Julius Caesar

Project List English 10

Final Project Options for The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Choose any number
of options that total 150 points. Due: March 5

Billboard (50 points)

Suppose there were billboards in ancient Rome. To show their support upon Caesar's return to Rome, a citizens' commission might decide to put up a billboard. What would it say? What images would the billboard show? Remember that it is funded by ordinary citizens and is intended to "advertise" their support for Caesar.

Map (50 points)

Create a map of Rome and its surrounding areas as they appeared in the era of Julius Caesar. Find a map that shows how the area appeared during this time. On your final version, indicate all the settings and places of interest from the play.

Personal Essay (100 points)

Use the Internet to research and examine the ideas of stoicism, Brutus' personal philosophy. In an essay, describe this philosophy and answer the following questions. Do you believe good will always come to people who follow virtue? Why, or why not? Do you believe it is always best to put emotions aside in order to complete a task or follow a goal? Have you ever done this? If yes, explain. Back up your idea with concrete examples from your own life. Essay must be typed.

Tragic hero poem or essay (100 points)

Write a poem or essay about a person in real life or a character from books, movies, or television who might be considered a tragic hero. Define the qualities that make a tragic hero and explain what your character has in common with Brutus. Poem or essay must be typed.

Biography (100 points)

Use the Internet to research and develop a biography of Julius Caesar. What kind of man was he? What were his particular skills and strengths? His accomplishments? What is he known for besides his assassination? Include any pictures of his likenesses that you can find, such as statues, etc.

Political cartoon (50 points)

Review the attitudes and values of the commoners, the tribunes, the conspirators, Cassius, Brutus, and Caesar. Then, create a political cartoon about Caesar that expresses those attitudes and values in a punchy, exaggerated manner.

Magazine Cover (50 Points)

Suppose that your produce a newsmagazine in ancient Rome. The day after Caesar's assassination, your magazine covers the story. What is on the cover? Caesar? Brutus? Antony? Design the cover for the magazine that features the assassination and/or the incidents surrounding it.

Roman Food (50 points)

Use the Internet to research food in Julius Caesar's day. Plan a menu or cook an item for the class, after giving background information on the food and drink of the day.

Song or Rap (50 points)

Write a song or rap about Julius Caesar and perform it in front of the class.

Suicide note (50 points)

Write a suicide note from Portia to Brutus. Use language that she would have used and make the note look authentic with font, etc.

Narrative Poem (50 points)

Write a narrative poem about the play.

Bulletin Board (50 points)

Create a bulletin board to represent the play.

Three-dimensional (100 points)

Create a peep box, diorama, mobile of a scene, using computer-generated images.

Book cover (50 points)

Create a book cover for the play Julius Caesar. Be as creative as possible. Make it look appealing so that someone would really want to pick it up and read it.

Extra scene (75 points)

Write a scene in which Portia comes back as a ghost to talk to Brutus. You may have other characters, also. 15-minute Caesar Movie (or Animated Video): (100 points) Summarize each of the 18 scenes in an abbreviated script with a cast large enough to portray the whole play. This will probably make the tragedy seem funny; go for it. Make us laugh with your speedy tragedy. Sometimes a parody makes the tragedy

easier to deal with. A script is mandatory; a project will be worth a maximum of half credit without a script. (5 credit-earning members max.) Mock Trial: (100 points) Instead of killing Brutus and Cassius, put them on trial. Stage a mock trial (on video) with Brutus and Cassius on trial for their crimes. Produce evidence, levy a defense, and dramatize your judge s verdict with explanation. (5 credit-earning cast members: Brutus, Cassius, defense attorney, judge, prosecutor) Rap/Song Summary (music video optional): (100 points) Summarize each of the 18 scenes in the lyrics of your song or rap. Be prepared to perform your song/rap live or by recording. A written copy of your lyrics with each scene labeled must be provided. (Individual project) Comic Book or Video Game: (150 points) Write and draw a comic book (computer-aided optional) or a video game that includes each of the 18 scenes in Julius Caesar. Each scene must be thoroughly summarized. Drawings must be artful and detailed. Notebook paper is not acceptable. Extra credit will be given if the original drawings are scanned and narrated as a digital story using iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. (Individual Project) Memorization & Performance: (75 Points) Memorize two significant speeches (at least 20 lines each) and perform them live for the class. (Individual Project) Suggested speeches:
y y y y y Brutus III.ii 12-34 Antony III.ii 74-108 Antony III.i 254-275 Cassius I.ii 135-161 Portia II.i 279-302 (excluding Brutus)

