Notes on Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'

Overview

• Author: William Shakespeare
• Written: 1599
• Type: Tragedy
• Historical Basis: True account of Julius Caesar's murder
• Purpose: Commentary on the political situation in England

Main Characters

• Julius Caesar: Roman leader; target of conspiracy
• Marcus Brutus: Idealistic statesman; central focus of the play
• Caius Cassius: Conspirator against Caesar
• Mark Antony: Caesar's friend; Roman general
• Portia: Brutus's wife
• Calpurnia: Caesar's wife
• Cinna: Conspirator
• Casca: Official
• Octavius: Caesar's adopted son
• Titinius: Friend of Cassius
• Pindarus: Cassius's servant

Act I: Class Conflict & Soothsayer's Warning

• Scene of Class Conflict: Plebeians vs. tribunes
  • Plebeians celebrate Caesar’s victory over Pompey’s sons
  • Tribunes criticize masses for their fickleness
• Caesar's Entry into Rome: Soothsayer warns Caesar to "beware the Ides of March"
  • Caesar dismisses the warning
  • Confides in Mark Antony
  • Caesar is suspicious of Cassius; Antony dismisses concerns

Act II: Conspiracy Formation

• Cassius's Plot: Believes Caesar is a tyrant
  • Plans conspiracy to kill Caesar
  • Recruits Brutus through forged letters from "concerned citizens"
• Brutus's Reluctance and Joining: Initially hesitant; joins conspiracy
• Dreams and Omens:
  • Calpurnia's dream of Caesar’s statue bleeding
  • Bad omen from priest's sacrificial animal
• Caesar's Dismissal of Omens: Convinced to go to Senate

Act III: Assassination and Aftermath

• Caesar's Assassination:
  • Ignors soothsayer's second warning
  • Stabbed by conspirators at Senate; Brutus last, "Et tu, Brute?"
• Public Reaction:
  • Brutus’s rational speech justifying murder
  • Antony's impassioned eulogy and reading of Caesar's will
  • Public enraged, drives conspirators out of Rome

Act IV: Civil War Preparations

• Exile and Reconciliation: Brutus and Cassius reconcile in Sardis
• Plan to Attack Philippi: Decide to confront Antony and Octavius
• Brutus's Vision: Sees Caesar's ghost, foretelling presence at Philippi

Act V: Battle of Philippi

• Battle Developments:
  • Brutus separates from Cassius
  • Cassius mistakenly believes Titinius dead; commits suicide
  • Brutus defeats; takes own life
• Antony and Octavius's Victory:
  • Victory despite differences
  • Mark Brutus as the most noble Roman

Themes

• Political Power and Corruption: Concerns over tyranny and ambition
• Loyalty and Betrayal: Friendship and political allegiance
• Fate vs. Free Will: Omens, dreams, and choices made by characters
• Public vs. Private Persona: Political speeches vs. private motives