Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Student Notes

Definitions Monarchy—absolute rule by a single person (hereditary chief) Monarchy—absolute rule by a single person (hereditary chief) Republic—a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected offers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law (indirect democracy) Republic—a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected offers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law (indirect democracy) Democracy—a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them either directly or indirectly through a system of periodically held free elections Democracy—a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them either directly or indirectly through a system of periodically held free elections Dictatorship—a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator (absolute and unlimited rule) Dictatorship—a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator (absolute and unlimited rule)

Rome’s Beginnings Rome began as a Monarchy— ruled by one person (King) Rome began as a Monarchy— ruled by one person (King) It remained this way for 250 years. It remained this way for 250 years. Many citizens felt oppressed and eventually revolted. Many citizens felt oppressed and eventually revolted.

Rome’s Beginnings: 500 BC Roman Republic was established in 500 B.C.— ruled for over 500 years Roman Republic was established in 500 B.C.— ruled for over 500 years –Roman Republic was ruled by two men called consuls— Consuls’ duties: Consuls’ duties: –controlled the army –could declare war –controlled taxes –established laws Got advice from the senate—basically did what the senate told them to do. Got advice from the senate—basically did what the senate told them to do.

The Senate Upper class, wealthy Upper class, wealthy Have to be born into it (ancestor must be traced from the beginning of Rome) Have to be born into it (ancestor must be traced from the beginning of Rome) Once you were on the senate, you stayed on the senate Once you were on the senate, you stayed on the senate

Tribunes Represented the poor Represented the poor Working class people Working class people Elected by the people for the people Elected by the people for the people

The Fall of the Republic: 60 B.C. In 60 B.C., Roman Republic falls apart and the Triumvirate is established In 60 B.C., Roman Republic falls apart and the Triumvirate is established Triumvirate—unofficial Roman political alliance of 3 people Triumvirate—unofficial Roman political alliance of 3 people –Caesar –Crassus –Pompey

Triumvirate Falls: All Hail Caesar! 49 B.C—The Triumvirate falls apart and Caesar is the only one left 49 B.C—The Triumvirate falls apart and Caesar is the only one left 46 B.C—Julius Caesar appointed dictator (the sole ruler of Rome) 46 B.C—Julius Caesar appointed dictator (the sole ruler of Rome)

This is where the play begins! The Feast of Lupercal—the festival of fertility (wards off evil spirits) The Feast of Lupercal—the festival of fertility (wards off evil spirits) A race where young aristocrats run dressed in a girdle of goat’s skin and carry a leather throng and hit woman who are considered sterile. By hitting the women, it wards off evil spirits and the women are able to reproduce. A race where young aristocrats run dressed in a girdle of goat’s skin and carry a leather throng and hit woman who are considered sterile. By hitting the women, it wards off evil spirits and the women are able to reproduce.

Summary: Acts I - III Act One: Caesar returns from defeating Pompey’s son, the Feast of Lupercal occurs Act One: Caesar returns from defeating Pompey’s son, the Feast of Lupercal occurs Act Two: March 15th, beware of the ides of March Act Two: March 15th, beware of the ides of March Act Three: Days after death of Julius Caesar Act Three: Days after death of Julius Caesar

Major Roman Achievements law and order law and order effective road systems effective road systems unparalleled military unparalleled military at its peak, the Roman Empire covered all of the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to Egypt and up into Europe at its peak, the Roman Empire covered all of the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to Egypt and up into Europe

Themes in Julius Caesar: Chaos results when the prescribed social order is overturned Chaos results when the prescribed social order is overturned Good intentions do not always yield a positive result Good intentions do not always yield a positive result Language is a powerful weapon, and in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others 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 Violence and bloodshed can never have morally good results Pride is the harbinger of destruction Pride is the harbinger of destruction

Themes in Julius Caesar: Great political ambition breeds great political envy Great political ambition breeds great political envy Deceit wears the garb of innocence Deceit wears the garb of innocence Recognize and heed warnings Recognize and heed warnings One man’s hero is another man’s villain One man’s hero is another man’s villain

Characteristics of a Tragic Hero Noble Stature/High Birth Noble Stature/High Birth Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)—often times hubris Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)—often times hubris Capable of great suffering Capable of great suffering Discovery: The revelation of a fact previously unknown, knowledge of which results in the turning of the action Discovery: The revelation of a fact previously unknown, knowledge of which results in the turning of the action Peripety: The reversal of fortune for a protagonist Peripety: The reversal of fortune for a protagonist