Intro to Shakespeare and Julius Caesar

English 10

Shakespeare and his life…

• Born in 1564 in Stratford upon Avon, England• Died in 1616—on his birthday—

April 23??• Married Anne Hathaway and

had three children—Susan, Judith, and Hamnet• Wrote plays for the theatrical

company The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Shakespeare: Fun Facts

•His son, Hamnet’s name likely inspired the name of one of Shakepeare’s most famous characters, Hamlet. •Wrote approximately 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and two epic poems. • Is credited with adding 3,000 words to the English language including his longest word, honorificabilitudinitatibus, which means "the state of being able to achieve honors."

Theatre in 16th century England

• All of society attended the theatre, even royalty• Plays were meant to be performed—not “seen” as literature—only

rough copies of Shakespeare’s plays survive today• Only men were actors—even for female roles

The Globe Theatre

• Shakespeare’s theatre group constructed the globe, an open-air round theatre• The original burned in 1613—a

new one was reconstructed in London in 1997

Julius Caesar

• Tragedy: a play dealing with tragic events; usually has an unhappy ending, culminating in the main character’s downfall• First play to be performed in The Globe Theater• Setting: Ancient Rome 44 B.C.• There was a struggle for power that divided the Roman Empire• Julius Caesar: Ruler of Rome• Conspirators assassinated Caesar fearing that he would become too

powerful, then a civil war erupts

Characteristics of a Shakespearean

Tragedy

Tragic Hero1.) Tragedy is concerned primarily with one person—the tragic hero. This hero usually has a high status, so high that his or her fate can affect the welfare of a whole nation or empire.

Tragic Virtue2.) The fate of the hero is often triggered by a tragic virtue in the hero’s character. The tragic virtue is a personality trait that the character possesses that under other circumstances would be a virtue but under these circumstances, it leads to the character’s downfall, usually resulting in death.

Other Characteristics

3.) Shakespeare often introduces abnormal conditions of the mind (such as insanity or hallucinations).

4.) Supernatural elements are often introduced as well (such as ghosts or witches).

5.) There is usually a strong and strange reaction from nature (such as bad weather or unnatural behavior from animals).

What qualities should an effective leader have?

Iambic Pentameter & Sonnets

• Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameter• A type of meter with 10 syllables per line (1 stressed syllable, 1 unstressed

syllable, 5 times in each line)• iamb=foot pent=5 5 feet per line

• Originally used in dance and by actors to remember lines in theatre• Sonnet—fourteen line rhyming poem in iambic pentameter• Shakespeare's sonnets contain three four line stanzas and a couplet

Part II--CharactersJulius Caesar

Julius Caesar

• Head of the Roman state• Great soldier and general• Just returned from a series of

wars where he defeated the sons of the previous Roman ruler, Pompey• Calpurnia is his wife

Mark Antony

• Loyal friend and supporter of Caesar• Believes Caesar will be a good

ruler of Rome

Brutus

• Respected man of intelligence and honor• Personal friend of Caesar’s• Wonders if Caesar will make a

good leader; worries he may become a tyrant

Cassius

• One of the leaders of the conspiracy• Suspicious of Caesar from the

beginning • Convinces Brutus to join him

Octavious and Lepidus

•Join with Mark Antony after Caesar’s death to rule Rome as a triumvirate

Characters, cont.

•Casca, Trebonious,Decius, Cinna and Metallus Cimber are the other members of the conspiracy, each of whomparticipates by stabbing Caesar.

Act by Act Notes Julius Caesar

Act I

• Setting: the streets of Rome• Caesar is having a victory parade called a triumph over defeating the

previous Roman ruler, Pompey• The political party and supporters of Pompey want to stop the

celebration• A soothsayer tells Caesar to “beware the ides of March”• Brutus and Cassius have a conversation about Caesar—Cassius hints

to Brutus that Brutus could be leader of Rome

Act I, cont.

• Caesar is suspicious of Cassius• Strange things happen on the eve of the ides of March (earthquakes,

storms)• Cassius recruits others to join in on the overthrow (assassination of

Caesar)• They decide to try to get Brutus to join them• Important quotes:“Beware the Ides of March”– Soothsayer“ I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”—Brutus“Would he were fatter! But I fear him not, Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid So soon as that spare Cassius.”– Caesar

Act II Notes

• Scene 1 takes place in Brutus’ orchard—he receives the letter (written by Cassius) telling him to “Wake up!”• He is struggling internally with the issue of Caesar becoming king• Cassius, Casca, Decius, etc. come to “make an oath”• They decide to be sacrificers, not murderers • Portia doesn’t understand what Brutus is hiding from her

• Scene 2 takes place in Caesar’s house• Calpurnia has had a nightmare that Caesar was killed• The priests warn Caesar to stay at home• Decius persuades Caesar to go to the Capitol

• Scene 3—Artemidorus will warn Caesar by giving him a letter• Scene 4—Portia asks Lucius to check on Brutus; she also finds out

from the Soothsayer what her husband is plotting

Act II Important Quotes

• Brutus: “Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius….Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully…”• Brutus: “...What other bond/ Than secret Romans that have spoke the

word,/…And what other oath/ Than honesty to honesty engaged/ That this shall be, or we will fall for it?”• Cassius: “Let Antony and Caesar fall together.”• Portia: “Ay me, how weak a thing/The heart of woman is!”**Know the quotes on your reading guides as well—and be prepared to explain them in the form of a short essay question (paragraph)!

Define the following terms, and create an example sentence using the term correctly:Julius Caesar Vocab Act III

1. constant2. enterprise3. petition4. redress5. censure6. entreat

7. extenuate8. grievous9. legacy10.testament

Journal Entry: Julius Caesar Acts I and II

• Read each of the statements from your anticipation guide below. Look back in the text to find examples of each statement at work in the play (Acts I and II). Explain what the statement means, as well as how it relates to the characters and their actions:• It is better to listen to advice of peers than to listen to advice of a spouse or

family member.• It is not possible for people to do something they would not otherwise do

when tempted by peers.• It is sometimes okay to betray your friend(s).** Must be 1 page in length—but be sure to explain and give examples for all 3 statements.