Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Caesars Assasination

It was March 15th when Julius Caesar got assassinated going to the senate house. That previous evening his wife Calpurnia had a dream to this same effect but despite this Caesar chose to go. Along with his wife’s advice to stay home Caesar had also been warned by the soothsayer of the Ides of March. However despite this on the Ides of March Caesar was stabbed by the conspirators Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metullus, and even Caesars close friend Brutus. Caesar fell after being stabbed last by Brutus, where he said, “Et tu, Brute.” Mean while Caesars loyal follower Antony has left. The conspirators then smeared their arms with Caesars blood. Antony returned and states that he too would like to die now because it would be an honor to be killed by the men who killed Caesar, at the same time with the same weapons. They do not kill Antony but it is decided that Caesar would have a funeral where Brutus would speak explaining the conspirators reasons for killing Caesar, and Antony would also be allowed to give his speech. However nobody knows how the citizens will take the news of Caesars tragic death.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Act Two Questions

1. I side with neither the conspiratirs or Caesar. I think that the conspirators do not need to go to such an extreme measures as to kill him but Caesar doesn't need to obtain so much power.
3. With the details from Act Two I can now see that Caesar has to much confidence and is to sure of himself for his own good.
4. I think that Brutus would be a better replacement as leader than Cassius. Brutus doesn't rush into things, but thinks things over. While Cassius rushes into his actions and makes hasty decisions.
5. Caesar at first listens to Calpurnia and decides to stay home but is later persuaded by the conspirators to leave. However Brutus lies to Poria, and it takes a lot to convince him to talk to her.
6. In Act Two Scene Four Portia is concerned and worried about Brutus. She is also stressed and feels that the conspirators are wrong and she needs to do something about it. She then sends the servent to find out what is going on.
9. If I was Portia I would tell Brutus to think carefully about what he is about to do, and think about whats going to happen with Caesar gone.

Act II Scene 1

In Act two scene 1 Brutus continues to contemplate whether or not to live under Caesars reign or to help Cassius kill him. This situation makes it so Brutus can't sleep. Brutus then receives a letter pushing towards Brutus helping Cassius. Brutus however doesn't know that the letter is really from Cassius. Then a little while later Cassius and the conspirators arrive at Brutus's house. Together they discuss whether or not to just kill Caesar or to kill Mark Antony also. Brutus however tell the conspirators that they are not butchers and Antony is nothing without Caesar. Then together they all make a plan to kill Caesar that day. After the conspirators leave Portia arrives and tries to get Brutus to tell her what is wrong but he pushes it off just telling her that he is sick. Eventally after Portia's persistency Brutus decides to tell him what is going on. Later Caius arrives who has been sick.

pg 713 Questions

1. Cassius- deceiving
 Brutus- Gullible
 Casca- traitor
Antony- loyal
Caesar- powerful

2. The tribunes and commoners attitudes towards each other was unfriendly. The tribunes didn't like how the commoners were praising Caesar.
3. Caesar is observant and notices that Cassius is not trustworthy and is plotting something.
4. I think Cassius wants Brutus to join the conspirators because Brutus is close to Caesar and then he would have a inside man.
5. I think that the most important character so far is Cassius who is plotting to kill Caesar.
6. I found the humor of them playing with the word all. They used awl (a shoemakers tool) and all. I think Shakespeare added this humor to present the problem of Caesars power in a humorous way.
9. I think Caesar wouldn't agree with democracy because whether he denys the crown or not he still believes in dictatorship and his own power

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Julius Caesar Act 1 Scene 1+2

Julius Caesar Act 1 Scenes 1 +2 begins with people praising Caesar on his victory against Pompey. Marullus and Flavius tell the people to stop because they supported Pompey. In Scene 2 it is the feast of Lupercus and Antony Caesars friend is going to run in the race. Caesar tells Antony to touch his Calpurnia his infertile wife because a saying is that when an infertile woman is touched by the winner of the race she becomes fertile. Then Brutus and Cassius have a conversation about Caesar. Cassius flatters Brutus by telling him he would be just as great as Caesar, trying to convince Brutus to help kill Caesar. However Brutus does not give in. Casca comes over to Cassius and Brutus. Brutus questions why he heard shouting. Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that the common people tried to crown Caesar not once but three times but all three times he refuse. Caesar however is aware that Cassius is not to be trusted. Cassius develops a plan to convince Brutus that something needs to be done about Caesars increasing power.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Julius Caesar

1. Caesar's father  died when Caesar was 16
2. Julius Caesar was a Roman General and politician
3. Caesar lived from around 100 - 44 B.C.
4. He Conquered a lot of land including Gaul, 
5. He later led his army to take over Egypt
6. The Roman Senate began to fear Caesars power and tried to disband his army
7. He also fought a civil war against Pompey
8. These battles continued to spread as far as Spain and Egypt
9. Caesar won in 46 B.C.
10. Caesar played a role in changing of the Roman Republic






Thursday, December 2, 2010

William Shakespeare

                William Shakespeare was born in 1564, in Stratford and was baptized at The Church of the Holy Trinity. He was a poet and playwright. When he was 16 he attended the guild house school, and this is where he got his first taste of theatre. When he was 18 he married Anne Hathaway and had a girl named Susan followed by twins. He then left for London to start his career. Here he had a career as a writer, actor, and owned part of a playing company. His plays were being performed on the stage by 1592.
It is unsure what company used Shakespeare’s plays in his earlier life but most of his plays were performed by his own company. Shakespeare’s best known plays Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear however were produced in the Globe Theater. Some of the actors in Shakespeare’s company were Richard Burbage, William Kempe, Henry Condell and John Heminges. They appeared in more than one of his plays. He also wrote Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Shakespeare also wrote sonnets, which were the last of Shakespeare’s works to be printed. Shakespeare died in 1616 in Stratford.