Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

Background Information on the Famous Playwright and the Tragedy of Julius Caesar Who was William Shakespeare? Considered to be the greatest playwright in English literature. Born in 1564 to John and Mary Shakespeare in Stratford-on-Avon. Attended the Stratford grammar school where he studied Latin. Both his mother and father were illiterate Who was Shakespeare? (cont’d)

In 1582, when he was 18, he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years older than he. He was a versatile actor and joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting company) in 1594. He wrote a total of thirty-seven plays (comedies, tragedies, and histories) and some non-dramatic poems. Who is Shakespeare? (cont’d)

He was financially successful and became part owner of the Globe Theater. The Globe burned 1613— was rebuilt the following year. Shakespeare died in 1616 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Familiar Expressions from Shakespeare ―Eaten out of house and home,‖ Henry IV ―Knock,/Knock! Who’s there?‖ Macbeth ―Too much of a good thing,‖ As You Like It ―To thine own self be true,‖ Hamlet Familiar Words & Phrases from Shakespeare ―Catch cold‖

―Laugh it off‖

―Fair play‖

―lousy‖ Historical Background of Julius Caesar 60 B.C. – Caesar joined forces with Marcus Crassus and Gnaeus Pompey Ruled Rome as the First Triumverate Caesar’s popularity grows, and Pompey turns against Caesar and demands him to give up his armies. Historical Background (cont’d) Caesar forced Pompey and his armies to flee. Caesar became ruler of Rome Pompey was murdered and all his armies were defeated by Caesar. (final battle before opening of play) Brutus & Cassius were both allies of Pompey until his defeat and were pardoned by Caesar when they joined his forces. Julius Caesar: Terms to Know Aside – a short speech delivered to the audience by an actor in a play; spoken in a way to suggest the rest of the characters are unable to hear it. Allusion – a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art. Terms to Know (cont’d) Protagonist – the main Blank verse – poetry character in a literary written in unrhymed work; center of the iambic pentameter action, often in conflict Dramatic Irony – a with the antagonist. type of irony that Soliloquy – a long occurs when a speech made by a character fails to character who is alone; recognize realities reveals his private that are clear to the thoughts or feelings. audience. Julius Caesar: Tragedy Tragedy – a type of drama that shows the downfall or destruction of a noble or outstanding person. This character has a character weakness called a tragic flaw that accounts for the fall. Tragedies tend to end with funerals. Tragedy (cont’d) Four Main Qualities of a Tragic Hero Goodness – only characters who are good can arouse pity – unselfish & patriotic. Superiority – only characters who are somehow superior or elevated seem tragic in their destruction. Tragic Flaw – tragic heroes make fatal errors in judgment that contribute to their downfall; often the flaw is a traditionally admirable quality carried to excess Tragic realization – tragic characters perceive before their fall how they have contributed to their own destruction. Julius Caesar: Themes A moral end cannot be attained by immoral means. Man is not a helpless pawn of destiny— forges his own fate Personal morality vs. common good Examination of power (politics-, lust for-, misuse of-) Julius Caesar: Characters 1. Antony – totally devoted to Caesar; fakes loyalty to Brutus and conspirators in order to gain revenge. Strong-willed; obsessed w/power; cooly confident; man of action; capable of deviousness and ruthless intellect 2. Cassius – co-conspirator of Marcus Brutus Manipulator; user of others; keen judge of human nature; business-like Characters (cont’d) 3. Caesar – ruler of Rome after defeat of Pompey Great orator; fit ruler and supreme leader; shrewd and arrogant 4. Portia – a bright, loving woman; loyal wife to Brutus 5. Calpurnia – loyal wife to Caesar; fears omens; barren 6. Brutus – conspirator against Caesar and friend to Caesar Tragic hero, poor judge of character, idealistic, highly moral and honorable man Julius Caesar: Act I

Act I Scene I – street in Rome Flavius and Marullus meet commoners who are celebrating Caesar’s victory in Spain. Senators drive people from streets and vow to remove any signs of celebration. Act I (cont’d)

