Julius Caesar Study Notes

Julius Caesar and Queen Elizabeth I Comparison

• A worksheet is given to students to compare Julius Caesar and Queen Elizabeth I using a Venn diagram.
• Students can work individually or with a partner.
• The center of the Venn diagram represents the similarities between Caesar and Queen Elizabeth I, while the outer sections represent their differences.

Tasks and Assignments

• There are tasks on Google Classroom that students should mark as done.
• Canvas widgets are used for tasks.

Review of Julius Caesar

• A review of Julius Caesar, including characters, will be conducted.
• Julius Caesar was a Roman general.
• Julius Caesar was a violent jurist.
• Both Caesar and Queen Elizabeth I achieved many military victories.
• Both Caesar and Queen Elizabeth I were powerful leaders.

Venn Diagram Discussion

• Similarities between Caesar and Queen Elizabeth:
  • Neither had biological/legitimate children.
  • Both formed rivalries.
  • Civil wars occurred under their rule.
  • Both died in March.
  • Both were good speakers.
  • Both were able to control the lower classes.
  • Both fixed problems stirred up by close friends/enemies.
  • Both were rulers in Europe.
  • Both were relatively young when they assumed power.
• Differences specific to Queen Elizabeth I:
  • Was not raised to rule (Edward was supposed to take the throne).
  • Ruled for 44 years.
  • Was a supporter of the arts.
  • Possibly poisoned by makeup containing lead and vinegar.
  • Her father was Henry VIII who had her mother, Anne Boleyn beheaded.
  • She was a monarchy (Queen).
• Differences specific to Julius Caesar:
  • Was a Roman general.
  • Was assassinated.
  • Was married.
  • Was a dictator.
  • Worked for his power (not inherited).

Upcoming Exam

• The exam this week will cover Frankenstein, Julius Caesar, and related terms.

Scene 2 of Julius Caesar

• Scene 2 takes place in a public place where Caesar approaches a crowd.
  • The Feast of Lupercal is discussed which is a celebration of fertility and the founding of Rome.
  • The tribunes, Marielus and Flavius, discuss decorations for the Feast of Lupercal.

Lupercalia Video

• Lupercalia took place on February 15 around Palatine Hill in Rome.
• Included blood, milk, flour, salt, and wool.
• Whips were made out of goat skin. Proceedings began at the cave called the Lupercal.
  • This was where the she-wolf was said to have nourished Romulus and Remus.
• Animals were sprinkled with $mola salsa$, a mix of flour and salt made by vestal virgins.
• The animals were killed, and a knife was dipped in their blood before being passed over the foreheads of two young men.
• Goat hides were cut; some used as capes, others into whips.
• After the feast, the Luperci ran around the Palatine wearing goatskin loincloths and waving goatskin whips.
  • It was believed that if a woman was hit with one of the whips, she would become fertile, and it was also a way for people to become purified.

Character Selection for Scene 2

• Characters for Scene 2 include Caesar, Calpurnia, Antony, a Soothsayer, Brutus, and Cassius.
• The Soothsayer is like a fortune teller.

Scene 2 Dialogue

• Caesar tells Antony to touch Calpurnia during the race with the whips to shake off her sterile curse, based on the elders' belief.
• Antony affirms his loyalty and willingness to follow Caesar's orders.
• A Soothsayer warns Caesar to "Beware the ides of March" (March 15).
• Caesar dismisses the Soothsayer.

Cassius and Brutus

• Cassius confronts Brutus, noting he's been cold lately. Brutus says it's internal conflict, not Cassius.
• Cassius asks Brutus if he can see his own face/true self.
• Cassius says people respect Brutus, except Caesar, and wishes Brutus had insight. He offers to be Brutus's mirror to reveal his hidden worthiness.
• Cassius tells Brutus he's saying this because he knows Brutus for who he really is.

Caesar and the Crowd

• The crowd is riled up, and Brutus fears they've chosen Caesar for their king.
• Public vs Private self: Despite his friendship with Caesar, Brutus would do something to Caesar if it's for the good of Rome.

