First Folio: 1623 Heminges and Condell Why read Shakespeare anyway? Comprehensive and thoughtful look at the human condition Deals with consequences of sin but also demonstrates mercy Inspired by historical events, mythological tales, and Biblical passages; all a vital part of our history Entertaining and imaginative Transmutes words to music Shakespeare Life Born April 23?, 1564; died same day as projected birth Married older woman names Anne Hathaway; had three children Most popular playwright of in England; part owner of Globe Theater 37 plays and 154 sonnets bear his name Stratford-upon-Avon Avon-River; England names towns Country town Not town of culture or education Holy Trinity Church: baptized and buried in church yard so could go to heaven Good Friend, for Jesus sake forbear To dig the dust enclosed here: Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones. Shakespeares Early Jobs Holder of horses Journeyman actor- small parts Play-patcher Shareholder Playwright-director; single-handedly wrote plays for the Globe; WEALTHY Globe Theater Burned in 1613 during Henry VIII play with cannon scene; rebuilt next year 1642 closed down for business by Puritans because sinful Not just place for plays; bear-baiting; blood-thirsty Elizabethan England Shakespeares Credibility and Authenticity is Questioned Missing Years: sketchy background One man wrote 37 plays? Uneducated from small town; 8 th grade grammar school Intentions for Julius Caesar But Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is not a history book, nor is it a piece of Roman history. It is a play, based on the Events of Caesar's murder Pressures on the characters around him Consequences for the conspirators and Rome in general Caesar Background Shakespeare wrote three plays based on works of Greek historian Plutarch; JC is first of three Plutarchian plays History was not just biography for English, but a comparison to their lives and government Play parallels English's struggles with monarchy, particularly with Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth Triumvirate of 60 B.C. Triumvir 1 of a ruling body of 3 Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus At this time, Rome is a Republic ruled by senators During times of emergency, dictator was appointed; his word becomes law Caesar started as a 2 year dictator, then went to ten years; after Spanish triumph, he named himself dictator for life People loved Caesar; made life better through reforms Roman Government Romans feared kings No say in government Viewed as slavery Act I:1 Play opens 44 B.C. on February 15 Beware the Ides of March Et tu, Brute? Caesar is returning from Spain Just completed quadruple triumph (Gaul, Egypt, Asia Minor, Africa) Typically, slaves and riches were displayed during a triumph; however, Caesar is returning from a civil war only fought Romans in Spain People are celebrating death of Pompey Subjects explored in this play Qualities of a good leader Friendship Role of fate and superstition; soothsayer See cultural views of suicide Japan Modern America Ancient Rome Elements in the Play Soliloquy Aside Dramatic Irony Foreshadow Pun Rhetoric