1. Julius Caesar Background Iacta alea est The die has already been cast

2. The Play 1. 1599 2. First play at Globe? 3. Source text: The Lives of Noble Grecians and Romans by Plutarch, a Greek writer and biographer. 4. Shakespeare uses Plutarch’s descriptions of characters/events but does condense the timeline of events.

3. Caesar: The Character and the Man 1. Title character—but dies in Act III. 2. Born 100 B.C. 3. Military genius  conquered large swaths of Europe, and sends the money back to Rome to win the favor of the people. 4. First Triumvirate 1. Title character—but dies in Act III. 2. Born 100 B.C. 3. Military genius  conquered large swaths of Europe, and sends the money back to Rome to win the favor of the people. 4. First Triumvirate

4. Members: Members: Caesar Caesar Pompey Pompey Crassus Crassus Three-man government Three-man government Crassus and Pompey make sure Caesar becomes a consul; Caesar promises he will use his influence to promote causes that would suit the trio best. Crassus and Pompey make sure Caesar becomes a consul; Caesar promises he will use his influence to promote causes that would suit the trio best. Caesar Pompey Crassus 4. The First Triumvirate, 60 B.C.

5. Jealousy and Murder Crassus killed in battle Crassus killed in battle Pompey, concerned over Caesar’s ambition and rise in power, turns many members of the Senate against him Pompey, concerned over Caesar’s ambition and rise in power, turns many members of the Senate against him Pompey and Caesar wage war against each other Pompey and Caesar wage war against each other 48 B.C.: Pompey killed in Egypt before Caesar could get to him. 48 B.C.: Pompey killed in Egypt before Caesar could get to him. Brutus had fought with Pompey, but Caesar pardoned him. Brutus had fought with Pompey, but Caesar pardoned him. 45 B.C.: Defeats Pompey’s sons in Spain (this is what is being celebrated at the start of the play). 45 B.C.: Defeats Pompey’s sons in Spain (this is what is being celebrated at the start of the play).

6. Views of Caesar Caesar saw himself as a defender of the people Caesar saw himself as a defender of the people Critics said he bought support with bribes and handouts Critics said he bought support with bribes and handouts Enemies said he deprived Romans of their liberty Enemies said he deprived Romans of their liberty Caesar’s standard (i.e. his symbol)

7. Unconquerable God Declared dictator for 10 years (the term originally was referred to a leader given supreme authority by the Senate on a temporary basis in times of emergency). Declared dictator for 10 years (the term originally was referred to a leader given supreme authority by the Senate on a temporary basis in times of emergency). Later is named Dictator for Life Later is named Dictator for Life Statue inscribed “To the Unconquerable God” Statue inscribed “To the Unconquerable God” Great qualities—generosity, loving, loved by the people Great qualities—generosity, loving, loved by the people Bad qualities—arrogant, stubborn Bad qualities—arrogant, stubborn Declared dictator for 10 years (the term originally was referred to a leader given supreme authority by the Senate on a temporary basis in times of emergency). Declared dictator for 10 years (the term originally was referred to a leader given supreme authority by the Senate on a temporary basis in times of emergency). Later is named Dictator for Life Later is named Dictator for Life Statue inscribed “To the Unconquerable God” Statue inscribed “To the Unconquerable God” Great qualities—generosity, loving, loved by the people Great qualities—generosity, loving, loved by the people Bad qualities—arrogant, stubborn Bad qualities—arrogant, stubborn

8. Assassination March 15, 44 B.C. (the Ides of March) March 15, 44 B.C. (the Ides of March) Senators dislike his arrogance and overwhelming power Senators dislike his arrogance and overwhelming power He is seen as a threat to the tradition of the Roman Republic He is seen as a threat to the tradition of the Roman Republic Sic semper tyrannis Thus always to tyrants

9. Brutus Precursor to Hamlet; has the most lines in the play Precursor to Hamlet; has the most lines in the play Stoic Stoic Ancestry—”There was a Brutus once…” Ancestry—”There was a Brutus once…”

10. Shakespeare’s Play Shakespeare’s play starts with events that happened a month before the murder. Shakespeare’s play starts with events that happened a month before the murder. The play condenses 3 years of history into one play in which 6 days are acted out. The play condenses 3 years of history into one play in which 6 days are acted out.

11. Shakespeare’s Play Political intrigue and fears of a leader with too much power are not uncommon to Shakespeare’s audience Political intrigue and fears of a leader with too much power are not uncommon to Shakespeare’s audience “Ripped from the headlines” “Ripped from the headlines”

12. The Great Chain of Being An absolutely ordered universe in which all things could be clearly ranked in order of superiority. An absolutely ordered universe in which all things could be clearly ranked in order of superiority.GodAngelsManAnimalsPlants Inorganic Matter Chaos

13. The Great Chain of Being As a result of events in the play, this order will be violated. This is not just a personal or social action, it is a COSMIC crime and the universe will reflect the disorder the conspirators initiate. As a result of events in the play, this order will be violated. This is not just a personal or social action, it is a COSMIC crime and the universe will reflect the disorder the conspirators initiate. Pay attention to the role that omens, the gods, and superstition play in the course of events. Pay attention to the role that omens, the gods, and superstition play in the course of events.