JULIUS CAESAR BY

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Background

information

INSTRUCTIONS:

As each slide comes up, you will take notes on the text in BLUE. Please title this section “Julius Caesar Background Info.”

You will be responsible for this information.

THE SCENE… Based on a true story

The setting is Ancient Rome

Julius Caesar has just returned in triumphant from war.

The people love Caesar and hail him as their new leader

But some powerful Romans fear he will become too powerful and be more like an emperor

They also fear they will lose their liberties as citizens of a free state.

MORE BACKGROUNDA group of men conspire to assassinate

Caesar, believing they are acting to preserve the freedoms of the Roman

Republic.

THE PLAYERS (CHARACTERS)

JULIUS CAESAR Head of the Roman

state.

A great soldier

Just returned from wars

Defeated the previous Roman ruler, Pompey.

He is popular with the crowds they stand in the streets to greet his return, cheering and clapping.

Calpurnia is Caesar’s wife.

MARK ANTONY A loyal friend and

supporter of Caesar

He believes Caesar will make a good ruler of Rome.

He is appalled (shocked) by the conspirators killing Caesar

He vows to avenge Caesar’s death.

BRUTUS A respected Roman

A man of intelligence and honor

A personal friend of Caesar

Worries that Caesar will overstep his powers and become a tyrant

He is finally convinced to join the conspirators as their leader.

Portia is Brutus’ wife.

CASSIUS One of the leaders of the

conspiracy

Suspicious and jealous of Caesar from the beginning

Starts the conspiracy and gathers others to join

Convinces Brutus to join with them in their plans to assassinate Caesar.

Octavius Caesar’s adopted son and appointed successor

Lepidus A Roman statesman, not trusted by Anthony

Octavius and Lepidus join with Mark Antony after Caesar’s death to rule Rome as a triumvirate (political regime dominated by three powerful individuals.

JULIUS CAESAR, THE TRAGEDY

Casca, Trebonious, Decius, Cinna and Metallus Cimber are all Roman Senators

The are also other members of the conspiracy,

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

An Introduction to the Playwright

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Born: Stratford-Upon Avon, England April 23, 1564

Parents, John and Mary (Arden)

Married Anne Hathaway, November, 1582

Three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

SHAKESPEARE’S THEATRE Globe Theatre was built in 1599 Also known as the Shakespeare

Globe Theatre The play house where

Shakespeare performed many of his greatest plays.

Built from oak, deal, and stolen playhouse frames, the 3 story, 3000 capacity

Globe Theatre, co-owned by William Shakespeare has become almost as famous as the playwright himself.” ( Absolute Shakespeare)

THE STAGE IN SHAKESPEARE’S TIME

A show lasted about 2 ½ hours, usually in open air theatres during the afternoon.

There were no acts, but frequent intermissions.

There was no scenery, but elaborate props and costumes to give reality.

Devices such as trap doors and scaffolds were used to make gods, witches, etc. disappear.

THE STAGE IN SHAKESPEARE’S TIME (CONTINUED)

There were no actresses. All parts were played by men or boys.

There were no programs.

The closeness of stage to the audience led to use of "asides" and "soliloquies“.

In front of stage was a big open area where the "penny-public" stood to watch as they could not afford seats.

POINTS OF SHAKESPEARE'S STYLE: Metaphors– comparing something in terms of

something else, i.e. "That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder".

Soliloquies–longer speeches given by characters when alone on stage– e.g. a person talking to himself out loud.

Asides– when a character says something to the audience, but the other characters on stage cannot hear it, e.g. like muttering to himself.

Puns– humorous plays on words indicating different meanings

.i.e. the Cobbler says,

"A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience,

which is indeed a mender of bad soles.”

A cobbler is a mender of shoes or a bungler.

PLAY VERSUS THE HISTORY There is much historically

accurate information in the play but it is a story to entertain the audience.

Yes! There is much to learn from the works of William Shakespeare.

As we study this play, remember Shakespeare wished not only to inform his audience about the history of Julius Caesar but also to entertain them.