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DRAMA
2. Julius Caesar
(William Shakespeare)
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in the village of
Suratford-on-Avon in the county of Warwickshire. When he had
attainedthe agee of 14, his father lost his property and the boy had to
leave school to support the family. In 1582, Shakespeare married
Anne Hathaway, who was eight years older than him. In 1587, he
wenttooLondon wheree he lived for about twenty five years. Although
hing definite is known about this period, Shakespeare produced
nothing
morethan35 playsand afew poemstthat made him one of the greatest
dramatists of all times. He left London in 1611 at the peak of his career
and settled down in Stratford where he breathed his last on the day of
his birth anniversary in 1616.
ABOUT THE PLAYun
Introduction:

Based on the lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, Julius Caesar is a
historical play i.e. a play in which the events and characters are
historical. The events depicted in the play actually took place between
the year 44 B.C. and 42 B.C. Scholars believe the play was written
between 1600-1601. The play is divided into fiveacts but the extracts
n the 'Literature Reader' for Class X are from Scene II of Act II and
Scenes I &II of Act IL.

Summar y:
Julius Caesar is an icon of political life of Rome. He has expandedthe
Roman
the
empire and brought booties to it. Immensely popular among
cOmmon Romans and many senate members, Caesar, however, is
held in
contempt
by many of his colleagues like Cassius, who are
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popularity. Cassius nurses a desiret

jealousof his political rise and wiping out Caesar. So he
realize his political ambition
by convinces
cause. He achieves biggest success when he
other senators about his citizen and leader of
Brutus, a very respected
also wins over Marcus
side. They hatch aconspiracy to end his life.
Rome, to his
assassination by the conspirators led by
On the eve of Caesar's
which she sees
nightmare in
Cassius, Calpurnia (Caesar's wife) has a
supernatural happenings foretelling that some harm would
several
senate.
befall Caesar. She asks him not to go to the
persuaded by Decius
Caesar nearly yields to her request, but is members were
where the
Brutus, another senator, to go to the Senate
to crowwn him as Emperor. The Senators found a verv
waiting
arrogant as he is,
appropriate opportunity to killCaesar. Proud and
haughtily rejects the petition of Metellus Cimber to revoke his
he
saying
brother's banishment. Casca is the first one to stab Caesar
in
"Speak hands for me." Other senators also dig their daggers
falls down
Caesar's body, Brutus being the last one to do so. Caesar
dead with these words on his lips "Et tu, Brute?" (You too, Brutus?)
freedom and
The conspirators begin to shout "Liberty,
enfranchisement!" claiming that their purpose in killing Caesar was
tosafeguard the rights and liberties of the Roman people.
Mark Antony, Caesar's close friend now appears on the scene. He is
shocked and shaken to see his friend and mentor's body in a pool of
blood, but very shrewdly he keeps his cool, sensing that the
conspiratorscould also kill him. He apparently befiends them but is
burning with a desire to avenge Caesar's death.
He seeks the conspirators' permission toaddress the Commoners in
Caesar's funeral at the market place. Though Cassius objects to it
Brutus allows Antony to do so but only after he himself has spoken, as
he feels sucha permission could bring them no harm.
With his unmatched oratory, Antony sways the feelings of the puble
in
the(avourofthe dead Caesar and thus turns the mob against the
bave toto
anpirators,who have flee for their lives, Mob
fury and the
mililary might of Antony and Octavious Caesar bring about the
doomofthe
conspirators.
THEME

Theplaydealss with people's shorttmemory of the service rendered by

greatheroes for their countries. All that Julius Caesar did for his
y was forgotten by the cospirators and he was punished for
his'orver-ambition!. The play highlights human weaknesses like
hungerfor power, over-ambition, jealousy and ingratitude. The play
fickle-mindedness.sand irrational approach.
alsobringssout mob's
MESSAGE

The play conveys the message that in the field of politics, worldly
wisdom, practical approach and psychological insight is a must.
Nobody should be taken on the face value.
cool
Acting impulsively can be injurious. One needs to keep one's
carefully
during crisis. Tables can be turned if the enemy is dealt with
fickle
and cleverly. The play also depicts mob's unpredictability and
mindedness. Hence, it indirectly conveysthe message that mob too
needs to be handled carefully.
TITLE
second scene itself,
Ihough Julius Caesar is assassinated in the
"Julius Caesar"
Shakespeare has chosen to title this five act play as
of this great hero. It
Decause the entire events follow the assassination
sucha lot of bloodshed
Sloavenge hisdeath that the war follows and
iscaused..Hence, the chosen title is anapt one.
CHARACTERS

Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar formidable conqueror who expanded Roman
was a
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empire; brought war booties to it, defeated|the sons of
dominated the political lifelife of Rome. However, he
had
Pompeii
and
weaknesses. Firstly he suffered from epilepsy. He was certain
superstitious,
boastful. haughty and arrogant. Flattery was yet another weaknessot
his. Immensely popular among the commoners, he was adored and
worshipped by them. Being large-hearted, he thought of conmnom
welfare. This courageousand brave gerneral had won many wars.
Though credulous by nature he dismissed Calpurnía's fears as foolish
(rejected soothsayer's warning) and showed complete disregard for
the bad omens.
Julius Caesar was very firm and rigid. Once he took a decision he
stuck to it. Having rejected Cimber's petition once, he didn't accept it
again. He felt proud of not being moved by 'couchings' and 'lowly
courtesies!. Ambitious by nature he wished to rise higher and higher.
Hence he kept on carrying out military campaigns.
Marcus Brutus
Marcus Brutus was a patriot and a much respected nobleman of
Rome. He was held in great esteem by Romans. He had genuine love
for common welfare and was the champion of the rights of the people.
Upholder of republicanism and a firm opponent of dictatorship, he
ignored his love for Caesar because of his love for liberty.
Apart from havíng these qualities, Brutus was wise, gentle and
philosophical. He had alot of self-confidence, that's why he allowed
Mark Antony to speak at Caesar's speech much against the advice of
Cassius. This mistake cost the conspirators dearly.
Caius Cassius
Apetty-minded man, Cassius was jealous of Caesar's immensely
growing popularity. Rather than trying to grow in size, he decided to
eliminate Julius Caesar. He secretly hatched a plot to assassinate him.
He misled other Senators, including Brutus into believing that it was
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interestofthe Romans to kill Caesar asit would

nthe
hsand
liberties,. safeguard their
far-sighted man, he executed what he planned very
ralisei eficiently.
thatthe conspiracy couldn't:tsucceed without Brutus' He
aid and
stoutto win him over. He disapproved ofthe
the funeral. permission grantedto
v
Antonyto give loration understood that it was wrong
as he
underestimate one's enemy. Supporter of
liberty, freedom and
npublicanism,,he had a thorough love for freedom and
equality. The
pspet of being ruled by a dictator who would be athreat to
treedom,,worriedlhim, hence he decided to get Caesar killed.
MarkAntony
Aloval and faithful friend, Antony loved Caesar and his unfailing
iendship for him was his greatest quality. Caesar's death shattered
im emotionally,but he kept his cool and decided to deal with the
conspirators and pay them in the same coin at an appropriate time.
He, therefore, didn't react impulsively. Rather he kept full control
Over his emotions.

He adopted a friendly and conciliatory manner, but he openly

erpressed his grief over Caesar's death. Very craftily, he turned the
zhles on the conspirators through his funeral speech.
masterpiece
Antony was a great orator. His speech to the mob was a
offend the
I kept praising Caesar while takingcare not to
doratory. He
Crspirators. Thus hís shrewd and calculated approach turmed the
Caesar's
2sses against the conspirators which helped him avenge