High School Literature Julius Caesar Julius Caesars birth

High School Literature Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar's birth, c. July 12 or 13, 100 B. C. , marked the beginning of a new chapter in Roman history. By age 31, Caesar had fought in several wars and become involved in Roman politics. After several alliances, he became dictator of the Roman Empire. This led to a senatorial coup, and Caesar's eventual assassination, on the Ides of March.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599. It portrays the 44 BC conspiracy against the Roman Dictator Julius Caesar, his assassination and the defeat of his conspirators. It is one of several plays written by Shakespeare based on true events from Roman history. Although the title is Julius Caesar, he is not the most visible character in its action; he appears in only five scenes. Marcus Brutus speaks more than four times as many lines. Julius Caesar is a drama about the struggles between the conflicting demands of honor, patriotism and friendship.

Themes in Julius Caesar There are several themes in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Fate or Free Agency: Public Self versus Private Self: Misinterpretations and Misunderstandings: Inflexibility versus Compromise: Rhetoric and Power: Each raises many questions about our lives.

Fate or Free Agency Quote from Cassius: “Men at sometime were masters of their fates. / The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings” (I. ii. 140– 142). Questions for Discussion: Who is in control of your life? What influence do others have on your decisions and future?

Public Self versus Private Self Much of the play’s tragedy is the result of the characters’ neglect of personal feelings and loyalties in favor of what they believe to be the public good. The characters ignore what they know to be true and become what they believe the public wants them to be. Questions for Discussion: Do you make the same decisions publicly that you make privately? Do you act the same or are you influenced by public pressure?

Misinterpreting or Misunderstanding In much of the play, the characters ignore what they know to be true. Cicero says, “Men may construe things after their fashion, / Clean from the purpose of the things themselves” (I. iii. 34– 35). Question for Discussion: In what ways can we ignore what we know to be true?

Inflexibility or Compromise? Brutus and Caesar are stubborn and inflexible people who ultimately suffer fatally for their unwillingness to listen or learn from others. Discussion: Can you provide an example of the consequences of being unwilling to compromise?

Rhetoric or words and Power Early in the play, it is established that Caesar has the ability to make things happen by words alone. This is an example of absolute authority. Antony says, “When Caesar says ‘Do this, ’ it is performed. ” (I. ii. 12). Discussion: What are the consequences of this type of behavior? Is absolute authority correct? Who will listen?