CAESAR. Julius Caesar Background Notes For centuries Romans debated and even fought civil wars to...

CAESARCAESAR

Julius Caesar Background Julius Caesar Background NotesNotes For centuries Romans debated and For centuries Romans debated and

even fought civil wars to decide even fought civil wars to decide whether a monarchy, a republic, or whether a monarchy, a republic, or a dictatorship was the best form of a dictatorship was the best form of governmentgovernment

For the first 250 years after its For the first 250 years after its founding, Rome was ruled by kings founding, Rome was ruled by kings whose domination became whose domination became increasingly oppressive.increasingly oppressive.

In 509 B. C. the Romans led by In 509 B. C. the Romans led by Brutus’ family evicted the reigning Brutus’ family evicted the reigning Tarquins (kings) from Tarquins (kings) from the throne the throne and theand the Roman monarchy became a Roman monarchy became a republic.republic.

Julius Caesar Background Julius Caesar Background NotesNotes

The Roman people discovered they The Roman people discovered they exchanged rule by a king for the exchanged rule by a king for the rule by a group of rule by a group of patricianspatricians (group (group of wealthy Romans).of wealthy Romans).

This republican form of government This republican form of government was composed of two consuls, The was composed of two consuls, The first one being, the first one being, the Roman SenateRoman Senate that was made up of that was made up of praetorspraetors who who administered civil justice. The administered civil justice. The second consul was the second consul was the tribunetribune who who represented the people.represented the people.

By 100 B.C. Rome was a moderate By 100 B.C. Rome was a moderate democracy-ruled by the Senate.democracy-ruled by the Senate.

Julius Caesar FactsJulius Caesar Facts Born Born July July 12 or 13 100 or 12 or 13 100 or

102 B.C,; premature and 102 B.C,; premature and epileptic; son of minor epileptic; son of minor nobility; Caesarean birthnobility; Caesarean birth

AsAs a great commander- a great commander- second only to Alexander second only to Alexander the Great; skillful gifted the Great; skillful gifted politician and orator, politician and orator, popular among the popular among the people, defender of the people, defender of the populares, gave power populares, gave power and money to the and money to the plebeiansplebeians, gave , gave citizenship to the people citizenship to the people he conqueredhe conquered

Julius Caesar FactsJulius Caesar Facts

Caesar means: Caesar means: Kaiser (German); Kaiser (German); Tsar (Slavonic); Tsar (Slavonic); Quasar (Islamic)Quasar (Islamic)

Caesar's family Caesar's family traced its lineage to traced its lineage to Venus.Venus.

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline

84 B. C. married Cornelia 84 B. C. married Cornelia (daughter of Lucius Cornelius (daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna); had a daughter Julia; Cinna); had a daughter Julia; ordered by Lucius Sulla to divorce ordered by Lucius Sulla to divorce but he refusedbut he refused

73 named pontiff at Rome73 named pontiff at Rome

68 Cornelia died68 Cornelia died

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline 68-66 Gave great 68-66 Gave great

support to support to Pompey, Pompey, boyhood/best friendboyhood/best friend

66 married Pompeia 66 married Pompeia (granddaughter of (granddaughter of Sulla and relative of Sulla and relative of Pompey the Great)Pompey the Great)

62 Became praetor 62 Became praetor (judge), second in (judge), second in power only to the power only to the consul of Romeconsul of Rome

Pompey

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline 61 named governor of Spain; 61 named governor of Spain;

divorced Pompeia; suspected of divorced Pompeia; suspected of affairaffair

60 formed an alliance with 60 formed an alliance with Crassus (wealthy) and Pompey Crassus (wealthy) and Pompey (respected leader and friend); (respected leader and friend); result was the creation of the result was the creation of the

FIRST TRIUMVIRATEFIRST TRIUMVIRATE (a rule btw. (a rule btw. three) against traditional three) against traditional politicians, i.e. Catopoliticians, i.e. Cato


59 Julius Caesar married 59 Julius Caesar married Calpurnia Calpurnia {she was barren; childless}{she was barren; childless} and and Pompey married Caesar's daughter Pompey married Caesar's daughter JuliaJulia

59 Caesar was a patrician and a 59 Caesar was a patrician and a consul member. Known for siding consul member. Known for siding with the common people and with the common people and granting them favors; became very granting them favors; became very popularpopular

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline 57 57 Caesar's ambitionCaesar's ambition helped him to helped him to

extend the Roman's power and extend the Roman's power and enabled enabled him to conquer Gaulhim to conquer Gaul (Southern region (Southern region of France and Northern Italy) of France and Northern Italy)

