Shakespeare and The Tragedy of Julius Caesar “Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek headed men, and such as sleep 0’nites; Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much; such men are dangerous” -Julius Caesar

Quickwrite You have 2 minutes to write 5+ sentences in which you respond to the following. A good friend of yours has been elected president of the student council. Soon, you notice that he or she is abusing the position by claiming privileges and using it to further his or her social life. How would you deal with this situation?

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar play, in five acts, about several men trying to save the Roman Republic from Caesar’s ambition of having complete control. Before Caesar, Rome was a Republic = equal citizenship and people could elect tribunes to represent them in tribunals = like congress and the senate!

Julius Caesar in Context Debuted at Globe Theatre in 1599

TRAGEDY tragedy: a play in which events turn out disastrously for the main character or characters

Tragic Hero a character whose basic goodness and superiority are marred by a tragic flaw a fatal error in judgment that leads to the hero’s downfall. Brutus-is noble, but is a poor judge of character-too rigid in his ethical and political principles Caesar-brings great things to Rome, but proud, arrogant, and ambitious

DialogueMonologue a conversation between characters. a speech by one character in a play, story or poem. Given to another character.

SoliloquyAside a speech given by a character alone. short speech delivered by an actor in a play, which expresses the character’s thoughts. Traditionally, the aside is directed to the audience and is presumed to be inaudible to the other actors.

CHARACTERS ACT I Casca: Conspirator\hates the ordinary citizenry yet is jealous when the people honor Caesar.

Flavius and Marullus =Tribunes/government workers. Julius Caesar=Conquering Roman general, a mighty soldier swayed by superstition.

Calpurnia=Wife of Caesar Marcus Antonius/Mark Antony =Vows to avenge Caesar’s death.

Soothsayer=Fortune Teller Cassius=Displays greed and envy and motivates most of the conspirators.

Marcus Brutus=Only conspirator whose motives to assassinate Caesar are pure. Cicero=A senator Cinna=A poet