Shakespeare and Shakespeare and Elizabethan DramaElizabethan Drama

The GlobeThe Globe

Shakespeare’s main Shakespeare’s main theater was named The theater was named The Globe.Globe.

It was shaped like a It was shaped like a “wooden O.”“wooden O.”

Those who could not Those who could not pay for a seat in the pay for a seat in the galleries stood on the galleries stood on the floor: the “groundlings.”floor: the “groundlings.”

The Globe (cont.)The Globe (cont.)

There were no sets: There were no sets: settings were settings were indicated by props indicated by props and references in and references in dialogue.dialogue.

Reading Shakespeare (cont.)Reading Shakespeare (cont.)

All of All of Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s plays are written in plays are written in blank verse: blank verse: unrhymed iambic unrhymed iambic pentameter.pentameter.

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar Background Background

The play is set in The play is set in Rome, 44 B.C.Rome, 44 B.C.

Caesar had Caesar had previously been part previously been part of a triumvirate of a triumvirate (three person ruling (three person ruling power) consisting of power) consisting of Crassus, Pompey, Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar.and Caesar.

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar Background Background (cont.)(cont.)

These three men ruled These three men ruled the Roman provinces.the Roman provinces.

Caesar’s military Caesar’s military conquests during this conquests during this time made him famous.time made him famous.

The Senate backed The Senate backed Pompey, Pompey, who tried to who tried to restrain Caesar’s powerrestrain Caesar’s power, , and war started.and war started.

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar Background Background (cont.)(cont.)

Caesar defeated Caesar defeated Pompey and Pompey and returned to Rome returned to Rome as dictator.as dictator.

Though the general Though the general populace supported populace supported Caesar, the Senate Caesar, the Senate was outraged at was outraged at Caesar’s Caesar’s “takeover.”“takeover.”

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar Background Background (cont.)(cont.)

Caesar was Caesar was assassinated on assassinated on March 15March 15thth, 44 B.C. , 44 B.C. by a group of by a group of Senators Senators (conspirators).(conspirators).

This date is known This date is known in the play as “the in the play as “the Ides of March”—the Ides of March”—the “middle” of March.“middle” of March.

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar Background Background (cont.)(cont.)

Possible themes of the play:Possible themes of the play: Chaos results when social order is broken.Chaos results when social order is broken. Intentions of good men can lead to tragedy.Intentions of good men can lead to tragedy. Language can be used as a vehicle to Language can be used as a vehicle to

manipulate people, often with negative manipulate people, often with negative results.results.

Violence can never have morally good Violence can never have morally good results.results.

A stable rule, even a dictatorship, is A stable rule, even a dictatorship, is preferable to chaos.preferable to chaos.

Vocabulary Elizabethan Tragedy – a dramatic form in which

a character of high rank is involved in a struggle that ends in disaster

Elizabethan Tragic Hero  - main character with a tragic flaw (usually excessive ambition, pride, jealousy, or some other human frailty)

Catharsis – purging of emotion, usually pity or fear

Fatal Flaw (Hamartia or Tragic Flaw) - a fatal weakness in the character that causes this person to become enmeshed in events that lead to his or her downfall

Hubris – excessive pride or self-confidence Iambic Pentameter – five sets of an unstressed

syllable followed by a stressed syllable Blank Verse – unrhymed poetry written in iambic

pentameter

Vocabulary

Soliloquy  - longer speech in which a character – usually alone on stage – speaks as if to himself or herself

Monologue  - a long uninterrupted speech by one character that others can hear

Aside – a brief comment a character makes to reveal his or her thoughts to the audience or to one other character

Act I – Scene iThe opening scene acts as

“exposition” by explainingCaesar is returning victorious from warThe common people used to support

Caesar’s enemy, Pompey, but now that Caesar has defeated Pompey the people support Caesar

The common people are shown to be less than intelligent and their feelings and allegiances are easily swayed

Amongst the leaders of Rome, men are divided over whether Caesar will be a good leader

Act I – Scene ii In the victory parade as Caesar returns

home and enters the Coliseum We are introduced to the major players –

Caesar, Mark Antony, Brutus, and Cassius The Soothsayer warns Caesar Caesar is suspicious of Cassius Cassius tries to gauge Brutus’ opinions of

Caesar as a potential emperor Cassius tries to persuade Brutus that Caesar

would NOT be a good emperor and that Brutus IS a good man and good potential leader