Julius Caesar background

Introduction Julius Caesar was born July 12, 100 B.C. in Rome He was fairly well educated and from an average family He began his career as a young patrician by holding military offices and then went on to hold public offices In 83 BC he married Cornelia and their marriage ended in divorce a few years later—he couldn’t get along with her brother—nearly cost him his life

Biography: Then in 59 BC he married Calpurnia; she’s his wife during the play

The history: Shakespeare used the setting of ancient Rome At this time Rome was made up of 2 political parties: Optimates (aristocratic party) and the Populares (much like our present day Democratic party) In 60 BC Rome had its first triumvirate— 3 man rule

History: Caesar –political power Pompey-military power Crassus- wealth Caesar was governor of Gaul present day area of France in 58 BC; he held this office for 10 years. Then a short time later a civil war broke out in Rome between Caesar and Pompey The war continued and brought in Pompey’s sons in which Caesar defeated Pompey and his sons

The play opens With Caesar’s victorious return from months of fighting abroad Many including Pompey feared Caesar was becoming too ambitious Caesar confirmed some of their fears as he didn’t want to return as a common citizen, but instead he marched his army into Rome and many thought he wanted to take control of the government

As the play opens cont. But the common people love Caesar and don’t view him as a threat; they want to elect him a ruler which would give him power for 10 years. Many senators disagree and some are even jealous of Caesar’s power Rome had not had a king since 509 BC and they had been a republic—which declared all citizens were represented by the senate, so there was much concern with returning to a monarchy.

The play Shakespeare uses omens, Roman superstitions, and the weather to create ominous settings and to foreshadow key events.