Intro to shakespeare and julius caesar
-
Upload
mrswedwards -
Category
Education
-
view
958 -
download
0
Transcript of Intro to shakespeare and julius caesar
English 10
Intro to Shakespeare and Julius Caesar
Shakespeare and his life…Born in 1564 in Stratford
upon Avon, EnglandDied in 1616—on his
birthday—April 23??Married Anne Hathaway
and had three children—Susan, Judith, and Hamnet
Wrote plays for the theatrical company The Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Shakespeare: Fun FactsHis son, Hamnet’s name likely inspired
the name of one of Shakepeare’s most famous characters, Hamlet.
Wrote approximately 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and two epic poems.
Is credited with adding 3,000 words to the English language including his longest word, honorificabilitudinitatibus, which means "the state of being able to achieve honors."
All of society attended the theatre, even royalty
Plays were meant to be performed—not “seen” as literature—only rough copies of Shakespeare’s plays survive today
Only men were actors—even for female roles
Theatre in 16th century England
The Globe Theatre Shakespeare’s
theatre group constructed the globe, an open-air round theatre
The original burned in 1613—a new one was reconstructed in London in 1997
Tragedy: a play dealing with tragic events; usually has an unhappy ending, culminating in the main character’s downfall
First play to be performed in The Globe Theater
Setting: Ancient Rome 44 B.C.There was a struggle for power that divided
the Roman EmpireJulius Caesar: Ruler of RomeConspirators assassinated Caesar fearing that
he would become too powerful, then a civil war erupts
Julius Caesar
Characteristics of a Shakespearean
Tragedy
Tragic Hero1.) Tragedy is concerned primarily with one person—the tragic hero. This hero usually has a high status, so high that his or her fate can affect the welfare of a whole nation or empire.
Tragic Virtue2.) The fate of the hero is often triggered by a tragic virtue in the hero’s character. The tragic virtue is a personality trait that the character possesses that under other circumstances would be a virtue but under these circumstances, it leads to the character’s downfall, usually resulting in death.
Other Characteristics3.) Shakespeare often introduces abnormal
conditions of the mind (such as insanity or hallucinations).
4.) Supernatural elements are often introduced as well (such as ghosts or witches).
5.) There is usually a strong and strange reaction from nature (such as bad weather or unnatural behavior from animals).
Literary Terms--Define1. Blank Verse 9. Climax2. Foreshadowing 10. Falling Action3. Iambic Pentameter 11. Resolution/4. Soliloquy Dénouement5. Aside6. Plot 7. Exposition8. Rising Action
What qualities should an effective leader have?
Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameterA type of meter with 10 syllables per line (1
stressed syllable, 1 unstressed syllable, 5 times in each line)
iamb=foot pent=5 5 feet per lineOriginally used in dance and by actors to
remember lines in theatreSonnet—fourteen line rhyming poem in iambic
pentameterShakespeare's sonnets contain three four line
stanzas and a couplet
Iambic Pentameter & Sonnets
Julius Caesar
Part II--Characters
Julius CaesarHead of the Roman
stateGreat soldier and
generalJust returned from a
series of wars where he defeated the sons of the previous Roman ruler, Pompey
Calpurnia is his wife
Mark AntonyLoyal friend and
supporter of CaesarBelieves Caesar will
be a good ruler of Rome
BrutusRespected man of
intelligence and honor
Personal friend of Caesar’s
Wonders if Caesar will make a good leader; worries he may become a tyrant
CassiusOne of the leaders of
the conspiracySuspicious of Caesar
from the beginning Convinces Brutus to
join him
Octavious and LepidusJoin with Mark
Antony after Caesar’s death to rule Rome as a triumvirate
Characters, cont. Casca, Trebonious,Decius, Cinna and Metallus Cimber are the other members of the conspiracy, each of whomparticipates by stabbing Caesar.
Julius Caesar
Act by Act Notes
Setting: the streets of RomeCaesar is having a victory parade called a
triumph over defeating the previous Roman ruler, Pompey
The political party and supporters of Pompey want to stop the celebration
A soothsayer tells Caesar to “beware the ides of March”
Brutus and Cassius have a conversation about Caesar—Cassius hints to Brutus that Brutus could be leader of Rome
Act I
Caesar is suspicious of CassiusStrange things happen on the eve of the ides
of March (earthquakes, storms)Cassius recruits others to join in on the
overthrow (assassination of Caesar)They decide to try to get Brutus to join themImportant quotes:“Beware the Ides of March”– Soothsayer“ I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”--Brutus
Act I, cont.
Literary TermsCharacter MatchingAct-by-Act QuestionsImportant Quotes
“Beware the Ides of March”“ I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”“The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of
princes.”--Calpurnia “Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! A curse
shall light upon the limbs of men.”“This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the
conspirators, save only he, did that they did in envy of great Caesar.”
Julius Caesar Test: