The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

By William Shakespeare

Background on William Shakespeare

Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in England.His parents were Mary Arden and John Shakespeare, a respected glove-maker and local politician.He attended the local grammar school where he learned to read and write in English and Latin.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

                                                            

King Edward VI Grammar School at Stratford-upon-Avon

                                                          

Shakespeare background cont.

When he was 18, he married a woman by the name of Anne Hathaway. She was 26 at the time of their marriage.The relationship was solely based on convenience. It is unclear as to whether or not Shakespeare actually loved her, but when she became pregnant he felt that it was his duty to marry her.

Shakespeare background cont.Shakespeare and Anne had three children together: Susanna and the twins, Judith and Hamnet.From 1585-1592, there are no official records of Shakespeare, thus the title “The Lost Years” is given to this period.It is speculated that he worked numerous odd jobs to try and support his family.

Shakespeare background cont.Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway did not have a loving marriage. As soon as Shakespeare had saved enough money, he moved to London to become an actor and left Anne and the kids in Stratford-upon-Avon.In 1594, Shakespeare became a charter member of a theatrical group known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men which became the King’s Men in 1603. (The name changed because King James I was the patron for this group).

Shakespeare background cont.Shakespeare acted and wrote for this company until he retired in 1612.By this time he had written 37 plays-comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances. Shakespeare is sometimes referred to as “The Bard.”Not a single original manuscript has survived due partly to the fact that they were written strictly for performance.

Shakespeare background cont.

There is much speculation as to whether or not there was an actual “Shakespeare.”Many historians claim that “Shakespeare” is actually a collection of several poets and playwrights works, while others claim that it was a pseudonym for another writer.The three men most associated with the “Shakespeare Debate” are Edward De Vere, Francis Bacon, and Christopher Marlow.

Shakespeare background cont.The reasoning behind the controversy seems to lie in the fact that many people find it difficult to accept that a man of poor education and upbringing could write such eloquent masterpieces and have such a strong command of the English language. The important thing is not to focus on whether he was real or not, but instead we should focus on the great pieces of literature that we have attributed to him.

Shakespeare background cont.Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, (his birthday) at the age of 52.At the time of his death, he was considered one of the greatest playwrights and actors to have ever graced the stage.He wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 long poems.His works were not published during his lifetime, but they appeared four years after his death in the “First Folio.”

The Elizabethan StageQueen Elizabeth (1558-1603) was the ruling monarch in England during Shakespeare's day.She was an avid fan and supporter of the arts.At this time, London was the heart of England, reflecting all the vibrant qualities of the Elizabethan Age.

Elizabethan Age cont.

London became a leading center for culture and commerce.Its dramatists and poets were among the most revered and admired men during this time period.There was no such thing as a theatre during the first part of the Elizabethan Age.It seems that traveling acting companies would come into England and set up their own stages.

Elizabethan Age cont.

These “stages” were actually more like platforms, and they were often set up in the courtyards of inns. The audience would stand at the three sides of the stage, or if they paid more money, than they could sit in chairs on the balcony of the inn.

Elizabethan Age cont.In 1576, James Burbage decided to build the first permanent theatre just outside the city of London.Burbage called his new playhouse “The Theatre.”In 1599, the owner of the land that The Theatre was built upon decided to raise the rent.

Elizabethan Age cont.Because the theatre was behind on its payments, the landlord threatened to take it over.On the night of January 20, 1599, James Burbage’s son Cuthbert and others in the company stealthily took the theatre apart piece by piece and relocated across the river.They reconstructed a new theatre and named it “The Globe.”

The Globe TheatreShakespeare was part owner of the Globe Theatre.This was the theatre where Shakespeare’s greatest works were performed. Among these works included: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear.There were no elaborate stages, but instead Shakespeare relied on the imaginations of his audience.There were, however, numerous special effects that Shakespeare employed into his works.

Parts of The Globe Theatre

The Pit- Sometimes referred to as “The Yard” where the groundlings watched the play for their one-penny admission.The Stage- Major playing area jutted into the Pit, creating a sense of intimacy with the audience. Hangings curtained off space beneath.Main entrance- Here the doorkeeper greeted playgoers and collected one penny from everyone.

