Download The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

In this unit, you are expected
• To take diligent
notes about the
information most
necessary
• To discuss what
you think the
tragedy will be
about
• To analyze
characters
• To determine
purpose for
reading
William Shakespeare
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Major playwright of his time (and of all
time)
Affiliated with the Lord Chamberlain’s
Men theatre company
Emerged during the European
Renaissance
Favored by Queen Elizabeth I
Major writer of the Elizabethan era of
literature
Shakespeare is credited with some of the most famous
comedies and tragedies, such as the following:
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Hamlet
Romeo and Juliet
King Lear
Macbeth
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Twelfth Night
And, without argument, the most
famous drama ever written…
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
The Greatest Treachery in History
There are literally hundreds of versions of Shakespeare’s
classic in print, on stage, and in film.
This story sounds like it was ripped
straight from today’s headlines!
Plot
• He is the greatest
hero the Roman
world has known,
but for Julius
Caesar the world is
not enough. And
with political
ambition come new
enemies, enemies
who wield words
like knives in the
shadows.
• Soon friend will
become foe and foe
his avenger, and
only death shall be
the victor.
Julius Caesar is a
five act play that
opens with
Marullus and
Flavius criticizing
the citizens who
celebrate Caesar’s
return. Caesar
has just defeated
Pompey and is
expected to take
control of Rome.
This story take place in…
Ancient Rome, 500 years before
Shakespeare was born, in 44 B.C.
There are few things you’ll need to
remember while reading this drama.
Relationships
The women of
The Tragedy of
Julius Caesar
are focal to the
play. Pay close
attention to the
roles of
Caesar’s wife,
Calpurnia, as
well as of
Portia, wife of
Brutus.
Portia, the wife
of Brutus
makes some
very interesting
choices. Learn
what they are
and why she is
a unique part of
the entire
drama.
Flip floppers
The Roman citizens were notorious
for switching sides. You will see them
show loyalty to Pompey, the members
of the Senate and Caesar over and
over again. They were fickle in their
opinions and with their loyalties.
Historical Account
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
gives an historical account of the
conspiracy to take down the
Roman general and dictator.
Realize that this actually took
place and changed the face of
Rome, its citizens, and its value
system.
This is the way
Caesar and
members of the
Senate and
tribunal courts
dressed in
Ancient Rome.
Could you pull
this off?
Elizabethan Language
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is written in
Elizabethan English—the English spoken in the
17th century. Most of the unfamiliar words are
explained in your book’s footnotes. You should
try to remember what these words are and use
context clues to guide your reading and
understanding of unfamiliar words.
Tips to tackling
Shakespearean Language
• Familiarize yourself with new vocabulary
--get the dictionary and learn something
• Become best friends with the footnotes
--without them, you are all but doomed
• Consider the grammatical sentence
structure
ex) I denied you not as opposed to
I did not deny you
Superstition in the play
Ancient Romans were
highly superstitious and
polytheistic (they
worshipped many gods).
They looked to the gods
and goddesses in all
aspects of life. In the
drama, Caesar will even
credit the gods with being
on his side according to
the weather’s signals.
Caesar’s Crown was
unique from other
leaders. It was made
from neither
silver nor gold
Don’t forget to take diligent
notes throughout the reading o
the play. They will come in
handy for your quizzes,
analysis paper, and end of unit
test
You’ve got to really delve
into this classic piece to
get the whole story. It’s so
worth it!
Ever been
betrayed by
someone
you
considered a
friend?