William Shakespeare & The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

English II Pre-APUnit 7

I. William Shakespeare

A. Birth and Early Life1. April 23, 15642. Stratford-upon-Avon3. Parents: John Shakespeare and Mary

Arden

B. Young Adulthood1. Age 18 – marries Anne Hathaway2. 3 children3. “Lost Years”

I. William Shakespeare

C. Career1. Lord Chamberlain’s Men/King’s

Men2. Wrote 38 plays

i. Tragedyii. Comedyiii. Historyiv. Tragicomedy

3. Globe Theater (see handout)

The Globe Theater

I. William Shakespeare

1. Theatre Production1. Sets and Costuming2. Gender Roles3. Perception of Theatre

2. Shakespeare’s Later Life1. Retirement2. Death and Will

II. Julius Caesar

1. Early Life2. Rise to Power

1. Military Campaign – Asia Minor2. Concern for Image

II. Julius Caesar

1. Early Political Career1. Administrator of Spain2. Senate3. Campaigning4. Supreme Priest of Rome

2. Political Alliance – First Triumvirate (60 BCE)1. Gnaeus Pompey Magnus2. Marcus Licinius Crassus

II. Julius Caesar

1. Consul1. Actions2. Perception

2. Governorship and Gallic Wars3. Civil War

II. Julius Caesar

1. Dictatorship1. 46 BCE – elected Dictator for 10 years2. Actions and Perception3. 44 BCE – elected Dictator for Life

2. Assassination3. Legacy

III. Some Philosophies to Consider

A. Stoic PhilosophyA. Emphasis on duty, self-discipline, and

subjection to the natural order of thingsB. Focus on civic obligationsC. Supreme purpose in life is goodnessD. Repress emotionsE. Ultimate goal is inner serenity – happiness

can be found in surrender to the benevolent order of the universe

III. Some Philosophies to Consider

A. Epicurean PhilosophyA. Strong belief in human freedomB. Highest good is pleasure (of body and

mind, but not flesh)C. Function of being “good” is to increase own

happinessD. Eliminate fear from life, especially fear of

death and fear of the supernatural

IV. Literary Terms to Review

Review Terms• Monologue• Soliloquy• Aside • Apostrophe• Pun• Iambic

Pentameter

• Blank Verse• Comic ReliefNew Term• Anachronism:

something out of time or place in a literary text

V. Reading & Analytical Focus

• What to Watch Out For• The Story• Organization and Development• Literary Elements and How They Develop Meaning• Elements of Tragedy (Remember Antigone?)• Elements of Rhetoric!!! • Motifs and Themes

• How You Will Be Assessed• AP-Style Multiple Choice Questions• A Rhetorical Analysis Timed Writing• Test over Play (with Cold Reads and all that good stuff!)