The actors use the clues in the text to build their unique interpretation of Caesar鈥檚 murder.
PLEASE NOTE: This scene contains violence which some people may find upsetting. Teacher review is recommended prior to use in class.
This short film is from the 成人论坛 series, Shakespeare Unlocked.
Teacher Notes
Ask your students to read through Caesar's speeches, making a 'thumbs up' sign every time Caesar speaks about himself and a 'thumbs down' sign when he speaks of others.
How does this help to emphasise Shakespeare's use of language here, and his creation of character for Caesar?
Ask students to draw a staircase or escalator.
On it, they should write the words and phrases that Caesar uses about himself in what they see as the increasing order of arrogance. They could draw a graph of the tension in the scene, with a different coloured line for each character, annotating key words at each spike in tension.
A release of tension comes with Casca's words and the first blow. Laying out the scene in this schematic form should clarify the way in which Shakespeare intensifies the tension in the scene so as to bring about the point of murder.
Curriculum Notes
This short film is suitable for teaching GCSE English literature and drama in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/ 5 in Scotland.
More from Shakespeare Unlocked: Julius Caesar
Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius enlists Brutus. video
Cassius confronts Brutus about his friend鈥檚 uncharacteristic coldness.
Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius and Brutus (workshop) video
The actors explore what their characters are trying to achieve in this early confrontation.
Act I, Scene 2 - Persuading Brutus (workshop) video
Exploring the tactics Cassius uses to persuade Brutus to join the plot to assassinate Caesar.
Act I, Scene 2 - Marking the words (workshop) video
The actors explore key points in Cassius鈥檚 speech about Caesar and the future of Rome.
Act 3, Scene 1 - The Murder. video
Conspirators isolate Caesar on the way to the Senate and Cimber presents his petition.
Act 3, Scene 1 - Leader or dictator (workshop) video
The actors explore the character of Julius Caesar.
Act 3, Scene 2 - The Orations. video
Brutus explains why conspirators killed Caesar and insists they stay to hear Mark Antony.
Act 3, Scene 2 - Rhetoric and politics (workshop) video
The two funeral speeches are compared, each set against the structures of rhetoric.
Act 3, Scene 2 - Brutus reasons with the crowd (workshop) video
A practical exercise as the citizens respond to Brutus鈥檚 funeral speech.
Act 3, Scene 2 - Mark Antony moves the crowd (workshop) video
The citizens explore their responses to Mark Antony鈥檚 speech.
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