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Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Study Guide
Background Information
Setting
Ancient Rome 44
B.C.
The play takes place
before Rome developed into an empire. Julius Caesar has just defeated
Pompey after a long civil war. He returns to Rome triumphantly and is
in a position to take power. Some people are concerned because
dictators have taken power before.
Characters
Julius
Caesar
Although Caesar was
one of the strongest individuals in history, Shakespeare presents him
with a number of weaknesses. In spite of all of these weaknesses, it is
the spirit of Caesar that pervades the whole play. At the end of the
play, Brutus says, "Caesar, thou art mighty yet."
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Brutus
Brutus is the epitome of all
that
is gentle and good in man. His sterner qualities make him admirable;
his gentler qualities make him lovable. He is one of the finest
characters in all of Shakespeare's writing. Had Brutus been less
idealistic and less merciful, he no doubt would have been successful in
crushing the powerful forces of Caesar. His three mistakes cost him his
life, but Brutus feels no enmity, even in death.
Cassius
If ever Shakespeare
presented
characters in contrast, he does it in molding the conspiracy around
Cassius and Brutus. Cassius is the realist, the shrewd contriver, the
ambitious one. He is the clever psychologist who knows just how to
manipulate Brutus' thoughts and how to bring him into the conspiracy.
Cassius is a strong leader, but he has one weakness—his admiration for
Brutus. That admiration overrules his better judgment and culminates in
his downfall. Without Brutus in the play, Cassius would have emerged as
a much stronger leader.
Marc Antony
At the time of Caesar's
assassination, Antony was thirty-seven years old. Never taking life
very seriously, he led a pleasure-loving existence. Because he was
reckless, careless, and handsome, the people loved him. Antony proves
himself to be clever when he addresses the crowd after Caesar’s murder
and convinces them that Caesar was not ambitious.
Octavius
Octavius was nineteen when
Caesar
was assassinated and only twenty-one when he and Antony defeated the
conspirators at Philippi. Eleven years later, he sent Antony and
Cleopatra to defeat and death. Shakespeare wrote about that subject in
his play Antony and Cleopatra. Octavius ruled Rome for forty-one years
(until 17 A.D.). He was called the august, the grand, the magnificent
(Augustus).
See list of characters for minor
characters and their roles.
Enrichment &
Homeschool Use
This assignment was
originally desgined for use in a classroom setting consisting of
approximately 27 to 29 students; however, the assignment can easily be
adapted for smaller classrooms and for homeschool use.
Although the study guide
questions are intended to create the basis for discussion in a small
group setting, the same dynamic can be generated with one or two
students and increased teacher involvement.
Other Assignment
Components
Study
Guide--Background
Study
Guide--Questions
Study
Guide--Homework Questions
Study
Guide--Vocabulary
Study
Guide--Archaic Vocabulary
Study
Guide--Chronology of Events
Handouts
Study
Guide
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