Additional Information on Julius Caesar

Themes in Julius Caesar An idealistic person can be manipulated by a clever and perhaps unscrupulous person. If the rightful ruler is deposed or killed, chaos will result. Ordinary people are swayed by effective oratory; thus, they can be changed into a dangerous mob. Ambitions can change a man’s character so that he no longer seeks the good for all men but, rather, seeks more power for himself. Power tends to corrupt those who hold it. People can easily delude themselves into thinking the end justifies the means.

Julius Caesar: The Journey of a Leader If we wind the clock back about 400 years - to the year 1600 in fact - we arrive at the time when William Shakespeare completed Julius Caesar. Can you think of any reasons why this play (and for that matter Shakespeare himself) stood the test of time so well? After all, Shakespeare is a huge commercial success all over the world, even today. Books, films, TV, stage presentations, and souvenirs generate an enormous profit.

Julius Caesar Born July 13, 100 B.C.                                     Julius Caesar Born July 13, 100 B.C. Helped transform Rome into an empire Elected military tribune in 72 B.C. Elected Proconsul Responsible for first invasion of Britain in 55 B.C.

The GallicWars Commentarii de Bello Gallico– book Caesar wrote about the war This book represents a masterwork of political propaganda as Caesar was keenly interested in manipulating his readers in Rome.

The Civil War The First Triumvirate Caesar Pompey In 50 B.C., the Senate, led by Pompey, ordered Caesar to return to Rome and disband his army because his term as Proconsul finished. Moreover, the Senate forbade Caesar to stand for a second consulship in absentia. Caesar thought he would be prosecuted and politically marginalized if he entered Rome without the immunity enjoyed by a Consul or without the power of his army. Pompey accused Caesar of insubordination and treason. Crossed the Rubicon and marched on Rome Pompey led Legions of the Republic into battle Pompey No picture of Crassus The First Triumvirate

                                                                                                                    Battle of Pharsalus Although outnumbered by 25%, Caesar figured out Pompey’s battle plan. On August 9, 48 B.C., Caesar defeated Pompey’s army, and Pompey fled to Egypt. On Sept. 28, 48 B.C., Pompey was assassinated by ministers of Ptolemy XIII.

Caesar: Destiny of Rome?                                                                                   Caesar: Destiny of Rome? Reorganized distribution of grain Founded military colonies for the poor Granted citizenship to doctors & teachers Stepped up criminal penalties and laws against extortion Created 1st news sheet Never lost a war

Caesar: Destroyer of the Republic?                                                                Caesar: Destroyer of the Republic? Named dictator for 10 years Given most lavish honors ever showered on a Roman Victories = national holidays Coins minted with his image Statue erected with inscription: “To the unconquerable god.”

Why Kill Caesar? Enemies within Caesar’s small circle of advisors actively plotted against him Fear of 1 ruler and wanted to keep old form of government

Caesar’s Assassination Chart Victim Assassins Problem Goal Result Julius Caesar (44 B.C.) Rome Brutus, Cassius, and others Caesar was becoming too popular. Some Romans feared he would become a tyrant. To remove the political threat of Caesar becoming King. Civil war – at the end, Octavius Augustus became not king but emperor.

Shakespeare’s Choice Shakespeare certainly had good reason to write about Julius Caesar. This Roman emperor was well known in the Elizabethan public's mind - he was, after all, the one who led the first Roman ships to Britain's shores in 55 B.C. and paved the way for the Roman occupation of Britain. When he became dictator, he was arguably the most powerful ruler the world had ever known. He also died in spectacular fashion.

Shakespeare’s Intentions Of course, Shakespeare had to gather historical details. He read one major work: Sir Thomas North's translation of the ancient historian Plutarch's Lives. But Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is not a history book, nor was it his intention to write a piece of Roman history. It is a play, based on the Events of Caesar's murder Pressures on the characters around him Consequences for the conspirators and Rome in general.

Shakespeare’s Purpose He is not so much interested in the facts but uses them to: Present something from his own imagination that would entertain his audiences (the first thing to think about, obviously) Make audiences think: challenge them to look beyond the story and look at the way human beings act towards each other.

Caesar Cartoons

Shakespearean Conventions Bank Verse: unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter Soliloquy : long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal private thoughts Aside: character’s quiet remark to another

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