'Julius Caesar'- Shakespeare
'Julius Caesar'- Shakespeare Pre 1914-Drama Julius Caesar, a Roman tragedy was written by William Shakespeare in 1599. It was one of the earliest of Shakespeare's three Roman history plays. The play is based in real events the assassination of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator on 15th March 44BC. Although Julius Caesar is set in Rome over 2000 years ago it explore themes that have a contemporary relevance to the Elizabethans. Julius Caesar is murdered and has left no heir or successor. Queen Elizabeth of the Shakespeare time also did not leave an heir to the throne, which caused a lot of confusion for the Elizabethans. The Elizabethans appreciated the play as it was covering the same situation they were in. Four hundred years before the play was written, the last king of Rome had been removed as he had proved to be like those before him. The Monarchy was replaced by the republic and the Senate took charge. This shows how easy it is to get dispose of rulers who become to powerful and tyrannical. Brutus and Mark Antony are the primary sources of the plays plot. The play is tightly constructed. It establishes the dramatic problem of alarm of Julius Caesar's ambition to become "king" or dictator. In the very first scene Caesar has become so powerful and liked by the Senate and the people of Rome that it is likely he will be declared king. The Republicans however do not like
'Julius Caesar' Essay- the Difference Between Brutus and Cassius.
John Burns 10H 'Julius Caesar' Essay- the Difference Between Brutus and Cassius In Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar', Brutus and Cassius are contrasting characters. They differ in the way they perceive Antony as a threat to the assassination plot, their dominance in personality, and their moral obligation. In Julius Caesar, Brutus is the more naïve, dominant and noble character, while Cassius is the more perceptive, submissive, and manipulative person. Brutus and Cassius are very different in the way they perceive Antony. Brutus is very trusting and naïve when he judges Antony. When the subject of killing Antony comes up among the conspirators, Brutus underestimates how dangerous Antony could be and says, "For Antony is but a limb of Caesar". This statement means Brutus does not think it is necessary to kill Antony and he thinks that without Caesar, Antony is worthless. Another incident where Brutus misjudges Antony is when he allows Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral. Brutus trusts that Antony will not say anything bad about the conspirators or him: "What Antony shall speak I will protest he speaks by leave and by permission, and that we are contented Caesar shall have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage us more than do us wrong". Brutus actually thinks that by letting Antony speak the conspirators and he will have a better situation for themselves
What makes Act 3 Scene 1 of 'Julius Caesar' such a powerful piece of drama? Are modern facilities needed to bring out the scene's dramatic qualities?
What makes Act 3 Scene 1 of 'Julius Caesar' such a powerful piece of drama? Are modern facilities needed to bring out the scene's dramatic qualities? Caesar, the successful general and statesmen, appeared to be increasingly popular and powerful after his successful military victories. Fellow politicians were jealous. They were concerned that with Caesar as leader he could turn the Roman Republic into a dictatorship. However, could they persuade Brutus, his personal friend, to betray him? During Act 3 Scene 1 we see events unfold. Caesar appears at the Capitol with other senators. While addressing the multitude he meets his fate as conspirators, one of them being a great friend, stab him. Mark Antony, a supporter and brilliant politician, remains loyal and seeks revenge. Act 3 Scene 1 is without doubt a powerful piece of drama. An atmosphere of suspense is created by a warning being mentioned again. "The Ides of March are come." "Ay Caesar, but not gone". The audience is reminded that something is going to happen. Shakespeare uses language to create effect and various moods. In the play, Caesar uses imagery, comparing himself to the "northern star" which is a symbol of greatness and something to be followed. He also asks "Wilt thou lift up Olympous?" which is a Greek mountain, home of the gods. His language is emotive and symbolises his feeling of power. Repetition of
The scene that I have chosen to direct in the play Julius Caesar is Act 3 Scene 1.
