Shakespearean Background Information
When and where was Shakespeare born?
Born: Stratford-upon-Avon, England, April (23?) 1564.
What are flat characters? What are round characters?
1. Flat characters have one trait.
2. Round characters have many personality traits.
Caesar is described as the following: ambitious, superstitious, harsh, as a weakling physically, vulnerable to flattery. Be able to choose one of these characteristics and give examples to share in a short essay response.
Caesar is vulnerable to flattery.
We see this in Act Two Scene 1, lines 202-208. Decius Brutus says, "Never fear that: if he be so resolved, I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear that unicorns may be betray'd with trees, and bears with glasses, elephants with holes, lions with toils and men with flatterers; but when I tell him he hates flatterers, he says he does, being then most flattered."
What petition is presented to Caesar, and how does he respond to it?
A petition for the release of a man named Cimber. Caesar refuses to release the man. Caesar says that it is his job to stand firm. If the Caesar goes back on his decisions, then he will lose the respect and trust of his people.
Who was in the first triumvirate? How was the first triumvirate dissolved? Who was in the second triumvirate?
1. Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey
2. Crassus had died in a war in the Middle East, and Pompey had turned against Julius and had roused the Senate against him.
3. Mark Antony, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Octavian
When did he die?
Died: April 23, 1616 at 52 years old
Be able to know how to use precise language in your writing.
Never search for a synonym just to dress up an idea, and never use an unfamiliar word from the thesaurus to replace a perfectly good familiar word. Avoid jargon.
What is Brutus' participation in the plot that Cassius is planning?
Brutus is trusted by Caesar and would be allowed to get close enough to carry out the plan. Brutus doesn't like Caesar's position in Rome.
What justification for Caesar's assassination does Brutus give to the people?
Brutus tells the people that Caesar was too ambitious and would make all of them slaves under him.
What are dramatic foils?
Characters with opposite traits that highlight each other.
What was it like to perform at the Globe Theater? What kinds of costumes, props, or special effects were used? Why was it this way? How did Shakespeare improvise for this?
The Globe Theater was always full of people, but had to be small enough for the actors to be heard without microphones. There was only standing room for the majority, but some were able to sit behind the stage. There were basically no props or sets because they were not available, so Shakespeare had to rely on his writing to tell the full story.
What are some ways we can learn new vocabulary effectively?
Read a lot to see how words are naturally used, look words up in a dictionary, use new words in your daily vocabulary, learn a new word every day.
What odd things does Casca sees on his way to the meeting?
A horrible storm that he claims rains fire down from the sky, a servant with fire coming out of his left hand, a lion at the Capitol building, and an uncommon bird at the market the day before.
How does Portia die? What are Brutus' and Cassius' reactions to it?
Portia swallowed hot coals when she heard about how strong Mark Antony was becoming. Brutus was doing his best to hide his emotions, but it is clear that he was sad over the death of his wife. Cassius feels guilty over his actions.
What are characteristics of Shakespearian heroes?
Heroes: a person of high degree or public importance (often kings or military leaders), downfalls with great consequences that result from a character flaw, doesn’t usually fall alone.
Review his married life and who his children were.
William Shakespeare Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway (26) when he was 18. Together they had three children. Their first daughter, Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when he was just 11 years old.
What is blank verse?
Poetic unrhymed iambic pentameter
What reasons does Brutus give for killing Caesar?
Brutus is worried that Caesar will turn his back on Brutus along with the rest of Rome. Brutus fears that Caesar's ambition will become cruelty quickly and the only way to prevent this is to kill him.
What is the immediate cause of the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius?
Brutus believes that Cassius is corrupt and accepting bribes. He confronts Cassius about this immediately and Cassius gets very angry about the accusation.
Please review these words and know their definitions: augmented, entreated, conspiracy, resolution, exploit, imminent.
Augmented: greater in size or value
Entreated: ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something
Conspiracy: a secret plan by a group
Resolution: a firm decision
Exploit: a daring feat
Imminent: about to happen
What was life like for him as a child?
John Shakespeare married Mary Arden, and together they had eight children. William became their eldest child. John Shakespeare worked as a glove-maker, but he also became an important figure in the town of Stratford. His status meant that he was even more likely to have sent his children, including William, to the local grammar school.
What is close reading? What are techniques to help you understand a text?
Close reading helps us to study and retain information on deeper levels. Techniques to help us understand a text are finding new vocabulary, creating a visual image, and making a video recording.
Who are the characters in the play? What are they like? When and where does this play take place?
Brutus: loves Caesar as a friend, but opposes the ascension of any single man to the position of dictator, and he fears that Caesar aspires to such power.
Julius Caesar: A great Roman general and senator
Antony: A friend of Caesar - Antony claims allegiance to Brutus to save his own life.
Cassius: A talented general who dislikes the fact that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans.
Octavius: Caesar's adopted son and appointed successor.
Casca: A public figure opposed to Caesar's rise to power.
Calpurnia: Caesar's wife
Portia: Brutus' wife
Lepidus: The third member of Antony and Octavius' coalition.
Setting: The first four acts of the play are set in Rome between 44 and 42 BCE. The final act of the play is set in and around a Roman-controlled battlefield in Greece.
What is the immediate cause of Brutus' suicide? What will its effect be?
Strato holds Brutus' sword and he runs into it. Brutus knows that he has lost and wants to die honorably. The second triumvirate now has power over Rome.
What are characteristics of Shakespearian tragedies?
Tragedies: protagonist dies, emotional, exceptional calamity, hero is aware of the significance of the sin or error committed and held responsible for his mistakes, foreshadowing