Cassius' Examples against Caesar

• Cassius gives examples of why Caesar shouldn't be a strong ruler:
  • Cassius had to save Caesar from the Tiber River.
  • Caesar was sick and acted like a girl, needing a drink.
• Cassius denies importance of Gods, blames themselves for being underlings, not in stars.
  • Fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are the underlings.
• Another Example: Cassius continually tries to convince Brutus about Caesar. It isn't fate.

Shout

• Brutus says he fears the people have chosen Caesar for their king.
• Cassius asks if it is feared, it needs to be quenched.
• Brutus loves Caesar but will do it if it is for the good of Rome.
• Brutus says that he would rather live in a village, rather than a son of Rome under Caesar's hard conditions.
• Cassius will return, but reminds Brutus that the games are done and Caesar is returning.

Caesar's Wariness

• Caesar is wary of Cassius. Antony claims he does not have to be.
• Brutus considers Caesar and the looks of others, and there is a consideration that something is wrong. There is some suspicion and concern.

Casca's Account

• Casca reports that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, but Caesar denied it each time, exciting the crowd. Casca saw through the act and believes Caesar wanted the crown but was playing the crowd.
• Casca is blunt, logical, straightforward, and sarcastic.
• Caesar fell down in the marketplace and foamed at the mouth and was speechless. It is very like that he hath the Falling Sickness.

Omens

• Cassius is another character who doesn't pay attention to gods/omens that are sent.

• Casca is saying that it doesn't matter what Caesar does, the people will fall for it.

• It's all Greek to me: From Cicero speaking Greek to the crowd.

• Marullus and Flavius have been put to silence for taking down Caesar's decorations, revealing the type of leader Caesar is.

• Casca's says he won't go to Cassius' supper unless he is alive, and his food is good.

Cassius' Plan

• Cassius plans to forge letters from citizens expressing disapproval of Caesar to convince Brutus.
• Cassius acknowledges Brutus is missing puzzle piece to take down Caesar.

Scene 3: The Storm

• Scene 3 is in the evening during a terrible thunderstorm.
• Casca meets with Cicero and tells Cicero about sweating of the earth.
• Casca lists all the scary and bad omens:
  • Flaming hand that remained unstorched.
  • Lion who gazed without annoying.
  • Men on fire walking in streets.
  • Bird of night in marketplace hooting and shrieking.
• Pasca believes the gods are upset.

Cassius' Disregard for Omens

• Cassius is again, showing his disregard for omens and bad things.
• The storm nor big lightning bolts scared him. To him, the Earth is full of faults.
• Pasca retorts that people are meant to fear these things.
• Cassius says that the Gods put the feelings for fear into them so the Gods should not care for the people.
• The same thing can be said of Caesar, not fit to rule. Let it be whom it is.
• He poses the question of why Caesar should be a tyrant and says it is because the Romans are sheep.
• He questions why Romans are peasants. Caesar is powerful as they allow. They gave him too much.
• Tomorrow they crown Caesar at the sea and the land and in Italy.
• Cassius tells Cicero "and now, where I will wear this dagger then."
• Also notes that every government hears those that with haste will make a mighty fire begin it when the straw.

Agreement to Kill Caesar

• Pasca has agreed to join in on the plan to kill Caesar, making the pact.
• Cassius reveals that his plan is for the Romans to undergo with him in an honorable and dangerous consequence.
• They wait in Pompey's porch.

Cinna

• Cassius also directed Cinna to take the letter, which is written by Caesar to the people, saying he does not care about Caesar.
• Also tells him to replace Bruce's stature with an other.
• Tells him after that is done, got to Pompey and wait there. Also notes that another person is going to your house.
• The others decide to sneak in Bruce's house. They know what Cassius is doing and they will do it too.
• Three parts of him is already ours. Oh, he says high and all that you be at 60 minutes, like Richards alchemy will change to virtue into worthiness.
• Let us get for it is after midnight and a day. We will wake and make sure to it.