Background on The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

1. Background on The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

2. Who was Julius Caesar? Julius Caesar was a Roman dictator and general

3. Where does The Tragedy of Julius Caesar begin? In order to understand The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, you must understand his role in Roman government: • Caesar began his career as a general – a position that brought him both power and wealth • He became involved in politics when he was appointed as a Roman consul (our version of a Senator or Representative) by his friend, Pompey the Great

4. How did Caesar become so powerful? Even though Rome was a democracyat the time, Caesar gained a great deal of power when he formed a strategic alliance with two fellow consuls In 66 B.C., he, along with Pompey and Crassus, developed the First Triumvirate – a three-person government that ruled Rome This triumvirate was quite successful because it restored order to a government weakened by in-fighting amongst Roman leaders

5. What went wrong? As a part of the triumvirate, Caesar continued to make successful military conquests around the world – thereby increasing his power and popularity Pompey soon became jealous and convinced the Roman Senate to remove Caesar from office This started a battle between the two men, in which Caesar came out triumphant – defeating both Pompey and his sons Pompey the Great

6. What was Caesar like? As a general, Caesar was extremely successful – executing brilliant military campaigns He was charismatic, extravagant and beloved by the people of Rome However, he was also arrogant – a tragic quality that many feel directly led to his death

7. What happened next…? Once Pompey was gone, Caesar named himself “Dictator for Life” While the people loved him, Roman Senate hated the fact that he had so much power He was eventually assassinated by his closest confidants

8. Cast of Characters Julius Caesar: Dictator of Rome Mark Antony: Friend of Caesar who uses rhetoric and manipulation to get his way. Brutus: Friend of Caesar who always considers choices “for the good of Rome.” Cassius: Leader of the conspiracy against Caesar. Octavius: Caesar’s adopted son and appointed successor. Casca: A public figure opposed to Caesar’s rise to power

9. Cast of Characters Calpurnia: Caesar’s wife. Calpurnia invests great authority in omens and portents. Portia: Brutus’s wife; the daughter of a noble Roman who took sides against Caesar. Flavius: A tribune (an official elected by the people to protect their rights).

10. Some Elizabethan beliefs to be familiar with • Myths and Magic • Fairies, magic, witches, spells, and prophecies all formed part of their view of life • Folklore and superstition were often as important to people as the official religious beliefs taught by the Church

11. Vocab words to know • Pun – a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings • Anachronism – an error in chronology; misplacing of persons, events, objects or customs • Shakespeare uses this in many of his plays