Julius Caesar
By
William Shakespeare
“Beware the Ides of March”
Historical Background
• 60 BC – Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey rule Roman
Empire (They’re called the First Triumvirate)
• Pompey became nervous (jealous?) of Caesar’s
popularity and power (Caesar had conquered France
and Britain), so he joined with others to demand Caesar
give up his armies. Caesar, “I don’t think so!”
• Caesar destroys Pompey, and eventually his sons in
Spain. The play opens as he returns from Spain and his
triumph there. He enters Rome where there are leaders
who worry about the idea of and “emperor” ruling Rome.
• Source for above – Plutarch, a Greek biographer, and
his Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans.
4 main characters
• Julius Caesar – title character
uncharacteristically dies in Act III; democratically
elected leader of Rome, but may have designs
on being emperor; haughty (he should be – he
conquered much of the known world)
• Marc Antony – young, notorious (likes to party
and chase women); lieutenant of Caesar and
fought under him; now fully supports Caesar;
deep understanding of Roman people
Caesar’s “opposition”
• Caius Cassius – Brutus’s brother-in-law; thin,
quick-tempered, practical; also supported
Pompey (arch enemy of Caesar); pardoned by
Caesar at Brutus’ request
• Marcus Brutus – quiet, idealistic; supported
Pompey in battle against Caesar; after
Pompey’s defeat, Caesar pardons Brutus and
resumes friendship; worried about Caesar’s
ambition; wife’s father killed himself rather than
submit to Caesar’s rule
Terms
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Blank verse
Comic relief
Aside
Soliloquy
Tragedy
Tragic hero
Tragic flaw
Act I
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Ii – Street in Rome; Tribunes (Roman officers once loyal to Pompey) vs.
commoners; commoners make fun of officers – officers lose their temper 1.
What pun does the cobbler make regarding his profession? (You can just
write the line.)
Iii – Caesar and wife parading through Rome 2. Why does Caesar want
Antony to touch Calpurnia as he “doth run his course?”; “Beware the Ides of
March!” – Caesar disregards but shouldn’t; long Cassius/Brutus
conversation; Cassius feeling him out for conspiracy to eliminate Caesar;
never uses the words, “assassinate,” “kill,” or “murder” (typical
Shakespearean technique) 3. Describe one of the two incidents Cassius
describes to try to show how weak Caesar is. 4. After Caesar returns to the
scene what is it about Cassius (physically) that makes Caesar distrust him?
5. Why couldn’t Casca understand Cicero?
Iiii – Ides of March Eve 6. What’s the weather like? 7. Name a strange sight
seen that very night. (Could be a bad omen); going to conspirators’ meeting,
Cassius meets Casca; Casca informs that Senate will crown Caesar
tomorrow; Cassius gets Casca to join
8. Use any line from Act I to demonstrate the iambic pentameter
Shakespeare uses in his blank verse. (write the symbols by hand)