Julius Caesar Literary Terms to Know

Crisis or turning point Dramatic Structure Act III Crisis or turning point Act II Rising Acting (Complications) Act IV Falling Action Act I Exposition Act V Climax and resolution

Exposition: introduces conflicts and provides background information Rising Action – series of complications caused when main characters try to resolve their conflicts Turning point – main character makes a choice that determines the rest of the play’s actions

Falling Action – the results of the actions taken during the turning point Climax – an action that determines how the conflict will be resolved, moment of greatest tension (near the end of the play, usually the death of the tragic hero in a tragedy) Resolution: usually closely follows the climax and ties of loose ends in the plot (usually brief)

Dialogue Conversations of the characters on stage

Aside Spoken to the audience or to one character; the other characters on stage do not hear an aside

Monologue Spoken by one character to other characters onstage

Soliloquy A long speech by a character who is alone on stage that reveals the character’s innermost thoughts and feelings. This speech is not heard by other characters. Brutus in his orchard: It must be by his death. And for my part I know no personal cause to spurn him But for the general. (II.i.10-12)

Irony The contrast between appearance and reality, between expectation and fulfillment. What is ironic about Caesar’s confidence in his own unassailability?

Dramatic Irony When the audience knows something that a character does not Anthony says this to Caesar: Fear him [Cassius] not, Caesar, he’s not dangerous. He is a noble Roman, and well given (I.ii.196-197)

Verbal Irony When the words spoken are the opposite of what is meant Decius says to Caesar to get him to the Capitol: Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear love To your proceeding bids me tell you this, And reason to my love is liable. II.iv.102-4. What is ironic about Anthony’s statement when he says, “Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up/To such as sudden flow of mutiny”?

Foil A character who serves as a contrast to another character How is Cassius a foil to Brutus? (consider their motivations to kill Caesar)

Tragedy A serious work of literature that narrates the events leading to the downfall of a tragic hero. It evokes fear and pity in the audience. Ends with the death of the tragic hero

Tragic hero A character who displays noble qualities but has a serious flaw. Classical Definition: When dying, he/she gains some awareness or self-knowledge usually accepting death and acknowledging that it is to some degree just. Who is the tragic hero in this play?

Tragic flaw A defect in character or judgment in the tragic hero that directly causes the hero’s downfall (usually death) Examples: pride, rebelliousness, jealousy What is Brutus’ tragic flaw?

Iambic Pentameter “The Art of the Poet” 10-syllable lines of rhymed, unstressed/stress meter. The stressed syllables are red. ‘T’is three o’clock; and, Romans, yet ere night We shall try fortune in a second fight FYI: Shakespeare’s plays are about 90 % verse and 6% prose

Label the unstressed/stressed syllables And after this let Caesar seat him sure: For we will shake him, or worse days endure. Cassius: I.ii.321-322 When iambic pentameter is read out loud it will follow a beat such as –da DUM, da-DUM or toe-heel, toe-heel

Blank Verse Unrhymed, 10-syllable lines of unstressed/stressed meter Are yet two Romans living such as these? The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! Do you notice a pattern as to when Shakespeare uses verse and when he uses prose? (look at pages 768-769)