Shakespearean Drama Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy The Tragic

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy The Tragic Hero High social rank – a king, prince,

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy DRAMATIC IRONY DRAMATIC CONVENTIONS EXAMPLE : Caesar does not know

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy SOLILOQUY A speech given by a character alone on stage,

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy [ ASIDE ] Character’s remark, either to the audience or

The Language of Shakespearean Tragedy BLANK VERSE • Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. •

RHETORIC: The Language of Persuasion Anaphora Rhetorical Questions Parallelism • The repetition of the

Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

BACKGROUND INFORMATION v For centuries, Romans debated and even fought civil wars while trying

Tarquinius Superbus v Until 509 B. C. , Rome was a monarchy, but in

v By 100 B. C. , Rome was a moderate democracy in form; in

v In 60 B. C. , a triumvirate (a three man rule) of Caesar,

v In 58 B. C. , Caesar was made governor of part of Gaul,

v. After Crassus was killed in battle, trouble began between Pompey and Caesar. Pompey,

v Meanwhile, Pompey fled to Greece. Caesar defeated Pompey’s army and Pompey fled to

Three years after Caesar defeated Pompey’s army, Caesar defeated Pompey’s two sons. v By

v Thus, as Shakespeare begins his play with Caesar returning in victory from Spain,

Click the image below to begin video. For the remainder of class, begin watching

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Shakespearean Drama

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy The Tragic Hero High social rank – a king, prince, or general Has a tragic flaw (hubris) – an error in judgment or character defect that leads to his/her downfall. Suffers complete ruin or death. Faces his/her downfall with courage and dignity (dignity = integrity, sincerity, confidence).

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy DRAMATIC IRONY DRAMATIC CONVENTIONS EXAMPLE : Caesar does not know people are plotting against him, but the audience does. You are the audience when you read/view/listen to this play. Results when the audience knows more than one or more of the characters Dramatic irony creates suspense

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy SOLILOQUY A speech given by a character alone on stage, used to reveal private thoughts and feelings. Example from Julius Caesar Brutus: “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him. ” Example from Romeo and Juliet Romeo: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!”

Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy [ ASIDE ] Character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that no one else on stage is supposed to hear. • Brutus whispers in Act II; scene iii; lines 128 -129. • [Aside] “That every like is not the same, O Caesar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon. ” Lets the audience in a character’s thoughts or secrets. • “Caesar, I will. [aside] And so near will I be that your best friends wish I had been further. • Trebonius whispers in Act II; scene iii; 124 -125 • Think of it as a whisper

The Language of Shakespearean Tragedy BLANK VERSE • Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. • Iambic pentameter is a pattern of rhythm with five unstressed syllables (˘) and five stressed syllables (´). • Such men as he be never at heart’s ease • Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, • Most of Julius Caesar is written in blank verse.

RHETORIC: The Language of Persuasion Anaphora Rhetorical Questions Parallelism • The repetition of the beginning phrase in consecutive lines. • “Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; • Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat. ” • The use of questions that require no answer to make the speaker’s rightness seem self-evident. • “Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not!” • The repetition of grammatical structures to express ideas that are related or of equal importance. • “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. ”

Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

BACKGROUND INFORMATION v For centuries, Romans debated and even fought civil wars while trying to decide whether a monarchy, a republic, or a dictatorship was the best form of government.

Tarquinius Superbus v Until 509 B. C. , Rome was a monarchy, but in that year, the Brutus family evicted Tarquinius Superbus from the throne and Rome was established as a republic.

v By 100 B. C. , Rome was a moderate democracy in form; in actual practice, the Senate was ruling Rome.

v In 60 B. C. , a triumvirate (a three man rule) of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey was formed to govern Rome. Caesar Crassus Pompey

v In 58 B. C. , Caesar was made governor of part of Gaul, and at the age of 44 began his military career. During the next ten years, he proceeded to conquer all of Gaul.

v. After Crassus was killed in battle, trouble began between Pompey and Caesar. Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s popularity, persuaded the Senate to order Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome. v. But Caesar invaded Rome and made himself absolute ruler of Rome.

v Meanwhile, Pompey fled to Greece. Caesar defeated Pompey’s army and Pompey fled to Egypt where he was later murdered.

Three years after Caesar defeated Pompey’s army, Caesar defeated Pompey’s two sons. v By now, Caesar had been made emperor for life. v

v Thus, as Shakespeare begins his play with Caesar returning in victory from Spain, Caesar was the undisputed leader of the entire Roman world.

Click the image below to begin video. For the remainder of class, begin watching this film about Julius Caesar’s life. Write down ten complete sentences which give details you learn about Julius Caesar’s personality. What kind of man is he?