1. Julius Caesar
English II Notes

2. Key Terms
Archetypes

3. Archetypes
Familiar character types that appear over and over again in literature

4. Tragedy

5. Tragedy
A tragedy is a drama in which a series of actions leads to the downfall of the main character, called a tragic hero

6. Tragic Hero

7. Tragic Hero Is usually of high social rank
Has a tragic flaw—an error of judgment or a character defect—that ultimately leads it his or her downfall
Suffers complete ruin or death
Faces his o her downfall with courage and dignity

8. Catastrophe
A disastrous final outcome that usually involves the death of the hero and many others

9. Soliloquy
Is a speech given by the character alone on the stage, used to reveal his or her private thoughts and feelings
May help the audience understand a character’s motivation

10. Dramatic Irony
Results when the audience knows more than one or more of the characters—for example—Caesar does not know that people are plotting against him, but the audience does.

11. Aside
Is character’s remark either to the audience or to another character, that no one else on stage is supposed to hear.
Let’s the audience in on a character’s thoughts or secrets