A powerpoint that will give valuable background on the play.

1. Julius Caesar

2. Elements of Fiction/Shakespearean Tragedy Act V This act includes a catastrophe, which is another climactic turning point in the story line. Denouement: Main conflicts are resolved Act IV Falling Action: Conflict resolution begins to fall into place Result of the climax Act III In a tragedy, things usually go from bad to worse in Act III Climax: Turning Point Act II Rising Action: Introduction of Conflicts Act I Exposition: Characters & Setting

5. Cassius · Envious: Cassius has contempt for Caesar and envies Caesar's position · Fearful: Cassius is afraid that Caesar has ambitions to be king. He fears what might become of Rome in such an instance. · Politically Astute: He advises Brutus to assassinate Antony along with Caesar. Understanding what can happen, he advises Brutus not to allow Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral. · Corrupt: Prior to the battle at Philippi, he is accused by Brutus of taking bribes · Military Strategist: His battle plan for Philippi is well thought out and based on sound military principles

7. THEMES Major Theme The major theme of Julius Caesar is that misused power is a corruptive force. This is seen in the fact that Caesar is a dictator suspected of being tyrannous, that Cassius is so power hungry that he assassinates Caesar, hoping to become more powerful himself, and that Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus become a dictatorial and tyrannical Triumvirate, worse than Caesar ever hinted at being.

10. MOOD The mood of Julius Caesar is one of impending doom and catastrophe. From the beginning, danger lurks in every corner. Friends can no longer be trusted, as they turn to manipulation and conspiracy and plot their next moves. Images of violence, blood, and death dominate the visual texture of the play. The weighty political intrigue is always present throughout the drama. The latter half of the play even assumes an eerie mood with the appearance of Caesar's ghost, returning to seek revenge. The closing phase of the play is dominated by the sinister image of the sword.

15. Today’s Globe Theater The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599, where Shakespeare worked and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. The theatre season runs from May to September with productions of the work of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and modern authors. Each year the Globe Theatre Company rediscovers the dynamic relationship between the audience and the actor in this unique building. The Globe also welcomes international theatre companies to share the impact Shakespeare’s plays have had worldwide. Today, audiences of this ‘wooden O’ sit in a gallery or stand informally as a groundling in the yard, just as they would have done 400 years ago.