William Shakespeares The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Act I
Slide 3
William Shakespeare s Julius Caesar The Roman Empire ca. 117
C.E. The Roman Empire (265 B.C.-167 A.D.) had expanded from the
city of Rome until it included all of the land around the
Mediterranean. The Roman Empire
Slide 4
Two tribunes, Marullus & Flavius, scold the fickle Romans
for changing their loyalty so quickly and carelessly. Last week
they cheered for Pompey, now they cheer for Caesar. Stop partying
in the streets and get back to work you fickle knaves!
Slide 5
Cobbler has two meanings: 1. One who mends shoes 2. A clumsy,
unskilled workman; a bungler, screw up, klutz, idiot (archaic
meaning) PUNS: I am/ but, as you would say, a cobbler
(1.1.10-1).
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withal = nevertheless PUNS: Truly sir, all that I live by us
with the/ awl.but withal, am indeed, a surgeon to old shoes
(1.1.24-6). awl = a pointed instrument for piercing small holes in
leather, wood, etc.
Slide 7
Caesar and his entourage walk to the stadium to watch the
Lupercalia races and festivities.
Slide 8
On the way, a Soothsayer tells Caesar to Beware the Ides of
MarchCaesar ignores this warning and calls the Soothsayer a
dreamer. Beware the Ides of March! Caesars 1 st fatal mistake
Slide 9
Cassius & Brutus stay behind to talk. Cassius asks if
Brutus is madhes not and both men admit that they are worried that
Caesar is becoming too powerful.
Slide 10
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/ Like a Colossus;
and we petty men/ Walk under his huge legs CASSIUS I.ii Cassius
says that Caesar towers over them like a Colossus.
Slide 11
After the race, Casca stops to talk with Cassius and Brutus. He
tells them what they missed.
Slide 12
Anachronism: He plucked me ope his doublet (1.2.276). A doublet
is a close-fitting jacket worn by men during the Renaissance (14 th
c. to 17 th c). Ancient Romans like Julius Caesar (who died in 44
B.C.) did not dress in doublets.
Slide 13
Casca says that Antony offered to make Caesar the king of Rome,
but...
Slide 14
Caesar refused to be crowned king ONCE
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Caesar refused to be crowned king TWICE
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Caesar refused to be crowned king THREE TIMES.
Slide 17
Casca also says that Caesar had an epileptic seizure. Despite
this apparent weakness, the Roman people still cheered for
Caesar.
Slide 18
ONE MONTH LATER... (14 & 15 March 44 B.C.)
Slide 19
On the day of March 14, there is a terrible tempest. Many
strange and portentous events are seen
Slide 20
That same night, Cassius forges 3 letters. The letters are
supposedly from the Roman people and are meant to convince Brutus
to join the conspiracy. Cassius has Cinna leave the letters in
Brutus house, on his Senate chair, and attached to his statue.
