What You Missed Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

What You Missed

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare – Julius Caesar was a great general and with his army, defeated Rome’s enemies, returned to Rome a hero – Rome was a republic and the people wanted to make Caesar king, Caesar refused the crown three times – Brutus, Cassius, and Antony are Caesar’s closest allies – Cassius doesn’t want Caesar to have all the power (jealous) – Brutus wants whatever the people want (city loyal) – Antony is fiercely loyal to Caesar (friend loyal)

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare – Cassius plots to kill Caesar with other conspirators – Cassius sends letters to Brutus, pretending they are from the people, claiming they are worried about Caesar’s power – Brutus is now on board with Cassius’s plan – The conspirators kill Caesar at the senate, taking turns stabbing him – “Et tu Brute? ” – Antony walks in after Caesar is dead, pledges allegiance to the conspirators

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare – But after they depart, Antony swears to avenge Caesar’s death – At the funeral, Brutus says to the people that he loved Caesar but he loved Rome more – Antony speaks and points out the wealth and glory Caesar brought to Rome, and that he turned down the crown three times – Antony says he has Caesar’s will and the crowd begs to hear it – Antony first shows Caesar’s wounds to the crowd, reads the will – Money is left to every citizen; his private gardens are now public

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare – Crowd is enraged at his death, calls Brutus and Cassius traitors, drive them from the city – Caesar’s adopted son Octavius shows up, forms alliance with Antony to fight Brutus and Cassius, who are now forming an army – Their army does not perform well and Cassius dies first, Brutus next – After Brutus dies, Antony says he was the noblest Roman, believing he was acting on Rome’s behalf – Octavius orders Brutus be buried honorably

Antigone by Sophocles

Sophocles – Born 497 B. C. , died 405 B. C. – Lived in Colonus, Greece – Father was a carpenter & sword maker; employed many carpenters and smiths, excellent business man – Wealthy family; awarded Sophocles top education, led to excellent writing skills

Greece Map

Ancient Greece

Ancient Athens

Sophocles Writings – Wrote 123 plays, but only 7 have survived intact – Most well known for his Theban (Thebes) plays. – Collection is known as Colonus: - Oedipus the King - Oedipus at Colonus - Antigone Ø All three plays concern the fate of Thebes during and after the reign of Oedipus.

Colonus “Trilogy” Chronological Order Presented Oedipus The King Antigone (Baby Oedipus – Oedipus as a Man) Oedipus at Colonus (Oedipus Exile – Oedipus Death) Antigone (After Oedipus’s Death) Oedipus The King Oedipus at Colonus

Colonus “Trilogy” – Colonus is not a true trilogy – Not only were they written and presented out of order many years apart (across 36 years), they were never intended to be a series. – Wrote Antigone as a young adult, full of ideals – Wrote Oedipus as he was exploring the meaning of his own life – Wrote Colonus as an older man reflecting back on his life – Oedipus is mythological, an untrue legend

Antigone’s Family Tree

Antigone Previous Events – King Oedipus has been exiled and is dead – Crown was to be shared year to year between his two sons – After the first year, Eteocles, the oldest son, refused to step down – Polynices, the younger of the two, went to Argos and raised seven armies against his brother and Thebes

Seven Against Thebes – Polynices returned and placed one army at each of the seven gates of Thebes. The armies broke down the gates and attacked. – The gate Polynices was at was guarded by Eteocles. The brothers killed each other with their own swords. Polynices’s armies are defeated – Oedipus’s brother-in-law, the children’s uncle, Creon, became the King of Athens

Antigone’s Loss – Oedipus, father, is dead – Eteocles, brother, is dead – Polynices, brother is dead All she has left… – Uncle Creon, as King – Ismene, sister

Antigone by Sophocles – Creon orders Eteocles to buried honorably; Polynices to rot – Antigone asks Ismene to help her bury their brother; Ismene says they are only women; Antigone is furious at her – Antigone buries brother with a little dirt, no one sees her – Guard tells Creon about the burial; Creon says to uncover it, keep it secret, and keep watch – Antigone buries him again, is caught and brought to Creon

Antigone by Sophocles – Creon orders Eteocles to buried honorably; Polynices to rot – Antigone asks Ismene to help her bury their brother; Ismene says they are only women; Antigone is furious at her – Antigone buries brother with a little dirt, no one sees her – Guard tells Creon about the burial; Creon says to uncover it, keep it secret, and keep watch – Antigone buries him again, is caught and brought to Creon – Ismene begs for mercy for Antigone; Antigone rejects her

Antigone by Sophocles – Antigone is taken away; Haemon begs his father for mercy for his fiancé. – Creon does not want to appear weak – Haemon leaves and advisor tells Creon to reconsider – Creon is incredulous “Side with a BOY over a MAN? !” – Antigone hangs herself, Haemon stabs himself, and Eurydice slits her own throat – Creon is alone