This edition of one of Shakespeare's best known and most frequently performed plays argues for Julius Caesar as a new kind of political play, a radical departure from contemporary practice, combining fast action and immediacy with compelling rhetorical language, and finding a clear context for its study of tyranny in the last decade of the reign of Elizabeth 1. The richly experimental verse and the complex structure of the play are analysed in depth, and a strong case is made for this to be the first play to be performed at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.'Daniell's edition is a hefty piece of serious scholarship that makes a genuine contribution.'Eric Rasmussen, University of Nevada at Reno, Shakespeare Survey'This is a stimulating new look at a play which is too often exhibited in a critical museum.' Paul Dean, English Studies
This book features in the following series: Arden Shakespeare, The Arden Shakespeare Third .
There are 416 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 1998 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC .
David Daniell is Emeritus Professor of English at the University of London and Honorary Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. For 25 years he taught Shakespeare and much else at University College London. He has been Visiting Professor at King's College London, and Visiting Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. He has taught at Dartmouth College, and lectured widely in Europe, the US, and the UK. His publications include books on Coriolanus and The Tempest , and many articles on Shakespeare. He has written extensively on the English Bible, particularly its first translator, William Tyndale. Rene Weis is Professor of English at University College London and a distinguished editor and biographer of Shakespeare.
This book contains the following story:
Julius Caesar
Beware the ides of March' warns a soothsayer. Caesar, grown arrogant on military victory, assumes the people will acclaim his dictatorship. But the staunch republicans Brutus and Cassius conspire to assassinate him. Civil war follows, as Antony and Octavius seek revenge. The following summarises the plot.
"Julius Caesar" is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, revolving around the conspiracy and assassination of the Roman dictator Julius Caesar and its aftermath.
Act 1: The play begins in ancient Rome, where Caesar's triumphant return from a military victory sparks fear and concern among some Roman senators, who worry that his growing power will threaten the Republic's democratic traditions. Cassius, a senator, leads the conspiracy against Caesar and recruits Brutus, a close friend of Caesar's, to join their cause.
Act 2: As the plot to assassinate Caesar takes shape, Cassius manipulates Brutus by appealing to his sense of honor and duty to Rome. Brutus, torn between loyalty to his friend and his love for his country, ultimately joins the conspiracy, believing that Caesar's death is necessary to preserve the Republic.
Act 3: On the Ides of March, the conspirators surround Caesar and stab him to death in the Senate. As Caesar falls, he utters the famous line, "Et tu, Brute?" expressing his betrayal by his trusted friend Brutus. After the assassination, Mark Antony, a loyal supporter of Caesar, seeks revenge against the conspirators. He delivers a powerful and manipulative funeral oration, turning the Roman citizens against the conspirators and stirring them to rebellion.
Act 4: In the aftermath of Caesar's death, a civil war ensues between the supporters of Caesar, led by Antony and Octavius Caesar (Caesar's adopted son), and the forces of the conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius. As the war progresses, the conspirators face internal conflicts, with Cassius and Brutus arguing and falling out over strategic decisions.
Act 5: The play climaxes with the final battle at Philippi, where the forces of Antony and Octavius defeat the forces of Brutus and Cassius. Facing defeat and believing his cause is lost, Brutus takes his own life. Cassius, learning of Brutus's death, follows suit and also dies by his own hand. Octavius and Antony, now in control of Rome, honor Brutus's noble character and actions despite his role in Caesar's death. The play concludes with Antony's iconic speech, acknowledging that Brutus was "the noblest Roman of them all," and Octavius assuming control of Rome as the new ruler.
"Julius Caesar" explores themes of ambition, loyalty, honor, and the consequences of political intrigue and betrayal. It remains one of Shakespeare's most politically charged and thought-provoking plays, offering insight into the nature of power and the human condition.
This book features the following characters:
John Shakespeare
This book features the character John Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor. He wrote plays, sonnets and verse and is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English Language. Son of a glove maker, he grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon. He married Anne Hathaway and had three children, though one died very young. Shakespeare left Stratford to pursue theatre in London, where he acted at the Globe Theatre, wrote and was part owner of a playing company called 'The Lord Chamberlein's Men' (later 'The King's Men').
Shakespeare
This book features the character Shakespeare.
Mary Arden
This book features the character Mary Arden.
Julius Caesar
Born in Rome in 100 BC, Julius Caesar quickly climbed the ladder of Roman politics, making allies - and enemies - along the way. His victories in battle awarded him the support of the people, but flush with power, he named himself dictator for life. The good times, however, would not last much longer. On the Ides of March, Caesar was brutally assassinated by a group of senators determined to end his tyranny, bringing his reign to an end.
Anne Hathaway
This book features the character Anne Hathaway.
