Pictured: Anna McGahan & Steven Rooke
Image by Justine Walpole
Julius Caesar is considered one of the world’s greatest tragedies, and you will realize that it is very moving, partly because of its comparisons to our world today. (For instance, note the differences in the peaceful transition of power in United States elections compared to the assassination of Caesar and the resulting riots and wars.)
One of the most important themes is the question of what qualities make up a good leader. The play explores this question at length in its detailed examination of Caesar and Brutus as leaders. Your awareness of the constant scrutiny to which today’s leaders are subjected makes the play’s examination of leadership timely. You may be quite opinionated about who is and is not a good leader. By comparing and contrasting the leadership qualities held by Caesar and Brutus, as well as many of the other characters, you can hopefully become more aware of the careful thought that is necessary to choose a good leader.
Another important and relevant issue is peer pressure. Nothing or no one has more influence on adolescents than their friends. The issue of friendship and the importance people place on it is another issue explored in the play. You may have strong opinions about the differing philosophies of friendship followed by Brutus and Antony. You can have lively discussions over the question of who is the better friend.
Animated intro
Text of play
La Boite
Director David Berthold
Designer Greg Clarke
Lighting Designer Jason Glenwright
Music & Sound Designer Steve Toulmin
Fight Director Nigel Poulton
with Ross Balbuziente, Paul Bishop, Thomas Larkin, Anna McGahan,
Hugh Parker, Steven Rooke, Emily Tomlins & Steve Toulmin
Historical information:
Wikipedia
Biography from BBC
Gaius Julius Caesar
Caesar Quotes:
I came, I saw, I conquered.
I had rather be first in a village than second at Rome.
I love the name of honour, more than I fear death.
If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.
It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.
Movie videos:
YouTube videos
Julius Caesar
Marlon Brandon - Mark Anthony speech
Links to learn more:
Study Guide
Julius Caesar Tragedy Wikipedia
Character introduction
Julius Caesar Historical
Julius Caesar Facts
There is a Julius Caesar app
Caesar Powerpoint
Caesar Guide
Extract: Synopsis -
Julius Caesar, returning victorious to Rome from foreign wars, is escorted to the Capitol by enthusiastic citizens for a public celebration. On the way, he is warned by a soothsayer to “beware the Ides of March.” At the celebration, the citizens, through Mark Antony, offer Caesar the crown. Three times he refuses. However, a group of conspirators, headed by Cassius, is disturbed by the power Caesar has gained and the idea that he might seize total power. To help their cause, the attempt to persuade Brutus, a good friend of Caesar and a man well-known for his honesty, that the welfare of Rome demands Caesar’s death.
That night, a tormented Brutus debates with himself whether to join the conspiracy. His fear that Rome may lose its freedom wins out over his admiration for Caesar, and at last he agrees to join with Cassius and the other to assassinate Caesar the next day.
The next morning is March 15, the Ides of March, and Calphurnia, Caesar’s wife, complains that she has had frightful dreams and has heard of evil omens. She urges her husband to avoid danger and stay home from the senate that day. After arguing that he will appear frightened or ignoble by staying home, Caesar finally gives into his wife and consents to staying with her. The conspirators, however, come to his house, acting as friends and supporters, and succeed in inducing him to accompany them, instead, to the capitol. In the capitol, at the foot of the statue of Caesar’s old enemy, Pompey, the conspirators surround Caesar on the pretext of discussing business with him—and each, in turn, stabs him. Seeing Brutus’s thrust, Caesar exclaims “et tu, Brute” (you too, Brutus) and dies. Mark Antony, Caesar’s friend, confronts the conspirators; and they seem to convince him that their actions were right, and they agree that Antony may speak at the funeral, as long as he does not condemn the conspirators. Brutus speaks first at the funeral and says that love of Rome alone made the murder necessary, a sentiment which is hailed with enthusiasm by the populace. Antony follows, praising Caesar, while calling Brutus and the conspirators “honorable men.” He so cleverly twists the argument, without blaming the conspirators, that the crowd, a moment before cheering Brutus, turns in anger against the conspirators, who are forced to flee from the city. Indeed things become so chaotic that a poet named Cinna, who had nothing to do with Caesar’s death, is killed by the mob just because his name is the same as one of the conspirators.
In Rome, the ruling triumvirate of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus formed after Caesar’s death plot revenge and organize a military force to fight the armies of Brutus and Cassius. The opposing armies gather on the battlefield of Phillipi.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Cassius and Brutus has deteriorated into an open quarrel. After the argument is settled, Brutus confides to Cassius that his wife, Portia, has committed suicide. Later that night, unable to sleep, Brutus is stunned to see Caesar’s ghost, who warns that he will meet him again at the battlefield of Philippi.
That morning the armies meet and the forces of the triumvirate are victorious. Unwilling to endure defeat and dishonor, both Cassius and Brutus kill themselves. Antony vows to give Brutus the funeral of a noble Roman and calls him “the noblest Roman of them all,” since he was the only conspirator whose motive was not envy of the powerful Caesar.
