3. Characters
• Julius Caesar
• Calpurnia: Wife of Caesar
• Octavius Caesar, Marcus Antonius, M. Aemilius
Lepidus: Triumvirs after the death of Julius Caesar
• Cicero, Publius, Popilius Lena: Senators
• Marcus Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Trebonius, Ligarius,
Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, Cinna: Conspirators
against Julius Caesar
• Portia: Wife of Brutus
4. About the Author
The English writer and poet William Shakespeare is considered the
greatest playwright of all time. Unfortunately, we don’t know many
details about his biography.
There are no portraits, pictures or drawings of Shakespeare while he
was still alive. Shakespeare married at 18 and wrote his first known play
when he was 25 years old; he also acted in some of the plays.
Shakespeare only finished grammar school and never studied in the
university.
There are over 80 different translations of his plays and poems. The
number of translations of Shakespeare’s works all over the world is
second only to the Bible.
More than 25,000 different words are used in the works of Shakespeare,
including many that he created. Most people use only 2,000 or 2,500
words in speaking and writing: so, Shakespeare used ten times the
normal amount of words!
A really surprising fact: the great writer’s wife and children were all
illiterate!
5. Introduction
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, also known simply as Julius Caesar, is
a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in
1599. It portrays the 44 BC conspiracy against the Roman dictator
Julius Caesar, his assassination and the defeat of the conspirators at the
Battle of Philippi. It is one of several Roman plays that Shakespeare
wrote, based on true events from Roman history, which also include
Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra.
Although the title of the play is Julius Caesar, Caesar is not the central
character in its action; he appears in only three scenes, and is killed at
the beginning of the third act. The protagonist of the play is Marcus
Brutus, and the central psychological drama is his struggle between the
conflicting demands of honour, patriotism, and friendship.
The play reflected the general anxiety of England over succession of
leadership. At the time of its creation and first performance, Queen
Elizabeth, a strong ruler, was elderly and had refused to name a
successor, leading to worries that a civil war similar to that of Rome
might break out after her death.
6. Summary of the play
Julius Caesar is highly successful but
ambitious political leader of Rome and his
goal is to become an unassailable dictator.
Caesar is warned that he must "beware the
Ides of March" . The prophecy comes true
and Caesar is assassinated. Marcus Brutus is a
well respected Roman senator who helps plan
and carry out Caesar's assassination which he
believes will rid Rome of a tyrant. Caesar's
friend Mark Antony provides the famous
funeral oration ("Friends, Romans, and
countrymen…") Brutus and Cassius meet
their inevitable defeat. Brutus, the noble
Roman, whose decision to take part in the
conspiracy for the sake of freedom, plunges
his country into civil war.
9. Calpurnia
A Roman woman and the third and last wife of Julius
Caesar.
Calpurnia invests great authority in omens and portents.
She warns Caesar against going to the Senate
She is very concerned for Caesars.
She interprets her dream which signified that it was not
a lucky day for him and could prove to be very
dangerous for his life if he moves out.
Nevertheless, Caesar’s ambition ultimately causes him to
disregard her advice.
10. Brutus
Of Noble Heritage Brutus is a
Roman nobleman, as was his father
Sincere: Brutus truly believes that his role in the
assassination is for the good of Rome
Naive: He believes in the essential goodness of those
around him
Philosophical: His philosophies guide his actions and
decisions.
Good Orator: he was successful in changing the mob
mentality and proved that Caesar was ambitious which was
not good for the citizens. He is a powerful public figure.
11. Cassius
Envious: Cassius has contempt for Caesar and envies Caesar's
position
Fearful: Cassius is afraid that Caesar has ambitions to be king. He
fears what might become of Rome in such an instance.
Politically Astute: He advises Brutus to assassinate Antony along
with Caesar. Understanding what can happen, he advises Brutus not to
allow Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral as he feared that he would be
able to able to rise the mob against them in mutiny.
Corrupt: Prior to the battle at Philippi, he is accused by Brutus of
taking bribes
12. Marc Antony
Loyal to Caesar: Antony loved and admired Caesar
Clever: Antony pretends to befriend the conspirators and
asks that he be allowed to speak at Caesar's funeral
A skilled orator: Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral
sways the crowd
Hard: Antony's role in condemning men to death shows
he can be as cold hearted as he is passionate
A skilled military leader: Antony has an equal voice in
planning the war against the legions of Brutus and Cassius
Antony proves himself a consummate
politician, using gestures and skilled rhetoric
to his advantage.
13. Julius Caesar
July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC
A great Roman general and senator
He was a great king, who
was overconfident of his power.
He was good at heart, as he wept
When the poor's cried. He was a
victorious king. He was brave,&
Courageous. He trusted upon
his friends who actually where
The conspirators of his murder.
14.
15. His Antagonists
• An antagonist is a character, group of characters, that
represents the opposition against which the protagonist
• Caesar's antagonists are Brutus, Cassius, and the other
conspirators who do not want him to become the head
of the Roman Empire.
• They plot to overthrow Caesar and assassinate him
outside the Capitol; he is an easy target because of his
fatal flaw - his extreme "hubris" or pride.
• Many times, Caesar is nearly saved by omens and
warnings, but he disregards them, thinking himself
infallible.
• He is so proud that he is easily flattered, leading him to
think less strategically and placing himself in grave
danger.
