William Shakespeare was an English poet, Playwright, and actor, widely regarded as

the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays
were primarily comedies and histories, and these are regarded as some of the best
work ever produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about
1608.

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Shakespeare wrote 17 comedies include The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About
Nothing. Among his 10 Historical plays are Henry V and Richard III.

The most famous among his tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.
Shakespeare also wrote four poems and a famous collection of Sonnets which was
first published in 1609.

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Introduction: JULIUS CAESAR is the story of a man's personal dilemma over moral
action, set against a backdrop of strained political drama. Julius Caesar, an able
general and a conqueror returns to Rome amidst immense popularity after defeating
the sons of Pompey. (Pompey the Great, was a military and political leader of the
late Roman Republic) The people celebrate his victorious return and Mark Antony
offers him the Crown which he refuses. Jealous of Caesar's growing power and afraid
he may one day become a dictator, Cassius instigates a conspiracy to murder Caesar.
He realizes that to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the Romans, he must win over the
noble Brutus to his side for Brutus is the most trusted and respected in Rome.
Brutus, the idealist, joins the conspiracy feeling that everyone is driven by
motives as honourable as his own. Ironically, Caesar is murdered at the foot of
Pompey's statue.

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Important Characters
Julius Caesar- The greatest and most powerful of the Romans. Assassinated by
Brutus, Cassius and a band of conspirators who feel Caesar is very ambitious and
wants the crown.

A great Roman general and senator who returned to Rome in triumph after a
successful military campaign. While his good friend Brutus worries that Caesar may
aspire to dictatorship over the Roman republic, Caesar seems to show no such
inclination, declining the crown several times.

Calpurnia- Caesar's wife

Calpurnia, the wife of Julius Caesar invests great authority in omens and portents.
She warns Caesar against going to the Senate on the Ides of March, since she has
had terrible nightmares and heard reports of many bad omens. Nevertheless, Caesar�s
ambition ultimately causes him to disregard her advice.

Mark Antony- Caesar's most loyal friend.

Antony claims allegiance to Brutus and the conspirators after Caesar�s death in
order to save his own life. Later, however, when speaking a funeral oration over
Caesar�s body, he spectacularly persuades the audience to withdraw its support of
Brutus and instead condemn him as a traitor.

Marcus Brutus-Caesar's great friend who joins the conspiracy because of his great
love for Rome and for democracy.

A supporter of the republic who believes strongly in a government guided by the

votes of senators. While Brutus loves Caesar as a friend, he opposes the ascension
of any single man to the position of dictator, and he fears that Caesar aspires to
such power.

Cassius- Inspirer and organizer of the conspiracy

A talented general and longtime acquaintance of Caesar. Cassius dislikes the fact
that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans. He slyly leads Brutus to
believe that Caesar has become too powerful and must die, finally converting Brutus
to his cause by sending him forged letters claiming that the Roman people support
the death of Caesar.

Decius Brutus- Co-conspirator in Caesar's assassination

A member of the conspiracy. Decius convinces Caesar that Calpurnia misinterpreted

her dire nightmares and that, in fact, no danger awaits him at the Senate. Decius
leads Caesar right into the hands of the conspirators.

Dictatorship - a country governed by a dictator

Inclination - the tendency to act in a particular way

Ides of March - Roman calendar day which corresponds to March 15, the date on which
Julius Caesar was assassinated

Bad omens - an event regarded as a portent of good or evil

Allegiance - loyalty or commitment to a superior or to a group or cause

Spectacularly � absorbing

Condemn - express complete disapproval

Traitor - a person who betrays someone or something

Ascension - the action of rising to an important position or a higher level

Slyly - cunning or wily

Julius Caesar Summary

The Summary of Julius Caesar is given below:
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a tragedy believed to have been written in 1599. It
is one of the several plays written by Shakespeare based on true events from Roman
history, which also include �Coriolanus� and �Antony and Cleopatra�.

Although the title is Julius Caesar, Caesar is not the most visible character in
its action, appearing alive in only three scenes.

Julius Caesar is an icon of political life of Rome. He has expanded the Roman
Empire and bought booties to it. The play starts with Caesar wandering about in his
night-gown and is kept awake by Calpurnia�s nightmares. She had been calling out in
her sleep about supernatural omens that spelled disaster. Calpurnia believes that
such bad omens are a premonition of evil and some harm would befall Caesar. Caesar
rebuffs her, refusing to give in to fear. Caesar deems the signs to apply to the
world in general and refuses to believe that they bear ill for him personally.

Finally, Calpurnia convinces Caesar to stay at home. Decius Brutus jeopardizes (put
someone or something into a situation in which there is a danger of harm)
Calpurnia�s plan and forces Caesar to go to the Senate, where the senators were
waiting to offer a crown to him. On his way, Caesar rejects the petition of Cimber
to revoke the orders for his brother�s punishment. This proves to be the last nail
in his coffin. Immediately afterwards, Casca and other senators along with Brutus
stab Caesar. Caesar�s last words are, �Et tu Brute?� which mean �you too Brutus?�

Mark Antony is too dumbstruck to see Caesar�s dead body in a pool of blood, but
tactfully restrains himself from making any statement. He requests Brutus for
allowing him to make a funeral speech. Dismissing Cassius� objection, Brutus allows
him but only after he has himself addressed the people. Antony uses his excellent
oratorical skills very cleverly and succeeds in inciting the mob to mutiny and
wreak havoc against the conspirators. Brutus and others have to flee for their
lives and Octavious Caesar arrives to clinch the victory for Antony and save
Caesar�s honour.