Julius Caesar (play)

Julius Caesar is a tragedy by William Shakespeare probably written in 1599. It portrays the conspiracy against the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar, his assassination and its aftermath. It is one of several Shakespeare plays that are based on true events from history.

Related Topics:
Tragedy - William Shakespeare - 1599 - Conspiracy - Roman - Julius Caesar - History

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Unlike the other titular characters in Shakespeare's plays (e.g. Hamlet, Henry V), Caesar is not the central character in the action of the play, appearing in only three scenes and dying at the beginning of the third Act. The central protagonist of the play is Brutus and the central psychological drama is his struggle between the conflicting demands of honour, patriotism, and friendship.

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Henry V - Protagonist - Brutus - Honour - Patriotism - Friendship

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The play is notable for being the first of Shakespeare's five great tragedies (the others being Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth) and the first of Shakespeare's Roman plays (the other two being Antony and Cleopatra and Coriolanus).

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Othello - King Lear - Macbeth - Antony and Cleopatra - Coriolanus

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Most Shakespeare critics and historians agree that the play reflected the general anxiety of England due to worries over succession of leadership. At the time of its creation and first performance, Elizabeth I, a strong ruler, was elderly and had refused to name a successor, leading to worries that a civil war similar to that of Rome's might break out after her death.

Related Topics:
England - Elizabeth I - Civil war

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