Julius Caesar

Like du Maurier's Rebecca or Tolkien's Sauron, Julius Caesar is to the play which bears his name less a focal presence than a force largely off-stage which provokes the choices and actions of the more evident characters. Caesar does put in several brief appearances during the first three acts, but it is Marcus Brutus whose nobility, naivete, seduction, treachery, rationalization, and ultimate downfall make up the overarching plot. Shakespeare here avoids taking sides, however, and so provides us with a shrewd study in the diverse motives and attitudes that always precede insurrection, and in the chaos that inevitably follows.As with most of the Arden series, this critical edition represents superior scholarship and valuable reader assistance. Its extensive footnotes should illumine most instances of unfamiliar language or allusion, and an Appendix provides relevant excerpts from Plutarch's LIVES, which Shakespeare consulted for many of his details. Those new to JULIUS CAESAR, however, are best advised to begin with the text of the play itself (in the volume's central section), saving the so-called 'Introduction' until afterwards; for Daniell's excellent discussion relies heavily on citations of the play's content, and his insights are apt to be lost on the reader who has, as yet, little or no frame of reference.It should be noted, too, that the Arden Shakespeare editions are best suited to serious students and amateurs already acquainted with the Bard and aspiring to more advanced appreciation. Having come late to the field myself, I mean no condescension in suggesting that someone just setting out may find the wealth of material here a bit overwhelming. The potential rewards of Shakespearean discovery are incalculable, and it is always tragic when worthy ambition burns itself out, for want of patience, by attempting too much too soon. I began with more modest editions, such as the Signet Classics or Pelican, which I found very accessible and sufficiently annotated to provide the help I then needed. Arden, which has been issuing and revising its series since 1899, will still be around when one is ready for it.

The media could not be loaded. I had to read this book for school. Pretty good kinda dry but nice quality book.

Decided to reread Shakespeare today :) there were some fun quotes and bad planning. There are supposed to be no villains in this play but i rather thought none of the men were good. Ambitious for themselves. Political 2000 years later.

There’s just no way to not appreciate Shakespeare. One should have a serious disdain for literature to not like Shakespeare. There’s nothing not to like about his ancient writing style. Even though his plays are old, they are still amazing, entertaining, and full of meaning.He’s works will still continue to have an impact in future generations. He was just great at what he did.

This is a good CD to use in teaching Julius Caesar in the classroom. It follows the play line for line. The only problem I have with it is the sound quality in certain parts. In Act I, scene ii, many times when Brutus is speaking, the audio is so low that we can hardly make out what he is saying. It does improve as the act goes on. The same is true with the very beginning of Act II scene i when Brutus is having his monologue on whether to join the conspiracy or not. I think they must not have miked the actor reading Brutus as well as the others. It does improve after that spot. I have used this set of CDs several times. They are better than the CD set that came with our Literature books by Pearson. The pronunciations are appropriate and the actors read with expression unlike the readers in the Pearson series.

Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, is intriguing on more than one level. The populist, Caesar, is resisted by the patrician Senate to the point of execution. Though of noble birth the common people, the plebeians, loved him. Historically, he was opposed by Pompey Magnus , born a pleb, but supported by the patrician Senate. Ultimately, he is murdered by the noble senator’s themselves with the last dagger stroke provided by Brutus, whom he had mentored and treated like a son. A betrayal that resulted in a most awful, perpetual punishment in Dante’s Inferno. It is both a morality play and an illustration of human nature and psychology that is as pertinent today as it was when it was first written and performed almost five hundred years ago.

Julius Caesar is my favorite Shakespeare play because it is about political power. This play is classical and universal in theme, because all relationships are about power. There are the rulers and the ruled, and those who aspire to rule and and do anything they can to win power, after which they do whatever they can get away with. Our survival depends on our ability to control our so-called rulers, who are mainly concerned with their own interests, while claiming to be our leaders. In this play, Mark Antony kills Caesar claiming he did it to save Rome. the contenders for the presidency are saying the same thing. Since all relationships are about power, look at the relationship between the rich and the working class,men and women, immigrants, and everybody and everything else. Remember Lord Acton said,"power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

I thought I was going to get the Caedmon Audio version (pictured). I made the order on that supposition. What came in the mail was the Arkangel verrsion. It's still "Julius Caesar" and the tape was playable. Score it as an irritation and a disappointment but short of a huge grievance.