Shakespeare and Caesar Background

1. Shakespeare and CaesarBackground

2. Basic Shakespeare Background • Born in April 1564 • Baptized on April 26 at Stratford-upon-Avon church

3. Basic Shakespeare Background • In 1582 married Anne Hathaway…he was 18, and Anne was 26 • Anne was already 3 months pregnant with their first daughter, Susanna when they got married.

4. Career as an Actor And Playwright • From 1585-1592, Shakespeare moved to London to become an actor and playwright. Little is known about him during this time.

5. Career as an Actor And Playwright • Working at the theater was like acting in soap operas today • They were popular, but not seen as serious art • Ministers warned their congregations of the dangers of going to plays

6. Career as an Actor And Playwright • Queen Elizabeth in England (thus the Elizabethan era) • She protected acting companies • Shakespeare wrote several plays to be performed for the queen, including Twelfth Night. • When Elizabeth died in 1603, Shakespeare’s company became known as the King’s men.

7. Career as an Actor And Playwright • The actors performed for James I, who had ruled Scotland before becoming King of England…Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, which included two topics of strong interest to the king—Scottish royalty and witchcraft.

8. Career as an Actor And Playwright • Unlike many theater people, Shakespeare actually earned a good living. • By 1599, he was part owner of the Globe, one of the newest theaters in London. • In 1610 or 1611, he moved back to Stratford.

9. Career as an Actor And Playwright • Random fact: When his play, Henry VIII premiered, the stage directions called for a cannon to be fired when “King Henry” came on stage. The explosion set the stage on fire, and the entire theater burned to the ground.

10. Career as an Actor And Playwright • Shakespeare wrote four types of plays: • Comedies • Tragedies • Romances • Histories

11. Shakespeare’s Death and Unanswered Questions • Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52. • Some scholars have wondered why he willed his “second-best bed” to his widow

12. Shakespeare’s Death and Unanswered Questions • Shakespeare’s Gravestone Reads: • GOOD FRIEND FOR JESUS SAKE FORBEAR • TO DIG THE DUST ENCLOSED HERE! • BLEST BE THE MAN THAT SPARES THESE STONES, • AND CURST BE HE THAT MOVES MY BONES.

13. Why a tragedy about ancient Rome? • Queen Elizabeth I had come to power because the king had no male heir. She was a popular ruler, but she was also old and childless. Her subjects were concerned about who would succeed her. Some were even ready to overthrow her (as some Romans had been ready to overthrow Julius Caesar)

14. Why a tragedy about ancient Rome? • Plots to overthrow the queen defied the common belief that sovereigns were appointed by God (divine right). According to this doctrine, subjects had no right to make a change in rulers.

15. Why a tragedy about ancient Rome? • But, certain powerful people were ready to overthrow the queen. The Earl of Essex believed that it was time for a strong young king (like himself) to take the throne. • Essex was getting close to treason, and was later executed for this crime.

16. Why a tragedy about ancient Rome? • Shakespeare’s decision to write about Rome fit into the current fashion. During the Renaissance, artists and intellectuals throughout Europe admired ancient Greece and Rome.

17. Why a tragedy about ancient Rome? • 2. The story of Julius Caesar had striking parallels to the politics of Shakespeare’s time. • Like Brutus, Essex invoked honor and patriotism to support his arguments. • Like Brutus, Essex was willing to shed blood to achieve his goals.

18. Why a tragedy about ancient Rome? • 3. The question of succession was a burning issue in Caesar’s Rome and in Elizabeth’s England. • Significant Difference between Caesar’s Rome and Elizabeth’s England: • Romans had to choose between two forms of government: a republic or an absolute ruler.

19. Julius Caesar (the play) • First performed in 1599. • It can be thought of as either a history OR a tragedy.

20. Julius Caesar (the play) • Like most tragedies, it describes the pride and fall of powerful people. • Like most histories, it has no clear-cut villain, so it’s open to different interpretations. (some consider the murder of Caesar treason, and others see it as justified and necessary)

21. Background on Rome • Legend says Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by the twins Romulus and Remus.

22. Background on Rome • The twins were said to be descendants of Aeneas, a Trojan who fled to Italy after the fall of Troy.

23. Background on Rome • Romulus and Remus were thrown into the Tiber River as babies, by an uncle who considered them a threat to his power. • After floating downstream in a basket, they were found and nursed by a female wolf.

