by William Shakespeare Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Information on William Shakespeare Wrote during the Elizabethan Period. Born in Stratford-on-Avon, England. Married Anne Hathaway and had 3 children. Wrote Histories, Tragedies, Comedies, and Romances. Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets.

Information on William Shakespeare Received most of his information on Julius Caesar from Plutrach’s Lives of the Greek and Roman Nobles. Never wrote a play set in his own time. Died at the age of 52. Left his wife his “second best bed” in his will.

Key Concepts of Julius Caesar History Play - a patriotic story about English history Tragedy - terrible happenings that end in the death of the main character Tragic Hero - neither villainous nor exceptionally virtuous, with a basic character flaw that leads to his downfall

Themes Chaos results when the lawful social order is broken. The best intentions of good, noble people can lead to a tragedy. Language is a powerful weapon, and in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others. Violence and bloodshed can never have morally good results. Orderliness and stable rule, even rule by a dictator, are preferable to chaos.

Symbols Body and Illness Blood Femininity Omens and Fate Rome

Historical Background In 60 BC, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey ruled the Roman Empire as the First Triumvirate Caesar, the most popular, was a strong military leader Caesar led his troops against Pompey, who had already been murdered Caesar declared himself dictator for life

Pompey’s sons continued to fight Caesar, but were defeated in Spain Both Brutus and Cassius had supported Pompey in his war against Caesar, but they were pardoned by Caesar after Pompey’s death

Characters

Conspiracy Members

The Wives Portia is the confidant to Brutus, yet she finds him hesitant to share his troubles during the plot to kill Caesar. Calpurnia she was married to Julius Caesar in 59 BC and was loyal to him despite his many infidelities and his neglect. Shakespeare portrays her as sensitive to omens.

The Loyalists

Other Important Characters Soothsayer: Twice, the soothsayer warns Caesar of the Ides of March. M. Aemilius Lepidus: One of the triumvirs who rule following the death of Julius Caesar, Lepidus is weak and Antony uses him essentially to run errands. Cinna the Poet: Only because he has the same name as one of the conspirators, Cinna the Poet is murdered by the riotous mob intent on avenging Caesar’s death.