1. Introduction to “Julius Caesar”
By William Shakespeare

2. Julius Caesar terms
Monarch- a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire, usually for life and by hereditary succession
Republic- government in which power resides in citizens who are entitled to vote.
Dictatorship-government in which absolute authority or power resides in one man.

3. Terms cont. Patricians- nobles; wealthy people
Plebeians- commoners; poor people
Groundlings- the poor, commoners within a society while attending the plays at the Globe Theater

4. Terms cont.
Legions- a very large number or multitude of devoted followers.
Tribunes- Roman official under the monarchy and the republic
Triumvirate- a group, party, or association of three

5. Terms cont.
Conventions- a formal meeting or assembly, as of a political party

6. Shakespeare/ Caesar

7. William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Birthplace: Stratford-on-Avon, near London
Prominent family
Married Anne Hathaway-had 3 children
Lived during the Elizabethan era
Career: actor, playwright, poet businessman

8. Shakespeare cont. Acting troupe: Globe Theater- 1599
The Chamberlain’s Men (Lord Chamberlain)
The King’s Men (King James I)
Globe Theater- 1599
Retired to hometown –died on his birthday

9. Shakespeare’s Epitaph
Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear, to dig the dust enclosed here. Blest be the man that spares these stones, and curst be he that moves my bones.

10. Shakespearean Stage Plays performed in daylight in traveling wagons
Globe Theater

11. Globe Theater

12. Globe Theater Octagon shape Balcony seats for wealthy
Standing room for groundlings (poor)
Two backstage doors-dressing rooms
Back stage-behind curtain-caves, bedrooms, tombs
Upper balcony
Minimal scenery/props, but lavish, expensive costumes

13. Globe Theater today

14. Shakespearean Audience
Monarchy form of government
Rulers chosen by God
Superior
Source or order, stability
Believed in ghosts
Believed in nature responded to human moods

15. Language Poetry Early Middle English Poetry rather than prose
Thee, thou, thine
What, know ye not?
Old contractions: ‘tis
Epithets: Ye gods
Poetry rather than prose
Blank verse, unrhymed iambic pentameter

16. History Caesar born in 100/102 BC
Rome founded in 753 BC by King Romulus
Ancestor of Brutus overthrew the last Tarquin family kings, which ended the monarchy

17. History Rome formed a Republic (power shared by two groups)
Patricians (nobles)
Plebeians (commoners)
Rome became leader of Mediterranean world

18. Map of the Mediterranean World

19. History First century BC-Republic began crumbling Civil wars
Government wavered between a monarchy, republic, and dictatorship
Julius Caesar rose to power

20. History Caesar, Crassus, Pompey
85 BC- Caesar’s only legitimate child, a daughter, Julia, was born
60 BC- Caesar formed a triumvirate (a ruling authority of 3 people)
Original triumvirate:
Caesar, Crassus, Pompey

21. History
59 BC-Caesar arranged a marriage between his daughter, Julia, to Pompey to consolidate their triumvirate alliance
58 BC-Caesar made governor of Gaul, doubling Rome’s empire
54 BC- Crassus killed in battle
Senate and Pompey ordered Caesar’s return, fearing growing power

22. History Caesar attacked Italy, then Greece
Pompey fled to Egypt in fear
Caesar’s rise to dictator
48 BC: dictator for 1 year
46 BC: dictator for 10 years
45 BC: dictator for life
This is the situation in Rome when play begins