Explaining Character in Shakespeare

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 15.02.12

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Overview
  2. Rationale
  3. School Demographics
  4. The Continued Relevancy Of A Universal Shakespeare
  5. Four Major Characters In Julius Caesar
  6. Approaches To Shakespeare In The Classroom
  7. Suggested Classroom Activities
  8. Annotated Bibliography/resources
  9. Appendix
  10. Notes

Take a Stab at It: Exploring Character in Julius Caesar

Tara Ann Carter

Published September 2015

Tools for this Unit:

Rationale

There is universality in William Shakespeare’s plays that makes them relevant for all people in our increasingly globalized society. In our current moment, the characters and concerns of the four primary characters of Julius Caesar (Brutus, Cassius, Antony and Caesar) are as relevant and applicable to the ethical, political and psychological struggles of today as they were during the author’s era. The themes of power, ambition, loyalty, friendship, trust and nationalism reverberate throughout our mass media cycles, just as they are brought to light in the tragedy of Julius Caesar. Selection of key scenes in which various combinations of these players interact will provide a means for students to focus on specific textual evocations of the specific characters, their reactions and the details that indicate their mental or emotional states.

In the School District of Philadelphia, one Shakespearean play must be covered each year in high school. At my school, Hill-Freedman World Academy, Julius Caesar is the play assigned for the ninth grade year.

Comments:

Renee Baker

April 13, 2019 at 10:10 pm

Excellent research

I appreciated the depth and scholarship of the unit lesson. It led me to other resources and ideas I had not considered regarding Julius Caesar. I am teaching this unit with an emphasis on rhetoric, but will now add the aspects of male friendship and political allies.

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