Introduction to the play Julius Caesar Ms. Met Honors English

IMAGINE THIS… You are the leader of the free world. You are the leader of the free world. You are the most powerful human being on earth. You are the most powerful human being on earth. You are the controller of the most powerful country in the world. You are the controller of the most powerful country in the world. You are untouchable. You are untouchable. You can say or do anything you want. You can say or do anything you want.

But… Your best friends stab you in the back… Your best friends stab you in the back… You never saw it coming… You never saw it coming…

This is the plot of Julius Caesar. Where did Shakespeare get this idea? Shakespeare’s source for the play. Plutarch’s Parallel lives of Greeks & Romans from a 1579 book by Sir Thomas North from a French translation of the 1st century Greek text.

Questions: Why write a play about people from 16 centuries earlier? Why write a play about people from 16 centuries earlier? Why might Shakespeare and the Elizabethans be interested in the story of JC? Why might Shakespeare and the Elizabethans be interested in the story of JC? How does the historical aspect of Caesar allow Shakespeare to investigate the relationship between power and responsibility? How does the historical aspect of Caesar allow Shakespeare to investigate the relationship between power and responsibility? Why might the Elizabethans be interested in the question - under what circumstance was it permissible to overthrow one’s ruler by violence? Why might the Elizabethans be interested in the question - under what circumstance was it permissible to overthrow one’s ruler by violence?

The Play, The Man The play Julius Caesar was written and performed around 1600 by William Shakespeare. The play Julius Caesar was written and performed around 1600 by William Shakespeare. The story was based on the facts of a critical turning point in Roman history, when it went from being a semi- democratic Republic to a tyrannical dictatorship. The story was based on the facts of a critical turning point in Roman history, when it went from being a semi- democratic Republic to a tyrannical dictatorship.

Historical overview of Roman Politics 509 B.C. The Republic was established. 509 B.C. The Republic was established. Republic- government in which the citizens elect their leaders 2 groups were elected to rule 2 groups were elected to rule Senate – formed of Patricians, the wealthy nobles Tribunal– formed of Plebeians, the common people Note: Legal code only applied to Roman citizens, which didn’t include women, foreigners, or 100 B.C. the Republic began to weaken & eventually collapsed: a victim of class tensions, poor leadership, and civil 100 B.C. the Republic began to weaken & eventually collapsed: a victim of class tensions, poor leadership, and civil wars Julius Caesar was born at this time. Julius Caesar was born at this time.

Who was Julius Caesar?

The Real Caesar Julius Caesar really existed and lived from 102 B.C. to 44 B.C. Julius Caesar really existed and lived from 102 B.C. to 44 B.C. He was Rome’s military leader. He was Rome’s military leader. Once Rome would take over a country, a Roman governor would rule that place. The Roman officials were often times very cruel. Many times the generals who took over the countries were asked to stabilize the place. Many generals got power- hungry and turned on each other. Once Rome would take over a country, a Roman governor would rule that place. The Roman officials were often times very cruel. Many times the generals who took over the countries were asked to stabilize the place. Many generals got power- hungry and turned on each other.

The First Triumvirate Eventually the generals became so powerful that they established the First Triumvirate to rule Rome: Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus. Eventually the generals became so powerful that they established the First Triumvirate to rule Rome: Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus. However, Caesar turned on Pompey & Crassus. However, Caesar turned on Pompey & Crassus.

The Roman Empire

Caesar’s Conflicts Pompey tried to sway the Roman government to overturn Caesar. Caesar gained control by bribing the people with his money. Caesar took control of Rome and went after Pompey. Pompey tried to sway the Roman government to overturn Caesar. Caesar gained control by bribing the people with his money. Caesar took control of Rome and went after Pompey. Pompey was murdered before Caesar could get him in Egypt. Pompey was murdered before Caesar could get him in Egypt.

