Download The Roman Plays

The Roman Plays
Shakespeare’s Roman plays span the entire pageant of Roman history. Coriolanus details an
epic moment from the Roman Republic; Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra depict the
birth pangs of the Roman Empire; while Titus Andronicus is set during the Empire’s decline
and shows the accompanying collapse of morals and political structures as the Empire loses
its traditions and direction under pressure from the Barbarians.
1 y Coriolanus
Quote: ‘His nature is too noble for the world.’
Dramatis Personae
1
CAIUS MARCIUS, afterwards CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS
2
TULLUS AUFIDIUS, general of the Volscians
3
VOLUMNIA, mother to Coriolanus
4
VIRGILIA, wife to Coriolanus
The story is a legend from the early days of the foundation of Rome’s greatness. The general
Coriolanus defeats Rome’s chief enemy, the Volsces. He returns victorious to Rome
expecting and expected to be made political as well as military leader. His arrogance,
however, causes both the leaders and the population to rise against him. In revenge he joins
the Volsces as their leader and vows to wreak havoc on Rome. At the last moment Volumnia
and Virgilia, mother and wife of Coriolanus, persuade him not to attack Rome. As a result,
the Volsces, considering him a traitor, assassinate Coriolanus.
2 y Julius Caesar
Quote: ‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.’
Dramatis Personae
1
JULIUS CAESAR, later as a GHOST
2
OCTAVIUS CAESAR
3
MARCUS ANTONIUS
4
MARCUS BRUTUS
5
CASSIUS
6
A SOOTHSAYER
Julius Caesar describes the early greatness and the assassination of the Roman dictator
Caesar and sets the scene for an analysis of the foundation of the Roman Empire. The play
recounts how Cassius and other conspirators plot to assassinate Julius Caesar and to make
Brutus their leader. They stab Caesar to death on the Ides of March, as had been prophesied.
Antony is given permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral and, in a famous speech, rouses the
crowds to fury at what has happened. The conspirators Cassius and Brutus raise armies, are
defeated in battle and commit suicide.
3 y Antony and Cleopatra
Quote: ‘Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety.’
Dramatis Personae
1
MARK ANTONY
2
OCTAVIUS CAESAR
3
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS
4
CLEOPATRA, Queen of Egypt
5
M. AEMILIUS LEPIDUS
6
OCTAVIA, sister to Caesar and wife to Antony
Antony and Cleopatra is the sequel to Julius Caesar. It tells how one of Caesar’s chief
lieutenants, Mark Antony, travels to Egypt to take over the eastern half of the Roman
dominions. There he falls in love with Cleopatra, is obliged to return home, agrees to marry
Octavia, Caesar’s sister, but returns to Cleopatra in Egypt. Antony attempts to use Egypt as a
base from which to take over the entire ancient Roman Empire. He is challenged by Octavius,
Julius Caesar’s nephew, who defeats him and rises to become the first Emperor Augustus.
Having been defeated and hearing a false report that Cleopatra is dead, Antony commits
suicide. Hearing of his death, Cleopatra similarly commits suicide, and the ‘immortal’ couple
are buried together.
4 y Titus Andronicus
Quote: ‘She is a woman, therefore may be wooed. She is a woman, therefore may be won.’
Dramatis Personae
1
SATURNINUS, oldest son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declared
EMPEROR
2
TITUS ANDRONICUS, a noble Roman, general against the Goths
3
TAMORA, Queen of the Goths
4
LAVINIA, daughter to Titus Andronicus
This play is academic, ambitious and masterfully planned, with a multiplicity of fearful events
and climaxes. It begins in the late fourth century AD, during the gradual decline of the Roman
Empire, when it is besieged by Goths. The great Roman general Titus kills the Gothic king,
and continues the battle against the king’s sons, but is gradually supplanted at Court by
scheming rival factions. The play shows how he wreaks terrible revenge, including baking the
sons of his enemies into a pie! Revenge complete, Titus commits suicide.