57 He was named governor of various 57 He was named governor of various parts of Gaul; as governor, fought next parts of Gaul; as governor, fought next to his soldiers; reputation grew. He to his soldiers; reputation grew. He was also a historian, sending his was also a historian, sending his reports back to Rome (wrote reports back to Rome (wrote Commentaries on the Gallic Wars)Commentaries on the Gallic Wars)


57-51 Victory over Gaul in Gallic 57-51 Victory over Gaul in Gallic Wars solidified financial, political Wars solidified financial, political strengthstrength

55 first Roman general to raid 55 first Roman general to raid Britain; Rome was impressedBritain; Rome was impressed

54 Julia died followed by Crassus 54 Julia died followed by Crassus who was killed in battle at Parthiawho was killed in battle at Parthia

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline 52 repressed Gaul fought back. 52 repressed Gaul fought back.

Caesar burned their fields. Caesar burned their fields. Again Again he fought side by side his he fought side by side his men men wearing a scarlet cloak to wearing a scarlet cloak to encourage themencourage them.. Although Although surrounded and outnumbered 5 surrounded and outnumbered 5 to 1, he sent a detachment to to 1, he sent a detachment to attack the Gallic section from attack the Gallic section from behind. Frightened, they fell behind. Frightened, they fell back and Rome was victorious. back and Rome was victorious. Julius had Julius had conquered all of conquered all of Gaul.Gaul.


50 50 Pompey became extremely Pompey became extremely jealousjealous and alarmed at Caesar's and alarmed at Caesar's success and fame. Pompey success and fame. Pompey joined the side of the joined the side of the conservatives and made himself conservatives and made himself sole consul of Rome. He and the sole consul of Rome. He and the senate senate requested Caesar's requested Caesar's immediate return without his immediate return without his armyarmy so that they could discuss so that they could discuss his political agenda. his political agenda. Caesar Caesar refusedrefused..


49 Pompey warned Caesar 49 Pompey warned Caesar that once he and his army that once he and his army crossed the crossed the Rubicon RiverRubicon River, , which separated Gaul from which separated Gaul from Italy, that Italy, that there was no there was no turning back, "the die was turning back, "the die was cast," and a civil war would cast," and a civil war would occuroccur. Civil war did break out . Civil war did break out between the conservatives between the conservatives and Caesar's army.and Caesar's army.

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline 49 49 Caesar and his troops Caesar and his troops

invaded Romeinvaded Rome where he made where he made himself the absolute ruler, himself the absolute ruler, dictator. Pompey's troops dictator. Pompey's troops surrendered and surrendered and Pompey fledPompey fled to to the Balkans. Caesar and his the Balkans. Caesar and his army followed Pompey as he army followed Pompey as he fled to Greece and then on to fled to Greece and then on to Egypt. Since Caesar did not Egypt. Since Caesar did not have a living heir have a living heir declared his declared his nephew, nephew, Octavius, his sole heir.Octavius, his sole heir.


48 Caesar conquered 48 Caesar conquered both Greece and both Greece and Egypt; Egypt; Pompey was Pompey was killed by Egyptianskilled by Egyptians (Caesar merely (Caesar merely wanted him captured wanted him captured - Pompey was his - Pompey was his friend); took friend); took Cleopatra as Cleopatra as mistress; they had a mistress; they had a son; helped her fight son; helped her fight her brother Ptolemy her brother Ptolemy XIII; she soon became XIII; she soon became the ruler of Egyptthe ruler of Egypt Cleopatra

Caesar TimelineCaesar Timeline 47 defeated Pompey's ally Pharnaces 47 defeated Pompey's ally Pharnaces "Veni, "Veni,

vidi, vici"vidi, vici"-- (I came, I saw, I conquered) (I came, I saw, I conquered)

45 Several foreign campaigns followed with 45 Several foreign campaigns followed with Caesar making his power absolute by Caesar making his power absolute by defeating his enemies, Pompey’s sons, in defeating his enemies, Pompey’s sons, in Spain; he returned to Rome; was granted Spain; he returned to Rome; was granted dictatorship for ten years; he granted dictatorship for ten years; he granted clemency to Cassius and Brutus and gave clemency to Cassius and Brutus and gave them responsible positions – they became them responsible positions – they became senatorssenators

Caesar was loved by the common people; Caesar was loved by the common people; declared dictator for life by senatedeclared dictator for life by senate

While in Rome, his affair with Cleopatra and While in Rome, his affair with Cleopatra and news of their son humiliated Caesar's wife news of their son humiliated Caesar's wife Calpurnia and her familyCalpurnia and her family


44 The Romans had overthrown 44 The Romans had overthrown their last king 450 years before and their last king 450 years before and had set up a republican had set up a republican government. government.

