Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare

Overview

Julius Caesar is a tragedy play by William Shakespeare that explores the political conspiracy surrounding the assassination of the Roman leader Julius Caesar. Written in 1599, it deals with themes such as power, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of political ambition.

Plot Summary: The play is set in ancient Rome and focuses on the rise of Julius Caesar, who has recently returned victorious from battle. Some Roman senators, fearing that Caesar is becoming too powerful and may become a dictator, plot to assassinate him. The key conspirators are Brutus, a noble Roman who is torn between his loyalty to Caesar and his duty to Rome, and Cassius, who is more motivated by jealousy and fear of Caesar's power.

Brutus, manipulated by Cassius and others, ultimately joins the conspiracy, even though he deeply respects Caesar. The assassination takes place in the Senate, and Caesar is famously stabbed to death by the conspirators. His last words are said to be "Et tu, Brute?"

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184584638
Publisher:	William Shakespeare
Publication date:	04/09/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	234 KB

About the Author

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and one of the world’s greatest dramatists. He is often referred to as England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." Shakespeare's works have had a profound influence on English literature and drama, and his legacy continues to shape modern storytelling in various forms, from literature to film.

Life and Background: Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1564, and was baptized on April 26, 1564. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he attended the local grammar school, where he received a solid education in Latin and classical literature. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.

Shakespeare moved to London around 1585, where he began his career in the theater. He became involved with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, one of the most prominent acting companies in London. Over the next two decades, Shakespeare wrote and produced numerous plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories. His plays were performed at venues such as The Globe Theatre, which he co-owned.

Major Works: Shakespeare wrote at least 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems. His plays are typically divided into three categories:

Tragedies: These explore themes of human suffering, fate, and moral dilemmas. Some of his most famous tragedies include Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, and Julius Caesar.

Comedies: These often involve mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and happy endings. Well-known comedies include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It.

Histories: These plays focus on the lives of English kings and the events surrounding their reigns, such as Richard III, Henry IV, and Henry V.

Date of Death:

2018

Place of Birth:

Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

Place of Death:

Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

Editorial Reviews

Samuel Johnson (1770s): In his Preface to Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson wrote that Shakespeare's plays, including Julius Caesar, "are full of those great and natural sentiments which please and instruct all ages." Johnson praises Shakespeare's understanding of human nature, calling the characters "real" in their ambition, betrayal, and idealism. He specifically commended the tragic arc of Julius Caesar, where Brutus is portrayed with great moral complexity.

Preface to Shakespeare - Samuel Johnson

A.C. Bradley (1904) - Shakespearean Tragedy:
A.C. Bradley, in his landmark book Shakespearean Tragedy (1904), discussed how Julius Caesar differs from other Shakespearean tragedies by focusing on the complexities of political action rather than personal flaws. Bradley focused on Brutus's character, analyzing how Shakespeare's portrayal of him as a man caught between idealism and his sense of duty creates a tragic hero of moral depth.

Shakespearean Tragedy: - A.C. Bradley

The Times (London, 1819) - First Performance Review:
A review of the first production of Julius Caesar in London (1819) praised the performances of the cast, specifically focusing on the eloquence and passion in the speeches. The review noted how the drama's exploration of political loyalty, power, and betrayal

The Times - N/A

Charles Lamb (1827) - Specimens of English Dramatic Poets:
Charles Lamb, in Specimens of English Dramatic Poets (1827), acknowledged Shakespeare's extraordinary ability to weave the personal with the political in Julius Caesar. Lamb admired the play's exploration of power dynamics, focusing particularly on how Shakespeare uses rhetoric—especially in Mark Antony's speech—to manipulate public opinion and create political chaos.

Specimens of English Dramatic Poets: - Charles Lamb