Map Project on PowerPoint: (50 points) Map the three major locations mentioned in the play, provide photos of these settings, and include a two- page summary of the play. Half the summary will focus on action in location #1 _________________, a quarter on action in location #2 ____________________, and a quarter on action in location #3 ______________________. (Individual Project) Movie Buff Compare/Contrast Essay: (100 points) Choose two of these three Julius Caesar films and compare them to each other in a five paragraph compare/contrast essay. What s your opinion of them? Which one is better and for what reasons? You may add a persuasive element to your conclusion since the newest film is from 1970. All three films are available through the Sno-Isle Libraries or DVD through the mail. Plan ahead to watch the videos with friends or alone, but write your own essays with your independent ideas. (Individual Project)

Julius Caesar U.S.; 1950; 90 min Director: David Bradley; Selected notable actor: Charlton Heston Julius Caesar (this one is pictured in our text book) U.S.; 1953; 121 min Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz Selected notable actors: Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern Julius Caesar U.K.; 1970; 117 min Director: Stuart Burge; Notable actors: Charlton Heston, Jason Robards, John Gielgud, Diana Rigg

The Visual Representation (75 points) This section asks you to respond in a visual manner to a passage or quote in the play that you found particularly moving or significant. You will choose one quote or passage from the play and paint or draw a representation of that quote. Your picture does not necessarily have to be a concrete rendering of the quote, but it must capture the mood and emotion of the quote. Your quote will be part of the final picture, so plan accordingly. Once you have finished, you will write at least one paragraph justifying your choice of colors and/or images you chose to depict your quote. Attach the paragraph--written to the best of your ability--to the back of the visual representation. Soundtrack and Cover Art : (100 points) Here you are required to create a soundtrack for the play of at least seven (7) songs, each matching a scene or section from the play. Include an explanation of 4-5 sentences for each song chosen detailing exactly when the song would be used and why the song itself is appropriate. Consider the lyrics (if the song has lyrics), the rhythm of the song, the section of the song you would use, and so on. Be detailed when describing why you chose the song. Create the CD. You may not get the disc back, so make your own copy if you really like it. Create the front and back covers for the disc. What images would be used? How could the cover catch a customers eye? Do not use images copied from the internet. Create your own imagery. Be prepared to present to me your CD, its covers, and your rationales for your choices. The Newspaper (150 points) For this assignment you will construct a newspaper that would have been printed the day after Caesars death. You will be expected to use a journalistic style of writing and follow the appropriate form of a newspaper. Your paper will be at least two (2) pages in length. Your articles, letters, etc. must be typed in 14 point font. With all of your articles, please remember that this is from a Roman point of view. Also, please remember to give headlines to your articles and to attach a byline to each of them. The full requirements are as follows: 1. Banner: Your newspaper should have an appropriate title, or masthead. The banner includes the following information: newspaper title, date, price, and newspaper slogan. This section may be hand-lettered, but should be neat and easy to read.

2. Main News Article: Your newspaper should have one large story that is the focus of the front page (top of the fold). This article should deal with the death of Caesar. A picture should also accompany this article. 3. Two Supplementary Articles: These articles should also be about events that would have taken place around Caesars death. Each article should deal with a different event, so you may have to do research but dont worry about being exactly accurate with the timelines. 4. Index of Contents: On the front page of most newspapers, a table of contents is at the bottom of the page to guide the reader. Your newspaper should also have one of these. However, remember that your newspaper is only four pages. 5. Political Cartoon: A political cartoon is usually used to ridicule politicians and to point out logical fallacies. It may also be used to highlight an important political or social issue through humor. Think about the major themes and events of the play and draw a political cartoon. Your cartoon should be in color and include a caption of some sort. 6. Editorial: The editor or editorial staff of a newspaper will write an editorial, which puts forth an opinion on some important social or political issue. Think about some of the situations mentioned above and write an editorial dealing with a theme of the play. 7. Obituaries: Write an obituary for three characters from the play of your choice. Look at some obituaries in the local paper for ideas of what to include. 8. Two Human Interest Stories: Write two stories dealing with ordinary Roman life at this time period. For example, you might do a story profiling the mother of one of the soldiers or a story about the impact Caesar had on an ordinary person. 9. Extras: What else would you find in a newspaper that people like? Include them.