The idea of another king ruling the The idea of another king ruling the "free Romans" was unthinkable. So "free Romans" was unthinkable. So 60 conspirators plotted and 60 conspirators plotted and assassinated Caesarassassinated Caesar (stabbed him (stabbed him to death); this threw nation into to death); this threw nation into chaoschaos

PLAYS BEGINS ONE MONTH PLAYS BEGINS ONE MONTH BEFORE THE ASSISSNATIONBEFORE THE ASSISSNATION!!

18 year old Octavius, Caesar's 18 year old Octavius, Caesar's nephew, took over power with Marc nephew, took over power with Marc Antony by his sideAntony by his side

2ND TRIUMVIRATE2ND TRIUMVIRATE was formed was formed between Octavius, Antony, Lepidusbetween Octavius, Antony, Lepidus

Lepidus eventually retired his Lepidus eventually retired his position and the Roman Empire was position and the Roman Empire was to be split- Octavius ruling the to be split- Octavius ruling the western region and Antony ruling the western region and Antony ruling the easterneastern

Antony began having an affair with Antony began having an affair with Cleopatra (their affair produced Cleopatra (their affair produced twin sons) and was consumed with twin sons) and was consumed with greed thus a struggle for power greed thus a struggle for power over the entire Roman Empire over the entire Roman Empire grew between him and Octaviusgrew between him and Octavius

War was declared and during the War was declared and during the Actium WarActium War, greatest naval battle , greatest naval battle of that time, of that time, Marc Antony was Marc Antony was defeateddefeated

Antony and Cleopatra fled and Antony and Cleopatra fled and committed suicide, twins were committed suicide, twins were killed by the Romans, Caesar and killed by the Romans, Caesar and Cleopatra's son was never heard of Cleopatra's son was never heard of again.again.

Octavius became sole ruler of the Octavius became sole ruler of the Roman Empire and it's emperor; Roman Empire and it's emperor; given the name given the name Octavius AugustusOctavius Augustus, , "anointed one"; his rule was the "anointed one"; his rule was the beginning of 200 years of Roman beginning of 200 years of Roman peace known as the peace known as the "Golden Age""Golden Age"

IMPT!!!IMPT!!! - - The political conflict of the play The political conflict of the play is between Brutus, Cassius, and other is between Brutus, Cassius, and other tribune conspirators versus those who tribune conspirators versus those who supportsupport Caesar Caesar (Antony and Octavius).(Antony and Octavius).

Brutus, Cassius, as well as others Brutus, Cassius, as well as others conspire against Caesar's desire for conspire against Caesar's desire for absolute power in an attempt to preserve absolute power in an attempt to preserve Republican Rome and their own freedom.Republican Rome and their own freedom.

In order to understand the themes you In order to understand the themes you must must understand the religious beliefsunderstand the religious beliefs at at that time as well as the view of the that time as well as the view of the universe. During this time it was believed universe. During this time it was believed that that the monarch's right to rule came the monarch's right to rule came from God as well as the people, and so from God as well as the people, and so opposition to the anointed ruler was opposition to the anointed ruler was really opposition to God.really opposition to God.

THEMESTHEMES Chaos results when prescribed social order is Chaos results when prescribed social order is

broken.broken.

The best intentions of good, noble men can The best intentions of good, noble men can lead to tragedy. (*tragic hero…know the lead to tragedy. (*tragic hero…know the traits!!!)traits!!!)

Language is a powerful weapon, and in the Language is a powerful weapon, and in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others.manipulate others.

Violence and bloodshed can never have Violence and bloodshed can never have morally good results.morally good results.

Orderliness and a stable rule, even though Orderliness and a stable rule, even though dictatorial, are preferable to social chaos.dictatorial, are preferable to social chaos.

Characteristics of the Roman Characteristics of the Roman PeoplePeople

Polytheistic ~ belief in Polytheistic ~ belief in many godsmany gods

SuperstitiousSuperstitiousRespect for physical Respect for physical

strengthstrengthPatrioticPatrioticSense of honorSense of honorDeep regard for reputationsDeep regard for reputationsRespect for othersRespect for others

Weaknesses of the Weaknesses of the Roman PeopleRoman People

Easily influenced or Easily influenced or swayed; “fickle”swayed; “fickle”

Relatively uneducatedRelatively uneducated

POLITICAL TERMSPOLITICAL TERMS1. Bondsman – slave1. Bondsman – slave

2. Commons - the common people2. Commons - the common people

3. Consul- the chief magistrate and the 3. Consul- the chief magistrate and the highest official in Roman Republichighest official in Roman Republic

