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NutsyClassic FilmsPresents:

Bewarethe Idesof March

AN INTRODUCTION TO:William ShakespearesJULIUSCAESAR

Shakespeares CaesarThe Tragedy of Julius Caesar, also known simply asJulius Caesar, is atragedybyWilliam Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1599.It portrays the 44 BCconspiracyagainst theRoman dictatorJulius Caesar, his assassination and the defeat of the conspirators at theBattle of Philippi. It is one of several Roman plays that Shakespeare wrote, based on true events fromRoman history, which also includeCoriolanusandAntony and Cleopatra.

Date & TextJulius Caesarwas originally published in theFirst Folioof 1623, but a performance was mentioned in September 1599 which is when scholars date the play as being written. The text ofJulius Caesarin theFirst Foliois the onlyauthoritativetext for the play. The source used by Shakespeare was Sir Thomas North's translation ofPlutarch'sLife of BrutusandLife of Caesar

Main CharactersJulius CaesarCalpurnia: Wife of CaesarOctavius,Mark Antony,Lepidus: Triumvirs after the death of Julius CaesarCicero, Publius, Popilius Lena: SenatorsBrutus,Cassius,Casca,Trebonius,Ligarius,Decius Brutus,Metellus Cimber,Cinna: Conspirators against Julius Caesar

Portia: Wife of BrutusFlaviusandMarullus:TribunesArtemidorus: aSophistofCnidosASoothsayerCinna: A poet, who is not related to the conspiracy

Julius CaesarAlthough the title of the play isJulius Caesar,Caesaris not the most visible character in its action; he appears in only three scenes, and is killed at the beginning of the third act.Marcus Brutusspeaks more than four times as many lines, and the central psychological drama is his struggle between the conflicting demands ofhonour, patriotism, andfriendship.

The StoryJulius Caesar begins with Caesar returning home triumphant from a victorious battle.He is cheered by the crowds, until a mysterious old man tells him to Beware the Ides of March (March 15th).Meanwhile, the others in the senate fear Caesars increasing popularity, and believe he may try use his power to become a tyrannical emperor.

The Plot Against CaesarCassius plants false letters in Caesars apartment, which Brutus finds, to suggest that Caesar is seeking more power.Cassius arrives at Brutuss home with his conspirators, and Brutus, who has already been won over by the letters, takes control of the meeting. The men agree to lure Caesar from his house and kill him. Cassius wants to kill Antony too, for Antony will surely try to hinder their plans, but Brutus disagrees, believing that too many deaths will render their plot too bloody and dishonor them.

Visions & MurderCaesar prepares to go to the Senate. His wife, Calpurnia, begs him not to go, describing recent nightmares she has had in which a statue of Caesar streamed with blood and smiling men bathed their hands in the blood.At the Senate, the conspirators speak to Caesar, encircling him. One by one, they stab him to death. When Caesar sees his dear friend Brutus among his murderers, he gives up his struggle and dies.The murderers bathe their hands and swords in Caesars blood, thus bringing Calpurnias premonition to fruition.

ConsequencesThe murder sets in motion an unstoppable chain of events, pitting Brutus against his former friend, Mark Antony, and leading the Roman Empire into Civil War with itself.Antony sways an angry Roman crowd with a passionate speech, turning them against Caesars assassins.Later, in a second supernatural event, Caesar's ghost appears to Brutus the night before a deciding battle with a warning of defeat.

QuotesYou blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!(1.1.39)The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings. (1.2.135)Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;(1.3.93)Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds. (2.1.173)

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol. (2.2.22)Cowards die many times before their deaths;The valiant never taste of death but once.(2.2.34)Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar! (3.1.77)Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;I come to bury Csar, not to praise him.The evil that men do lives after them;The good is oft interred with their bones. (3.2.79)

More QuotesI had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,Than such a Roman. (4.3.27)A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. (4.3.86)There is a tide in the affairs of menWhich taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries. (4.3.218)I had rather haveSuch men my friends than enemies. (5.4.28)Cry, 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war. (3.1.268)Passion, I see, is catching. (3.1.283)As he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. (3.2.27)This was the most unkindest cut of all;For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,Quite vanquished him: then burst his mighty heart;(3.2.189

Caesar on FilmJulius Caesar(1950), starringCharlton Hestonas Antony andHarold Taskeras Caesar.Julius Caesar(1953), starringJames Masonas Brutus,Marlon Brandoas Antony andLouis Calhernas Caesar.Julius Caesar(1970), starringJason Robards Jr.as Brutus,Charlton Hestonas Antony andJohn Gielgudas Caesar.

Caesar as EntertainmentDespite being a depiction of an actual historical event, Shakespeare was not interested in teaching a history lesson to his audiences, instead he created a heightened drama to paint characters who were richly human, and conflicted.Human qualities such as honor, friendship, loyalty, deceit, and revenge are feelings we still experience, and still speak to audiences today.

THE ENDA Nutsy the Squirrel ProductionCopyright 2012 Oak Hills Media CenterAll Rights Reserved.

Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar_(play)http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/summary.htmlhttp://www.shakespeare-online.com/quotes/juliusquotes.html

MUSICInto the Abyss Soliloquy Midnight Syndicate; Out Of The Darkness: Retrospective 1994-1999, 2006.

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