APOWERPOINT

PRESENTATIONON

JULIUS CAESAR

INDEX

INTRO- DUCTION

MAIN CHARACTERS

ABOUT THE

Author

Theme & Message

SUMMARY OF THE

PLAY

Questions from the

text

JULIUS CAESAR is the story of a man's personal dilemma over moral action, set against a backdrop of strained political drama. Julius Caesar, an able general and a conqueror returns to Rome amidst immense popularity after defeating the sons of Pompey. The people celebrate his victorious return and Mark Antony offers him the Crown which he refuses. Jealous of Caesar's growing power and afraid he may one day become a dictator, Cassius instigates a conspiracy to murder Caesar. He realises that to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the Romans, he must win over the noble Brutus to his side for Brutus is the most trusted and respected in Rome. Brutus, the idealist, joins the conspiracy feeling that everyone is driven by motives as honourable as his own. Ironically, Caesar is murdered at the foot of Pompey's statue.

INTRODUCTION

About the author William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is an English playwright and poet,recognized in much of the world as the greatest of all dramatists. Hundreds ofeditions of his plays have been published, including translations in all major languages. Scholars have written thousands of books and articles about his plots, characters, themes, and language. He is the most widely quoted author in history, and his plays have probably been performed more times than those of any other dramatist.

Main Characters1) Julius Caesar – The greatest and the most powerful of the Romans. He is assassinated by Brutus, Cassius and a band of who feel Caesar is too ambitious and wishes to be crowned as a king.

Julius Caesar

Brave Fearless Firm

Loves flatter

y

generous

Character sketch of Caesar

2) Calpurnia – Caesar’s wife.

3) Mark Antony – Caesar’s loyal friend.

4) Marcus Brutus – Caesar’s great friend who joins the conspiracy to murder Caesar because of his love for Rome and democracy.

6) Decius Brutus – Co-conspirator in Caesar’s assassination.

5) Cassius – Inspirer and organizer of the conspiracy.

SUMMARY OF THE PLAYJulius Caesar is a highly successful but ambitious political leader of Rome and his goal is to become an unassailable

dictator. Caesar is warned that he must "beware the Ides of March" . The prophecy comes true and Caesar is

assassinated. Marcus Brutus is a well respected Roman senator who helps plan and carry out Caesar's assassination which he believes will rid Rome of a tyrant. Caesar's friend

Mark Antony provides the famous funeral oration ("Friends, Romans, and countrymen…") Brutus and Cassius meet their inevitable defeat. Brutus, the noble Roman, whose decision

to take part in the conspiracy for the sake of freedom, plunges his country into civil war.

Death of the Caesar

The Senate

THEMES Major Themes :- The major theme of Julius Caesar is that misused

power is a corruptive force. This is seen in the fact that Caesar is a dictator suspected of being tyrannous, that Cassius is so power hungry that he assassinates Caesar, hoping to become more powerful himself, and that Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus become a dictatorial and tyrannical Triumvirate, worse than Caesar ever hinted at being.

Minor Themes :- goodness of loyalty, honor, and friendship; the evil of pride, conspiracy, and anarchy; the logic of political order; and the viability of republicanism as a form of

government.

QUESTIONS FROM THE TEXT1) Why are the tribunes Flavius and Marullus so upset at the opening of the play?Ans - The tribunes are angry that the working class citizens of Rome gather to celebrate Caesar’s victory, while forgetting Pompey, the Roman hero (and a part of the First Triumvirate that ruled Rome) who was killed in battle alongside Caesar. Their hostility toward Caesar serves to introduce the deep political divide that will become the central issue of the play.2) What holiday are the Roman masses celebrating at the time of Caesar's return?Ans - Caesar's triumph coincides with the feast of Lupercal, which was celebrated on February 15th. The festivities were in honour of Lupercus, the god of nature (Pan in Greek mythology).3) Describe Caesar's encounter with the soothsayer.Ans - As Caesar passes through the crowd the soothsayer cries out to him, warning him to "beware the ides of March." Caesar dismisses the soothsayer as a dreamer and continues on. Caesar’s encounter with the soothsayer foreshadows his assassination in the senate in 3.1. Note that in the ancient Roman calendar the "ides" was the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of the other months. Gaius Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 BC.

4) How does Portia prove she is worthy to hear the plans of her husband, Brutus?Ans - Portia cuts herself in the thigh and suffers the pain of both the wound and the infection it causes in silence. Her show of bravery and self-control convinces Brutus she is "stronger than her sex" and he agrees to confide in her, only to be interrupted before he has a chance.5) What is the significance of Caesar's dying words, "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar!"?Ans - The conspirators gather around Caesar and he sees his trusted friend Brutus among them. Stunned that Brutus is among his assassins, Caesar cries out, "and you too, Brutus?" This famous line is important because it sets Brutus apart from the other conspirators. There is no doubt that Brutus's self-serving and ambitious accomplices have committed an indefensible act, but with Caesar's final utterance we recognize that the self-sacrificing and noble Brutus has perpetrated the same heinous crime – his motivation is rendered immaterial. For this moment, Brutus the idealist becomes Brutus the murderer.6) How does Cassius die?Ans - Cassius knows that he too will soon be captured by Antony and Octavius, and will certainly be dragged through the streets of Rome in chains. He orders Pindarus to hold his sword while he impales his chest on the blade.

7) Cassius asks Brutus what he plans to do if they should lose the battle. What is Brutus's response?Ans - Brutus says that, since he finds the act of suicide cowardly and vile, he will have little choice but to be patient and yield to whatever fate dictates . He adds that he will never return to Rome as a prisoner. That Brutus nevertheless dies by his own hand at the end of the play adds to his tragedy.8) After an ominous dream, Calpurnia begs Caesar to stay away from the senate and, at first, he agrees. What changes his mind?Ans - Decius, a conspirator whose role it is to guarantee Caesar is in the Capitol that day, favourably interprets Calpurnia's dream and then chides Caesar for yielding to his wife's whims. Decius adds that the senate is planning again to offer Caesar a crown, and Caesar gives in to vanity. He leaves Calpurnia and accompanies Decius to the Capitol.9) Explain the significance of Antony's final speech, beginning with the line, "This was the noblest Roman of them all".Ans - Antony's speech serves to restore Brutus to the position of tragic hero. Antony can see in Brutus the morality he does not himself possess - the capability to act selflessly for the common good. Brutus's pride and political naivety have led to his destruction, but his ideals are etched into the memory of his enemies.

The End

THANK YOU

Presented By : Lecturer: EM Sophors

Literature Studies IIRoom 203Year I, Semester II