JULIUS CAESAR REVISION: LESSON 1. Revision of Themes

Transcription

1 JULIUS CAESAR REVISION: LESSON 1 Revision of Themes

2 Main ideas / issues that the play raises and explores WHAT ARE THEMES? Messages that the play conveys

3 WHAT is conveyed? THINKING ABOUT THEMES. WHY is it conveyed? HOW is it conveyed?

4 THEMES IN JULIUS CAESAR CATEGORIZING SUB THEMES INTO THREE MAIN THEMES Main Themes Politics and Power Corruption of power Sub-Themes Types of politics (Dirty, Real, Idealism, Realism) Public vs. Private Caesarism The Mob

5 THEMES IN JULIUS CAESAR CATEGORIZING SUB THEMES INTO THREE MAIN THEMES Let s elaborate on this! Main Themes Principles and Philosophy Friendship Superstition Omens Epicurus Stoic Fate Loyalty Betrayal Sub-Themes

6 PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY What are principles and philosophy? To put it simply, the Ideas and thoughts that guide our actions and behaviour. So, what are some principles and philosophy that we do see in Julius Caesar?

7 PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY (WATERED DOWN MEANING) Superstition the belief in supernatural causality For every other sub themes, do briefly note what it means before you begin to analyse them. Omens a phenomenon believed to foretell the future Epicurus not believing in superstition Stoic(ism) to be devoid of emotions in the face of adversity Fate a higher power that defines the course of events suggests inevitability Freewill having the ability to choose different course of action

8 REVISION OF THEMES THROUGH QUOTES: [P. 7-8]

9 REVISION OF THEMES THROUGH QUOTES: [P. 7-8] 1. Looking at the Quotes on p. 8, match the quotes to the themes specified in the table below. 2. Explain how the quote is relevant to the specified theme.

10 REVISION OF THEMES THROUGH QUOTES: [P. 7-8] Main Themes Principles and Philosophy Sub-Themes Why, farewell Portia. We must die, Messala. This was said by Brutus upon finding out about Portia s death. He responds to Portia s death with stoic fortitude which follows closely the philosophy of stoicism. Here, we learn that Brutus navigates himself through adversities in a stoic manner, emphasizing his calm, brooding demeanour as portrayed in the course of the play. Following such a philosophy as well, Brutus s actions are guided by his principles rather than his emotions. This can also be seen in why he decides to assassinate Caesar and fight the war against Octavius and Antony. Hence, Brutus remains an honourable character through out the play as he makes his decisions only with much contemplation.

11 ATTEMPT THE EXERCISE ON YOUR OWN 1. Match all the quotes first 2. Complete at least 1 elaboration for each main theme (Elaborate on one quote per theme)

12 JULIUS CAESAR REVISION: LESSON 2 Essay Writing

13 WRITING AN ESSAY [TOGETHER!] Why is the play entitled The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and not The Tragedy of Marcus Brutus? Break down the question highlight key words! (words that will help you answer the question)

14 WRITING AN ESSAY [TOGETHER!] Why is the play entitled The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and not The Tragedy of Marcus Brutus? What is the question asking?

15 INTRODUCTION Let us think of some Why did Shakespeare titled his play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and not The Tragedy of Marcus Brutus? Brutus appears throughout the play, and with his death, the points to answer play ends. Julius Caesar appears in the play in the first three acts and even then, appeared sporadically and had few lines. Much of what learn about Caesar comes from the perspectives of other characters and the Roman crowd. In Act 3, Caesar is assassinated and the next time he appears, he appears as a ghost, an Question apparition. Yet, despite his minimal physical based presence in the play, the on character the Julius Caesar is most certainly deserving of his title, both a Roman leader and as Shakespeare s renowned play. This essay will explore the reasons why Shakespeare was right in naming his play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. introduction. What can we expect from this essay? (what is the argument?) Reasons that support the title of the play the play deserves to be named after Julius Caesar

16 POINT 1: THE PRESENCE OF CAESAR TRIGGERS AND PROPELS THE PLOT. The cause and effect of Caesar s assassination essentially drives the play. Caesar is established as one of the leaders of Rome but alone, holds immense power and influence over the Roman people. His magnanimous presence results in the envy of other politicians like Marullus, Flavius and Cassius. Coupled with his arrogance and hubris, Caesar becomes the subject of an assassination. Through the planning of Caesar s assassination, Shakespeare reveals to us the nature of politics, the truth about the human psyche (what influences our actions, thoughts and behaviour) and the sincerity of friendships.