Act I Scene II – Feast of Lupercal Caesar wants Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure sterility Fortune Teller tells Caesar to ―Beware the Ides of March.‖ Cassius pulls Brutus aside to see how Brutus feels about people wanting Caesar to be king. Casca tells them people have offered Caesar the crown three times, but he refused. Act I (cont’d) Act I Scene III – during a nighttime storm Casca has experienced strange things and believes they are omens of things to come. Cassius compares the night to Caesar and persuades Casca to join him in thinking Caesar is gaining way too much power. Cassius vows that he will kill himself rather than live in Caesar’s bondage; devises a trick to make Brutus join the group of conspirators. Julius Caesar:Act II

Act II Scene I – Brutus’ Garden Brutus tries to convince himself that Caesar must die. Conspirators arrive; Brutus pledges his support in Caesar’s killing but does not support the killing of Mark Antony. Portia, Brutus’ wife, wants to know what the meeting was about saying she could keep the secret. Caius Ligarius joins conspirators Act II (cont’d)

Act II Scene II – Caesar’s house Caesar is awakened by the storm Calpurnia, disturbed by her dreams, begs him not to go to the Senate. Caesar agrees to stay home. Decius arrives and reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream as favorable; he decides to go. Conspirators arrive to accompany Caesar. He offers wine, which makes Brutus feel guilty. Act II (cont’d)

Act II Scene III – Rome streets Artemidorus, who admires Caesar, waits along the way to pass a letter of warning to Caesar Act II – Scene IV Portia is fearful of what she suspects will happen. She sends Lucius to the Senate to see how Brutus looks. She then speaks to a soothsayer who intends to warn Caesar. Julius Caesar: Act III

At the Capitol, both the soothsayer and Artemidorus try to warn Caesar. Neither is successful. The conspirators realize their plot is known. The conspirators stab Caesar. Brutus strikes the last blow. Brutus insists that each conspirator bathe his hands in Caesar’s blood to show that what they did was good for Rome. Antony arrives and laments over Caesar’s death. Antony makes peace with the assassins. Act III (cont’d) Antony takes Caesar’s body to deliver the funeral oration. After the conspirators leave, Antony’s soliloquy shows his anger and vows to avenge Caesar’s death. Brutus addresses the crowd. He explains that though he loved Caesar, he loved Rome more and Caesar was too ambitious. Antony speaks about the great things Caesar has done, reminds the citizens how they once loved him, and shows them Caesar’s mutilated body. Act III (cont’d)

The crowd becomes angry and rushes off, bent on destruction.

Act III Scene III brief scene shows how the angry mob kills an innocent man because he has same name as one of the conspirators. Julius Caesar: Act IV Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus form the second triumvirate to rule Rome. They prepare list of people to execute or banish. Antony discusses with Lepidus’ competency with Octavius. They also talk about the army that Brutus and Cassius are putting together. Cassius and Brutus quarrel about the reasons for killing Caesar and each other’s greediness. Cassius feels Brutus has turned against him and offers Brutus his dagger and his life. Quarrel ends. Act IV (cont’d)

Antony and Octavius are marching with their armies to Phillipi. Brutus and Cassius plan their strategy.

Brutus is awake in his tent when the ghost of Caesar appears and tells him that they will meet again in Phillipi. Julius Caesar: Act V

Brutus and Cassius’ army prepares to battle with the army of Octavius and Antony. The four men meet and exchange insults. Octavius promises to avenge Caesar’s death. Brutus and Cassius bid each other farewell knowing they may never see each other again. The battle is going badly for Cassius. After reports that they are surrounded, Cassius gives Pindarus his sword and tells Pindarus to kill him. Act V (cont’d)

Brutus orders Cassius’ funeral to take part at a distant place so his troops won’t be affected. In battle, Lucilius pretends to be Brutus. Antony realizes Lucilius is pretending to be Brutus and tells his soldiers to find Brutus dead or alive. Brutus, knowing they are defeated, asks each of his friends to kill him; they refuse. Finally, Brutus persuades his servant Strato to hold the sword while he runs on it, killing himself. Act V (cont’d)

Octavius and Antony arrive with prisoners. Strato reports how Brutus died. Antony gives the final tribute, ―This was the noblest Roman of them all.‖ Octavius orders that Brutus be given the respect and rites due a soldier of his rank. Octavius has the final word, ―Let’s away. To part the glories of this happy day.‖