24. Background on Rome • Kings ruled Rome for many years. Rome’s last king was the tyrant Tarquin, who abused his power. A patriot Brutus overthrew Tarquin and ledi the next stage.

25. Background on Rome • The Roman Republic Junius Brutus was one of Rome’s great heroes. He was the ancestor of Marcus Brutus who killed Caesar

26. Background on Rome • Patricians—from old noble families, wealthy middle-class citizens • Plebeians—working-class citizens (had little power, but more than slaves, foreigners, or women)

27. Background on Rome • Consuls—highest ranking officials in the Roman Republic • Julius Caesar became a consul in 59 B.C. • Senate—Rome’s ruling body (600 members) • Tribunes—the only plebeians elected to office…they technically could check the power of the senators and protect the rights of ordinary citizens

28. Background on Rome • Differences Between a Republic and a Democracy: • During a time of crisis, one man could become a dictator • Good things: more people had a voice in government than ever before

29. Shakespeare’s Sources • Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans by Plutarch • Lives of the Caesars by Gaius Tarquilius Suetonius (secretary to emperor Hadrian) • Shakespeare was probably familiar with Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic War

30. Meeting the People • Julius Caesar: • lived from 100-44 B.C. • Elected consul after victory in Spain

31. Julius Caesar • The First Triumvirate (three-man rule): • Caesar • Pompey • Crassus

32. Julius Caesar • Pompey married Caesar’s daughter. They were friends, although power struggles often caused strain on the relationship.

33. Julius Caesar • Caesar departed for the Gallic wars (wanted more power), and they lasted 8 years

34. Julius Caesar • He roamed Europe and gained huge ___sums of money_, which he sent back to __Rome_ in order to gain __favor__ with the people.

35. Julius Caesar • Caesar’s Daughter dies… • Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s growing power and favor among the people, threw his weight to the Senate, which was also wary of Caesar’s ambitions.

36. Views of Julius Caesar • Caesar: thought he was a defender of the people • Critics: gained people’s favor by bribes and handouts, and deprived Romans of their liberty

37. Caesar gets Spunky • He marched his army to Rome, took control, and chased Pompey all the way to Egypt • Lingered in Egypt for nine months, enthralled by Cleopatra • Established Cleopatra on Egypt’s throne under his protection • Went to Spain, and defeated an army led by Pompey’s sons

38. Spunky Caesar • What does that say about his personality?

39. Caesar in Rome • Caesar returned to Rome, and was declared _dictator_ for 10 years.

40. Caesar in Rome • What CONNOTATIONS does the word “dictator” have for you?

41. Caesar: the favor giver • Caesar had his supporters named senators, including Brutus.

42. Caesar: the statue of infamy • It was a statue of himself • The statue said, “To the Unconquerable God”

43. Caesar on the Brink • Caesar’s ambition became deplorable, or unforgivable. Because of this, some _senators__ devised a plan to assassinate him on __March 15, 44 B.C.__. • Shakespeare’s play opens ___one month__ before the assassination.

44. Death to Caesar! • In 44 B.C., Caesar was killed by his best friend Brutus. • The assassins claimed they wanted to preserve the Roman Republic. • The struggle for power after Caesar’s death actually led the birth of the Roman Empire.

45. Lives of the Caesars says: • Tall • Fair complexion • Black eyes • Sound of heath • Fainting fits (epileptic) • Overly concerned with physical appearance (had extra hair plucked out) • Comb over (comb forward actually) • Liked getting to wear a laurel wreath all the time

46. Mark Antony • One of Caesar’s best friends • Took advantage of the chaos after Caesar’s death, and allied himself with Caesar’s heir Octavius, as well as another man, Lepidus • Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus defeated Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi

47. Brutus • Descendant of Brutus who defeated the last king of Rome • He was looked on as the defender of the republic • Feared Caesar would become king, and joined with the conspirators to assassinate Caesar • Fought with Pompey against Caesar, but Caesar pardoned him

48. Cassius • A Roman General • Fought with Brutus and Pompey against Caesar • Caesar pardoned Cassius as well • Cassius recruited Brutus to join him in assassinating Caesar

49. A Day at the Globe • Before going to a play, people often took part in bearbaiting. • A bear would be captured and chained to a stake inside a pit. • Dogs would be released to attack the bear. • Spectators would bet on who would die first.

50. A Day at the Globe • Young boys played female roles. • It was 50 more years after Shakespeare’s time before females became part of acting.