1. Introduction to William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

2. Part 1: Drama Terms for Julius Caesar
1. Soliloquy – A lengthy speech in which a character alone on stage expresses his/her inner thoughts aloud
2. Monologue – A lengthy speech delivered by one character – other characters can hear the speech
3. Aside – words spoken by a character, usually brief, in an undertone that other characters do not hear ( think Simpsons )

4. 4. Climax – turning point in the play after which the situations for the main characters will improve / get worse (in Shakespeare’s plays, the climax is always in the 3rd act – there are 5 acts ) Note: Look at your Shakespeare hand-out
5. Catastrophe – final events in a dramatic tragedy – the denouement
6. History Play – A play set in a non-fiction past – The main source used for Julius Caesar was Plutarch’s biography

5. 7. Foreshadowing – a line/event that gives clues/hints about what is going to happen
8. Suspense – a sense of concern/unknowing created by foreshadowing, characterization and atmosphere
9. Pun – humorous use of words/phrases to suggest two or more meanings at the same time
Example: What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh! Ha!

6. 10. Motivation – the reasons behind a characters actions
11. Iambic Pentameter – a line of 5 feet – each foot followed by a stressed syllable ( 10 syllables )
12. Blank Verse – unrhymed iambic pentameter
13. Comic Relief – a humorous section/scene within a tragedy which is usually NOT written in Iambic Pentameter

7. 14. Heroic Couplet – 2 lines of rhymed iambic pentameter that express a complete thought
Study these drama terms and your notes on Shakespeare – There will be a quiz next week!

8. Part II: Themes & Motifs in Julius Caesar
Theme: Universal Message or idea in a literary work – There are 3 Major Themes in JC
# 1. Right to Rule
- How does one acquire the right to rule?
Who grants that right?
Can it be revoked?
What are the characteristics of a good leader?

10. #2 – Appearance vs. Reality
- Things are not always as they appear
- Appearances can be deceiving (literally and figuratively)

12. #3 – Destiny vs. Freewill
- Do we control our own fate or is it predetermined?
- If we know the future, do we have the power to change it?

13. Motifs – recurring images that usually help convey the theme
(There are also three motifs
In Julius Caesar)
1. Blood
2. Supernatural Events
3. Rot and Decay

14. Remember, Motifs support themes.