1. Banner 10 points 2. Main News Article: 30 points 3. Two Supplementary Articles: 20 points 4. Index of Contents: 5 points 5. Political Cartoon: 15 points 6. Editorial: 10 points 7. Obituaries: 15 points 8. Two Human Interest Stories: 10 points 9. Extras: 15 points Overall appearance and directions followed: 20 points

The Storyboard or Comic (75 points) Retell one scene of the play using a twelve panel (at least) storyboard or twelve panel (at least) mini-comic. The storyboard would be a single poster or board with all of the panels in order while the mini-comic would be a comic book style collection with a cover and the panels included within the booklet. Use any style of artwork you wish for the storyboard or mini-comic. Regardless, make sure that the artistry matches the action, the language is modernized, and color is used. You do not need to be an excellent artist for this, but I do expect you to do your best.

Literary Devices (25 points) This section asks you to analyze specific literary devices or techniques effects on the play. Choose a minimum of five devices or techniques (a list with some examples is available on my web page: https://sites.google.com/site/msellesenglish10/ provide a quotation as evidence with appropriate citations, and explain the effect of the device on the passage, chapter, or novel. Place your findings in a chart. Recreate a Scene (75 points) Recreate a scene from the play. Act out the scene and film it. Pay close attention to costumes, sets, and acting. This is not a parody or a farce; it is a recreation of scene matching the tone and mood of the chosen scene. You will need to practice your lines! Your film should be well-edited, finely acted, and between 3-10 minutes. You will be scored on your performance and your production as a whole. This means you cant hide behind the camera to receive credit; you must be a major part of the scene. The Movie Poster (25 points) Create a poster for a new film based on the play. You will need to include the cast, a title, an eye- catching image, a rating, a catch phrase, at least three quotations from the play, and at least one critics testimonial. I will look for the following: - correct spellings - correct grammar and punctuation - includes an original title and a rating - includes a cast with parts listed - critics testimonial is well-written and appropriate - obvious effort and attention to detail - professional in appearance - contains a central eye-catching image - a border is used with your poster - space is used effectively (very little empty space) - quotations reveal important themes of the novel

The Sonnet (50 points) I would like you to compose a sonnet which explains three incidents from the play in three quatrains and then connects these quatrains with a common theme or lesson in the final couplet. Essentially, the final couplet is the thesis statement that links the three situations. I will look for you to correctly use the Shakespearean sonnet format (with labeled rhyme scheme and syllables), though I will not expect iambic pentameter. - http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xSonnets.html (the format is explained in the middle) Put a Character on Trial (150 points) Choose a character to put on trial for one of the following crimes: - Caius Cassius: Jealousy and Treason - Marcus Antony: Inciting a Riot Without Cause - Marcus Brutus: Betrayal of Friendship and Treason - Julius Caesar: Ambition Each of these characters has been charged with a very serious crime against society. While their crimes may not have been technically illegal, each of the characters must stand trial for their actions. It will be your mission to either prosecute or defend one of the characters based solely on the evidence presented in the play. Pretend that you are about to begin a court battle, which will determine the guilt or innocence of your groups character. You will play a part specifically created for this trial. There should be the defendant, two lawyers, and one witness. The witness can be any character from the play. Each lawyer must prepare an opening statement of approximately 2-4 minutes in length. Think of this statement, as the opening statements lawyers would give at the beginning of a trial. The rest of the members of class will be your jury. You must try to convince the audience that your case has more merit than the opposition. A judge will preside over each case and make decisions as to the acceptability of evidence, etc. Each character must take the stand in his/her defense (No pleading the 5th!). The defense will go first in all of the trials. Please remember that only evidence from the play may be presented in each trial. You will film the trial and submit it to me (and maybe the class, if you wish) for viewing. The trial should last 10-20 minutes.