Julius Caesar

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) In 1582, at the age of 18, married Anne Hathaway, who was 26, and had three children with her. In 1590, he left his family and moved to London to become an actor and playwright. Found critical acclaim very quickly and began writing at the rate of two plays almost every year. By the time he wrote Julius Caesar , in 1599 he may have already completed seven comedies, nine histories, and two tragedies. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon to a middle-class glove-maker.

In 1582, at the age of 18, married Anne Hathaway, who was 26, and had three children with her.

In 1590, he left his family and moved to London to become an actor and playwright.

Found critical acclaim very quickly and began writing at the rate of two plays almost every year.

By the time he wrote Julius Caesar , in 1599 he may have already completed seven comedies, nine histories, and two tragedies.

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon to a middle-class glove-maker.

Julius Caesar Though the play is a tragedy and not a history, it is one of many plays that Shakespeare based on true events from history. The play involves a conspiracy against Caesar, his murder, and the aftermath. Despite the title and Shakespeare’s usual habit of naming his tragedies after the protagonist, Caesar is NOT the protagonist of the play.

Though the play is a tragedy and not a history, it is one of many plays that Shakespeare based on true events from history.

The play involves a conspiracy against Caesar, his murder, and the aftermath.

Despite the title and Shakespeare’s usual habit of naming his tragedies after the protagonist, Caesar is NOT the protagonist of the play.

Some of the Major Themes Fate vs. Freewill Friendship and Betrayal Power Misunderstandings

Fate vs. Freewill

Friendship and Betrayal

Power

Misunderstandings

Social Classes in Rome In Caesar’s day, Rome was a Republic The people’s opinions were represented by appointed politicians in the Senate. Only certain social classes were represented and given rights. Only certain social classes were allowed to hold office. Here is a brief summary of those classes and their rights.

In Caesar’s day, Rome was a Republic

The people’s opinions were represented by appointed politicians in the Senate.

Only certain social classes were represented and given rights.

Only certain social classes were allowed to hold office.

Here is a brief summary of those classes and their rights.

Free-born Patricians Highest ranking class Descendants of Patriarchs (founding-fathers) Only class allowed to hold political and military positions Plebeians Lower ranking free-born Romans Not descendants of Patriarchs Represented in the Senate and political arena by tribunes Made up the bulk of the army

Patricians

Highest ranking class

Descendants of Patriarchs (founding-fathers)

Only class allowed to hold political and military positions

Plebeians

Lower ranking free-born Romans

Not descendants of Patriarchs

Represented in the Senate and political arena by tribunes

Made up the bulk of the army

Freedmen Former slaves Freed through paying off their debts Given more rights than slaves Not allowed to vote Neither they nor their descendants for three generations could hold office Children of freedmen eventually became plebeians

Former slaves

Freed through paying off their debts

Given more rights than slaves

Not allowed to vote

Neither they nor their descendants for three generations could hold office

Children of freedmen eventually became plebeians

Slaves Lowest ranking class Descendants of debtors and prisoners of war Given little to no rights whatsoever Debtors and their descendants could work off their debts and become freedmen Most prisoners of war were slaves for life as well as their descendants

Lowest ranking class

Descendants of debtors and prisoners of war

Given little to no rights whatsoever

Debtors and their descendants could work off their debts and become freedmen

Most prisoners of war were slaves for life as well as their descendants

Application to Julius Caesar The characters in the play will fall into one of these social brackets Be aware of the differences in power and authority in Rome Some of the distinctions between social class will be blurred

The characters in the play will fall into one of these social brackets

Be aware of the differences in power and authority in Rome

Some of the distinctions between social class will be blurred