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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

William Shakespeare, Jan H. Blits

3.71(211220 readers)
Jan Blits' edition represents something new among editions of  Julius Caesar . In addition to textual glosses and explanatory notes focused on the rhetorical, historical, and political contexts of the speeches, it includes a wide array of quotations and citations from writers of classical antiquity chosen to illuminate passages of special pertinence to the Roman world represented in the play. Highlighting Shakespeare's significance as a political thinker, it also demonstrates his deep understanding of Roman antiquity, its competing worldviews, and the demise of its Republic. Intended for a broad readership, the edition also includes a Preface, Introduction, Bibliography, and a topical Index.

Publisher

Focus

Publication Date

9/15/2018

ISBN

9781585109012

Pages

200

Categories

Literature

About the Author

Portrait of author William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Questions & Answers

Shakespeare's portrayal of Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic reflects the classical understanding of political regimes (politeia) through its emphasis on the interplay between human nature and political systems. The play illustrates how different regimes encourage or suppress various passions, virtues, and goals, shaping a nation's character and lifestyle.

In the Roman Republic, liberty was tied to the people's spirited sense of manliness, with virtue equating to valor. The Republic's internal strife and external wars led to a shift from a focus on the public good to private interests, reflecting the decline of the Republic's original values. Caesar's rise to power, marked by his manipulation of the people and the Senate, exemplifies the transition from a republic to an empire, where the emphasis shifted from the collective to the individual.

Shakespeare's characters, like Brutus and Cassius, embody philosophical doctrines that influence their political decisions, reflecting the classical understanding that political judgments are shaped by underlying beliefs. The play also highlights the role of oratory in the Republic, which was integral to its political discourse and the shaping of public opinion.

Ultimately, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar shows how the Roman Republic's political regime, with its emphasis on liberty, virtue, and the public good, succumbed to corruption and internal decay, leading to its demise and the rise of empire. This mirrors the classical understanding that political regimes are dynamic and subject to change, influenced by the human condition and the evolving needs of society.

Shakespeare's use of classical authors' historical and philosophical writings significantly influences the interpretation of "Julius Caesar." By incorporating these sources, he enriches the play's historical depth and philosophical complexity. His reliance on classical texts allows for a more nuanced understanding of Roman politics, philosophy, and culture. For instance, his characters' speeches reflect the trivium—grammar, logic, and rhetoric—indicating their education and political cunning. Shakespeare's use of classical authors also highlights the play's themes of power, ambition, and the nature of man. By drawing on the works of philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus, he explores the impact of Stoicism and Epicureanism on the characters' decisions and actions. This intertextual approach encourages readers and scholars to consider the play within the broader context of ancient Roman thought, enhancing our appreciation of Shakespeare's work.

Shakespeare's depiction of Caesar's ambition and Brutus' decision to assassinate him is deeply rooted in Stoic philosophy. Caesar's ambition is portrayed as a dangerous flaw, as he seeks power beyond the bounds of what is virtuous. His manipulation of others and disregard for the common good reflect the Stoic belief that virtue is the only good and vice the only evil, with Caesar's actions embodying the latter.

Brutus, a Stoic, is torn between his loyalty to Rome and his adherence to Stoic virtue. He believes that Caesar's ambition will lead to tyranny, which is antithetical to the Stoic ideal of a virtuous ruler. Brutus' decision to assassinate Caesar is a moral dilemma, reflecting the Stoic concept of necessity and the idea that some actions are necessary for the greater good, even if they are tragic.

The dangers of tyranny are highlighted through the contrast between Caesar's actions and the Stoic virtues of self-control, justice, and wisdom. Caesar's tyranny ultimately leads to his own demise and the downfall of the Roman Republic, illustrating the Stoic warning that unbridled ambition and power can lead to ruin.

The use of historical and literary sources, like Plutarch's Lives, significantly shapes Shakespeare's creation of characters and plot in "Julius Caesar." Shakespeare draws on Plutarch for the basic outline of the story, characters, and their biographies, but he also modifies and expands upon this material. He incorporates elements from other classical authors, such as Livy and Tacitus, to enrich the historical context and provide deeper insights into the characters' motivations and the political landscape of Rome. Shakespeare's characters are not mere reflections of their historical counterparts but are imbued with Shakespearean traits and themes, reflecting the political regimes and societies they inhabit. This blend of historical accuracy and Shakespearean interpretation results in a complex and nuanced portrayal of Roman politics and the human condition.

"Julius Caesar" contributes significantly to understanding the decline of the Roman Republic by illustrating its political and social dynamics. The play depicts the internal strife between patricians and plebeians, highlighting the erosion of the Republic's foundational principles. Caesar's rise to power, fueled by his manipulation of the populace and the Senate, symbolizes the corruption of the Republic's political system. The characters embody various philosophical and political ideologies, such as Stoicism and Epicureanism, reflecting the intellectual debates of the time. The play also underscores the role of oratory in Roman politics, showing how it can be used to manipulate public opinion and lead to the downfall of a republic. Ultimately, "Julius Caesar" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, the fragility of democratic institutions, and the consequences of neglecting the public good.

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