Quick Write Julius Caesar tells a story about the hunger for power Story based on real people and events from days when Rome ruled much of the world. Think of stories- fictional or true- that you’ve read or seen about people who hunger for power. Write 5-7 sentences about them on a sheet of notebook paper.

Stories about ambitious folks:

Julius Caesar: The Journey of a Leader 1600: William Shakespeare completes The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Why is the play (and for that matter Shakespeare himself) STILL popular? Shakespeare = huge commercial success: Books, films, TV, stage presentations, and souvenirs generate an enormous profit.

Julius Caesar Born July 13, 100 B.C. Helped transform Rome into an empire Elected military tribune in 72 B.C. Elected Proconsul: An official, usually a former consul, who acted as governor or military comman der of a province, and who had powers similar to those of a consul. Responsible for first invasion of Britain in 55 B.C.

The GallicWars Commentarii de Bello Gallico Book Caesar wrote about the war This book represents a masterwork of political propaganda as Caesar was keenly interested in manipulating his readers in Rome.

The Civil War In 50 B.C., the Senate, led by Pompey, ordered Caesar to return to Rome and disband his army because his term as Proconsul finished. Moreover, the Senate forbade Caesar to stand for a second consulship in absentia. Caesar thought he would be prosecuted and politically marginalized if he entered Rome without the immunity enjoyed by a Consul or without the power of his army. Pompey accused Caesar of insubordination and treason. Crossed the Rubicon and marched on Rome Pompey led Legions of the Republic into battle Caesar Pompey The First Triumvirate Crassus

Battle of Pharsalus Although outnumbered by 25%, Caesar figured out Pompey’s battle plan. On August 9, 48 B.C., Caesar defeated Pompey’s army, and Pompey fled to Egypt. On Sept. 28, 48 B.C., Pompey was assassinated by ministers of Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII.

Caesar: Destiny of Rome? Reorganized distribution of grain Founded military colonies for the poor Granted citizenship to doctors & teachers Stepped up criminal penalties and laws against extortion Created 1 st news sheet Never lost a war

Caesar: Destroyer of the Republic? Named dictator for 10 years Given most lavish honors ever showered on a Roman Victories = national holidays Coins minted with his image Statue erected with inscription: “To the unconquerable god.”

Why Kill Caesar? Enemies within Caesar’s small circle of advisors actively plotted against him Fear of 1 ruler and wanted to keep old form of government

Caesar’s Assassination Chart VictimAssassinsProblemGoalResult Julius Caesar (44 B.C.) Rome Brutus, Cassius, and others Caesar was becoming too popular. Some Romans feared he would become a tyrant. To remove the political threat of Caesar becoming King. Civil war – at the end, Octavius Augustus became not king but emperor.

Shakespeare’s Choice Shakespeare certainly had good reason to write about Julius Caesar. Well known in the Elizabethan public's mind Led the first Roman ships to Britain's shores in 55 B.C. Paved the way for the Roman occupation of Britain. As dictator, arguably most powerful ruler the world had ever known. Died in spectacular fashion.

Shakespeare’s Intentions To research Caesar, Shakespeare read Sir Thomas North's translation of the ancient text, Plutarch's Lives. Compares famous Greeks with famous Romans and their influences, successes and failures Written to show Greek success could measure up to that of Roman success The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is not a history book, nor was it Shakespeare’s intention to write historical text. It is a play, based on: Events of Caesar's murder Pressures on the characters around him Consequences for the conspirators and Rome in general.

Shakespeare’s Purpose He is not so much interested in the facts, but uses them to: Present something from his own imagination that would entertain his audiences (the first thing to think about, obviously) Make audiences think: challenge them to look beyond the story and look at the way human beings act towards each other.

Shakespearean Conventions Blank Verse: unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter Soliloquy : long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal private thoughts Aside: short speech given onstage while other characters are present, but not necessarily to those characters.

Themes in Julius Caesar 1. An idealistic person can be manipulated by a clever and perhaps unscrupulous person. 2. If the rightful ruler is deposed or killed, chaos will result without a suitable replacement. 3. Ordinary people are swayed by effective oratory; thus, they can be changed into a dangerous mob. 4. Ambitions can change a man’s character so that he no longer seeks the good for all men but, rather, seeks more power for himself. 5. Power tends to corrupt those who hold it. 6. People can easily delude themselves into thinking the end justifies the means. 7. A person can control his or her own fate.

THE END

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