INTRODUCTION

LIFE OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616)

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in

the county of Warwickshire. He was the third child and first
son and was christened on 26th April 1564 in the parish
church. His father, John Shakespeare, was a prosperous
businessman. William received his education at a good
grammar school. However, due to his father's failure to do
business, he could not attend university.

At eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, and they had three

children. he was believed to have been in London around
1592. He became an important member of a theatre
company called the 'Lord Chamberlain's Men', which was
later renamed the 'King's Men'. From 1599, this group
occupied the Globe Theatre and later in 1608 took over the
Blackfriars monastery.

Shakespeare gained considerable fame in 1594 with the

publication of his works, "Venus and Adonis" and "The
Rape of Lucrece". The deaths of celebrated writers Lloyd,
Greene, and Marlowe brought about a change in the
attitude of the noblemen of the time towards theatre.
Theatres, previously considered low-class entertainment,
began to be attended by the nobility, leading to an
improvement in the quality of plays.
In 1597, Shakespeare purchased 'New Place', an
outstanding residential property. His two daughters,
Susanna and Judith, were married in 1607 and 1616
respectively. After acquiring a

A significant amount of property in Stratford, he retired to

his house in New Place. His career as a dramatist came to
an end, and his last play, "The Tempest", was written
around 1611.

Shakespeare passed away on 23rd April 1616 and was

buried in the same church where he was christened. His
plays have gained worldwide renown, and his body lies
before the altar of Stratford Church with a rather wry
inscription on his tombstone:

"Good friend for Jesus' sake forbear

To dig the dust enclosed here;
Blest be the man who spares these stones
And curst be he that moves my bones."
 PLOT OF JULIUS CAESAR

Julius Caesar is one of the great tragedies of Shakespeare.

It depicts an important catastrophic event in Roman
history-the murder of Julius Caesar-and its terrible
consequences. The play is conveniently divided into five
Acts.

● Act I
Excitement is heightened during the feast of the Lupercalia
in Rome by the imminent prospect of Julius Caesar being
crowned the king. The play opens with the workmen of
Rome celebrating the victory of Caesar over the sons of
Pompey. They decorated the statues of Caesar to welcome
him, who was now returning to Rome after his victory.
However, two of the Tribunes scold them for absenting
themselves from work. The tribunes are jealous of the
growing power and popularity of Caesar. This leads to
conspiracy among some of the senators who fear Caesar's
ambition; and Cassius, the most active of the intriguers,
plots with Casca, Cinna and others to win the revered
Marcus Brutus to their cause.
 ● Act II
In a fearful storm, which seems to bring portents of disaster,
Cassius and his followers come to Brutus' house and
induce Brutus, who "sits high in all the people's hearts," to
join them in slaying Caesar at the Capitol, where the
senators are expected to name him King. Forebodings are
felt by Portia, the wife of Brutus, and by Calpurnia, Caesar's
wife. The latter, filled with apprehension, begs Caesar not to
leave his house that day; and his priests, too, advise him of
dark portents. However, the conspirator, Decius Brutus,
gives a favourable interpretation of such dreams and
portents, and Caesar goes forth to the Capitol.

● Act III
Caesar goes to the Capitol without caring for the entreaties
of Calpurnia, who has had premonitions of the murder that
night. He also does not heed the forecast of a soothsayer
who told him to beware of "the ides of March." Caesar is so
proud and self-confident that he does not read the letter
given to him by one Artemidorus in which he has warned
him of the imminent attempt at his life. So, Caesar is
murdered in the Capitol according to the plan. However, the
murder has terrible consequences. Brutus explains to the
crowd why Caesar was murdered.
Before departing, Brutus asks the crowd to listen to
Antony's speech. Thereupon, the eloquent Mark Antony,
displaying "sweet Caesar's wounds," stirs the mob to such
a mutiny that the conspirators are forced to flee from Rome.
Antony himself goes to join Octavius Caesar and Lepidus to
make plans for the final overthrow of Brutus and Cassius.
 ● Act IV
Antony and Octavius combine forces and set out in pursuit
of the conspirators now encamped near Sardis. Brutus
learns that the grieving Portia has taken her life, and he is
annoyed with Cassius who has refused to supply funds for
their troops. The two leaders are reconciled, but they
disagree again over tactics for the forthcoming battle. That
night, the ghost of Caesar appears before Brutus and warns
him that they will see each other again at Philippi.

