William Shakespeare and “Julius
Caesar”
Shakespeare Early Life
• Born in Stratfordupon-Avon 1564.
• Exact date a bit of a
mystery, but accepted
as April 23rd.
• Father was a glove
maker.
• Studied Greek, Latin,
French in school.
Shakespeare Early Adulthood
• Believed to have left
school at age 14.
• Married Anne
Hathaway in 1582
when he was 18.
• Birth of twin sons in
1585.
Early Career
• Became involved in
theater and published
first plays in 1592,
“Two Men of Verona.”
• A plague closed the
theater in 1593, so
went on to write
famous sonnets.
From Playwright to Superstar
• Theater reopened in
1599.
• Co-owned the famous
Globe Theater.
• Wrote some of his best
works during the following
decade including
Measure for Measure,
Macbeth, Twelfth Night,
Othello, and Hamlet.
• Queen Elizabeth I had
plays performed for her in
her royal court.
Later Years
• From 1610 – 1613
returned to his home of
Stratford-upon-Avon and
wrote his final work The
Tempest.
• He died on April 23,
1616.
• Some historians
speculate if he ever wrote
a single play, or if he ever
existed at all.
Shakespeare’s Lasting Legacy
• Wrote a total of 36 plays.
• Wrote 1563 Sonnets by
age 29.
• Published in over 130
languages.
• 2nd most published
author, next to the Bible.
• Most recognized author
throughout the world.
Shakespeare’s Language
• Shakespeare’s language
can be frustrating
because of the use of old
words no longer in use, or
the use of words we use
with different meanings.
• In addition, subject-verb
agreement may be odd
with phrases like:
“As thick as tale,” or “Shall
he dwindle, peak and
pine.”
The Joy’s of Shakespeare’s
Language
Shakespeare uses many
“puns,” or words with dual
meanings.
For example: “If it were
done when ‘tis done.”
In addition, Shakespeare
uses a vast array of
colorful metaphors:
“Come hither so I may pour
my spirits in thine ear.”
Famous Quotes
“Wild-goose chase”
(Romeo and Juliet)
“All is fair in love and
war” (Henry V)
“Too much of a good
thing” (As You Like It)
“A Tower of strength”
(Richard III)
“Foregone Conclusion”
(Othello)
The plot of Shakespeare’s “Julius
Caesar”
• Takes place in 44 AD in
ancient Rome.
• It portrays the conspiracy
against the Roman
dictator Julius Caesar, his
assassination and its
aftermath.
• Three co-conspirators
plot to murder Caesar in
the Senate.
• After his assassination,
young Marc Antony
defends Caesar and the
country heads to civil war.
Themes in the Julius Caesar
Fate v. Free Will: Do we
choose our actions or are
our actions decided for
us?
Public v. Private Self: Is the
person who we are in
public the same person
we are in private?
Truth v. Perception: Is what
we perceive to be true the
same as what actually is
true?
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Your Assignments
Reader’s Theater: You will be
required to choose a role to read
in class (10 Participation Points
per Day).
Shakespearean Frayer Models:
After the completion of reading
every two acts you will fill out a
Shakespearean Frayer Model
(50 points each).
Plot Diagram: As we read the
play, you will note important
details followed by a drawing that
represents each act (100 points).
Study Questions: At the
completion of each Act you will
complete study questions in your
3rd section of your DMA notebook
(2 points each ?).
Your Assignments Continued
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2 Socratic Seminars and Prep
Sheets: At the completion of Act III
and at the end of the play we will be
having Socratic seminars
discussing the text (30 participation
pts each seminar, 30 HWK points
for the prep sheet).
2 Quizzes: At the completion of Act
III we will have a quiz on the text
and at the end of the play(50 pts
each).
Character Web: You will be creating
a character web on one of the major
characters in play including
characteristics, quotes, and
illustrations (50 points).
Group Performance: After the
completion of the play you will be
required to perform 1 scene from
the play in a group of 4 – 5 students
or recite 15 - 30 lines on your
known (100 points).
A Note about Reader’s Theater
• Each day we will be reading
the play in class during this
unit. It is your responsibility
to bring your textbook to
class, follow along in the text,
and know which role or roles
you are playing.
• In the event you forget your
textbook, forget your role, or
ask “Where are we?” in the
textbook, participation points
will be deducted from your
grade!!!
Please Stand for Think on Your
Feet