Julius Caesar stands at the changing of the tide in Shakespeare’s career. There is a scale to the play, written in 1599, unmatched by anything he had written before it. Our sense of this extraordinary play has evolved over the centuries and most critics now believe Shakespeare was deeply critical of ancient Rome, seeing much of what its characters celebrate as principle as the cause of all that goes wrong. But though critical views have changed, Julius Caesar remains a powerful study of the morality of assassination, and of the ways in which people build a sense of who they are. .All you need to know about Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is in this advanced guide to the text. Connell Guides are advanced guide books that offer sophisticated analysis and broad critical perspectives for higher-level GCSE and A Level English Literature students. Written by leading academics, Connell Guides are clear, concise and beautifully designed to help students understand, and enjoy, great works of literature. They are perfect for coursework, revision and exam preparation. Connell Guides are also great reads themselves scholarly, yet approachable and entertaining. . ISBN-paperback: 978-1-911187-39-4 Contents Introduction A summary of the plot What is Julius Caesar about? What kind of Rome does Shakespeare show us? What do we make of Caesar himself ? Is Brutus a tragic hero? How much of a villain is Antony? What is the significance of the proscription scene and the death of Cinna the Poet? Why is the play so full of metadrama? What role do women play? How does Cassius’s relationship with Brutus evolve? What does the play tell us about the art of rhetoric? NOTES The Ides of MarchCicero Changing England The trouble with stoicism A dry run for Macbeth The historical Caesar Shakespeare’s sources Ten facts about Julius Caesar A flashpoint for assassins Antony and Cleopatra Dreams and signs An early staging A later staging Julius Caesar goes to school Further reading A short chronology
