A Play by William Shakespeare Julius Caesar A Play by William Shakespeare

Day One.

Learning Objective To be able to understand the premise of the play and to understand the larger messages inherent within Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

QUICK REVIEW- Don’t Be Snarky. GET A MARKER BOARD. What were the three types of plays that Shakespeare wrote? During what timeframe was Shakespeare writing plays? What is the academic conspiracy theory among scholars regarding the works of William Shakespeare (think back to the article you read last week)? What is the difference between a soliloquy, a monologue, and an aside? What is a fourteen line love poem called? What kind of government do we have in the United States (that reflects the political workings of the Roman Empire before the rise of Caesar)?

Video Synopsis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgyAPrv30eg After a successful war journey, JC returns gaining popular momentum and threatening the structure of the government in the Roman Empire. Though many support JC as the new Emperor of Rome, many gather and conspire against him for various reasons. While some are motivated by a genuine fear of the displacement caused for the people with this change (Brutus to some extent), others are motivated by jealousy and personal hatred for Caesar (Cassius). Though there are multiple omens approaching the 15th of March, JC ends up falling dead at the hands of conspirators. He is stabbed to death by many leaders in Rome (including his closest friend).

Guiding Questions- Constructed Response (Class Divides & Characterization). What is so telling about the introductory scene between the four men? Two are from the upper class (who oppose Caesar) and two are from the working class (who praise Caesar). Consider the implications that are introduced from the start regarding Caesar’s rise to power and the differentiated opinions of him. (Differing Motives). Though Cassius and Brutus both work closely with Caesar, their reasons for conspiring against him differ. Explain the motives for each character and discuss the implications inherent with each description of the motive.

READER’S THEATRE.

Act I Scene I - Characters Flavius- an opposer of Caesar Carpenter- a plebeian awaiting Caesar’s arrival Murellius- an opposer of Caesar Cobbler- a plebeian awaiting Caesar’s arrival

Act I Scene II - Characters Caesar- charismatic leader- war hero- potential new emperor- seemingly arrogant Marc Antony- senator that is your “live in the moment” guy Calpurnia- the infertile wife of Caesar- devoted to her husband- has prophetic dreams Portia- the wife of Brutus- devoted to her husband- wishes to share in his secrets Decius- a conspirator with a quick tongue and a persuasive vibe; against Caesar- fake friend Cicero- a senator who supports Caesar Brutus- Caesar’s right-hand man and betrayer; believes that an emperor would destroy the Republic Cassius- kind of a weasel- the jealous mastermind behind the assassination of Julius Caesar Casca- blunt guy and conspirator against Julius Caesar- he is a tribune (an elected offocial)

Day Two.

Learning Objective To be able to understand the political message of the play Julius Caesar.

Words & Ideologies… Here are some ideological titles that you should know at this point in your education. If not, learn them now… or re-learn them… Republic Democracy Dictatorship Monarchy Capitalism Socialism Oligarchy

Journal Entry: Meryl’s Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlrcanqfnAQ “To enter the lives of those different from us and let you know what that feels like.” After watching Meryl Streep’s speech at the Golden Globes awards, reflect on the message that Streep intends to convey. Consider the stereotypes of “Hollywood, Foreigners, and the Press.” She makes a political statement without being direct. She never mentions names, but her indirectness is straightforward in a way. What is your personal opinion of the current political position of the United States (whether you agree with Meryl or not)? What about other political situations in the world (Brexit, The Italian Referendum, etc.)? How does this tie to Julius Caesar?

Guiding Questions- Constructed Response. (Political Statement). What might be Shakespeare’s purpose in creating such an ambiguous opinion of Julius Caesar? How might his utilization of ambiguity shed insight into the nature of politics at the social and governmental levels? Explain thoroughly. (Ambiguous Foreshadowing). Discuss and analyze three of the omens present within the play. How does the interpretation of these omens support AND contradict the conspiracy against JC? (All That Feminist Stuff). Julius Caesar is a play dominated by male leads. However, the reader is given insight into the role of women through Portia (Brutus’ wife) and Calpurnia (Caesar’s [then] wife). How do their roles in the play make a statement for women during that time and the relationship of husbands and wives as portrayed in the play? (For the Skeptics: I am asking you to commit the liberal arts sin of generalization here for the sake of understanding symbolic translation.)

READER’S THEATRE.

Act I Scene III - Characters Cassius- kind of a weasel- the jealous mastermind behind the assassination of Julius Caesar Casca- blunt guy and conspirator against Julius Caesar- he is a tribune (an elected official) Cinna- other guy who is in on the conspiracy against Caesar Cicero- a Roman senator

Act II Scene I - Characters Brutus- Caesar’s right-hand man and betrayer; believes that an emperor would destroy the Republic Lucius- servant of Brutus; keeper of the house Cassius- kind of a weasel- the jealous mastermind behind the assassination of Julius Caesar Casca- blunt guy and conspirator against Julius Caesar- he is a tribune (an elected official) Cinna- other guy who is in on the conspiracy against Caesar Decius- conspirator Metellus- conspirator Trebonius- conspirator Portia- the wife of Brutus- devoted to her husband- wishes to share in his secrets Ligarius- Conspirator (hesitant at first)

Day Three.

Learning Objective To be able to understand character development in the play Julius Caesar. To explain the importance of foil characters and the like. To be able to conduct a rhetorical analysis of Cassius’ speech.

MC Monday on a Tuesday & Rhetorical Analysis Priority: Multiple Choice Practice Priority: Rhetorical Analysis Notes Priority: Cassius’ Speech: Rhetorical Analysis Before we continue reading in Act II, take a moment to preview the coming events in the play. Here is the link. Start at 3:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgyAPrv30eg See handout posted on Google Classroom or on my website. See PPT. Posted on GC as well.

NOTES: Rhetorical Analysis Rhetoric: is the ways in which we try to persuade a given audience, for a given purpose. Here are some classic examples of rhetoric: When a politician tries to get you to vote for him/her, (s)he is using rhetoric. When a lawyer tries to move a jury, (s)he is using rhetoric. When a government produces propaganda, it is using rhetoric. When an advertisement tries to get you to buy something, it is using rhetoric. When the president gives a speech, he is using rhetoric.

NOTES: Rhetorical Analysis

NOTES: Rhetorical Analysis Ethical Appeal (Writer) Ethos (Ethics): refers to character and authority of the speaker or writer. Emotional Appeal (Audience) Pathos (Emotions/Passions): appeals to the emotions and interests of the audience. Logical Appeal (Purpose/Message) Logos (Logic): appeals to logical approaches, objective stance, data, research, etc.

Guiding Questions- ACE Constructed Responses. 6. (Foil Characters). Using the Advanced ACE structure, make an argument to explain how Brutus and Cassius are different from one another. Think about each character’s motive for wanting to assassinate Caesar. Explain thoroughly. CITE EVIDENCE. 7. (Character Development). Discuss and analyze the evolution of Brutus from the first half of the play up to this point. How has he changed as a character? Would you consider him an antagonist or a protagonist at this point? Explain both questions in depth. CITE EVIDENCE.

Sample: Rhetorical Analysis

READER’S THEATRE.

Act II Scene II-IV - Characters Caesar- Servant- Calphurnia- Decius- Publius- Brutus- Antony- Trebonius- Artemidorus- Portia- Lucius- Soothsayer- Act II Scene II-IV - Characters

REVIEW: Rhetorical Analysis

Day Four.

Learning Objective To be able to understand Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals and their application to Julius Caesar.

REVIEW: Rhetorical Analysis: NAME THE RHETORICAL APPEAL.