Parts of the Globe cont.Lord’s Rooms- private galleries; six pennies let a viewer sit here, or sometimes even on the stage itself.Middle Gallery- called “two-penny rooms” because the seats here were higher priced.Inner Stage- A recessed playing area often curtained off, then opened for appropriate scenes.

Parts of the Globe Theatre cont.Flag- a flag hoisted above the theatre meant a show would be performed that day. White-comedy, Black-tragedy, Red-historyStage Doors- doors opening into the Tiring-House.Hut- a storage area that also held a wench system for lowering enthroned gods or other characters to the stage.

The stage at The Globe

                                                               

Parts of the Globe Theatre cont.

Tiring-House- The important backstage area which provided space for storage and business offices.Stairs- Ascending to the first level, theatre goers reached the galleries by wooden staircases enclosed by stairwells.Trap Door- Leading down to the Hell area where equipment included the winch elevator that raised and lowered actors or properties.

Side view of the stage

                                                                

The Gallery during performance

                                                                 

Parts of the Globe Theatre cont.

The Heavens- so identified by being painted with the zodiac signs.Gallery- located above the stage house for musicians or spectators. An auxiliary stage for special scenes.Dressing Rooms- rooms where actors were “attired” and awaited their cues.

The Gallery

                                           

Parts of the Globe Theatre cont.

Hell- The area under the stage, used for ghostly comings and goings or for more mundane storage of properties.

The Groundling Area

                                                                 

Shakespearean Actors and Accessories

The Globe Theatre cont.

All of the plays were performed during the day, usually the afternoon.A play lasted about 2 ½ hours.The cost of admission was one penny.All of the actors were young boys or men. (Women were not allowed to act until 1660).Actors on stage dressed like Elizabethans, but their costumes were controversial just the same.

The Globe Theatre cont.

England had “Clothing Acts” which forbade certain classes of people from dressing like a higher class. So, for an actor-a person of the lower classes- to dress like a nobleman or a king was something of a scandal.

Shakespeare’s Style

Use of metaphors– comparing something in terms of something else, i.e. "That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder".Use of soliloquies– usually longer speeches given by characters when alone on stage– e.g. a person talking to himself out loud.Use of asides– when a character says something to the audience, but the other characters on stage cannot hear it, e.g. like muttering to himself.

Shakespeare’s Style continued

Use of sonnets– a very rigid poetic style of writing. Fourteen lines consisting of three sets of four line quatrains and a two line rhyming couplet at the end. Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, e.g. Use of puns– humourous plays on words indicating different meanings.

i.e. the Cobbler says, "A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience, which is indeed a mender of bad soles.” A cobbler is a mender of shoes or a bungler.

History of early RomeRome was established in 753 B.C.For 200 years ruled by Tarquin kings who were tyrantsThe Tarquins were overthrown by Lucius Junius Brutus in 510 B.C. – an ancestor of Brutus in the play.A democratic republic was then established which lasted until the death of Julius Caesar.The Romans were very proud of their democratic system and were repulsed by the thought of being ruled by a king.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

During Caesar’s time, Rome was constantly at war. The ruling power of Rome was in the hands of its generals. These generals would contract “private armies” and subdue other countries that were weaker than Rome.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

After these “private armies” conquered a new area, a Roman governor was sent there to watch over the new land.In many cases, the governor exacted cruel taxes on the conquered people.Sometimes the generals themselves turned on one another, because they were strong men battling for power. This treachery is exactly what happened in Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar

                                   

      

                      

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. in Rome.Julius Caesar rises to power through the use of his oratory skill.He was always a member of the democratic or popular party.He married Cornelia, the wealthy daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna.Caesar’s uncle arranged the marriage.

Caesar continued

.He gained power and wealth due to a series of successful campaigns in which he conquered what is now Britain, France, much of central and eastern Europe, and parts of North Africa.The quote, “veni, vidi, vici” is aptly credited to Julius Caesar.

