Transcript Introduction to Julius Caesar

Introduction to
Julius Caesar
Tragedy. Masterpiece.
Today’s goal
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To learn introductory information about
William Shakespeare
To gain an appreciation for his enduring
influence on literature
Who was William Shakespeare?
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Brief biography of Shakespeare
All a farce?

“We don’t know the guy who wrote this
thing and it’s important that we do.”
Why study Shakespeare

Illumination of the human spirit
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Shakespeare captures who we are as human
beings
Incredible stories
Compelling characters
Ability to turn a phrase

If you have ever refused to budge an inch or
suffered from green-eyed jealousy, you are
quoting Shakespeare
Julius Caesar
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Before watching a movie, we often watch
trailers to better understand what the
movie will be like
Before reading Shakespeare, we need to
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Preview the story
Understand the context
Clues
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The trailer reveals that Caesar is likely
about…
War
Leadership
Betrayal
Conquest
Roman Political Structure

Rome had a 500-year-old Republic
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A form of government in which the head of
state is an elected president rather than a
monarch (King or Queen)
This head of state works for the people
directly or through elected
representatives called senators
The bare bones of Caesar

Setting: Ancient Rome
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Historical aspect – political intrigue
Magical occurrences incorporated
Bare bones continued
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Caesar, the most
powerful man in
Rome, has
recently returned
to the city after
months of
fighting abroad
He has fought
and conquered
Pompey and his
sons
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The people love Caesar
Hail Caesar!
Caesar is made dictator, or ruler

a position that was sometimes granted for a
ten-year term—for the rest of his life
Roman political structure
Caesar
Senators
Head of state
Elected representatives (aristocrats)
Tribunes
Elected officials to protect the rights of
commoners (from aristocrats)
•Many senators began to resent
Caesar and the power that he was
gaining
Conspiracy
theory…
Conspiracy
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Conspiracy ensues
Brutus
Caesar’s friend
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believes that he must act against Caesar for the good of
Rome
Casca
hates the ordinary citizens of Rome
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is jealous because they love Caesar and not him
Cassius
a greedy and jealous man
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wants to take drastic measures to keep Caesar from
winning any more power
Historical Context

The Romans
established their
famous republic, in
which all citizens
were represented in
the Senate
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Romans were very
proud of their nonking ruled
government
When Caesar arrived,
they changed their
minds!
What you need to know

Shakespeare is
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From another time
It’s not easy
It’s rewarding to understand!
Shakespeare on friendship
"Those friends thou hast, and their adoption
tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.“
What other wise words have you heard on
friendship?