Introduction to Shakespeare and Julius Caesar Ms. Flemmons English II

William Shakespeare Background Information

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England April 23, 1564 Married: Anne Hathaway (1582) He was 18, she was 26. three children Susanna Hamnet Judith Died on April 23, 1616 his 52nd birthday William Shakespeare

This is the house where Shakespeare was born.

Shakespeare, continued Shakespeare was in the acting company, Lord Chamberlain's Men (later called the King’s Men) He wrote: 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 long poems His work was not published during his lifetime but four years later in the "First Folio" book Shakespeare is considered a "man for all seasons" because his plays appeal to everyone (all ages and across time)

The Globe Theater

Shakespeare performed his plays here Constructed in 1599 On the banks of the Thames River Near London Shape: Octagonal Play time: 2 hours Cost: One penny The Globe

The Globe, continued Seating: Pit: General crowd Galleries: A small additional fee would get you these seats Box Seats: Royalty or noblemen only The capacity for the play performance was 3,000 Sound effects were made in the huts Ghosts could appear on stage through trap doors

The Globe, continued Flags, trumpets, and fliers told when there would be a play The flags also told the audience what type of play they would be seeing: Red flag = history play White flag = comedy play Black Flag = tragedy play

The Globe Aerial View

The Globe Side View

The Globe Inside

Inside Shakespeare’s Globe This is a photograph of the newly restored Globe Theater in England. This picture shows what the stage looks like.

Elizabethan England Queen Elizabeth I ruled England during the time that Shakespeare wrote many of his plays.

Queen Elizabeth I She ruled England for nearly 50 years, and was very popular Ruled She was such a strong ruler that the time is called the Elizabethan Age or England’s Golden Age. Elizabeth never married, although she had many suitors during her lifetime. Queen Elizabeth had red hair and green eyes, and was known for her love of fashion; she had over 2,000 dresses. Some of her more elaborate gowns weighed over 200 pounds each.

Elizabethan Theater During this time, theater was not the only form of entertainment. People also enjoyed music and dancing. No women were allowed to act in the plays. Young boys acted the female parts. Actors wore clothes from their own time period, regardless of the play’s setting. The costumes were often very fancy. Audiences were very rowdy. They talked during the plays, and if they did not like one, they would throw garbage at the actors.

Elizabethan England England was very dirty Most people bathed only once a year Doctors worried about the Queen because she took a bath once a month People dumped garbage into the city streets School Boys went to school from age 7 to about 15, where they learned math, Latin, and Greek Girls were usually educated at home

Men’s Clothing

Women’s Clothing

More Women’s Clothing

Julius Caesar the man and the play “Veni, vidi, vici!”

Caesar the Man Born around 100 B.C. Died March 15, 44 B.C. He was one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He helped to make Rome the center of an empire that encompassed much of Europe. He is also known as a talented speaker, politician, and writer. These skills frightened Caesar’s political opponents, and led directly to his death.

Caesar, continued He married at the age of 17 to Cornelia They had a daughter, Julia Cornelia died in 68 B.C. In 60 B.C., Caesar joined with Pompey and Marcus Crassus to form the First Triumvirate. This is an alliance that ruled Rome. In 59 B.C. Caesar remarried. His wife’s name was Calpurnia. The same year, Pompey married Caesar’s daughter, Julia.

Caesar, continued After much military success, Pompey became increasingly jealous of Caesar. Pompey decided to join with Rome’s conservative leaders and try to get rid of Caesar. This ripped apart the triumvirate, and caused a civil war in 49 B.C. Within 60 days, Caesar had conquered Italy, but it took him almost 5 years to take over the rest of the Roman Empire. In 49 B.C., Caesar appointed himself dictator of this empire. It was during this 5 years that Caesar won the war that made Cleopatra the ruler of Egypt.

Caesar, continued After defeating Pompey, Caesar pardoned his enemy’s supporters. These same men later took part in Caesar’s assassination.

The Mediterranean

The Roman Empire

Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar The play takes place during a time of great political turmoil. Julius Caesar and Gnaeus Pompey have been fighting against each other during a civil war. The play begins as Caesar returns to Rome after his defeat of Pompey. The action of the play is spread out over 5 acts. In this play, we will encounter betrayal of friendships and the result of too much ambition.

Interesting Areas of Rome

Outside the Roman Coliseum

Inside the Roman Coliseum

The Pantheon

The Forum of Julius Caesar This is a place called the Forum of Julius Caesar in Rome.

Any Questions ?