Julius Caesar 100 B.C.E B.C.E. Veni. Vidi. Vici. I came. I saw. I conquered.

How many words can you think of that are associated with Julius Caesar ?

pizza!

Caesar’s ideas still affect modern times: ●365 day calendar, with a Leap Day every 4 years ●Codes, such as Morse Code. He created the Caesar Substitution Cipher: every letter is replaced the with the letter 3 places down (A=D, B=E, etc.) ●Ordered that libraries be built in every town, to encourage learning ●Used a codex: literature in the form of books instead of scrolls Of course, Caesar is most famous for being a general and leader of the Roman Republic, which became the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire was huge.

The Roman Empire (117 CE)

Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (1599) was the first play performed in the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare Lived Produced plays Globe Theater London, England

●Educated English men learned about ancient Rome and considered the Romans to be their ancestors. ●The Roman playwrights Seneca and Plautus were popular and admired influences on Elizabethan drama. ●Shakespeare’s audience may have been fascinated by Caesar’s life and death: the story of a dictator becoming corrupt and ignoring the other branches of government, then being assassinated by his own friends. It might have reminded them of England’s own civil war, in the 1400s, which finally ended when Queen Elizabeth and the Tudor family came into power. It had been over 1600 years… Why would Shakespeare write a story about Caesar?

Historical Fiction ●Even Shakespeare had to research for his plays. ●His main source for Julius Caesar was Plutarch, a Greek philosopher who lived around C.E. ●Although the play is based on historical fact, Shakespeare made up plenty of details and probably changed quite a bit.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is set in Rome, 44 B.C. Before we jump in, we need a little history.

The Roman Republic ●Before 509 BCE: Rome has a Senate which would elect a king for life. ●509 BCE: Romans drive out the last king, Tarquin the Proud, and establish a REPUBLIC. ○still a Senate - many senators (make laws, control $$; majority required for votes) ○Citizens would elect 2 Consuls, who would share power, for 1-year terms. ○Tribunal - one or two tribunes (responsible for the needs of common people) ●Now, all citizens (wealthy, Roman-born men) have a political voice. ●Other people - including women, slaves, and people from other places - do not.

The Roman Republic, part 2 ●Before 59 BCE: Pompey and Crassus, two Roman leaders, have been fighting for some time. Meanwhile, Caesar has been leading the military, to great success. ●59 BCE: All 3 are unhappy that the Senate does not do what they want, so they form an unofficial and secret FIRST TRIUMVIRATE. Caesar gets the other two to work together, and even arranges Pompey’s marriage to his own daughter, Julia. They agree to support each other’s goals, and take turns being Consul. ●Eventually, the secret is revealed.

In 54 B.C.E., Caesar’s daughter, Julia, dies. Tension flares between the two men. Pompey Caesar

In 53 B.C.E. Crassus dies. This ends the First Triumvirate and sets Pompey and Caesar against one another.

52BCE The Senate supports Pompey and he becomes sole consul. Caesar, continues to be a military hero and a champion of the people. He’s the commander in Gaul and had planned on becoming consul when his term in Gaul was up. The senate fears him and wants him to give up his army.

Caesar wrote the Senate a letter in 50 B.C.E. and said he will give up his army if Pompey gives up his. This, of course, made the Senate angry and they demanded that Caesar disband his army at once or be declared an enemy of the people. Legally, however, the Senate could not do that. Caesar was entitled by law to keep his army until his term was up.

Two tribunes--Marc Antony and Quintus Cassius Longinus--faithful to Caesar, vetoed the bill and were therefore expelled from the senate. They fled to Caesar; the men asked the army for support against the senate. The army called for action and on January 19, 49 B.C., Caesar crossed the Rubicon into Italy. Civil war began Caesar says, “Iacta alea est!” (The die is cast!) when he crosses the stream. Crossing the Rubicon is a metaphor for deliberately proceeding past a point of no return.metaphorpoint of no return

To sum it up, Caesar chased Pompey all the way to Egypt and “defeated” him. He got a little sidetracked and hung out with Cleopatra for a while…

When he returned to Rome, he was now the “tribune of the people” and on the way to becoming “dictator for life.”

This is where our play begins… When it opens, we see some citizens in support of Caesar and some against him.

