Humanities 3 IV. Skepticism and Self-Knowledge

Transcription

1 Humanities 3 IV. Skepticism and Self-Knowledge

2 Lecture 15 The Noblest Roman

3 Outline Historical Background to Julius Caesar What s at Issue in the Play The Drama Friday movie pick: Elizabeth (1989), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), both starring Cate Blanchett

4 Julius Caesar The production of Julius Caesar occurs at a moment in English history when people are growing anxious about Elizabeth s reign. The play dramatizes topical questions: What allegiance is owed to a ruler? How far must a ruler go before that allegiance is broken? How are honor and loyalty to be balanced? S. is able to address these questions through Julius Caesar because he is not a lawful king; he has usurped power. The question of what is permissible in defense of the republic does not arise in England.

5 History of the Roman Republic Founded in 509 BC, after defeat of last king Republic governed by two consuls, elected annually, and the senate Power divided between the patricians (ancient noble families) and the plebeians (including property owners who lack noble status) Throughout the history of the republic conflict between the classes is a constant Crucial is the power of the army and the generals who command it; for this reason, the army is not allowed within the borders of the republic

6 First Triumvirate 59 BC Three generals, Caesar, Pompey and Crassus make private agreement to share the consulship 53 BC Crassus killed in battle 51 BC Caesar conquers Gaul and publishes The Gallic Wars 49 BC Pompey granted dictatorial powers (supported by Optimates = Patricians); Caesar crosses the Rubicon and marches on Rome; Pompey flees with Optimates to Egypt 48 BC Caesar arrives in Egypt: Pompey killed; affair with Cleopatra

7 Roman provinces in 44 BC

8 Background to Julius Caesar 44 BC (actually October 45): Julius Caesar returns to Rome after quelling a revolt led by the sons of his former rival Pompey He is hailed by some, but other resent the celebration because triumphs are reserved for victories over foreign enemies February 44: C. named perpetual dictator ; offered crown by M. Antony, but C. refuses March 15 (the Ides of March): Caesar assassinated by conspirators

9 Issues in Julius Caesar Caesar has amassed too much personal power and has taken on the trappings of a king; some want to make him king Other Romans cling to the ideal of the republic, and see only one way to preserve it: kill Caesar The drama of the play centers on the psychology of Brutus, a noble of unimpeachable character Brutus choice can be seen as a judgment on the legitimacy of the act, yet it is an act that will destroy him. That is the essence of the play as a tragedy

10 What are we meant to see? The corruptibility of rulers The different motives of the main characters (esp. Cassius and Brutus) The fickleness of the people The fragility of political order

11 Caesar above himself Flavius: These growing feathers pluck d from Caesar s wing / Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, / Who else would soar above the view of men / And keep us all in servile fearfulness. (1.1) Cassius: Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world / Like a Colossus, and we petty men / Walk under his huge legs and peep about / To find ourselves dishonourable graves (1.2)

12 Cassius Acts from envy (see Caesar at I.2.192) Believes he can manipulate Brutus: Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet I see Thy honorable mettle may be wrought From that it is disposed; therefore it is meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm that cannot be seduced? (I.2.308)

13 Brutus Agonizes about the deed: Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion, all the interim is Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream. The genius and the moral instruments Are then in council, and the state of a man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection. (II.1.62)

14 The Deed and it Aftermath The responses of Cassius and Brutus (III.1.75) Speeches of Brutus and Mark Antony (III.2) Battle of Phillipi and final judgment on Brutus (V.5)