Julius Caesar Themes and Current Politics

A. Be careful whom you trust F. Superstition can be a powerful driving force B. Too much ambition can be dangerous G. People want to see the good in others C. Good leaders acknowledge their own weaknesses H. Weak people can be easily manipulated D. We cannot control our fate I. One man’s hero is another man’s enemy E. Politicians are only concerned with what the majority of people want

In your groups, thoroughly discuss the following questions—

1. Using the themes above, what do you feel is the most important theme of the play? Explain your answer 2. What do you feel are the characteristics of a good leader? Do you feel that Caesar, Brutus, or Antony were good leaders? Why or why not? 3. To whom in modern politics or leadership can you compare Julius Caesar? Explain why you chose this person and the characteristics this person has in common with Caesar. 4. To whom in modern politics or leadership can you compare Antony? Explain why you chose this person and the characteristics this person has in common with Antony. 5. To whom in modern politics or leadership can you compare Brutus? Explain why you chose this person and the characteristics this person has in common with Brutus? 6. Why do you think Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is required reading for students throughout the United States? How can this be tied to other subject areas / topics? 7. Pick one of the themes listed above, aside from what you used in question 1, and explain it, connect it to the play, and provide an example to life today or an event or person in history.

F. Be careful whom you trust F. Superstition can be a powerful driving force G. Too much ambition can be dangerous G. People want to see the good in others H. Good leaders acknowledge their own weaknesses H. Weak people can be easily manipulated I. We cannot control our fate I. One man’s hero is another man’s enemy J. Politicians are only concerned with what the majority of people want

In your groups, thoroughly discuss the following questions—

8. Using the themes above, what do you feel is the most important theme of the play? Explain your answer 9. What do you feel are the characteristics of a good leader? Do you feel that Caesar, Brutus, or Antony were good leaders? Why or why not? 10. To whom in modern politics or leadership can you compare Julius Caesar? Explain why you chose this person and the characteristics this person has in common with Caesar. 11. To whom in modern politics or leadership can you compare Antony? Explain why you chose this person and the characteristics this person has in common with Antony. 12. To whom in modern politics or leadership can you compare Brutus? Explain why you chose this person and the characteristics this person has in common with Brutus? 13. Why do you think Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is required reading for students throughout the United States? How can this be tied to other subject areas / topics? 14. Pick one of the themes listed above, aside from what you used in question 1, and explain it, connect it to the play, and provide an example to life today or an event or person in history.