Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar INTRODUCING THE PLAY

Student Discussion  What do you know about Shakespeare?  What do you know about Caesar?  What do you think this play will be about?

Why this play? What’s important about it?  Yes, this is a historically-based text, but it’s still a play. Don’t be bored by the idea of reading something whose characters and setting are “ancient.”  Shakespeare took his plots from older literature and from history but wrote in order to move and entertain his contemporaries. You don’t read his plays to learn what happened to Caesar; you respond to his characters, his fast-moving, suspenseful plot, and his humor.  This is about political murder!  It explores psychological, political, and moral turmoil!

The Five-Part Dramatic Structure or introduction or complic -ations Or Turning Point Resolution

The Five-Part Cont.  Exposition – establishes tone, setting, some of the main characters, previous events that have happened before the play begins, and the main conflict  Rising action – this establishes the complications besetting the protagonist that arise when he/she takes action to resolve the conflict.  Crisis/climax or Turning Point – This is the moment of choice for the protagonist, the moment when the forces of conflict come together and the situation will either improve or deteriorate. (The crisis here happens in Act III).  Falling Action – The incidents resulting from the protagonist’s decision during the crisis.  Resolution – the conclusion of the play.

The Characters  The main characters are men of great power whose actions affect thousands and change history.  But they’re human! This means they’re flawed.  You have to decide are these men honorable – are their actions just?  Provide examples of honorable behavior.  Does media portray honor?  Is there an absolute standard of honor that applies to everyone?  Is honor inherent to an individual or is it created and shaped by experience?  How could ambition affect honor?

A Tragic Plot  This play is a tragedy. What can you expect from this type of genre?  Tragic figures always have flaws that point to their downfall, even though some aspects of these characters may make them appear heroic at times.  Tragic characters are interesting because they are so human! They are flawed but not necessarily evil. They, at times, can be the most relatable.  Examples of tragic characters?  Pay attention to Brutus in the play – he will be our tragic character.

The Hero – You decide  Julius Caesar – Often considered the “loftiest” figure in the play, but we’re seeing him at his least impressive stage in life and his career. These are his final days. Does he act like a hero? Is he really a tyrant? Does he deserve to be assassinated?  Marcus Brutus – Not only a murderer but a murderer of a father-like figure. But he’s the most tragic! He’s pulled between opposing forces. Is he admirable? What motivates him? Are his actions just?  Cassius – The man responsible for the plan – he hatches the conspiracy. He needs Brutus to make the plan a reality. What motivates him? Are his reasons fair?  Marcus Antonius – His story tends to be a success story (in this play). He adapts to change, he’s cunning, intelligent, and a great speaker. What, then, are his flaws? What motivates him? Does he make any sacrifices?

How to apply this to today  Consider how often the following occurs in today’s world:  Revolutions  Assassinations  Abuses of Power  And bloody battles Ideas?

Literary Elements -  Characterization – the process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character. Shakespeare shows us his characters through their –  Speech, their thoughts, and how other characters react to them. Imagery – the use of language that appeals to the sense. Most examples of imagery will appeal to the sense of sight, but images may also appeal to the senses of hearing, smell, touch, or taste. Foreshadowing - the use of indicative word or phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense. Shakespeare’s dialogue often foreshadow future events

Understanding the Language  It should go without saying that Shakespeare’s language is outdated. It can often be very difficult for students to interpret!  Take it slow! Read it sentence by sentence and try to decipher the meaning. Sometimes it helps to read a passage completely. You may have to read a line more than once.  No Fear Shakespeare – Use this as a resource! Do not read it by itself. No Fear Shakespeare “Peace! Count the clock.” “The clock hath stricken three.” “Sir, March is wasted fifteen days.” “That by no means I may discover them by any mark of favor.” “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg.”

POP Sonnets Believe it or not, this is a modern pop song that’s been translated into Shakespearean speech. Can you figure out the song?