4. Dictator- total political control by 4. Dictator- total political control by one personone person

5. Plebeian- the common people5. Plebeian- the common people

POLITICAL TERMSPOLITICAL TERMS6. Praetor- Roman judge or magistrate, 6. Praetor- Roman judge or magistrate,

next to consul in ranknext to consul in rank

7. Rabblement / rout - the rabble, mob7. Rabblement / rout - the rabble, mob

8. Senators-mainly patricians (wealthy, 8. Senators-mainly patricians (wealthy, high-born citizens); made the lawshigh-born citizens); made the laws

9. Tribune - a magistrate who protects 9. Tribune - a magistrate who protects the rights of the lower classesthe rights of the lower classes

10. Triumvirate -rule by three men10. Triumvirate -rule by three men

MILITARY TERMSMILITARY TERMS1.1. Alarum- a trumpet or drum call Alarum- a trumpet or drum call

to arms to arms

2. Battle- a unit or part of the 2. Battle- a unit or part of the armyarmy

3. Battles - the armed forces 3. Battles - the armed forces drawn up for fightingdrawn up for fighting

4. Charges - the troops4. Charges - the troops

5. Cohort - an army division5. Cohort - an army division

MILITARY TERMSMILITARY TERMS6. Ensign - the f lag (standard) or standard 6. Ensign - the f lag (standard) or standard

bearer bearer

7. The "horse" in general- the cavalry7. The "horse" in general- the cavalry

8. Legion - (3000-6000) soldiers of 10 8. Legion - (3000-6000) soldiers of 10 cohortscohorts

9. Parley - a conference between 9. Parley - a conference between opposing forcesopposing forces

10. Tributaries - captives who had to pay a 10. Tributaries - captives who had to pay a tribute or ransom to Rome before they tribute or ransom to Rome before they could obtain their freedomcould obtain their freedom

Greek PhilosophiesGreek Philosophies

EpicureanismEpicureanism:: The The secret of thesecret of the good life good life was the intelligent was the intelligent pursuit of pleasure. pursuit of pleasure.

The Epicureans did not believe The Epicureans did not believe that there were gods that man that there were gods that man had to please nor did he have a had to please nor did he have a soul whose afterlife should be soul whose afterlife should be central concern for his life.central concern for his life.

Greek PhilosophiesGreek PhilosophiesEpicureanismEpicureanism:: They felt the most They felt the most

lasting pleasure was to be found in lasting pleasure was to be found in a simple, quiet life of moderate a simple, quiet life of moderate indulgence and mental activity. This indulgence and mental activity. This was a completely self-centered was a completely self-centered philosophy that tolerated no philosophy that tolerated no emotion that disturbed one's emotion that disturbed one's detachment from day today eventsdetachment from day today events

Motto: Motto: Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.die.

***Caesar and Antony exemplify this***Caesar and Antony exemplify this

Greek PhilosophiesGreek PhilosophiesStoicismStoicism:: The stoics believed that the The stoics believed that the

secret of happiness and pleasure was secret of happiness and pleasure was to be found in doing one's duty, in to be found in doing one's duty, in pursuing virtue (honor), and in pursuing virtue (honor), and in mastering man's passion with reason. mastering man's passion with reason.

The highest aim of man was to live in The highest aim of man was to live in harmony with his belief and in doing harmony with his belief and in doing so achieve inner strength and peace. so achieve inner strength and peace.

Greek PhilosophiesGreek PhilosophiesStoicismStoicism:: This his is a This his is a vevery individualistic ry individualistic

philosophyphilosophy,, but its but its rigirigidd morality not give morality not give it a broad appeal. It did have a a strong it a broad appeal. It did have a a strong influence on Roman law, the Roman influence on Roman law, the Roman Empire, and on much of Christian Empire, and on much of Christian thought. Remember Portia's reference to thought. Remember Portia's reference to marriage! marriage!

***BRUTUS – This is his philosophy. Also ***BRUTUS – This is his philosophy. Also Brutus is a Tragic Hero...review Brutus is a Tragic Hero...review characteristics of a tragic hero!characteristics of a tragic hero!

TragedyTragedy A play depicting A play depicting

serious and serious and important events important events in which the in which the main character main character or characters or characters suffer great loss suffer great loss or even death. or even death.

The story is The story is tragic, tragic, because we because we have grown have grown to care about to care about the character the character who suffers who suffers this loss.this loss.

Tragic HeroTragic Hero

The main The main character in character in a tragedy a tragedy who is who is flawed, but is flawed, but is more noble more noble than evil.than evil.

