Hidden Agendas Revealed

Caesar denies the crown but really wants it.  Cassius kisses up to Brutus but really wants him to carry out the plans of the conspiracy.  Antony becomes just as power-hungry as his predecessors.  With all the secret motives it becomes unclear what the truth really is.  But one "thing" is clear: Shakespeare wrote the play for a reason. 

As writers the craft of story-telling takes the main stage and does more than entertain, pass the time or count as homework assignments and blog responses.  A literary work serves a more important purpose: to teach.  Experiences whether real or imagined are shared and reflections on people and society are made to connect with and enlighten an audience.

What was the main theme of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?  What are readers supposed to gain or take away with them after reading this piece of historical fiction?  Identify what you think is the most important lesson or are the most important lessons.  What does this play teach us through the characters, their decisions and outcomes?  In essence, who cares about Julius Caesar?

Violence Begets Violence Begets Violence

Death is everywhere in this play. Pompey is beheaded.  Caesar is stabbed.  Cinna the poet is tortured and killed in the streets.  Soldiers lay dead on the battlefields.  Portia burns her esophagus. Cassius orders his servant to run a sword through his body.  Titinius stabs himself and Brutus runs into his own sword.  With so much violence it is hard not to envision Rome in red.

Think of the various reasons and agendas behind the multiple deaths in the play.  Imagine a Rome without the morbidity.  Does the violence in this story have a positive result? Can violence ever have a positive result? Analyze the following statement:

Nothing good can come from violence and bloodshed. (Violence and bloodhsed can never have morally good results).

Do you agree or disagree with this statment?  Support your answer with references to both the play and real-world application both historical and current.

How to Save a Life

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24 (teensuicide.us). 
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL):

• 19.3 percent of high school students have seriously considered killing themselves.
• 14.5 percent of high school students made actual plans for committing suicide,
• 900,000 youth planned their suicides during an episode of major depression.

Think about characters in the play who have either threatened suicide or completed a suicide attempt.  What causes people to consider, attempt and/or complete suicide?  What are your feelings about the action?  How might others perceive the act?  What are the ultimate consequences and the impact of suicide?

To prevent suicide it is important to show you care by:

• being attentive
• listening
• being supportive
• notifying those who can provide immediate help

What Went Wrong?

They met, they assassinated and now the conspirators are on the run.  From Cassius' sinister plan to Brutus' final speech to the plebeians, something had gone awry...

A.  Go back and analyze the conspirators' plan and action from inception to execution.  Imagine you were a part of their scheme to kill Caesar.  What would you change?  What goes wrong and how could it have been prevented, avoided, or fixed? 

B.  Take Cassius and Brutus' place as leader of the conspiracy.  How would you have executed the perfect murder?