Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Shakespeare & Elizabethan Theater
2
William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
Born in Stratford-on-Avon on April 23rd Son of a glovemaker and landlord’s daughter Read extensively in Latin (language of the educated class) as a child Married Anne Hathaway – had three children: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet (d. at 11yrs.) Actor and part-owner/playwright of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater company) – later renamed as King’s Men (for James I) Died April 23rd, 1616
3
Shakespeare’s Dramas Most of his plays performed at the Globe Theater, London Lived during period known as the Renaissance – a time of cultural explosion, Reformation, and exploration Wrote over 37 plays including tragedies, comedies, and histories, as well as poetry Plays mainly written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter)
4
The Globe Theater Public open air, wooden theater in London
Held between people Had a platform stage that jutted into the audience, as well as a second level stage Limited scenery; relied on dialogue to establish the setting. Actors wore elaborate Elizabethan clothing, not costuming. Actors were males only; it was not considered proper for women to perform on stage. Boys usually played the female roles. Plays lasted about 2 hours, during daylight hours. The Globe burned to the ground in 1613 when a cannon fired during Henry VIII set the thatched roof on fire. Rebuilt. Reconstructed in
6
Elizabethan Audiences
Wealthier audience members sat in the galleries on benches. Groundlings, those who could not pay to sit, stood in the “pit.” Groundlings paid one penny admission. Hazelnuts were the equivalent of popcorn.
7
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Based on Plutarch’s history of Julius Caesar. Written in 1599. In 1599, Queen Elizabeth was getting old and had produced no heirs. There was concern that political strife—even civil war—might follow her death. It is likely that Shakespeare intended Julius Caesar as a warning to ambitious British nobles who might try to seize power after Elizabeth died.
8
Why Did Everyone Want to Kill Julius Caesar?
Good question!
9
Gaius Julius Caesar c.100 B.C.- 44 B.C. Roman military and political leader Became very popular military victories in Gaul (France/Germany). Became one of the most influential men of ancient times.
10
The Senate and Caesar’s “ally” Pompey ordered Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome.
Instead, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with a legion and started a civil war. His enemies fled, and eventually were defeated and killed. Upon his return, Caesar assumed a great deal of control over Rome. The Senate felt that Caesar’s position as dictator for life threatened the 500 year-old Republic.
11
Believing that it was best for Rome, some senators plotted to kill Caesar. They persuaded Marcus Brutus, a friend to Caesar, to join them. On March 15, 44 B.C., the conspirators attacked Caesar in the Senate hall, stabbing him a total of 23 times. After Caesar’s death, Brutus allegedly declared “Sic simper tyrannis.” (“Thus, always to tyrants.”)
12
Not everyone in Rome wanted him dead:
Friends, Romans, Countrymen... Not everyone in Rome wanted him dead: Plebeians (regular citizens) loved Caesar and rioted after his murder. Caesar’s ally, Marc Antony, waged war on his conspirators who either were defeated or committed suicide. After years of political strife, Caesar’s adopted heir Octavian (Augustus) took over as the first emperor of Rome, and Caesar was declared to be a god.
13
Was Brutus’ participation in the murder of Caesar justified?
Essential Question Was Brutus’ participation in the murder of Caesar justified?
14
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (Act I) Reading Parts
Actors Analysts Flavius Jacklyn Kiran Carpenter EJ Jacob C Marullus Daniel Cobbler Elizabeth Caesar Andrew Kayli Casca David Ryleigh Antony Brendan Lucas Calpurnia Kirsten Soothsayer Dakota Damon Brutus Rex Jacob Cassius Ryan Michael Cicero Antonio Cinna Alex Literary Features Trackers External Conflicts Internal Conflicts Plot Summary Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Symbols: Nature/Weather Block 3
15
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (Act I) Reading Parts
Actors Analysts Flavius Carpenter Marullus Cobbler Caesar Casca Antony Calpurnia Soothsayer Brutus Cassius Cicero Cinna Literary Features Trackers External Conflicts Internal Conflicts Plot Summary Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Symbols: Nature/Weather Block 4
16
Literary Features Trackers Block 3
(Act 2) Reading Parts Actors Analysts Brutus Lucius Cassius Casca Decius Cinna Metellus Trebonius Portia Caius Caesar Servant Calpurnia Publius Artemidorus Soothsayer Literary Features Trackers External Conflicts Internal Conflicts Plot Summary Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Symbols: Nature/Weather Block 3
17
Literary Features Trackers Block 4
(Act 2) Reading Parts Actors Analysts Brutus Lucius Cassius Casca Decius Cinna Metellus Trebonius Portia Caius Caesar Servant Calpurnia Publius Artemidorus Soothsayer Literary Features Trackers External Conflicts Internal Conflicts Plot Summary Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Symbols: Nature/Weather Block 4
18
Literary Features Trackers Block 3
(Act 3) Reading Parts Actors Analysts Caesar Soothsayer Artemidorus Decius Publius Metellus Servant Cassius Popilius Brutus Cinna & Cinna the Poet Casca Antony 1st Plebeian 2nd Plebian 3rd Plebian 4th Plebian Literary Features Trackers External Conflicts Internal Conflicts Plot Summary Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Symbols: Nature/Weather Block 3
19
Literary Features Trackers Block 3
(Act 3) Reading Parts Actors Analysts Caesar Soothsayer Artemidorus Decius Publius Metellus Servant Cassius Popilius Brutus Cinna & Cinna the Poet Casca Antony 1st Plebeian 2nd Plebian 3rd Plebian 4th Plebian Literary Features Trackers External Conflicts Internal Conflicts Plot Summary Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Symbols: Nature/Weather Block 3
Similar presentations
