1. Shakespeare Plays
The Globe Theater

2. Shakespeare
Born around April (no exact date is known) at Stratford-on-Avon in England
Died April 23, 1616
Referred to as “The Bard”
Wrote
37 plays
154 sonnets
Several long poems
Controversy about actual authorship of plays

3. The Globe Theater or the Wooden “O”

4. The Globe Theatre
The Globe was built during Shakespeare's early period in 1599.
It had a total capacity of between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators.
No lighting.
All performances were conducted, weather permitting, during the afternoon (probably most often in the mid-afternoon span between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M.).
No background scenery.
Did use costumes and props.
Acoustics were bad and the actors had to shout their lines, stress their enunciation, and make exaggerated theatrical gestures

5. The Globe Theater

6. 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.

7. Shakespeare Vocabulary to Know
Verse Drama – A play in which the dialogue consists almost entirely of poetry.
Soliloquy – A long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal his/her private thoughts
Aside – a character’s quiet remark to the audience or another character that no one else on stage is supposed to hear.
Dramatic irony – When the audience or reader knows something that one or more characters do not.

8. How do we say it?
Iambic Pentameter – Shakespeare’s favorite rhythm! = 1 unstressed syllable followed by 1 stressed syllable repeated 5 times
da DUM/ da DUM /da DUM/ da DUM/ da Dum da DUM
Julius Caesar was written in Blank verse - poetry written in iambic pentameter that doesn’t rhyme.

9. Literary Terms
Pun – a “play” on words that is humorous b/c it uses different meanings for the same word or similar sounding words.

10. Drama Words Shakespeare Globe Theater
Julius Caesar
Drama Words
Shakespeare
Globe Theater

11. What is a dramatic tragedy?
A play in which a series of actions leads to the downfall of the main character – the tragic hero.
The Qualities of Tragic Hero
Possesses importance or high rank
Exhibits extraordinary talents
Displays a tragic flaw – an error in judgment or defect in character that leads to a downfall
Faces downfall with courage and dignity

12. What is a history play?
A drama about actual historical events and real people

13. Characters
Julius Caesar - tragic hero, strong individual, great military leader, dictator
Brutus –a good and gentle man – Caesar’s friend
Cassius – the realist, the shrewd manipulator, the ambitious one
Marc Antony – reckless, careless, and handsome. A clever speaker who is loved by the people
Octavius – Heir to Rome also called Augustus Caesar (Biblical)

14. A little history Romans adopted Greek gods and renamed them in Latin.
Romulus founded Rome city state in 753 B.C. and was the first king.
Roman kings were nominated by committee and elected,
Government was run by the senate and was a republic.
Caesar defeated the general Pompey and wanted to do away with the Republic.
Declared himself dictator for life.

15. SETTING Julius Caesar is set in Rome in the year 44 B.C.
In Act IV, the action moves to Sardis and the battlefield at Philippi.
Physical landmarks of ancient Rome
Tiber River
The Capitol
The Senate
The Forum

17. Lupercal
In the legend of Rome's founding, Romulus and Remus were found by a female wolf who nursed them until they were found. Romans celebrate Lupercal in honor of the wolf and Romulus.

18. The “Ides” of March
The term “ides” was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other eight months. It was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held.

19. Questions – Act I What is happening at the beginning of the play?
What are Flavius and Marullus doing?
What is Lupercal?
What warning is given to Caesar? By whom?
How does Caesar react to the warning?
What are the two stories that Cassius tells Brutus about Caesar? What is his purpose?
What kind of person does Brutus seem to be?
What kind of person is Cassius?
What is Caesar’s opinion of Antony? Of Cassius?
Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Caesar was offered what? How many times?
What illnesses/disabilities does Caesar have? It is the evening before the Ides of March. Describe the weather.
Cassius compared the storm to whom?
According to Casca, what do the senators plan to do tomorrow?
Cinna is to deliver forged letters to what three places?