, hopeful, comic, etc.

The play, Julius Caesar starts off with a rebellion, which is the tone of this play. Julius Caesar is returning from the battle against the rebellious sons of Pompey. Pompey was in the First Triumvirate with Caesar. After Pompey dies, Caesar takes over and Pompey’s sons feel they should have the power. Caesar goes to war against them and defeats them.

Shakespeare creates a mood of rebellion with his monologues. The most notable rebellion was started by Marc Antony, who said to a crowd of Roman citizens that they were deceived by the conspirators who had killed Caesar. During his speech he commented, “I fear I wrong the honorable men / Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar; I do fear it” (3.2.162-163) In saying this, he tested the crowd as to whether they were on hi side or not. One Plebian then said, “They were traitors! Honorable men!” (3.2.163) Hatred was building up in the phrase, “honorable men” and Antony knew how to play off of that hatred. Another Plebian replied, “They were villains, murderers!” (3.2.166) Antony realized the convinced the mob and went one-step further by going to the body of Caesar and showing the crowd when they saw it, they realized that Caesar was brutally murdered and not carved “as a dish fit for the gods” (2.1.81) The crowd exploded with rage at the site of the cloak. When they saw Caesar’s body, they lot all control and wanted to slaughter the conspirators. The crowd was so caught up in emotion and rage that they killed an innocent may just because his name was Cinna. “Cin. Truly my name is Cinna. / Pleb. Tear him to pieces! He’s a conspirator. / Cin. I am Cinna the poet! I am Cinna the poet!” (3.3.27- 30) The killers of the innocent Cinna

V. SYMBOLISM: How does the author use symbols - objects, character, circumstances which represent or stand for something else. Some symbols have universal acceptance - red light. Some symbols are almost universal - the dove stands for peace. Some symbols are symbolic only in terms of literature - you must explain why the symbol you have chosen is symbolic. That is what it represent and WHY?

SYMBOL

The symbols for the play Julius Caesar are the words that are used persuasively. This symbol is present throughout the play. First, Cassius sways Marcus Brutus to conspire against Caesar. The event that follows is Marcus Brutus convincing himself that plotting against Caesar is the right thing for him and for the good of Rome. “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg, / Which, hatched, would as kind grow mischievous, / And kill him in the shell” (2.1.32-34) Marcus Brutus then takes on another task of persuasion. He must convince an entire crowd that demands to know the “who, what, when, where, and why’s” of the situation. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I / loved Rome more” (3.2.22-23) Antony then steps up to the plate and persuades the same crowd of people that Marcus Brutus had previously convinced.

Another symbol of the play is irony. There is irony in the fact that Cassius and Marcus Brutus die of the same dagger with which had killed Caesar. Another ironic event occurs when Caesar was offered the crown, which inflamed Marcus Brutus’ jealousy of Caesar’s popularity and power. However, when Marcus Brutus was offered the crown, he had no problem whatsoever.

VI. SPEAKER: Who is telling the story? The speaker may be NAMED and INVOLVED or UNNAMED and UNINVOLVED. Most works of fiction are written in 1st or 3rd person. Is the speaker OMNISCIENT? First Person: Author disappears into one of the characters who tells the story. Character telling the story uses “I” or “we”.

Third Person Omniscient. Story told by author using he or she. Knowledge of the author is unlimited; he/she can look into minds and hearts of characters and tell what they are thinking or feeling. Interprets behavior as well as shows it. All knowing.

Third Person Limited Omniscient. Author tells story in third person but tells it from the viewpoint of one of the characters in the story. Author knows everything about the characters but shows no knowledge of what other characters are thinking or doing.

Objective or Dramatic Point of View. Author disappears into kind of roving sound camera which can go anywhere but can record only what it sees or hears. Author makes no comment, interpretation, or exposition of characters’ minds. Places reader in position of spectator at movie.

SPEAKER

The speakers of the play Julius Caesar are all of the characters. Because this is a play, all of the characters create the unraveling plot of the play. All of the speakers are named and involved somehow in the events that cause this tragedy. Cassius speaks for the author by demonstrating that being jealous of someone is self- destructive. Marc Antony best relates to the theme of Julius Caesar because he is the most persuasive person in the play. He is able to persuade a crowd of people to murder the conspirators, convince the conspirators that he was on their side, and he was able to sway Octavius to do whatever he wanted.

VII. STRUCTURE: How does the author use order?

Internal Structure: Chronological (order of time) or Logical? Flashbacks, journey motif, dreams, futuristic occurrences, letters, etc.

