HOW COULD SHAKESPEARE’S AUDIENCE UNDERSTAND?

• Shakespeare NEVER created an original story.

• Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted to see what twists he would add to their old favorites.

• When reading Shakespeare, you should familiarize yourself with the story before you begin.

ROMAN HISTORY

THE ROMAN CULTURE

• Rome mistrusted Kings.

• Absolute power was feared.

• Generals had the most power in Rome.

• Generals were forbidden from bringing their armies to Rome out of fear. (Armies must be left at the Rubicon River in Northern Italy)

• Greatest figure in Roman Politics=Cincinnatus because he could be trusted with power.

• Roman senate “ruled” Rome.

• Corrupt

CINCINNATUS (458 BC)• Sets up the Roman Civic ideal

• Was not the Norm.

During Times of War. A dictator was elected to deal with the crisis.

Often this dictator would not give up power “gracefully”

Cincinnatus:

• Gives up power and return to his farm.

• Call back to lead the Army.

• Again abdicates power.

• Can you find a comparison in Am History?

JULIUS CAESAR IN BRIEF

• Caesar feels that he can make a difference in Rome and brings his army across the Rubicon.

• Pompey ordered by the senate to confront Caesar’s army and defend the city.

• Caesar defeats and kills Pompey in battle.

• Caesar comes to Rome and sets himself up as Dictator.

• Caesar takes steps to become dictator for life.

• Senators (Brutus and Cassius) plot to assassinate Caesar on the Senate floor.

• It’s a Bloodbath.

JULIUS CAESAR THE AFTERMATH

• Civil war follows the death of Julius Caesar

• Brutus and Cassius leading one faction

• Mark Antony and Octavian (To be known as Caesar Augustus) leading the other.

• Battle fought at Philippi where Brutus and Cassius’ forces are defeated. Both Brutus and Caius are slain.

• So endeth the Shakespeare’s play.

• Mark Antony and Octavian go to war over the Empire and Octavian finally kills Mark Antony along with Cleopatra becoming the sole ruler of Rome.

THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR• Shakespeare takes this source material to

create his Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

• Focuses on: ??? (The great question for you)

• Setting: Rome, one month before Caesar’s assassination.

• Characters:

• Julius Caesar

• Mark Antony

• Marcus Brutus

• Cassius

• Octavius

• (HH) Who is the “Hero” of the play?

• (H) Why is Brutus the Hero of the Play?

• (CP) Brutus is the Hero because of his flaw, what is his flaw?