Download Julius Caesar background info.cs

•Shakespeare
based his
play “Julius
Caesar” on
an actual
historical
account.
William
Shakespeare
compresses the actual
historical time of three
years into a period of
six days.
This is done to help
make the cause effect
relationship more
easily understood.
•T: “Julius Caesar” (Based on
a historical figure.)
•A: William Shakespeare
•N: Roman
•G: Shakespearean Tragedy
• Monarchy: King has complete rule over
Rome.
• Republic: Roman Government ruled by
the people.
• Dictatorship: Has complete political
control
Caesar began a military career and his
armies conquered multiple countries.
After Crassus was killed, trouble began to
develop between Pompey and Caesar.
Because he was jealous, Pompey persuaded the
Senate to order Caesar to disband his army and
return to Rome.
Instead, Caesar invaded Rome and took control
and chased Pompey all the way to Egypt.
He was killed there before Caesar could capture
him.
Later Caesar defeated and killed Pompey’s sons
in Spain.
Julius Caesar gained support of the people by:
Spending money for public entertainment
Establishing laws that freed farmers and tradesmen
from heavy taxes
Promising to improve the overall economy
Suggesting new laws, most of which were approved
by the Senate.
Reorganizing the army.
Improving the way the provinces were governed.
When he returned to Rome the common people
loved him and he was declared dictator for life.
However, to a number of Romans and senators,
Caesar’s arrogance became unbearable thus they
made plans to assassinate him.
Shakespeare’s play opens a month before the
murder.
A King with complete power comes from a
traditionally accepted succession of the original man
who took complete power by force in that country.
A Dictator took complete power by military force.
Julius Caesar is now dictator of Rome yet some
people wish to crown him as King of the Roman
Empire thereby changing Rome's government from
a republic to a monarchy.
At the time of Julius Caesar, Romans examined
everyday occurrences for forewarnings of good
and evil.
Politicians believed so strongly in signs that they
created a site in Rome’s Capitol where they could
consult specialists.
Animals were killed and offered as sacrifices to
the gods. Their entrails were then examined by
a soothsayer who specialized in foretelling
events by studying internal organs.
Abnormalities indicated the anger of a particular
god.
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POLITICS, PATRIOTISM OPINIONNAIRE
Agree or Disagree
_______________ 1. It is never right to kill another person.
_______________ 2. Political leaders usually act in the best interest of their countries.
_______________ 3. If a political leader has done something wrong, it is all right to get
rid of him or her by whatever means necessary.
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• _______________ 4. "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
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• _______________ 5. In certain situations it may be justified for a political leader to
bend or break the law for the good of the country.
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• _______________ 6. People should never compromise their ideals or beliefs.
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• _______________ 7. "My country right or wrong" is not just a slogan; it is every
citizen's patriotic duty.
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• _______________ 8. No cause, political or otherwise, is worth dying for.
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• _______________ 9. "Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant taste of
death but once."
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• _______________10. "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is [often buried]
with their bones."
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• TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE
MOTIVES OF THE CHARACTERS,
PUT YOURSELF IN BRUTUS OR
CASSIUS SHOES. KEEP A DIARY
FOR EITHER BRUTUS OR
CASSIUS, IN WHICH YOU WILL
SHARE YOUR (HIS) THOUGHTS,
FEELINGS, AND MOTIVES.
• Directions
1. Choose either Brutus or Cassius.
Title your first page with the name
of the character you chose.
2. Every day, during the last ten
minutes of class, you will write a
diary entry for the character you
have chosen.
3. In the diary entry, focus on what
you (Brutus or Cassius) felt,
thought, and wanted, explaining
why you (Brutus or Cassius)
• 4. Try to show in your diary
entry how much you understand the character (Brutus or
Cassius); avoid merely
retelling what he did.
EVALUATION:
Entries show understanding of
emotions, desires, and
motives. Entries explain why,
rather than summarize.
Entries focus on scenes read
for that day, and use the text
as evidence in the explanation
given. Entries are at least a
page long. Entries are neat,
legible, and mechanically
correct.