JULIUS CAESAR REVISION: LESSON 1
Revision of
Themes
Main ideas / issues
that the play raises
and explores
WHAT ARE THEMES?
Messages that the
play conveys
WHAT is conveyed?
THINKING ABOUT
THEMES.
WHY is it conveyed?
HOW is it
conveyed?
THEMES IN JULIUS CAESAR
CATEGORIZING SUB THEMES INTO THREE MAIN THEMES
Main Themes
Politics and
Power
Sub-Themes
 Corruption of power
 Types of politics (Dirty, Real, Idealism, Realism)
 Public vs. Private
 Caesarism
 The Mob
Let’s elaborate
on this!
THEMES IN JULIUS CAESAR
CATEGORIZING SUB THEMES INTO THREE MAIN THEMES
Main Themes
Principles and
Philosophy
Sub-Themes
 Superstition
 Omens
 Epicurus
 Stoic
 Fate
Friendship
 Loyalty
 Betrayal
PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY
What are principles and philosophy?
To put it simply, the
Ideas and thoughts that guide our actions and
behaviour.
So, what are some principles and philosophy that we do
see in Julius Caesar?
PRINCIPLES & PHILOSOPHY
(WATERED DOWN MEANING)
 Superstition – the belief in supernatural causality
For every other sub
themes, do briefly note
what it means before
you begin to analyse
them.
 Omens – a phenomenon believed to foretell the future
 Epicurus – not believing in superstition Stoic(ism) – to be devoid of
emotions in the face of adversity
 Fate – a higher power that defines the course of events  suggests
inevitability
 Freewill – having the ability to choose different course of action
REVISION OF
THEMES THROUGH
QUOTES: [P. 7-8]
REVISION OF THEMES THROUGH QUOTES: [P. 7-8]
1. Looking at the Quotes on p. 8, match the
quotes to the themes specified in the table
below.
2. Explain how the quote is relevant to the
specified theme.
REVISION OF THEMES THROUGH QUOTES: [P. 7-8]
Main Themes
Principles and
Philosophy
Sub-Themes
“Why, farewell Portia. We must die, Messala.”
This was said by Brutus upon finding out about Portia’s death. He responds to
Portia’s death with stoic fortitude which follows closely the philosophy of
stoicism. Here, we learn that Brutus navigates himself through adversities in a
stoic manner, emphasizing his calm, brooding demeanour as portrayed in the
course of the play. Following such a philosophy as well, Brutus’s actions are
guided by his principles rather than his emotions. This can also be seen in
why he decides to assassinate Caesar and fight the war against Octavius and
Antony. Hence, Brutus remains an ‘honourable’ character through out the
play as he makes his decisions only with much contemplation.
ATTEMPT THE EXERCISE ON YOUR OWN
1. Match all the quotes first
2. Complete at least 1 elaboration for
each main theme (Elaborate on one
quote per theme)
JULIUS CAESAR REVISION: LESSON 2
Essay Writing
WRITING AN ESSAY [TOGETHER!]
Why is the play entitled “The Tragedy of
Julius Caesar” and not “The Tragedy of
Marcus Brutus”?
Break down the question  highlight key words!
(words that will help you answer the question)
WRITING AN ESSAY [TOGETHER!]
Why is the play entitled “The Tragedy of
Julius Caesar” and not “The Tragedy of
Marcus Brutus”?
What is the question asking?
Let us think of some
points to answer the
Question based on the
introduction.
INTRODUCTION
Why did Shakespeare titled his play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and not The
Tragedy of Marcus Brutus? Brutus appears throughout the play, and with his death, the
play ends. Julius Caesar appears in the play in the first three acts and even then,
appeared sporadically and had few lines. Much of what we learn about Caesar
comes from the perspectives of other characters and the Roman crowd. In Act 3,
Caesar is assassinated and the next time he appears, he appears as a ghost, an
apparition. Yet, despite his minimal physical presence in the play, the character Julius
Caesar is most certainly deserving of his title, both as a Roman leader and as
Shakespeare’s renowned play. This essay will explore the reasons why Shakespeare
was right in naming his play “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”.
What can we expect from this essay? (what is the argument?)
Reasons that support the title of the play – the play deserves
to be named after Julius Caesar
POINT 1: THE PRESENCE OF CAESAR TRIGGERS AND PROPELS
THE PLOT.
The cause and effect of Caesar’s assassination essentially
drives the play.
 Caesar is established as one of the leaders of Rome but
alone, holds immense power and influence over the Roman
people. His magnanimous presence results in the envy of
other politicians like Marullus, Flavius and Cassius. Coupled
with his arrogance and hubris, Caesar becomes the subject
of an assassination.
 Through the planning of Caesar’s assassination,
Shakespeare reveals to us the nature of politics, the truth
about the human psyche (what influences our actions,
thoughts and behaviour) and the sincerity of friendships.

POINT 1: THE PRESENCE OF CAESAR TRIGGERS AND PROPELS
THE PLOT.
