Patricians
“Julius Caesar” Notes:
Rome is governed by a Triumvirate
It is a Republic. The social structure:
Plebeians
Upper, elite class, citizens
Working class, citizens
Slaves
No rights
Triumvirate: alliance between three equally powerful political/military leaders, as the play
opens, the triumvirate of Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar has dissolved. Caesar has defeated
Pompey’s two sons in battle and has returned to Rome on a wave of popularity with the citizens
of Rome.
Republic: form of government where there are different classes of citizens who are free.
Tragedy: dramatic form of literature where a main character is involved in a struggle that ends
in disaster.
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The character is always a person of high rank and who inevitably comes to ruin.
Tragic Flaw: a weakness/reason/characteristic a main character “falls” (usually means
dies).
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The flaw could be excessive pride, ambition, jealousy, or some other
human frailty.
Tragic Hero: a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw
that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy.
Dramatic Speeches:
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Monologue: a speech by one character in a play (story or poem); may be
addressed to another character or to the audience.
Soliloquy: a speech that presents the character’s thoughts as though the
character were overheard when alone.
Aside: a short speech delivered by an actor in a play which expresses the
character’s thoughts. Traditionally, the aside is directed to the audience and is
presumed to be inaudible to the other actors.
Literary Elements prevalent in “Julius Caesar”:
Symbolism (citizens of Rome superstitious, look for omens/signs)
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The storm, and strange sightings during it, a lion walking the streets, a slave’s
hand on fire, owl at midday, etc.(Act I)
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The eagles that followed Cassius and Brutus marching to battle that were
replaced by crows and ravens-predicting their deaths (Act V)
Calpurnia’s dream, where Caesar’s statue poured blood (Act II)
Caesar’s Ghost Brutus’ guilty conscience(Act IV)
Irony:
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Caesar asserts that he is as constant as the North Star, yet he changes his mind
often, is easily swayed (Act III).
Antony’s speech, where he uses reverse psychology to whip crowd to
frenzy, he says he is no public speaker, like Brutus, and that Brutus is an
honorable man when he means the opposite (Act III).
Cassius kills himself because he thinks they have lost their battle, they haven’t
(Act V).
Foreshadowing: beware the ides of March, Soothsayer (Act I and III), Calpurnia’s
dream (Act II), Caesar’s ghost (Act IV)
Characterization:
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Cassius’ jealousy, envy, passionate nature
Caesar’s ambition and being susceptible to flattery
Brutus’ stoicism and misjudgment
Antony’s treachery, deceitfulness
Theme-tragedy, downfall of the tragic hero
Essential Question: What makes a man noble, intent or actions?
Critical Lens Quotes: “True friends stab you in the front.” -Oscar Wilde
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
-John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
Characters in order of appearance:
Act I:
Flavius and Marullus: Tribunes (like police officers, keeping the peace on the streets of Rome)
annoyed at the fickle nature of the citizens of Rome
Carpenter/Cobbler: tradesmen, common laborers
Caesar: General popular, successful in battles, has brought much money to Rome through his
conquests. He is by nature, superstitious (though important to note that superstition is a cultural
tendency for Romans of this time period).
Calpurnia: Caesar’s wife, barren (unable to have children)
Casca: Senator, sarcastic, blunt, witty. A conspirator
Antony: General, young, athletic, loyal to Caesar
Soothsayer: psychic, a truth teller “Beware the Ides of March”
Brutus: Senator, General, is a Stoic (religion/philosophy that believes in showing little emotion,
passion is a fault). He is a thinking man, steady, calm in demeanor; well respected in Rome.
Cassius: Senator, General, passionate, emotional, a “pot stirrer” envious of Caesar’s popularity,
the conspiracy begins with him. He is Brutus’ brother-in-law.
Cicero: Senator, older, wise. Not part of the conspiracy because he never supports an idea that
isn’t his.
Cinna: Senator, Conspirator
Metellus Cimber &Trebonius: conspirators
Act II:
Lucius: Brutus’ servant
Decius: one of the conspirators. He claims to be able to easily sway Caesar to his way of
thinking.
Portia: Brutus’ wife, Cassius’ sister, daughter of Cato Stabs herself in the thigh to show Brutus
how steadfast she is.
Caius Ligarius: another conspirator (is apparently sick). He tells Brutus before knowing of the
plan that he would follow wherever Brutus leads him.
Publius: one of the conspirators who goes to Caesar’s home the morning of the assassination
Artemidorus: an educator who has figured out that there is an assassination plot against Caesar,
plans to warn him before he gets to the Capitol
Act III:
Popilius Lena: a senator. He is not a conspirator, but quietly, he tells Cassius that he hopes
Cassius’ plan works.
Plebeians one, two, three and four: citizens of Rome who respond to the that assassination, and
the funeral orations.
Cinna the poet: he is killed by the angry mob simply because he shares a name with Cinna, part
of the conspiracy
Act IV:
Octavius Caesar; Julius Caesar’s nephew. He becomes part of the new triumvirate forming in
Rome after Caesar’s assassination
Lepidus: also part of the new triumvirate, not particularly respected by either Antony or
Octavius, as they plan to be rid of him as soon as possible
Lucilius: soldier and friend to Brutus and Cassius, fights with them in the war against Octavius
and Antony
Soldiers:
Poet:
Messala: also aligned with Brutus and Cassius
Varro: Brutus’ servant
Ghost: of Caesar
Claudius: Brutus’ servant
Act V:
Titinius: soldier, friend, also aligned with Brutus and Cassius
Pindarus: Cassius’ servant
Cato: soldier, friend, also aligned with Brutus and Cassius
Dardanius: Brutus’ servant
Clitus: Brutus’ servant
Volumnius: another of Brutus’ and Cassius friends, fighting with them
Strato: Brutus’ servant