Julius Caesar

Act I, II

Week’s Homework Assignments

Wednesday: Finish Act II Thursday: Finish Act III Friday: Finish Act IV Monday: PORTFOLIOS DUE! Grammar Quiz, Finish Act V, Prepare for Socratic Seminar on Funeral Orations Tuesday: Review for test

Let’s Recap…Iambic Pentameter

Shakespeare nearly always wrote in iambic pentameter.

So when he didn’t…it means something.

Some reasons he broke iambic pentameter… – To illustrate a lower-class dialect – To illustrate a major change in the sanity of a character (

Hamlet

) – He liked to break conventions and rhythmic variations of iambic pentameter were common.

Let’s Recap…Iambic Pentameter

Decide if each of the lines is in iambic pentameter or not.

And why should Caesar be a tyrant?

A. iambic pentameter B. NOT iambic pentameter B. 9 syllables – “…tyrant, then?” (1:3:107) It is the part of men to fear and tremble A. iambic pentameter B. NOT iambic pentameter A. 10 syllables (1:3:57)

Let’s Recap…Order of Words

Choose the BEST, most accurate rewording of the Shakespearean lines into regular English (Subject-Verb Object Order; placement of modifiers) “Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?” – A. The Capitol comes to Caesar tomorrow?

– B. Caesar, tomorrow comes the Capitol?

– C. To the Capitol tomorrow comes Caesar?

– D. Caesar comes to the Capitol tomorrow?

– D. Subject (Caesar) Verb (Comes) Object (Capitol) – (1:3:36)

Let’s Recap…

Questions about… – Monday’s worksheets – Enjambment – Iambic pentameter – Order of words (SVO vs. OSV, VSO…) – Omitted syllables – Outdated Language

Act 1, Scene 1

In Rome the people are taking a holiday to celebrate the triumphant return of Julius Caesar. The tribunes Marullus and Flavius try to shame people into returning to their places of work by reminding them how much the loved Caesar’s rival, Pompey, whom Caesar has destroyed and who sons have just been defeated by Caesar.

Act 1, Scene 2

A soothsayer advises Caesar that the fifteenth of March will be a dangerous day for him. When Caesar and others exit, Cassius and Brutus remain behind. Cassius urges Brutus to oppose Caesar for fear that Caesar may become king. After Brutus and Cassius talk with Casca about Mark Antony’s public offer of the crown to Caesar, Brutus agrees to continue his conversation with Cassius the next day. Cassius, alone at the end of the scene, expresses his surprise that Brutus, who is one of Caesar’s favorites, is willing to conspire against Caesar and decides to take immediate advantage of this willingness.

Act 1, Scene 3

Casca, meeting Cicero, describes the marvels visible in the streets that night and suggests that the marvels foretell important events to come. Cicero having left, Cassius arrives to persuade Casca to join the conspiracy to liberate Rome from the threat of Caesar’s kingship. When Cinna joins them, Cassius sends him to leave letters where Brutus may find them and be persuaded that his opposition to Caesar is desired by many.

Cassius’ Speech to Brutus

Let’s talk for a bit about Cassius’ speech. These questions need to be discussed, but they don’t limit the discussion. What are Cassius’ main arguments?

What logical and emotional appeal is there?

(

Identify techniques

and

cite specific examples

) Why did Cassius use logical and emotional appeal? Does he use any ethical appeal? Why/Why not?

How does Brutus respond to Cassius’ speech? Do you think it was appropriate or outrageous?

Cassius’ Speech to Brutus

Which line would you say best states Cassius’ thesis? Why? Why not another line?

Where are Cassius’ concessions and refutations? What are they? Why are they placed where they are and not somewhere else?

What allusions do you see?

What comparisons have you found?

Anything else before we move on to Act II?

Act 2, Scene 1

I’ll start off Act 2, Scene 1 (~1-60). Then, the class will read…popcorn style. (Caveat: Cannot stop mid speech – only between characters) We’re going to look closer at Brutus’ speech tomorrow. (“It must be by his death…”) – “What two things does Brutus compare Caesar to when consider his character?

– In your opinion, which one do Caesar’s actions so far in the play most closely resemble? (Cite specific actions/lines).

– Assess Brutus’ logic. Does he reach a rational decision? If so, how/why? If not, what errors in logic does he commit?

Need Some Reading Guidance?

Think about the main character’s “voice”. It’ll help you identify quotes easier on the test.

If it sounds familiar, it’s probably a famous line. Take note of who speaks it.

Think about all the arguments you read in

Julius Caesar

. We don’t have time to discuss them all, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important.

Homework

Finish Act II Tomorrow: We will debrief Act II and discuss Brutus’ speech.

We will also start Act III – Act III has Caesar’s death and funeral orations for Caesar from Brutus and Antony – if anyone wants to act them out the next day (with the book in hand!), go ahead and review those speeches. We will discuss them further on Friday when we review Act III.