Transcript Julius Caesar - Cloudfront.net

Julius Caesar
Facts, Context, Plot, and Parallels:
Concepts You Should Know
FACTS
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Shakespeare wrote 37 plays/154 sonnets
Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan
era (16th and 17th century – 1500’s and
early 1600’s)
His work affected the course of Western
Literature and culture forever
More Facts
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Caesar Setting: Rome, Italy (44 B.C) –
Rome was the center of the entire empire
Rome was getting stronger – threats still
existed.
Caesar is Shakespeare’s shortest play. It
is the first to be performed, but it took many
years to make it to text.
Context
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Constant fighting between ambitious military
leaders and Senators (they were weak) to whom
they owed allegiance.
Lots of division between citizens.
Many wanted to be the absolute ruler of Rome –
Caesar was the only likely candidate
The citizens who favored democratic rule feared
Caesar’s power. Thus begins the conspiracy to
assassinate Caesar. This was ill-fated, leading to
civil war, and eventually the end of the Roman
Empire.
Caesar - Plot
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The events leading to the assassination
Civil War
Deaths of the conspirators
Revenge
Parallels – Roman Empire and
Elizabethan
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Shift from Republican to Imperial Rome and
historically – Elizabethan Era heading toward
Monarchial power.
Elizabeth did not have an heir to her throne and
there was fear that her death may put England
into chaos. The play, Caesar, is Shakespeare’s
commentary on the political situation of the day.
The actions of leaders of Roman society
determined the history, rather than class conflicts
or large political movements.