Caesar’s Conquests While in Egypt, Caesar fell in love with Cleopatra. While in Egypt, Caesar fell in love with Cleopatra. He made her the ruler of Egypt. He made her the ruler of Egypt. Caesar went back to Rome a hero, and in 49 B.C. Julius Caesar declared himself dictator having killed Crassus & Pompey. Caesar went back to Rome a hero, and in 49 B.C. Julius Caesar declared himself dictator having killed Crassus & Pompey. He made his friend, Brutus, a senator. He made his friend, Brutus, a senator.

Caesar thought he was invincible. Talking about himself, He wrote this on the Temple walls… “To the Unconquerable God”

For many Romans, having another king sounded horrible. They had been run by a republican government for 450 years. Caesar became more pretentious. For many Romans, having another king sounded horrible. They had been run by a republican government for 450 years. Caesar became more pretentious. Senators made plans to assassinate him on March 15, 44 B.C. Senators made plans to assassinate him on March 15, 44 B.C. Shakespeare’s play opens a month before this… Shakespeare’s play opens a month before this…

The death of the Republic In 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was killed by members of the Senate. In 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was killed by members of the Senate. The Second Triumvirate was established of Octavius (Julius’ nephew & heir), Marcus Antonius, Lepidus, but civil war soon threatened again. The Second Triumvirate was established of Octavius (Julius’ nephew & heir), Marcus Antonius, Lepidus, but civil war soon threatened again. In 29 B.C. Caesar Augustus (Octavius) was crowned emperor. In 29 B.C. Caesar Augustus (Octavius) was crowned emperor. The Republic never revived again despite numerous attempts by the Senate to restore power to the people. The Republic never revived again despite numerous attempts by the Senate to restore power to the people.

Another Question: Why should we study Shakespeare? Examine eternal themes: Examine eternal themes: Analyze how JC is an inquiry into man’s political nature. Analyze how JC is an inquiry into man’s political nature. Discuss how Shakespeare wanted to investigate the relationship between power and responsibility Discuss how Shakespeare wanted to investigate the relationship between power and responsibility Discuss under what circumstance was it permissible to overthrow one’s ruler by violence Discuss under what circumstance was it permissible to overthrow one’s ruler by violence Examine literary worth of a master writer Examine literary worth of a master writer Interpret (explicate – paraphrase) lines from Shakespeare’s play by using internal clues in the play. Interpret (explicate – paraphrase) lines from Shakespeare’s play by using internal clues in the play. Associate us with allusions from Julius Caesar that will be seen in other works. Associate us with allusions from Julius Caesar that will be seen in other works.

D. Other dramatic and literary devices Pun: play on words involving Pun: play on words involving Word with more than one meaning Word with more than one meaning Words with similar sounds Words with similar sounds Soliloquy Soliloquy Speech of moderate to long length Speech of moderate to long length Spoken by one actor alone on stage (or not heard by other actors) Spoken by one actor alone on stage (or not heard by other actors) Aside Aside Direct address by actor to audience Direct address by actor to audience Not supposed to be overheard by other characters Not supposed to be overheard by other characters

C. Poetic technique Iambic pentameter Iambic pentameter 5 units of rhythm per line 5 units of rhythm per line primary rhythm is iambic ( U / ) primary rhythm is iambic ( U / ) Blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter Blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter Usually the nobility uses blank verse when speaking Usually the nobility uses blank verse when speaking

Elements of Fiction/Shakespearean Tragedy Exposition: Characters & Setting Act I Rising Action: Introduction of Conflicts Act II Climax: Turning Point Act III In a tragedy, things usually go from bad to worse in Act III. Falling Action: Conflict resolution begins to fall into place. Result of the climax Act IV Denouement: Main conflicts are resolved. Act V This act includes a catastrophe, which is another climactic turning point in the story line.

Special thanks to: WERPOINT_files/frame.htm WERPOINT_files/frame.htm WERPOINT_files/frame.htm WERPOINT_files/frame.htm Google images for photos Google images for photos And a variety of others sources throughout the years of Mrs. Ma’s teaching. And a variety of others sources throughout the years of Mrs. Ma’s teaching.