Julius Caesar:

The Man vs. The

Play
A guide by Josh O., Amya H., Mykailya J.,
Alyvia T., Darius P., and Kenzie K.

The Real Gaius Julius

General, consul, war hero,Caesar
dictator, tyrant.
Three-men political alliance with Pompey and Crassus
known as The First Triumvirate.
Alliance weaken after Pompeys wife and Caesars daughter
died. Further declined with Crassuss death.
Pompey vs. Caesar eventually resulting in Pompeys death
October 48 B.C. Caesar becomes dictator
44 B.C. becomes dictator perpetuus (dictator for life)
Senators resented Caesars increasing desire to be king
(Romans hated kings since their last one in 509 B.C.)

C. July 12, 100

B.C. - March 15,
44 B.C.

Et tu, Brute!
C. July 12, 100 B.C. - March 15, 44 B.C.
Died under Pompeys statue in the Theater of Pompey in Rome,
Italy on the Ides of March
A group of Roman senators led by Gaius Cassius Longinus and
Marcus Junius Brutus assassinated him.
Propelled Rome into 14 year power struggle
Gaius Octavian (Augustus), great grandnephew of Caesar,
assembled an army to fight eventually defending Cassius and
Brutus

Shakespeare'
s Julius
Caesar

Representation in the
Tragedy
Character traits the play
highlights:
Charming
Sense of invincibility
Arrogant
Shrewd
Credulous
Authoritative

Criticism of Caesars portrayal:

Not enough time on screen
causing
Audience to be apathetic
to his assassination
Audience not to take
Caesars threats seriously

We do not much admire the

representation here given of Julius
Caesar, nor do we think it answers
to the portrait given of him in his
Commentaries. He makes several
vapouring and rather pedantic
speeches, and does nothing.
~ William Hazlitt states in an 1817

Antagoni
Julius Caesar is portrayed as anst
antagonist. The negative connotation associated with
Caesars representation in Shakespeare's play expresses Shakespeare's attitude
toward dictatorship. He believes that one individual holding all the power hinders
society.

It is rumored that Shakespeare's decision to write this play was influenced by his
worry for his country. When he wrote this play, Queen Elizabeth I had been in power
for 41 years. However, her power had never been greater than when Shakespeare
wrote this play. Because she had not named an heir, many people feared a civil war
would erupt after her death. To Shakespeare such a war may have been reminiscent
of the strife caused by Caesars unexpected assassination. (Utah Shakespeare
Festival).

Julius Caesars Family

Tree
Reportedly can trace ancestry back to Aeneas (founder of the Roman
race)
Family Tree

Works Cited
"About the Play: Julius Caesar." Utah Shakespeare Festival, 2017. www.bard.org/study-guides/about-the-play. Accessed 6 January 2017.
Ecce Romani II: A Latin Reading Program. 4th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2009.
"Julius Caesar." Silicon Valley Shakespeare, 2017. www.svshakespeare.org/our-season/julius-caeasar/. Accessed 6 January 2017.
Pikington , Ace G. "The Truth about Julius Caesar." Utah Shakespeare Festival, 2017.
www.bard.org/study-guides/the-truth-about-julius-caesar. Accessed 6 January 2017.

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