● Act V
The armies fight on the plains of Philippi, and Brutus scores
an initial success. On ci another part of the field, however,
Cassius is hard-pressed. He mistakenly believes that
Brutus, too, has been defeated, and orders his servant to
kill him. Brutus fr fights on but is finally defeated and is left
with a few "poor remains of friends." He persuades one of
these to hold his sword while he runs upon it and dies with
the exclamation, "Caesar, now be still!" The victorious
Antony, accompanied by Octavius, comes upon Brutus'
body and declares "This was the noblest Roman of them
all."
The play ends with the message that Caesar's death was
more powerful than Caesar's life. Before the murder,
Caesar ruled Rome and after his murder, it was his spirit
that was all-powerful and drove the conspirators to their
doom.
 CHARACTERISATION

1. JULIUS CAESAR

His Weakness: In the play, Caesar makes only three brief

appearances and he is killed in the middle of the play. On a
few occasions when he does appear, he is shown in an
unfavourable light. According to Casca, when Caesar was
offered the crown, he could not endure the foul breath of the
applauding crowd and fell in the marketplace and foamed at
the mouth. Nor is this falling sickness his only infirmity. He
had never, even in his best days, the physical endurance of
Cassius, as the anecdote of the swimming match in the
Tiber proves. He is also deaf in one ear-a serious handicap
for a leader of men.

Superstitious: At the Lupercal, he enjoins Calpurnia to

"stand directly in Antonius' way" and he impresses on
Antony the observance of the customary ritual. Though he
tries not to show it, he is impressed by his wife's cries in her
dream. Alarmed by her evil dreams, he sends a man to
consult the priests and to have recourse to sacrifice. He
yields to Calpurnia's entreaties and decides for a moment
not to go to the Senate.

Pride: Caesar is proud and he believes in his irresolute

behaviour. He frequently refers to himself in the third person
and ignores the warnings of his well-wishers, like Calpurnia,
Artemidorus and the soothsayer. He says that he is not
afraid of any danger and the danger is afraid of him. In the
Senate-house when Metellus Cimber submits a petition to
him, he rejects the petition and arrogantly speaks to
Metellus Cimber, calling him a cur'. Indeed, Caesar's
arrogance shows him in a very bad light.

Inconsistent: Caesar puts up a courageous front, but is

afraid of the senators; he hesitates to accept the crown, but
would gladly have it. To Artemidorus, who intercepts him on
his way to the senate house and entreats him to read first a
scroll that touches him nearly, he grandly replies: "What
touches us ourselves shall be last served." To Metellus
Cimber, who petitions on his knees that his banished
brother may be recalled, he yet more grandly answers:
"Caesar did never wrong but with just cause."

His Greatness: Caesar's greatness is reflected throughout

the play by phrases mentioned by both his followers and
enemies like, "Caesar has got the start of the majestic
world"; "he bestrides it like a Colossus." His fall is heralded
by a "strange impatience of the heavens" and by portentous
things that shake the minds of the stoutest of the Romans.
Cassius, meeting Casca in the storm, speaks of Caesar as
a man 'most like this dreadful night, prodigious grown and
fearful'. When Caesar is about to die "all the sway of earth
shakes like a thing unfirm."

