Download the tragedy of julius caesar

William Shakespeare
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Began by overthrowing the Roman Monarchy
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Government headed by two consuls, elected by
the citizens and advised by the senate
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Three separate branches (Legislative, Senate,
and Consuls)
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Public offices were only held for one year so that
no individual wielded absolute power.
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Gracchus brothers introduced reform measures
to help the poor and limit senators’ power.
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Angry senators and sympathizers rioted and
killed both the Gracchi.
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Violence became the primary tool of Roman
politics.
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Because violence was important, Gaius Marius
worked to strengthen the Roman army.
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Leaders began recruiting their own armies, loyal to
themselves rather than to Roman government
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Lucius Sulla raised an army to gain power and control
Rome.
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Sulla marched his loyal legions on Rome, starting a
civil war between his army and that of the senate.
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Upon victory, Sulla was named dictator, thus,
technically, ending the Roman Republic.
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The Roman Republic was never restored, but
never fully abolished.
In 60 BC, Caesar helped form a dominant alliance
 Also known as the first Triumvirate
 Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey
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The Republic favored Pompey but his army was
weaker and Caesar stormed the city unopposed.
Once all political rivals were defeated, Caesar was
named the Dictator of Rome.
 He hand picked members of the senate
 He decided, personally, which laws would be passed
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Caesar was well liked and respected by many
Within the Triumvirate, Caesar created
legislation to redistribute land specifically for
the poor.
Caesar was a great military leader
 His military conquests expanded Rome a great
deal.
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Tribunes & Plebeians
 Tribunes: wealthy, government officials
 Plebeians: commoners
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Ides of March
 Romans did not number the days
 The Nones (1st or 7th)
 The Ides (13th or 15th)
 The Kalends (1st of the following month)
Written in 1599
It’s not about the character, Julius Caesar, but
about his assassination and the conspirators.
 Contains a handful of deviations from Plutarch.
 Emphasis on Rhetoric
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 Ethos- A form or argument using credibility of the
speaker.
 Pathos- A form or argument using emotional appeal
such as fear, desire or anger.
 Logos- A form or argument based on logic or facts

Monologue -Long speech spoken while other
characters are on stage (long – not necessarily
true thoughts)

Soliloquy- Long speech spoken alone on stage –
perhaps to/toward audience (long – true
thoughts)
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Aside- short speech spoken to audience, other
characters can’t hear it. (short – true thoughts)