February* 15: The Feast of the Lupercal What is that? Lupercus was the fertility god the Romans worshipped. They would sacrifice goats and a dog. The goats’ blood would be smeared on the foreheads of two young men, then wiped off with wool dipped in milk. Then young men, wearing only strips of goatskin around their loins, ran around the city striking women with strips of goatskin. It was believed that pregnant women would have an easier labor and infertile women would become fertile. *februaue actually means “to purify”

During this feast some of the conspirators discuss Caesar and what to do about him having too much power. The plan to kill him is hatched…

Would you be worried if someone told you something terrible would happen to you in a month?

Beware the Ides of March...

Julius Caesar is warned to beware the ides of March. “Ides” means the middle of the month; he was warned that something bad would happen on March 15th, 44 B.C. He is, in fact, killed on March 15th.

ThemesMisuse of Power Corruptive Force of Power Man’s Fallibility The Inherent Jealousy and Selfishness of Man Power Corrupts: Caesar is a dictator who is suspected of abusing his power; Cassius is so power hungry that he assassinates Caesar; Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus become even worse than Ceasar!

Themes, Continued Honor found in loyalty and friendship Corruption found in conspiracy and anarchy Stability through political order Viability of republic form of government Countless books, movies and other theatre adaptations have built on the theme of a “friend’s betrayal”

Literary Focus Mood Setting Overcast of impending doom, darkness and catastrophe There is no trust left, only manipulation and corruption Julius Caesar is largely set in Rome, 44 B.C. Ancient Rome Tiber River the Capitol the House of the Senate The Forum

A tragic figure or hero is one who has a character flaw which causes them to act poorly or make poor decisions resulting in their downfall.

Julius Caesar An ambitious and ruthless politician Skilled general Believes that he is worthy of more power than just being the head of Rome; he wants to be crowned the leader of the entire Roman Empire. His ambition led to his downfall Long-time friend Brutus betrayed and stabbed him to stop him from becoming a tyrant.

Every Shakespearean tragedy has one. However, in Julius Caesar, the tragic hero is not the title character.

Shakespeare makes BRUTUS a key figure in the play.

Brutus Friend of Caesar and Honorable man Feeling of patriotism, friends convince him that Caesar must die rather than become a tyrant. His strong principles led him to allow rival Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral.

CalpurniaJulius Caesar's sensible and loving wife Warned her husband not to leave the house during the Ides of March after having a prophetic dream. Calpurnia’s dream foreshadowed future events

CassiusBecomes jealous of Caesar’s power and fearful he will abuse that power Urges Brutus to assassinate both Caesar and Antony Tries to convince Brutus to not allow Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral

Marcus Mark Antony Soldier and Caesar's right-hand man Calculating and persuasive with words Uses his influence to turn the people of Rome against Brutus With Caesar slain, he seizes the opportunity to take control of Rome Antony delivers Caesar’s funeral oration

As we read The Tragedy of Julius Caesar… We will discuss the conspiracy… We will discuss how Rome fell to mob rule after Caesar’s death… (remember mob rule in To Kill a Mockingbird…did that lead to civil unrest in the South?) We will discuss why history seems to repeat itself over and over again… And we will discuss our own flaws in our personalities and how we can prevent a tragedy in our lives by our everyday actions…

Do you realize it when you are quoting Shakespeare? (Yes, you DO quote Shakespeare!) If you have ever said…

“Catch a cold” “Laugh it off” “Disgraceful conduct” That’s “lousy” “In a pickle” I didn’t “sleep a wink” It won’t “budge an inch” I’ve “seen better days” “Knit your brows” “Vanish into thin air” “Give the devil his due” An “eye sore” “Tongue-tied” “Fair play” “Foul play” “Tower of strength” “Dead as a doornail” “Send him packing” “That’s the long and short of it” “Be that as it may” “Fool’s paradise” “As luck would have it” “Lie low” “Without rhyme or reason” …you are quoting Shakespeare!

“What the dickens?” “Good riddance” “Flesh and blood” “A laughing stock” “For goodness’ sake!” “Green-eyed jealousy” “If the truth be known…” “Crack of doom” ”Bloody-minded” “By Jove” …you are quoting Shakespeare! “Love is blind” “Off with his head” “Have seen better days” “Wild goose chase” “Night owl” “Mums the word” “A sorry sight” “Eaten out of house and home”

…and it’s “HIGH TIME” you knew how much Shakespeare has influenced your life!

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