Do you realize it when you are quoting Shakespeare? Just For Fun... Do you realize it when you are quoting 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” “Green-eyed monster” “Vanish into thin air” “The world is my oyster” “Wear your heart on your sleeve” “Tongue-tied” “Fair play” “Foul play” “Heart of gold” “Dead as a door nail” “Send him packing” “Wild goose chase” “Be that as it may” “Be all end all” “Naked truth” “Lie low” “Without rhyme or reason” …you are quoting Shakespeare!

Decide whether you agree or disagree each of the following statements Decide whether you agree or disagree each of the following statements. Then choose one to write a paragraph about. Chaos results when lawful social order is broken. The best intentions of good, noble people can lead to tragedy. It is better to be feared than loved. Language is a powerful weapon, and in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others. Violence and bloodshed can never have morally good results. Absolute power corrupts. Orderliness and stable rule, even rule by a dictator, are preferable to chaos.

William Shakespeare wrote the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar It was the first play performed in the Globe Theatre in 1599

Shakespeare was born in 1564 in a town north of London called Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Grammar School education of William Shakespeare would have included Latin taught from the Tudor text-book known as Lily's Latin Grammar and boys would be expected to translate Latin to English and English to Latin The education of William Shakespeare continued by studying the works of the great classical authors and dramatists such as Ovid, Plautus, Horace, Virgil, Cicero and Seneca William withdrew from the grammar school at age fourteen and did not continue on to attend university.

In 1582 at the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway who was 26. He had a daughter Susanna and twins named Hamnet and Judith.

In the years after his marriage to Anne, Shakespeare moved to London to pursue his theatrical career. In London he became a shareholder in an acting company called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men as well as the primary playwright and an actor. He would often perform at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the years of the plague (1665-1666), he would write poetry since the theaters were often closed. It was considered by the Elizabethans to be more important to write poetry than to write plays.

In 1599 he became partial owner of the Globe Theater In 1599 he became partial owner of the Globe Theater. He held 10% of its shares.

In 1599, his first play was performed at the Globe Theater In 1599, his first play was performed at the Globe Theater. It was Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar is historically significant Julius Caesar is historically significant because it reflected the fear of Elizabethan’s that the death of Queen Elizabeth I would result in chaos.

Divine Right and Divine Order

At the end of his life, Shakespeare returned to Stratford-upon-Avon to retire. He died in 1616.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is set in Rome, 44 B.C.

Julius Caesar Veni. Vidi. Vici. 100 B.C. - 44 B.C. I came. I saw. I conquered.

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

Orange Julius July! Caesarian Section (C-Section) Caesar Salad Little Caesar's Pizza pzza! pizza!

Structure Act I – Exposition Act II – Rising Action Act III – Crisis or turning point Act IV – Falling Action Act V –Resolution (denouement)

Tragedy: a play, novel, or other narrative that depicts serious and important events and ends unhappily for the main character. Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy The main character is often high ranking and dignified, not an ordinary man or woman. He/she has a tragic flaw – a defect in character or judgment that directly causes the character’s downfall. The work ends unhappily, with the death of the main character. Each of Shakespeare’s tragedies follow a five-part structure

The Tragic Figure... 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.

Historical Background Would the real leader please stand up?

Rome was ruled by a “Triumvirate” (a coalition of three men) Pompey -a great politician & Caesar’s son-in-law Caesar -the famous general Crassus -the wealthiest man in Rome

In 54 B. C. Caesar’s daughter, Julia, dies In 54 B.C. Caesar’s daughter, Julia, dies. Because she was the only real personal tie between Pompey and Caesar, tension flared between the two men. Pompey Caesar

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

The Senate supported Pompey and he becomes sole consul (like a president) in 52 B.C. Caesar, on the other hand, becomes a military hero and a champion of the people. He was the commander in Gaul and had planned on becoming consul when his term in Gaul was up (terms were for one year). The senate feared him and wanted him to give up his army.

Caesar writes the senate a letter in 50 B. C Caesar writes the senate a letter in 50 B.C. and says he will give up his army if Pompey gives up his. This, of course, makes the senate angry and they demand 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.

Caesar says, “Iacta alea est!” Two tribunes--Marc Antony and Quintus Cassius Longinus--faithful to Caesar, veto the bill and were therefore expelled from the senate. They flee to Caesar; the men ask the army for support against the senate. The army called for action and on January 19, 49 B.C., Caesar crosses the Rubicon into Italy. Civil war has begun. 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.

He gets a little sidetracked and hangs out with Cleopatra To sum it up, Caesar chases Pompey all the way to Egypt and “defeats” him. He gets a little sidetracked and hangs out with Cleopatra for a while…

When he returns to Rome, he is now the “tribune of the people” and “dictator for life.”

Shakespeare’s imaginative take on Julius Caesar’s death. Back to the play Shakespeare’s imaginative take on Julius Caesar’s death.

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

The Feast of the Lupercal *februaue actually means “to purify” 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...

He is, in fact, killed on March 15th. 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.

Power is a corruptive force Themes Power is a corruptive force Man is fallible Man is inherently selfish and jealous 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!

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

Overcast of impending doom, darkness and catastrophe 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

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 Shakespearian tragedy has one Every Shakespearian 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, 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.

Julius Caesar's sensible and loving wife Calpurnia Julius 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

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

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, seizes the opportunity to take control of Rome Marcus Mark Antony Antony delivers Caesar’s funeral oration

As we read The Tragedy of Julius Caesar… • We will discuss the conspiracy… • We will analyze the rhetoric of four speeches in the play • 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 every day actions…