Julius Caesar The scene that I have chosen to direct in the play 'Julius Caesar' is Act 3 Scene 1. This scene is one of importance and I will concentrate on the build up to the murder of Caesar. Julius Caesar is the character that I have chosen to direct through out this scene. Director (D): Okay Arnold. This is an extremely important scene in the play. As you know you play the part of Julius Caesar. During this scene you will have to do many things but the most important one is to make sure that you die well. As Caesar you are the greatest and most successful Roman 'ever'. You have won numerous battles and have created order within Rome. You believe you are so powerful, but this is your downfall because you are arrogant you fail to see what is happening around you. The influence that you have must be left behind. It must also be present in the minds of the murderers, as it will affect the way they think. At the opening of the scene you are standing outside the capitol on the ides of March. You are confident that nothing will happen to you, knowing who you are and realising that you're the most powerful roman and you regard yourself as a god. So when you are say to the soothsayer "The ides of March are come" you must come across as relaxed and have a calm tone of voice, also be dismissive because you think you are untouchable, this is a sign of your arrogance. Always
Compare the speeches made to the citizens by Brutus and Antony after Caesars death.
Question: Compare the speeches made to the citizens by Brutus and Antony after Caesars death. After Caesar has been assassinated, at the foot of Pompeys' statue, in Act 3 scene 1, Brutus agrees to allow Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral on the condition that he speaks second and that he says nothing blaming the conspirators. Brutus's speech is rather short compared with Antony's, only 350 words as against nearly 1,100 words. Brutus uses prose whereas Antony uses blank verse which is much more effective in stirring up the crowds emotions. Brutus taking to the pulpit first has the advantage of a fairly undecided crowd whose opinions can be easily swayed. Brutus is well liked by the people of Rome and has a reputation for being an honourable and honest man. In his speech he explains to the citizens why he took the action he did. He believes wholeheartedly that what he did was right and expects the crowd to agree with him. After his speech he has definitely achieved at least temporary support of the crowd who all shout: "Live Brutus, live, live!" Their reasons however for the support they give may not be solely because they understand his reasons. One of the citizens even says: "Caesar's better parts Shall be crowned in Brutus" Brutus is a firm republican and as he made clear in his speech, he killed Caesar because he feared he would become a tyrant if
Compare and contrast the speeches made by Brutus and Anthony over the body of Caesar. Explain the ways in which Shakespeareexploits language for dramatic effect exploring the reactions both ofthe on stage crowd and the spectator watching theplay.
Compare and contrast the speeches made by Brutus and Anthony over the body of Caesar. Explain the ways in which Shakespeare exploits language for dramatic effect exploring the reactions both of the on stage crowd and the spectator watching the play. The speeches of Brutus and Anthony over the body of Caesar are, at first glance, very similar, but when one looks at the two speeches carefully and tries to analyse them, one finds that they contain distinct differences that make a huge difference to the overall effect on both the on-stage crowd and the audience watching the play. Straight away we can see a similarity between the speeches. They both begin by addressing the crowd in three ways. However, just these three words at the beginning of each speech set the tone for the entire speech. This is true in both cases. Brutus starts off by saying, "Romans, countrymen, and lovers!"(IIIii10) He starts off by calling them Romans. This shows that he sees them as Romans above all else. This is typical of Brutus' noble and generally very patriotic personality. This can be seen in IIi43-55 where he reads the letter sent to him by Cassius. He is too noble to even think that Cassius might possibly have sent him these letters. His patriotism shows through in the very speech that we are discussing. "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more."(IIIii20) He sees them not
Explore the way Shakespeare presents the motives for Brutus to kill Caesar
Finlay Simpson Explore the way Shakespeare presents the motives for Brutus to kill Caesar Shakespeare has presented Brutus as a brave courageous man who is very loyal and patriotic to Rome. Brutus even claims he would rather die and lose his honour that see Rome collapse. "If it ought to be for general good, I'd set honour in one eye and death I'th other I will look on both indifferently". Shakespeare presents him as a man so loyal to Rome he would kill a man he loves, Caesar, for it. Cassius tries to convince Brutus that Caesar is not physically strong enough, and is weaker than Cassius and Brutus. Brutus replies "What you have said I will consider". Cassius has manipulated Brutus but not by a lot because Brutus was already thinking this for himself and Cassius was merely pushing his thoughts further along. Shakespeare makes sure that Brutus is not there to see Caesar be offered the crown. This means that Casca has to tell him what happened. We believed that Casca twists the story of Caesar refusing crown, although we have no proof that Casca has twisted it we believe he does because he say Caesar would " fain have had it" but we think Caesar truly didn't want the crown. In act two; scene one Brutus is presented a man with a conscience. We believe this because he cannot sleep, 'Since Cassius did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept'. Because he is thinking about
