Transcript Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar
By William Shakespeare
Background
ancient Rome 44 B.C.
 Based on real historical events
 Shakespeare’s shortest play
 Shakespeare compresses the actual
historical time of three years into a
period of 6 days.

Life in Rome
There were two classes of people in
Rome, either rich or poor
 The rich were called Patricians and
the poor were called Plebeians
 The plebeians were known to be very
fickle and would rally around any
leader or form of government that
seemed good at the time.

Politics


For centuries, Romans debated and fought wars
trying to decide which form of government was
best: a monarchy (kingdom), republic (people
rule), or dictatorship (one man makes rules).
At the time of the play, Rome is technically a
Republic in which an elected Senate rule Rome.
Who was Caesar?
A patrician (wealthy Roman) who
supported the people of Rome.
 spent money for public entertainment and
establishing laws lifting heavy tax burdens
 Formed a triumvirate (three-man rule)
with Crassus and Pompey in 60BC to
govern Rome.

Who was Caesar? (continued)
Expanded the Roman Empire through military
conquests, including Gaul (Southern France and
Northern Italy).
 Fought and defeated Pompey and his sons after
Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s popularity,
persuaded the Senate to order Caesar to
disband his army and return to Rome.
 Made dictator for life, which is where the play
begins.

Political Tension
Question: What political tension can you
infer from the information just provided?
Answer:


Caesar was a powerful military General; therefore, many
members of the Senate are afraid that the people will make
the well- respected Caesar their absolute ruler, which would
overturn the Republic of Rome and turn it into a
Dictatorship.
Because of this fear and the “good of Rome”, Caesar’s
friends (members of the Senate) decide to take matters into
their own hands.
Major Ideas
1. The power of Rhetoric and Persuasion
2. The role of Fate, Superstition, and the
Supernatural in our lives
3. Personal Principles VS. Public Welfare - which
is more important?
Tips for reading Shakespeare

Don’t get awkward phrases or sentence
structure stop you – just reword them so
they make sense!

EX: “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I have not slept…”
Paraphrased: I have not slept since the moment
Cassius turned me against Caesar.
Tips for Reading Shakespeare

Read to the end of a sentence, not the
end of a line, and paraphrase lines as you
read.
 EX:
 “What
need we any spur but our own cause
To prick us to redress. What other bond
than secret Romans that have spoke the word
And will not palter? “
We don’t need any other reason that the one we
have. We don’t need any other bond except the
fact that we are all Romans and will honor our
word.
Use your resources!!
Notes on the left side of the book
 Study guides to help you focus
 Character list to keep track of who’s who
 Context clues for unfamiliar words

Ask Questions!!!
You are not expected to know everything!
 You are expected to read, think, reread,
answer study guestions to the best of your
ability, and ask questions.

And most importantly, enjoy reading!!