Julius Caesar

1
Julius Caesar

• Facts, Context, Plot, and Parallels
• Concepts You Should Know

2
FACTS

• Shakespeare wrote 37 plays/154 sonnets
• Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan era
  (16th and 17th century 1500s and early 1600s)
• His work affected the course of Western
  Literature and culture forever

3
More Facts

• Caesar Setting Rome, Italy (44 B.C) Rome was
  the center of the entire empire
• Rome was getting stronger threats still
  existed.
• Caesar is Shakespeares shortest play. It is the
  first to be performed, but it took many years to
  make it to text.

4
Context

• Constant fighting between ambitious military
  leaders and Senators (they were weak) to whom
  they owed allegiance.
• Lots of division between citizens.
• Many wanted to be the absolute ruler of Rome
  Caesar was the only likely candidate
• The citizens who favored democratic rule feared
  Caesars power. Thus begins the conspiracy to
  assassinate Caesar. This was ill-fated, leading
  to civil war, and eventually the end of the Roman
  Empire.

5
Caesar - Plot

• The events leading to the assassination
• Civil War
• Deaths of the conspirators
• Revenge

6
Parallels Roman Empire and Elizabethan

• Shift from Republican to Imperial Rome and
  historically Elizabethan Era heading toward
  Monarchial power.
• Elizabeth did not have an heir to her throne and
  there was fear that her death may put England
  into chaos. The play, Caesar, is Shakespeares
  commentary on the political situation of the day.
• The actions of leaders of Roman society
  determined the history, rather than class
  conflicts or large political movements.