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Transcript
THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE WARNING: THIS PLAY IS BASED ON TRUE EVENTS ONCE AGAIN… The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is categorized as a tragedy, but it is based on real-life events. Julius Caesar was actually a real person. HISTORY In 60 B.C., Gaius Julius Caesar joined forces with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompey to rule Rome as the First Triumvirate. Caesar and Pompey were friends; Pompey even married Caesar’s daughter. Caesar was trained as a politician, but he demonstrated his skill as a warrior with military victories in Gaul and Britain. Pompey and Caesar were both strong men that craved more power. Caesar’s daughter died in 54 B.C. In 49 B.C., Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s growing power and favor with the people, allied himself with Caesar’s rivals and ordered Caesar to give up his army. Caesar considered himself a defender of the people, but critics believe he gained the people’s support with bribes and handouts. Caesar refused the Senate’s orders to give up his command. Instead, he marched his army on Rome, took control, and chased Pompey to Egypt. There, Pompey was murdered before Caesar could capture him. Caesar then went to Spain where he defeated an army led by Pompey’s sons. AFTER THE MURDER OF POMPEY When he returned to Rome, Caesar was invincible. He was declared dictator for 10 years. Marcus Brutus and Caesar were good friends before the rivalry between Caesar and Pompey– Brutus fought against Caesar in support of Pompey. After Pompey was defeated, Caesar had forgiven Brutus and their friendship resumed. He chose his friends—including Marcus Brutus—to be his senators. As his hunger for power grew obsessive, Caesar had a statue made of himself engraved with the description “To the Unconquerable God.” Many people of the upper classes were extremely unhappy with Caesar as the new ruler. For example, Brutus’s father-in-law committed suicide. These details from history helped set the stage for the hidden resentments and suspicions that fill The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Shakespeare did not make up this tragic tale of power and betrayal. He based his play on real people and real events. Shakespeare read about Caesar (and his friends and enemies) in the chronicles of Plutarch, a Greek biographer who delved into the psychological and factual details of his subjects’ lives. Literature reflects the time in which it was written. When Shakespeare wrote this play, Queen Elizabeth was old and her health was failing. She had no children. What would happen when she died? What would become of the country she had ruled so peacefully for nearly forty years? Would history repeat itself? The Tragedy of Julius Caesar had immediate connections for the Elizabethans who saw the play at the Globe. RULED BY THE RICH Roman politics often resembled a theatrical production, complete with performers and an audience. The Forum was the stage, the politicians were the actors, and citizens from all social classes came to watch the show. Assemblies, elections, and trials were held outdoors. Noisy crowds often booed and harassed the politicians. Rome was a republic—a government where power is given to the citizens; they have the right to vote and elect representatives. Roman citizens were able to vote on laws; however, poor citizens did not have the means to travel to Rome to vote. Therefore, Rome was primarily ruled by the wealthier citizens while pretending to give a voice to the lower class. SUPERSTITIONS AND OMENS In Shakespeare’s time, people strongly believed that the universe was essentially good and in order. People were very religious and believed all order stemmed from God. When the chain of authority was snapped and the earth was out of proper order, the Heavens would be offended, and a whole society could be plunged into disorder. SUPERSTITION a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge of the significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding or the like; a system or collection of such beliefs; a custom or act based on such a belief; irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in connection with religion. OMEN anything perceived or happening that is believed to bring a good or evil event or circumstance in the future. The Romans—from the ruling classes to the common people—examined everyday occurrences for forewarnings of good and evil. For example, they believed the sound of a distant storm or a rooster crowing in the night could affect the outcome of a personal matter or a political event. Many people thought animals were the spirits of their dead ancestors. The commanders of Roman military fleets counted on “sacred” chickens to predict success in battle. If the chickens ate furiously the morning before a battle, they would win. If the chickens did not eat, they would lose. One commander whose sacred chickens refused to eat threw them overboard. “If they won’t eat, let them drink!” he said. The commander lost the battle. The owl was a bad omen. Once, an owl flew into Rome’s Capitol, the Romans were so upset that they carefully scrubbed the building with water and sulfur to drive out the owl’s supposed evil influences. ACTIVITIES 1. Complete the journal activity about superstitions/omens. RECAP The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is based on TRUE EVENTS. Caesar, Pompey and Crassus ruled Rome as The First Triumvirate. Caesar grew hungry for power, and he pursued war victories alongside his political victories. Pompey did not favor Caesar’s growing power; Pompey and the Senate asked Caesar to give up his army: Caesar refused. Caesar chased Pompey to Egypt. Pompey was murdered before Caesar could capture him. Caesar ruled Rome as a dictator; the wealthy were not happy. The common people favored Caesar because of his bribes. Literature reflects the time in which it was written. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar takes place when Caesar returns to Rome after his many war victories and right after Pompey’s death. Rome was ruled by the rich. People of Elizabethan England (just like the characters Shakespeare’s plays) were extremely superstitious. Superstitions and omens play a huge role in many of Shakespeare’s plays, including Julius Caesar.