1. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

2. Caesar Timeline Caesar (102-44 B.C.); Son-in-Law, Pompey Civil Wars 49 B.C. : Caesar vs. Pompey Pompey flees to Egypt, and is murdered. Caesar is victorious Caesar elected consul (ruling magistrate of Republic) Named dictator for 10 years by Senate Bio and play begin w/ Caesar’s victorious return after defeating Pompey’s son in Spain Conspiracy already under way

3. Roman Empire 44 B.C.

4. Europe Today

5. Important Facts Type of Plot: Tragedy Time of Plot: 44 B.C. Locale: Rome First Performed: 1599-1600 First Published: 1601

6. Principal Characters Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome Mark Antony, his friend Marcus Brutus, a conspirator against Caesar Caius Cassius, another conspirator Portia, wife of Brutus and Cassius’ wife Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife

7. Important Points Based on Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. Shakespeare had to work his dramatic art within the restrictions of known history. We know that the play is not just about plot; they are more about explorations into human nature, about language, and about the ambiguity that much of the lang. presents.

8. Important Points Cont. The historical events associated with the death of Caesar and defeat of the conspirators took 3 years; not 3 days. Prose used in the play by comic and less important characters. This play is very political; monarchy vs. democracy.

9. Important Points Cont. Despite the title, Brutus, not Caesar, is the hero of this play. We often forget that these plays were created to be heard and seen. When we read a play, we miss some of what we call the performance language of the play.

10. Format of the Play: 5 Part Dramatic Structure Exposition: to Act I, scene ii Complication: Act I, scene ii; to Act II, scene iv Climax: Act III, scene i Consequence: Act III, scene ii; to Act V, scene ii Denouement: Act V, scenes iii to v

11. Key Terms Dramatic Irony: when readers or audience know info that a character does not know. Blank Verse: unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter. Iambic Pentameter: has five pairs of syllables (10 in all) with each pair following the pattern unstressed/stressed. Soliloquy: an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when alone or regardless of hearers. Aside: an actor's remark addressed to the audience rather than the other characters.

12. Key Terms Cont. Monologue: a long “speech” by one character to another character. Tragic Flaw: a personality trait of the tragic hero which leads to his downfall. Anachronism: the placing of something in the wrong historical period. Tragedy: a play in which events turn out disastrously for the main character or characters.

13. Works Cited Bloom, Harold, ed. William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” New York: Chelsea House, 1988. O’ Brien, Peggy, ed. Shakespeare Set Free. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993. Rosenblum, Joseph, ed. A Reader’s Guide to Shakespeare. New York: Salem Press, Inc., 1999.