Explore the ways in which leadership is presented in the play 'Julius caesar'
Explore the ways in which leadership is presented in the play 'Julius caesar' Leadership is one of the main themes presented in the play and is presented though the four characters: Cassius, Brutus, Mark Antony, and Caesar. Shakespeare calls the play Julius Caesar but I feel all the four characters have an equivalent part in the play. It is unusual for Shakespeare to kill the person who the play is named after so early on in the play, so it is very unexpected when 'Julius Caesar' is killed in Act Three Scene One. All these main characters share similar leadership traits. The four leaders that Shakespeare presents all have flaws but I think what Shakespeare is trying to illustrate to the audience is that if we mixed up all the good points of all these four characters we would get a perfect leader. I feel the way Shakespeare has presented the leadership of Brutus is the most significant and effective in contrast to the other leaders. I feel that Shakespeare empathizes with Brutus because he awards him a noble death. Brutus's firm optimism is both his supreme asset and his most fatal flaw. He loves Rome too much and this allows cassius to persuade him to join the conspirators, and Brutus's lack of awareness prevents him from seeing what Cassius's real motives are. 'What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good,' This shows that Brutus is
The aspects of roman society which Shakespeare focuses on in Julius Caesar are the concept of honour, superstition and fate, the fickleness of the people and the love of leadership. All of which I will talk about in this essay.
Julius Caesar The aspects of roman society which Shakespeare focuses on in Julius Caesar are the concept of honour, superstition and fate, the fickleness of the people and the love of leadership. All of which I will talk about in this essay. Firstly I will start at the very beginning in the opening paragraph of the play we read that two tribunes, Flavius and Murellus, enter to find a crowd gathered. Flavius shouts to the crowd telling the crowd to disperse as it is not a holiday. A cobbler talks to him telling him that they are here to cheer Caesar home. Flavius is disgusted and says "o you hard hearts you cruel men of Rome knew you not Pompey many a time and oft have you climb'd up to walls and battlements to towers and windows yea to chimney tops your infants in your arms and there have sat the livelong day with patient expectation to see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome" Here Flavius says to the people did you not once cheer on Pompey your leader but now they are cheering a new Caesar whom of which killed the one they loved so much before. As if Pompey never existed. This shows the first instance of the crowd's fickleness. Chapter Two, on a street in Rome Caesar Calpurnia Antony Brutus and others are making their way to the races, held to celebrate the feast of Lupercalia. (Shakespeare has reduced the time between events Lupercalia was actually held on 15th
With close reference to the text explain how Mark Anthony manipulates the crowd after the death of Julius Caesar.
With close reference to the text explain how Mark Anthony manipulates the crowd after the death of Julius Caesar. Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" is a play which elucidates many themes such as ambition, jealousy, tragedy, honour and integrity. It was written between the period 1597 and 1600 AD. The play is based upon actual events which took place in Rome over two millenniums ago. At the beginning of the play Shakespeare illustrates how Julius Caesar, following a successful campaign, returns to Rome and is offered the crown. He further explains that Cassius, a senior member of the senate, fearing for the republic, heads a conspiracy to murder Caesar. As the play continues, Cassius manages to invite many to aid his cause amongst whom was Brutus, a high-ranked member of the senate. The outcome of the conspiracy led to the death of Caesar in the capitol whilst the latter was totally unaware of the conspiracy. Following the death of Caesar, Brutus confronts the citizens of Rome and explains to them how his involvement in the conspiracy was for a pure and sincere intention and not to commit a cruel act of injustice. The aftermath of this speech was the consolation of the public and their total appreciation of this noble act. Concluding his speech, Brutus attempting to fully reassure the crowd, requested Mark Anthony to add a few words in appreciation of what he had just