REVIEW of REVIEW of TRAGIC HERO CHARACTERISTICSTRAGIC HERO CHARACTERISTICS

Noble in stature/royalNoble in stature/royal Not perfect has tragic flaw Not perfect has tragic flaw

(harmartia) ex. Pride (hubris)(harmartia) ex. Pride (hubris) Downfall partially own fault/due Downfall partially own fault/due

to free choiceto free choice Misfortune not wholly deservedMisfortune not wholly deserved Accepts his fate and gains Accepts his fate and gains

wisdomwisdom Catharsis is experiencedCatharsis is experienced

Tragic FlawTragic Flaw

Harmartia - Harmartia - a a fundamental character fundamental character weakness that is weakness that is partially responsible partially responsible for the hero’s demise.for the hero’s demise.

The Frog and The Frog and The ScorpionThe Scorpion

“ “Why did Why did you sting you sting me, Mr. me, Mr. Scorpion? Scorpion? For now we For now we both shall both shall drown.”drown.”

The scorpion The scorpion replies,replies,

“ “I I couldn’t couldn’t help it, help it, it’s in my it’s in my nature.”nature.”

PunPun A play on the A play on the

multiple multiple meanings of a meanings of a word, or on word, or on the sound of a the sound of a word.word.

““I am but as I am but as you’d say a you’d say a cobbler.”cobbler.”

AnachronismAnachronism An event or An event or

detail that is detail that is inappropriate for inappropriate for the time period.the time period.

i.e. the chiming i.e. the chiming of the clock in of the clock in Julius Caesar Julius Caesar from Act II, sc ifrom Act II, sc i

HyperboleHyperbole

A figure of speech that A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to uses exaggeration to express strong emotion express strong emotion or to create comic effect. or to create comic effect. Also called Also called “overstatement”.“overstatement”.

An example of An example of hyperbolehyperbole JC Act I, sc 1JC Act I, sc 1

“ “Weep your Weep your tears into the tears into the channel, till the channel, till the lowest stream lowest stream do kiss the do kiss the most exalted most exalted shores of all.”shores of all.”

PersonificationPersonification

Nonhuman Nonhuman things or things or qualities are qualities are talked about talked about as if they’re as if they’re humanhuman

SoliloquySoliloquy A long speech A long speech in which a in which a character character alone on stage alone on stage expresses expresses private private thoughts or thoughts or feelingsfeelings

ForeshadowingForeshadowingUsing clues to Using clues to hint at what hint at what might might happen later happen later in the plot.in the plot.

““Beware the Beware the ides of ides of March.”March.”

C a t h a r s i sC a t h a r s i s

A sense of A sense of emotional emotional release release experienced experienced from from watching a watching a tragedytragedy

V e r s eV e r s e Poetry. Many Poetry. Many

of the of the characters in characters in JC speak in JC speak in blank blank verseverse, which , which is unrhymed is unrhymed iambic iambic pentameterpentameter

P r o s eP r o s e

Prose is the Prose is the language of language of the common the common people. The people. The commoners commoners speak in speak in prose prose language.language.

Iambic pentameterIambic pentameter

An iamb is a unit of speech An iamb is a unit of speech consisting of two syllables; one consisting of two syllables; one unstressed syllable followed by unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable, such as in one stressed syllable, such as in the words the words denydeny and and expect.expect.

Iambic pentameter is a line of Iambic pentameter is a line of poetry containing 5 iambs; 10 poetry containing 5 iambs; 10 syllables total.syllables total.

F o i lF o i l A character A character

used to contrast used to contrast another another character. character. Writers use a Writers use a foil to foil to emphasize the emphasize the difference difference between between characters.characters.

EXTENDED METAPHOREXTENDED METAPHOR comparison comparison

between 2 between 2 unlike unlike things things without without using using likelike or or as. as. Several Several lines long.lines long.

example example

““our Ship of State, our Ship of State, which recent storms which recent storms have threatened to have threatened to destroy, has come destroy, has come safely to harbor at last, safely to harbor at last, guided . . .”guided . . .”

M o t i v a t i o nM o t i v a t i o n

Something Something that causes that causes a character a character to do to do something something or act in a or act in a certain waycertain way

Verbal ironyVerbal irony

A contrast A contrast between between what is said what is said and what is and what is meant. An meant. An example can example can be sarcasm.be sarcasm.

Dramatic IronyDramatic Ironyoccurs when occurs when the audience the audience knows knows something something important that important that a character a character does not knowdoes not know

Situational IronySituational Irony

what what actually actually happens is happens is the opposite the opposite of what was of what was expected to expected to happenhappen

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