The Tragedy of Julius CaesarWhen Caesar was given orders by Sulla to divorce Cornelia for political reasons, he fled Rome in 81 B.C. for fear of his life because he refused to obey Sulla.After Sulla’s death, Caesar returned to Rome and began to climb his way through the political arena.Caesar soon began to back Pompey, the head of the popular party.Caesar helped him gain both military and political advantages.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

Caesar and Pompey agreed that one would leave to fight for the good of Rome every three years, and then return to Rome so that the other person could leave and have his turn at conquest.During this time Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus form the First Triumvirate, which means “three men” or “rule by three.”They took over the Senate and the rulings of Rome for a while. The idea was that Caesar had the backing of the Legions (army).

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

Pompey had the political power, and Crassus had the financial backing.Pompey was even married to Caesar’s daughter Julia at this time. The First Triumvirate would not last long due to the jealousy that erupted between Caesar and Pompey.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

Pompey returned early from his sieges and told Caesar that it was his turn to leave again. While Caesar is gone, Pompey uses this opportunity to rally people behind him by claiming that Caesar has become too powerful and is only interested in benefitting himself and not the Roman Empire.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

By making these allegations, Pompey declares a war with Caesar.The problem is that Caesar had the backings of the Legions, and Pompey only had the backing of the Senate.While Caesar is conquering new territory for Rome, he gets word of Pompey’s plan. Caesar decides to quit his campaigns and return to Rome to face Pompey and the charges against him.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

When Caesar returns to Italy, Pompey warns him that if he crosses the Rubicon River, he is declaring a civil war on Rome.Caesar responds with “Alea Iacta Est,” which translates to “the die is cast.”

Roman Soldier & Helmets      

                          

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon is a symbolic acceptance of Pompey’s challenge. During this time the other member of the First Triumvirate, Crassus, takes his money and flees.Caesar easily makes his way into Rome and forces Pompey to flee. Caesar was now in total control of Rome.

The Forum of Julius Caesar

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

During this time Caesar proclaims himself Senator for Life.Caesar eventually tries to go after Pompey, who fled to Egypt, but he never catches him.Servants of Cleopatra later kill Pompey while he is in Egypt, and his sons try to avenge the death of their father by declaring war on Caesar.Shakespeare’s play begins after Caesar defeats Pompey’s sons.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

Contrary to popular belief, Caesar was not an actual Emperor of Rome. In fact, Rome had no actual emperors until about twenty years after Caesar’s death.While Caesar was living, Rome was a Republic ruled by a Senate.The name “Caesar” eventually became not a name, but a word meaning “ruler” or “chief” in Latin.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

The word “Caesar” evolved into different languages such as German which took the name and turned it into Kaiser. The Russian word Czar as well traces its roots back to “Caesar.”The term “caesarian sections,” or “C-sections” can trace its origins back to Julius Caesar because the popular belief was that Caesar did have not a natural childbirth, but instead was “cut from the womb.”

What good did Caesar do for Rome?

He built roads.He developed irrigation systems.He financed public parks and buildings.He even made changes to the calendar.Indeed, he was well liked and very powerful.

Trouble is brewing!Many Romans assumed that Caesar was ready to declare himself King of Rome and eliminate the five hundred year old republic of which the Romans were so proud. Remember the Tarquins, the tyrant kings who ruled over Rome for 243 years? There was no way Romans were going to return to that style of government. Someone had to put a stop to this pursuit of absolute power, and so enter the conspirators....Beware the Ides of March!

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Most scholars agree that Shakespeare wrote The Tragedy of Julius Caesar in 1599.The historical play is based upon the assassination of Julius Caesar by his close friends and confidants.Shakespeare gained much of his knowledge about Caesar and Roman life from Plutarch’s The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans.

Therefore, there is much historically accurate information,

but a story to entertain the audience must also unfold.

Yes! There is much to learn from the works of William Shakespeare.

As we study this play, remember Shakespeare wished not only to inform his audience about the

history of Julius Caesar but also to entertain them.