 With the assassination of Caesar, we see a turbulent and troubled
Rome, riled in civil war due to a fight for power. In the chaos that follow
Caesar’s death, key characters like Cassius and Brutus are plagued by
internal and external conflict. Their ongoing conflicts only questions the
validity of Caesar’s assassination.
 Throughout the play, characters experience certain omens that
forebode their impending doom. These omens and signs suggest that the
heavens / the fates are on Caesar’s side as they hint at the imminent
end. As Caesar was a man who held strongly to his superstition, these
ongoing signs only remind us of Caesar’s presence.
 As such, it is valid for the play to be titled “The Tragedy of Julius
Caesar” as it was Caesar who serves as the basis of all the actions in
the play. His power and magnanimity could have resulted in a more
positive impact if not for his tragic flaw.
POINT 2: CAESARISM  THE SPIRIT OF CAESAR PREVAILS
THROUGHOUT THE PLAY
 Despite the death of Julius Caesar in Act 3, Caesar is still able to
exert his presence through Octavius, Cassius and Brutus’s last
words and the return of Caesars ghost. This highlights the cult of
personality of great men. Despite their leave, somehow, they are
still present in different forms and never actually leave.
 Octavius mentions before the Battle of Philippi to Brutus and
Cassius that Caesar will only be avenged “till another Caesar /
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors” [5.1.54-55]. While
he is referring to himself as a Caesar, being Caesar’s nephew, it
could also suggest that only another individual like Caesar could
avenge Caesar’s death. This highlights the notion of Caesarism
where personalities like Caesar will always exist and will always
be needed.
POINT 2: CAESARISM  THE SPIRIT OF CAESAR PREVAILS
THROUGHOUT THE PLAY
 “Caesar, thou art revenged” [5.3.45] were Cassius’s last words.
Brutus, before he dies requests for Caesar to “now be still”
[5.5.50]. These last words from the conspirators highlights the
presence Caesar’s spirit throughout the play. It also supports the
idea that Caesar is indeed the main trigger for all their actions
and decisions that eventually led to the Battle of Philippi.
 We also do see Caesar’s ghost appearing to Brutus as a
dramatic technique to remind him that the spirit of Caesar can
never be eradicated – “The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me
/ Two several times by night” [5.5.16-17].
 As such, the title of the play is a valid one as despite Caesar’s
death in Act 3, his presence is felt throughout the play until the very
end of the play.
POINT 3: NOT MERELY ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL BUT ABOUT THE STRUGGLE
AGAINST POSSIBLE TYRANNY/ DICTATORSHIP  ROMANS VS. THE THREAT
OF TYRANNY (CAESAR)
 We can also look at the play as not merely about the leader, Julius Caesar but about the struggle against
Tyranny. Caesar would then be a symbolic representation of Tyranny and the civil war as a fight against
that tyranny.
 As Cicero mentions to Cassius, “So every bondmen in his own hand bears / The power to cancel his
captivity” [1.3.102-103]. Caesar was seen as an oppressor, someone the Romans need to free themselves
from.
 As Cassius mentions in Act 5, “I am compelled to set one / Upon one battle all our liberties” [5.1.75-76].
Brutus mentions, “this same day / Must end the work that the ides of March begun” [5.1.114-115].
 As such, there are repeated ideas of liberty and freedom that the Romans desire, and what they believe
they are fighting for.
 Hence, we can see the play Julius Caesar as a battle against tyranny rather than about an individual. It is
only valid for such a play to be named after a great Roman leader who did indeed strove to dictate the
Roman people. It portrays the struggle against tyranny to be realistic and engaging. We can also look at
the play as not merely about the leader, Julius Caesar but about the struggle against Tyranny. Caesar
would then be a symbolic representation of Tyranny and the civil war as a fight against that tyranny.
POINT 4: COUNTER  BRUTUS STILL LEADS THE ASSASSINATION AND IT IS ONLY
WITH HIS DEATH THAT THE PLAY ENDS
While Brutus may have spanned the entire play, his presence only
creates confusion. He remains contradictory with his words and actions,
makes tactical errors and is idealistic to the point of being gullible.
“Brutus gave the word too early” [5.3.5]. If anything, Brutus has only
proven that he is a fallible individual, an “underling” who perhaps
should have just followed his stars.

 As such, it is still valid that the play is titled after Julius Caesar as the
reason why Brutus decided to be a supposed master of his own fate
was to get rid of Caesar. Yet, he has only proven that he remains an
underling, one not worthy of a title despite his so called honourable
death – Note: Do think of a different stand with regards to Brutus’s
death. This is only one interpretation,
CONCLUSION
To conclude, it is only valid for Shakespeare to
name his play “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar”
instead of “The Tragedy of Marcus Brutus”. While
Brutus spans the entire play until the very end, it
is still Caesar who serves as the impetus to all
actions that propel the plot in the play. Caesar’s
supposed absence after his assassination only
magnifies his presence and power as a leader.
Brutus, on the other hand, remains an “underling”
who is defeated at the end.
FIN.