Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

• When Was this play written?

• No one knows an exact date, but it was around 1559. It was about 8 months after the Globe theater was built.

Where did Shakespeare get his idea for Julius Caesar?

• He had the idea for the play because he had previously written several poems about Julius Caesar.

What other writing did Shakespeare use to help write the Play?

• Shakespeare used writing of:– Plutarch—a Greek

scholar– Translated by Thomas

North– He also used a writing

called, “A Mirror For Magistrates”

For years the Romans fought and debated over what?

• They Could not decide whether to live in a dictatorship or a republic or monarchy.

The Pantheon---- Roman Forum held here:

Rome was a Monarchy till When?

• 509 BC • The Colosseum

What was Rome in 100 BC?• Moderate Democracy

—but in practice the SENATE Governed Rome

• The Capitoline Museums, Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Conservatories entrance.

•

What was Caesar in 58BC?• He was the

Governor of a territory called, “Gaul.”

What was Caesar in 10 years? • He Proceeded to

conquer all of Gaul, at the age of 44 when he began his military career.

Who made up the 1st Triumvirate? What three Men?

• Pompey Crassus Julius Caesar

Who died and what did this lead to?

• Crassus died• Trouble—between

Caesar and Pompey began to occur over Pompey’s jealousy.

What was Pompey jealous of? What did he do about it?

• Caesar was very popular with the people, so Pompey was jealous, and so he to convince the Senate to order Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome.

What was Caesar’s reaction to this order from the Senate?

• He invaded Rome and made himself absolute ruler.

Where did Pompey Flee?• Egypt

Three years after winning against Pompey’s army what happened?

• Caesar defeated Pompey’s TWO sons and was made dictator for life.

Where does Shakespeare start Julius Caesar?

• The play starts with Caesar returning in victory from Spain.

What kind of play is Julius Caesar?

• A TRAGEDY

Who is Brutus?• The Hero of the Play

What is the Setting?• Rome, Italy—Part

of Europe and along the Tiber River

What is life in Rome like?• There are TWO

classes—the Rich called Patricians and the POOR called Plebeians

What does Shakespeare seem to be saying about Governments?

• A good government must be based on MORALITY

What is the timeline of the play?

• The Historical Timeline is 3 years, but SHAKESPEARE makes it happen in the play in 6 days.