STRUCTURE

A. Internal:

Julius Caesar is written in chronological order. The entire play takes place in one and a half years, but appears to unravel in just three days. The story consists of senacan devices, blood, civil unrest, and ghosts.

B. External:

Julius Caesar is printed in a perm abound paperback book that was published by Folger Library. There are ninety-five textual pages, thirty-five additional pages of introductions to Shakesperian Theater, two pages dedicated to Dramatis Persona, and two more pages are used to list important quotes from the play. Text aids are on each page to assist the reader with unfamiliar words or phrases. Lithographic pictures are used to illustrate characters and events. VIII. IMAGERY: How does the author use figurative language?

A. Metaphor: Comparison

B. Simile: Comparison using like or as (a specific type of metaphor)

C. Conceit: Elaborate and sophisticated metaphor usually only found in poetry. John Donne’s “Z Valediction Forbidding Mourning”.

D. Apostrophe: Address directly or formally to something or - someone not present. “Sweet Jesus”

E. Synecdoche: The part for the total. “All hands on deck!”

F. Metonymy: The naming of an object associated with a thing in - place of the name of the thing itself.

- Material for the object. Nylons

- Author for the work. “Have you read Shakespeare?”

- Instrument for the agent. “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

- Container for the contents. “Put the kettle on to boil.”

G. Antithesis: Two items (opposites) in juxtaposition for effect. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

H. Hyperbole: Over-exaggeration for effect. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

I. Litotes: Understatement. A torrential downpour and someone says, “It looks like we’re having a shower.” J. Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human objects - “The sun smiled.”

K. Reification: Giving concrete qualities to abstractions. “Rumor swept the countryside.”

L. Verbal Irony: A writer or speaker says one thing but really means something completely different.

M. Dramatic Irony: The reader or audience knows something the character does not know, for knowledge is being withheld from the character.

N. Irony of Situation: What is expected to take place is the opposite of what actually happens.

O. Oxymoron: Two opposites equal a third new concept. “Beloved enemy” “almost exactly” “working vacation”.

P. Onomatopoeia: The sound mimics the action. Boom, bash, crack, ah choo. Q. Alliteration: Repetition of the initial consonant sound. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

IMAGERY

Imagery is the most important part of any literary work. Imagery provides the reader with a mental picture of what the author is describing. For example, Shakespeare allows the reader to hear the “buzzing” of the Hybla bees (5.1.40) Shakespeare also allows the reader to better understand an idea by using a long descriptive metaphor, conceits. “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg, / Which hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous, / And kill him in the shell” (2.1.32-34) Shakespeare adds some interest to his play by using oxymoron’s, “Of honorable- dangerous consequences” (1.3.130) He also uses metonymy’s, a part for the whole, “afeared to tell graybeards the truth” (2.2.72) To make the play easier for the groundlings to follow along, Shakespeare used metaphors, such as Caesar describing himself as the “Northern Star” (3.1.65) As Marc Antony stood over the dead body of Julius Caesar, he speaks to him as if he were alive, creating an apostrophe. “Thou art the ruins of the nobles man / That ever lived in the tide of times” (3.1.277-278) Reification is when Shakespeare used qualities to abstractions, as is demonstrated when Marc Antony was giving his eloquent speech, “Mischief, thou art afoot” (3.3.272) As Antony was speaking with Marcus Brutus and Cassius before the battle at Philippi, Antony uses a simile to describe the conspirators’ actions on the fateful day of the Ides of March. “You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds, / And bowed like bondmen” (5.1.44-45)

To add some humor to this tragic play, Shakespeare adds lytotes, an understatement. When Antony shakes the bloody hands of the conspirators, he says to them, “Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty” (3.1.228) To add some wit, Shakespeare added alliterations, “Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done” (5.3.70)

IX. GENRE: What genre (classification of literature) does the author use? What are the specific techniques of the chosen genre that the author followed? Consult A Handbook to Literature by William Harmon. Quote the definition of the genre from the handbook (don’t forget to document) and then show how the book fit’s the definition. Be specific

The play, Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare is considered a revenge tragedy. “An intensified form of the revenge tragedy popular on the Elizabethan stage. It works out of the theme of revenge and retribution (borrowed from Seneca) through murder, assassination, mutilation, and carnage” (Holman 533) Without persuasion, this play would have none of these murderous events. If Marcus Brutus were not so easily persuaded he never would have joined the conspirators. If Decius Brutus had not convinced Caesar to attend the Senate meeting, the conspirators would have had no one to kill. If Antony had not persuaded the crowd to rise up against the conspirators, Brutus and the others would have gotten away with murder.