17 POINT 1: THE PRESENCE OF CAESAR TRIGGERS AND PROPELS THE PLOT. With the assassination of Caesar, we see a turbulent and troubled Rome, riled in civil war due to a fight for power. In the chaos that follow Caesar s death, key characters like Cassius and Brutus are plagued by internal and external conflict. Their ongoing conflicts only questions the validity of Caesar s assassination. Throughout the play, characters experience certain omens that forebode their impending doom. These omens and signs suggest that the heavens / the fates are on Caesar s side as they hint at the imminent end. As Caesar was a man who held strongly to his superstition, these ongoing signs only remind us of Caesar s presence. As such, it is valid for the play to be titled The Tragedy of Julius Caesar as it was Caesar who serves as the basis of all the actions in the play. His power and magnanimity could have resulted in a more positive impact if not for his tragic flaw.

18 POINT 2: CAESARISM THE SPIRIT OF CAESAR PREVAILS THROUGHOUT THE PLAY Despite the death of Julius Caesar in Act 3, Caesar is still able to exert his presence through Octavius, Cassius and Brutus s last words and the return of Caesars ghost. This highlights the cult of personality of great men. Despite their leave, somehow, they are still present in different forms and never actually leave. Octavius mentions before the Battle of Philippi to Brutus and Cassius that Caesar will only be avenged till another Caesar / Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors [ ]. While he is referring to himself as a Caesar, being Caesar s nephew, it could also suggest that only another individual like Caesar could avenge Caesar s death. This highlights the notion of Caesarism where personalities like Caesar will always exist and will always be needed.

19 POINT 2: CAESARISM THE SPIRIT OF CAESAR PREVAILS THROUGHOUT THE PLAY Caesar, thou art revenged [5.3.45] were Cassius s last words. Brutus, before he dies requests for Caesar to now be still [5.5.50]. These last words from the conspirators highlights the presence Caesar s spirit throughout the play. It also supports the idea that Caesar is indeed the main trigger for all their actions and decisions that eventually led to the Battle of Philippi. We also do see Caesar s ghost appearing to Brutus as a dramatic technique to remind him that the spirit of Caesar can never be eradicated The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me / Two several times by night [ ]. As such, the title of the play is a valid one as despite Caesar s death in Act 3, his presence is felt throughout the play until the very end of the play.

20 POINT 3: NOT MERELY ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL BUT ABOUT THE STRUGGLE AGAINST POSSIBLE TYRANNY/ DICTATORSHIP ROMANS VS. THE THREAT OF TYRANNY (CAESAR) We can also look at the play as not merely about the leader, Julius Caesar but about the struggle against Tyranny. Caesar would then be a symbolic representation of Tyranny and the civil war as a fight against that tyranny. As Cicero mentions to Cassius, So every bondmen in his own hand bears / The power to cancel his captivity [ ]. Caesar was seen as an oppressor, someone the Romans need to free themselves from. As Cassius mentions in Act 5, I am compelled to set one / Upon one battle all our liberties [ ]. Brutus mentions, this same day / Must end the work that the ides of March begun [ ]. As such, there are repeated ideas of liberty and freedom that the Romans desire, and what they believe they are fighting for. Hence, we can see the play Julius Caesar as a battle against tyranny rather than about an individual. It is only valid for such a play to be named after a great Roman leader who did indeed strove to dictate the Roman people. It portrays the struggle against tyranny to be realistic and engaging. We can also look at the play as not merely about the leader, Julius Caesar but about the struggle against Tyranny. Caesar would then be a symbolic representation of Tyranny and the civil war as a fight against that tyranny.

21 POINT 4: COUNTER BRUTUS STILL LEADS THE ASSASSINATION AND IT IS ONLY WITH HIS DEATH THAT THE PLAY ENDS While Brutus may have spanned the entire play, his presence only creates confusion. He remains contradictory with his words and actions, makes tactical errors and is idealistic to the point of being gullible. Brutus gave the word too early [5.3.5]. If anything, Brutus has only proven that he is a fallible individual, an underling who perhaps should have just followed his stars. As such, it is still valid that the play is titled after Julius Caesar as the reason why Brutus decided to be a supposed master of his own fate was to get rid of Caesar. Yet, he has only proven that he remains an underling, one not worthy of a title despite his so called honourable death Note: Do think of a different stand with regards to Brutus s death. This is only one interpretation,

22 CONCLUSION To conclude, it is only valid for Shakespeare to name his play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar instead of The Tragedy of Marcus Brutus. While Brutus spans the entire play until the very end, it is still Caesar who serves as the impetus to all actions that propel the plot in the play. Caesar s supposed absence after his assassination only magnifies his presence and power as a leader. Brutus, on the other hand, remains an underling who is defeated at the end.

23 FIN.