English 10

Intro to Shakespeare and Julius Caesar

Shakespeare and his life…Born in 1564 in Stratford

upon Avon, EnglandDied in 1616—on his

birthday—April 23??Married Anne Hathaway

and had three children—Susan, Judith, and Hamnet

Wrote plays for the theatrical company The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Shakespeare: Fun FactsHis son, Hamnet’s name likely inspired

the name of one of Shakepeare’s most famous characters, Hamlet.

Wrote approximately 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and two epic poems.

Is credited with adding 3,000 words to the English language including his longest word, honorificabilitudinitatibus, which means "the state of being able to achieve honors."

All of society attended the theatre, even royalty

Plays were meant to be performed—not “seen” as literature—only rough copies of Shakespeare’s plays survive today

Only men were actors—even for female roles

Theatre in 16th century England

The Globe Theatre Shakespeare’s

theatre group constructed the globe, an open-air round theatre

The original burned in 1613—a new one was reconstructed in London in 1997

Tragedy: a play dealing with tragic events; usually has an unhappy ending, culminating in the main character’s downfall

First play to be performed in The Globe Theater

Setting: Ancient Rome 44 B.C.There was a struggle for power that divided

the Roman EmpireJulius Caesar: Ruler of RomeConspirators assassinated Caesar fearing that

he would become too powerful, then a civil war erupts

Julius Caesar

Characteristics of a Shakespearean

Tragedy

Tragic Hero1.) Tragedy is concerned primarily with one person—the tragic hero. This hero usually has a high status, so high that his or her fate can affect the welfare of a whole nation or empire.

Tragic Virtue2.) The fate of the hero is often triggered by a tragic virtue in the hero’s character.  The tragic virtue is a personality trait that the character possesses that under other circumstances would be a virtue but under these circumstances, it leads to the character’s downfall, usually resulting in death.

Other Characteristics3.) Shakespeare often introduces abnormal

conditions of the mind (such as insanity or hallucinations).

4.) Supernatural elements are often introduced as well (such as ghosts or witches).

5.) There is usually a strong and strange reaction from nature (such as bad weather or unnatural behavior from animals).

Literary Terms--Define1. Blank Verse 9. Climax2. Foreshadowing 10. Falling Action3. Iambic Pentameter 11. Resolution/4. Soliloquy Dénouement5. Aside6. Plot 7. Exposition8. Rising Action

What qualities should an effective leader have?

Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameterA type of meter with 10 syllables per line (1

stressed syllable, 1 unstressed syllable, 5 times in each line)

iamb=foot pent=5 5 feet per lineOriginally used in dance and by actors to

remember lines in theatreSonnet—fourteen line rhyming poem in iambic

pentameterShakespeare's sonnets contain three four line

stanzas and a couplet

Iambic Pentameter & Sonnets

Julius Caesar

Part II--Characters

Julius CaesarHead of the Roman

stateGreat soldier and

generalJust returned from a

series of wars where he defeated the sons of the previous Roman ruler, Pompey

Calpurnia is his wife

Mark AntonyLoyal friend and

supporter of CaesarBelieves Caesar will

be a good ruler of Rome

BrutusRespected man of

intelligence and honor

Personal friend of Caesar’s

Wonders if Caesar will make a good leader; worries he may become a tyrant

CassiusOne of the leaders of

the conspiracySuspicious of Caesar

from the beginning Convinces Brutus to

join him

Octavious and LepidusJoin with Mark

Antony after Caesar’s death to rule Rome as a triumvirate

Characters, cont. Casca, Trebonious,Decius, Cinna and Metallus Cimber are the other members of the conspiracy, each of whomparticipates by stabbing Caesar.

Julius Caesar

Act by Act Notes

Setting: the streets of RomeCaesar is having a victory parade called a

triumph over defeating the previous Roman ruler, Pompey

The political party and supporters of Pompey want to stop the celebration

A soothsayer tells Caesar to “beware the ides of March”

Brutus and Cassius have a conversation about Caesar—Cassius hints to Brutus that Brutus could be leader of Rome

Act I

Caesar is suspicious of CassiusStrange things happen on the eve of the ides

of March (earthquakes, storms)Cassius recruits others to join in on the

overthrow (assassination of Caesar)They decide to try to get Brutus to join themImportant quotes:“Beware the Ides of March”– Soothsayer“ I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”--Brutus

Act I, cont.

Literary TermsCharacter MatchingAct-by-Act QuestionsImportant Quotes

“Beware the Ides of March”“ I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”“The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of

princes.”--Calpurnia “Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! A curse

shall light upon the limbs of men.”“This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the

conspirators, save only he, did that they did in envy of great Caesar.”

Julius Caesar Test: