2. Characters
•Julius Caesar
•Calpurnia: Wife of Caesar
•Octavius Caesar, Marcus Antonius, M. Aemilius Lepidus:
Triumvirs after the death of Julius Caesar
•Cicero, Publius, Popilius Lena: Senators
•Marcus Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Trebonius, Ligarius, Decius
Brutus, Metellus Cimber, Cinna: Conspirators against Julius
Caesar
•Portia: Wife of Brutus
3. About the Author
The English writer and poet William Shakespeare is considered the greatest playwright of all
time. Unfortunately, we don’t know many details about his biography.
There are no portraits, pictures or drawings of Shakespeare while he was still alive.
Shakespeare married at 18 and wrote his first known play when he was 25 years old; he also
acted in some of the plays.
Shakespeare only finished grammar school and never studied in the university.
There are over 80 different translations of his plays and poems. The number of translations
of Shakespeare’s works all over the world is second only to the Bible.
More than 25,000 different words are used in the works of Shakespeare, including many that
he created. Most people use only 2,000 or 2,500 words in speaking and writing: so, Shakespeare
used ten times the normal amount of words!
A really surprising fact: the great writer’s wife and children were all illiterate!
4. Introduction
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, also known simply as Julius Caesar, is a tragedy by
William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1599. It portrays the 44 BC
conspiracy against the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, his assassination and the defeat
of the conspirators at the Battle of Philippi. It is one of several Roman plays that
Shakespeare wrote, based on true events from Roman history, which also include
Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra.
Although the title of the play is Julius Caesar, Caesar is not the central character in
its action; he appears in only three scenes, and is killed at the beginning of the third
act. The protagonist of the play is Marcus Brutus, and the central psychological drama
is his struggle between the conflicting demands of honour, patriotism, and friendship.
The play reflected the general anxiety of England over succession of leadership. At
the time of its creation and first performance, Queen Elizabeth, a strong ruler, was
elderly and had refused to name a successor, leading to worries that a civil war similar
to that of Rome might break out after her death.
6. A Roman woman and the third and last wife of
Julius Caesar.
Calpurnia invests great authority in omens and
portents. She warns Caesar against going to the
Senate
She is very concerned for Caesars.
She interprets her dream which signified that
it was not a lucky day for him and could prove
to be very dangerous for his life if he moves out.
Nevertheless, Caesar’s ambition ultimately
causes him to disregard her advice.
CalpurniaJulius Caesar
A great Roman general and senator. He was a
great king, who
was overconfident of his power. He was good
at heart, as he wept When the poor's cried.
He was a
victorious king. He was brave , &
Courageous. He trusted upon
his friends who actually where The
conspirators of his murder.
7. Brutus
Of Noble Heritage Brutus is a
Roman nobleman, as was his father
Sincere: Brutus truly believes that his role
in the assassination is for the good of Rome
Naive: He believes in the essential goodness
of those around him
Philosophical: His philosophies guide his
actions and decisions.
Good Orator: he was successful in changing
the mob mentality and proved that Caesar was
ambitious which was not good for the citizens.
He is a powerful public figure.
Cassius
Envious: Cassius has contempt for Caesar
and envies Caesar's position
Fearful: Cassius is afraid that Caesar has
ambitions to be king. He fears what might
become of Rome in such an instance.
Politically Astute: He advises Brutus to
assassinate Antony along with Caesar.
Understanding what can happen, he advises
Brutus not to allow Antony to speak at Caesar's
funeral as he feared that he would be able to
able to rise the mob against them in mutiny.
Corrupt: Prior to the battle at Philippi, he is
accused by Brutus of taking bribes.
8. Marc Antony
Loyal to Caesar: Antony loved and admired
Caesar
Clever: Antony pretends to befriend the
conspirators and asks that he be allowed to
speak at Caesar's funeral
A skilled orator: Antony's speech at Caesar's
funeral sways the crowd
Hard: Antony's role in condemning men to
death shows he can be as cold hearted as he is
passionate
A skilled military leader: Antony has an
equal voice in planning the war against the
legions of Brutus and Cassius
His Antagonists
• An antagonist is a character, group of
characters, that represents the opposition
against which the protagonist
• Caesar's antagonists are Brutus, Cassius,
and the other conspirators who do not
want him to become the head of the
Roman Empire.
• They plot to overthrow Caesar and
assassinate him outside the Capitol; he is
an easy target because of his fatal flaw - his
extreme "hubris" or pride.
• Many times, Caesar is nearly saved by
omens and warnings, but he disregards
them, thinking himself infallible.
9. Summary
Julius Caesar is highly successful but ambitious political leader of
Rome and his goal is to become an unassailable dictator. Caesar
is warned that he must "beware the Ides of March" . The
prophecy comes true and Caesar is assassinated. Marcus Brutus
is a well respected Roman senator who helps plan and carry out
Caesar's assassination which he believes will rid Rome of a
tyrant. Caesar's friend Mark Antony provides the famous funeral
oration ("Friends, Romans, and countrymen…") Brutus and
Cassius meet their inevitable defeat. Brutus, the noble Roman,
whose decision to take part in the conspiracy for the sake of
freedom, plunges his country into civil war.