Conclusion: For dramatic reasons, Caesar's faults have

been emphasised and his virtues have been mentioned
only casually; yet his greatness, power, and influence are
felt throughout the play. The conspiracy against him
occupies the first part of the play, his assassination comes
in the middle of the play, and the latter half of the play
shows the influence that Caesar's spirit exercises over the
Roman world.
 2. MARCUS BRUTUS

An Honourable Man: Brutus is referred to as 'honourable'.

Brutus is a stoic, that is to say, one who has cultivated the
virtue of absolute detachment and who does his duty
without caring for its rewards. He is devoted to the welfare
of his country, no matter at what cost. No one can doubt
that he joins the conspiracy through devotion to his
republican principles which are jeopardised by Caesar's
existence.

His Essential Humanity: Brutus is kind and loving towards

Lucius, his servant boy. It is towards his wife that Brutus
shows the full wealth of his affectionate nature: he is
anxious to keep his worries away from her. He shares with
her that his innermost thoughts relationship is very different
from those between Caesar and Calpurnia.

Biased Thinking: Brutus strongly believes in democracy

and republicanism. However, his reasoning for joining the
conspiracy is flawed. Although he knew that Caesar wasn't
inherently a tyrant, he worried that having power might
change him. This biased thinking ultimately leads to his
tragic downfall.

An Incorrigible Idealist: Brutus is a noble and patriotic

character. However, his idealistic nature makes him
unsuitable for the role of a politician and a statesman in the
play. His idealism leads to his failure and the downfall of the
conspirators.
 3. CAIUS CASSIUS

Shrewd Intriguer: Cassius is portrayed as a contrast to

Brutus, being experienced and clever. Caesar describes
him as thin, tired-looking, and uninterested in fun, preferring
to read, observe, and think. He plots against Caesar for
personal reasons, fueled by envy and resentment of
Caesar's rising power and highlights Caesar's weaknesses
to Brutus.

His Commitment: Despite his jealousy, Cassius is deeply

committed to his cause. As a follower of Epicurus, he
rejects superstition and the fear of death. Passionate about
republicanism, he's willing to sacrifice everything for it.
Upon hearing Caesar may be crowned, his response is
swift and resolute: "Cassius from bondage will he deliver
Cassius."

Practical and Efficient: Cassius is a well-traveled and

experienced soldier. In every situation where Brutus
overrides him, Cassius is proven right. He understands
Antony's true nature, while Brutus sees him as a harmless
young man. Cassius suggests killing Antony and opposes
his speech at Caesar's funeral, both times being correct. He
is capable, determined, and quick to seize opportunities.

Thorough Roman: Brutus called him "The last of all the

Romans." He showed Roman courage, determination,
practical talent for organization, and keen insight. He also
had a love of power and enjoyed using it.
 4. MARK ANTONY

Personal Traits: Mark Antony comes to prominence after

the murder of Caesar. Earlier, he is given to revelry and
merry-making. Caesar trusts him and makes him the
executor of his will. Cassius has an inkling of his hidden
abilities and so wants that he should be killed along with
Caesar. Brutus feels that Antony is a mere limb of Caesar
and can do no harm after Caesar's death.

Shrewd Planner: Antony understands the conspirators'

true nature and the crowd's mindset. While praising Caesar,
he deceives the conspirators by hiding his hostility beneath
his grief. He stirs the crowd with half-revealed facts and
partly explained arguments, ultimately forcing Brutus and
Cassius to flee Rome in desperation. Only when alone does
he fully express his sorrow and reveal his plans.

Entirely Unprincipled: After the crisis, Antony gains

significant power. He views young Octavius as someone he
can control and sees Lepidus as a useful "ass" to be
exploited and then discarded. Antony's treatment of Lepidus
shows his selfishness, as he plans to use him for personal
gain. His actions in creating the list of those to be killed
reveal his cruelty and heartlessness.

Excellent Orator: Antony's masterful funeral oration stirs

the crowd's emotions, sharply contrasting with Brutus's
logical approach. He manipulates the mob like a musician,
shifting from praising the conspirators to honouring Caesar
while displaying his grief.