Julius Caesar Group Research Project
Working in small groups, you are to thoroughly research your assigned topic and create a power
point presentation (or some other multimedia format) that shares your findings with the class.
The bullets under each topic are provided to guide your research. However, you are certainly
welcome to develop other, important areas of study within your topics. Ultimately, you should
be able to answer, with textual evidence, the essential question listed under each topic. Over
the next several classes, your time will be devoted to your research and creating your
presentation.
Group 1: Elizabethan Era (English Renaissance)
Essential Question: What parallels can be drawn between today’s society and Elizabethan
England?

Government and politics (Research 2 political and/or issues that were at the forefront of
Queen Elizabeth’s reign.)

Social and health issues (Research 1 social and/or health related issue that was of
concern.)

Customs and traditions (What were some of the most prominent customs and traditions
of the time?)

Areas of society influenced by the Renaissance
Group 2: Elizabethan Drama
Essential Question: What was the importance of the arts in Elizabethan society? How is it similar
or dissimilar to the importance of the arts in today’s society?

History of Elizabethan drama

Special effects and staging

Importance of drama to the common people and royalty

Significant topics often explored in drama
Group 3: Julius Caesar
Essential Question: What political accomplishment does your group deem Caesar’s greatest
accomplishment?

Chronology of his life (Research one event from Caesar’s life in more detail.)

Accomplishments

Political and/or military role in the Roman Empire

Hero or Villain?
Group 4: Aristotle’s Tragedy
Essential Question: What parallels can be drawn between Aristotle’s definition of a perfect
tragedy, Shakespeare’s tragedies, and drama today?

What are the key components of Aristotle’s tragedy?

What tragedy did he believe was the best exemplar and why?

How was society during Aristotle’s time influenced by drama?

Why do we admire and adhere to Aristotle’s ideas today?

Comparison between Shakespeare and Aristotle
Group 5: The Globe Theater
Essential Question: What aspects of modern theaters are reminiscent of The Globe Theater?
Compare and contrast the modern-day play-goer with that of Elizabethan England.

History of the theater (Research in more detail one event that occurred in the history of
the theater.)

Description of the interior and exterior of the playhouse

Special features and their uses

The typical play-goer
Group 6: Language
Essential Question: What aspects of language do we still retain and how does language change
throughout time?

What is the language of Shakespeare? How did Shakespeare influence language
today?

Aside from plays, explore the type of sonnets Shakespeare wrote. In addition, research
the Italian sonnet and explore the similarities and differences in the two.

Where in the world is language most similar to Shakespeare’s language still spoken?

What common adages do we retain today? Which ones derive from Shakespeare
and/or his plays?
REQUIREMENTS:
1. 15 to 20 minute presentation on your topic. Each group member is expected to be
involved in the presentation of your group’s information. Presentation should include
pictures, diagrams, maps, where appropriate. Information on slides should be listed in
bullet form.
2. A visual to accompany your presentation – This is in addition to your power point. You
have complete creative freedom here…so be CREATIVE!!
3. A student handout with space for students to take notes.
4. A 10-question short-answer quiz and answer key
5. Written response to your group’s essential question (This is to be done individually)
6. Works Cited page for all text and non-text sources used (presentation and essential
question)
**All written materials must be typed!!