An Introduction to Shakespeare’s

1. An Introduction to Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

2. Mr. William Shakespeare • Born April 23, 1564– died April 23, 1616 • Baptismal name: Johanna Shakespeare • Eldest son and third child of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. • Came from Stratford upon Avon-agricultural area. • William Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway in 1582- he was 18 and she was 26 • They had 3 children; Susanna(1583), and twins Hamnet(1585-96) and Judith (1585- 1662)

3. Will con’t • He began acting in London in 1592(he acted and served as a writer and reviser of plays). • Family remained in Stratford while Will started new life in London • It took 4 days by foot and 2 days by horse. • At 28yrs, he began to impress his contemporaries with the quality and popularity of his work. • He publishes his first narrative poem, Venus and Adonis in 1593, and The Rape of Lucrece the following year(1594).

4. Works of Will shakespeare-abridged • Tragedies: King Lear, Othello, Anthony and Cleopatra, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar • Comedies: Alls well that ends well, Measure for Measure, As you like it, The taming of the Shrew, Tempest, Twelfth Night • Histories- Henry the IV, Henry the VI, Henry the V, Henry the VIII,Richard the II, Richard the III. • Poetry: Sonnets- most famous sonnet 18,Passionate Pilgrim, A Lover’s Complaint, Rape of Lucrece.

5. The Globe Theater • Early in 1599 Shakespeare, who had been acting with the Lord Chamberlain's Men since 1594, paid into the company a sum of money amounting to 12.5 percent of the cost of building the Globe. • Lord Chamberlain’s Men were one of the two acting groups permitted to perform with in London’s city limits. • He did so as a chief shareholder in the company, and by doing so he helped to establish a uniquely successful form of commercial operation for the actors of the time. • This investment gave Shakespeare and the other leading actors both a share in the company's profits and a share in their playhouse.

6. The GLOBE First performance was June 25, 1599 Held 1000 people Original Globe theater performances took place in the day light- no lighting at the time. Stage had little scenery and no curtain. June of 1613- the Globe Theater burned down The New Globe theater had a spotlight for evening performances

7. Shakespeare’s Language • Most of Shakespeare’s lines are written in poetry • Although these lines do not usually rhyme , they do have a set rhythm- called METER. • The pattern of one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, dah DUM, is called IAMB. • Each pattern is referred to as a FOOT. • Because Shakespeare uses 5 iambic feet to a line, this pattern is know as iambic pentameter.

8. Shakespeare’s language • In order to keep lines in “rhythm” Will often changes the order of words or shortens words. • For example, the following line has no set rhythm: • My MAS’ter did BID me KNEEL THUS, BRU’tus • Will changes the order so that it has the iamb rhythm: • Thus BRU’tus, DID my MAS’ter BID me KNEEL • Will shortens words by omitting letters so that a 2 syllable word is one syllable • EX: over becomes o’er; and it is becomes ‘tis

9. Theater in Rome- BkGD to Caesar • Rome copied theater from Greece (remember Sophocles- Antigone) • Began as religious festivals– later gained popularity when wealthy citizens contributed. • Comedies were preferred-has happy ending • Mimes and pantomime- created by the Romans • Used Masks • All theaters were open to the elements.

10. The Kingdom and Republic of Rome • Founded by 2 brothers– Romulus and Remus • Near the river TIBER • Rome adopted Greek culture as they conquered neighboring Greek towns. • Rome wasn’t always ruled by emperors– had a republic for 100 years- coins advertised the image of the emperors • 509BC- a republic was established; ruled by a senate and by elected officials (consuls and tribunes)

11. CON’T • The color PURPLE= POWER- purple dye was very expensive • Gladiators= slaves- trained to fight; mortal combat • forum= market- watch street plays, out door farmer’s market • citizens= into fashion/ rings. • Battle and Defense- Rome • Legionary- Emperor’s army; most successful • Used catapaultropes,sheilds, calvary, Javelins, spearheads, swords. • Soldiers- good standard of living;25 years of service= citizenship • Death and Burials • Life was very short • 1 in every 3 children died. • Buried in catacombs; cremation was preferred • Education • Fathers taught children- men • Women- took care of the house= enslaved to men. • Language- Latin (west) Greek (East)- most people were illiterate. • Dinner- Main meal; 2-3 hours; began at 2pm; olives main appetizer • Most homes did not have baths- went to large bathing areas in the center of the town.

12. Julius Caesar- most famous emperor • People feared Caesar because he commanded a large army made up of fiercely loyal troops and was LOVED by the common people (or plebeians) • The play captures 3 years of action into 5 acts • Born on July 13, 100 BC • Children: Julia(only legitimate child with Cornelia), Caesarion(illegitamate son), and Octavian (adopted sister’s daughter’s son) • Wives: Cornealia(daughter of leader of popular faction),Pompea(grand daughter of Sulla-former dictator),Calpurnia(daughter of popular faction) • Had an affair with best friend’s mother- Brutus • Held several positions: Governor of Asia, General Statesman, served the Senate, Council, Dictator, High Priest (Pontinus Maximus), Author, Pro- Council. • Love affair with Cleopatra(leader of Egypt)- his only son

13. Caesar con’t • BeniVediVici: I came, I saw, I conquered(over came)- in reference to conquering Asia Minor. • Was kidnapped by Cicillan pirates- had a joking relationship with them- but warned them that once he was released he would kill them– he did. • Caesar- had many goals to unite the new Roman Empire, however, he led as a dictator which upset the senators– they were proud of the democracy they established and were not willing to concede to a dictator. • March 15th murdered by 60 people in 44 BC- The IDES of MARCH (15th day of the month- military festival in honor of the God Mars)

14. Literary elements/ terms • Drama-literature enacted in front of an audience by people who play the parts of the characters • Tragedy-a drama that tells the story of the downfall of a central character, or protagonist, who wins the audience’s sypathines in some way. • Monologue-long speech given by actor- monopolizing conversation- directed to other characters. • Soliloquy- a speech where a character speaks to himself or herself- revealing inner thoughts. • Aside- a statement intended to be heard by the audience or by a single other character by not by other characters on the stage.