Julius CaesarJulius CaesarBy William By William

ShakespeareShakespeare

BackgroundBackground

ancient Rome 44 B.C. ancient Rome 44 B.C. Based on real historical events Based on real historical events Shakespeare’s shortest play Shakespeare’s shortest play Shakespeare compresses the Shakespeare compresses the

actual historical time of three actual historical time of three years into a period of 6 days. years into a period of 6 days.

Life in RomeLife in Rome

There were two classes of people There were two classes of people in Rome, either rich or poorin Rome, either rich or poor

The rich were called The rich were called PatriciansPatricians and the poor were called and the poor were called Plebeians Plebeians

The plebeians were known to be The plebeians were known to be very fickle and would rally very fickle and would rally around any leader or form of around any leader or form of government that seemed good at government that seemed good at the time. the time.

PoliticsPolitics For centuries, Romans debated and fought For centuries, Romans debated and fought

wars trying to decide which form of wars trying to decide which form of government was best: a monarchy government was best: a monarchy (kingdom), republic (people rule), or (kingdom), republic (people rule), or dictatorship (one man makes rules). dictatorship (one man makes rules).

At the time of the play, Rome is technically At the time of the play, Rome is technically a Republic in which an elected Senate rule a Republic in which an elected Senate rule Rome. Rome.

Who was Caesar?Who was Caesar?

A patrician (wealthy Roman) who A patrician (wealthy Roman) who supported the people of Rome. supported the people of Rome.

spent money for public spent money for public entertainment and establishing laws entertainment and establishing laws lifting heavy tax burdenslifting heavy tax burdens

Formed a triumvirate (three-man Formed a triumvirate (three-man rule) with Crassus and Pompey in rule) with Crassus and Pompey in 60BC to govern Rome. 60BC to govern Rome.

Who was Caesar? (continued)Who was Caesar? (continued)

Expanded the Roman Empire through Expanded the Roman Empire through military conquests, including Gaul military conquests, including Gaul (Southern France and Northern Italy).(Southern France and Northern Italy).

Fought and defeated Pompey and his sons Fought and defeated Pompey and his sons after Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s after Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s popularity, persuaded the Senate to order popularity, persuaded the Senate to order Caesar to disband his army and return to Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome. Rome.

Made dictator for life, which is where the Made dictator for life, which is where the play begins. play begins.

Political TensionPolitical Tension

Question: What political tension can Question: What political tension can you infer from the information just you infer from the information just provided?provided?

Answer: Answer: Caesar was a powerful military General; therefore, Caesar was a powerful military General; therefore, many members of the Senate are afraid that the people many members of the Senate are afraid that the people will make the well- respected Caesar their absolute will make the well- respected Caesar their absolute ruler, which would overturn the Republic of Rome and ruler, which would overturn the Republic of Rome and turn it into a Dictatorship. turn it into a Dictatorship. Because of this fear and the “good of Rome”, Caesar’s Because of this fear and the “good of Rome”, Caesar’s friends (members of the Senate) decide to take matters friends (members of the Senate) decide to take matters into their own hands. into their own hands.

Major IdeasMajor Ideas

1. The power of Rhetoric and Persuasion 2. The role of Fate, Superstition, and the Supernatural in our lives3. Personal Principles VS. Public Welfare - which is more important?

Tips for reading ShakespeareTips for reading Shakespeare

Don’t get awkward phrases or Don’t get awkward phrases or sentence structure stop you – just sentence structure stop you – just reword them so they make sense! reword them so they make sense! EX: “Since Cassius first did whet me against EX: “Since Cassius first did whet me against

Caesar,Caesar,

I have not slept…” I have not slept…”

ParaphrasedParaphrased: I have not slept since the : I have not slept since the moment Cassius turned me against Caesar. moment Cassius turned me against Caesar.

Tips for Reading ShakespeareTips for Reading Shakespeare

Read to the end of a sentence, not the end Read to the end of a sentence, not the end of a line, and paraphrase lines as you read. of a line, and paraphrase lines as you read. EX: EX:

““What need we any spur but our own causeWhat need we any spur but our own cause To prick us to redress. What other bond To prick us to redress. What other bond than secret Romans that have spoke the wordthan secret Romans that have spoke the word And will not palter? “And will not palter? “

We don’t need any other reason that the one we We don’t need any other reason that the one we have. We don’t need any other bond except the fact have. We don’t need any other bond except the fact that we are all Romans and will honor our word. that we are all Romans and will honor our word.

Use your resources!! Use your resources!!

Notes on the left side of the bookNotes on the left side of the bookStudy guides to help you focusStudy guides to help you focusCharacter list to keep track of who’s Character list to keep track of who’s

whowhoContext clues for unfamiliar wordsContext clues for unfamiliar words

Ask Questions!!!Ask Questions!!!

You are You are notnot expected to know expected to know everything! everything!

You You areare expected to read, think, expected to read, think, reread, answer study guestions to reread, answer study guestions to the best of your ability, and ask the best of your ability, and ask questions. questions.

And most importantly, enjoy reading!!And most importantly, enjoy reading!!