What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind.
Here's the plot: a demagogue threatens democracy and his own allies in the Senate have to decide whether to remove him. So it's no wonder that the Public Theater's minds went to recent events when they staged Julius Caesar in Central Park. Their modern-day version, with a familiar-looking Caesar, has made some headlines. I won't lie: the murder scene was disturbing to watch. Art often attempts to be dangerous, but it rarely succeeds. This production, which we attended on its final weekend, truly felt dangerous.
But alas, protesters outside claimed that everything had been misconstrued. The knives were just metaphors, they said, as the play was about the dangers of tyranny. The central question of the play is whether the conspirators were right to remove Caesar. And Shakespeare, who was paid by kings to perform for them, wasn't exactly antiauthoritarian. We shouldn't expect him to endorse kingslaying, and he doesn't.
As Brutus says, "As he was valiant, I honor him. But as he was ambitious, I slew him." But how ambitious was Caesar? Was Brutus right to fear for democracy? There's a key scene that answers this question. In it, Caesar, who "would not be a wolf / but that he sees the Romans are but sheep," is offered a crown three times and refuses it. The smartest person in Rome, Cicero, then gives a brilliant speech. And here's the funny (and quintessentially Shakespearean) thing about that scene: we don't see it. It's narrated to us by Casca, a conspirator, who tells us that he thinks Caesar was just holding out for a better crown. And that speech by Cicero? Well, it was in Greek. Casca didn't understand a word of it. The famous phrase, "It was Greek to me," represents Shakespeare allowing us to decide.
But whether Caesar was a tyrant or not, the result of his removal is chaos. No one wins. What happens after Caesar is another Caesar - Octavius, his adopted son, depicted in Central Park wearing a dorky flak jacket. He and Marc Antony go to war against the conspirators; Brutus and Cassius commit suicide. By the end, nothing has really changed. Once Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his army - we're talking about history here, not just Shakespeare - democracy in Rome never recovered. When we ask, "How can we protect democracy? Is it by taking extreme measures to remove the threat? Or should we hope our government can survive him on its own?" Shakespeare answers: if you're asking the question, you've already lost.
Bummer that we couldn't have watched this play a couple years ago. “How many ages hence,” asks Cassius, “Shall this our lofty scene be acted over, / In states unborn and accents yet unknown!” and we're left wondering, hopefully just one more?

4.5/5

Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. This line truly encapsulates the essence of the play Julius Caesar. I absolutely adored every aspect of this remarkable work. I don't want to commence writing an in-depth analysis because I will literally never stop, and this review will end up stretching on for countless paragraphs. However, what I will state is this; Julius Caesar has an extensive cast of complex and captivating characters that render every line of the play dynamic and engaging.

The themes within the play, although in some respects subtler than in other Shakespearean tragedies, are incredibly compelling and engrossing. Every character has their own distinct motivations and methods of presenting these motivations. The characters in this play are masters at concealing from you and presenting diverse, conflicting aspects of their personalities. The omens they interpret and choose not to interpret are fascinating, their moralities are captivating, and their perceptions of their moralities are equally fascinating.

What I cherish about Julius Caesar is that it features more intricate characterizations than the typical Shakespeare play. There is no blatant evil. There isn't even a character that is so simply defined as our villain. Of course, there are the designations of these roles, yet I believe they are far more complex and interesting to debate.

The themes of power and how different characters acquire, maintain, and lose power were utterly captivating. I desire to read and reread this play repeatedly. My favorite theme, however, was a theme that I have always adored - fate vs free will. It was extremely thought-provoking as it emerged through the cracks of every character. I loved how it was demonstrated which of these forces each character believed was the greater through their actions. I adored the use of omens, supernatural forces, and natural destruction that reinforced these ideas.

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves. I regarded Brutus as a unique (tragic) hero, and all the other characters were unique in their roles, as I mentioned earlier. This aspect was definitely one that I found completely absorbing as I read.

Again, I don't want this to transform into an essay, so I'm not going to delve into each character and discuss them in depth, but just know how exquisitely crafted every aspect truly is.

Et tu, Brute? As is evident, I found this play immensely fascinating in numerous ways, and I had a wonderful time reading it. I connected with a wide range of the characters, there was never a dull scene, every moment held significance, and the writing was (as always) beautiful.

Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.

Power corrupts - this is the explored theme in Julius Caesar.

Right from the start, there is a straightforward and palpable dramatic tension as we eagerly wait for the plot to assassinate Caesar to unfold.

Shakespeare then adds a layer of complexity by making it extremely difficult for us to determine where our sympathy should truly lie.

On the surface, Mark Anthony appears to be the good guy, while Brutus is cast as the Judas. However, there are moments when Shakespeare depicts both characters in a way that the roles subtly shift.

It's interesting to note that there is no fool character in the play, and there is only one female character, which is a bit of a missed opportunity.

This lack of certain character types might have added even more depth and variety to the story.

Overall, Julius Caesar is a captivating exploration of power and its corrupting influence, with Shakespeare masterfully manipulating our emotions and sympathies throughout the play.

Just when I thought I was starting to understand Shakespeare, along comes a play that, in my opinion, rates a 1 out of 12, and that is Julius Caesar! Is it harsh?

One of the playwright's Roman History set plays, this one focuses on the moral dilemma that Brutus faces when he joins the Cassius-led conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar, supposedly for the good of Rome. After Caesar's death, Rome is plunged into a period of civil war, and the republic has to balance the demands of honor, friendship, and Rome itself! It sounds so good when written like that, but I'm afraid I just didn't understand it or Brutus' struggles in the language used. I can only apologize to the purists - 1 out of 12, One Star, I had very little idea of what was going on as I read. Please note that I read this 19 years ago.

In 2006, I read it again. Maybe with more life experience and a better understanding of the world, I would be able to appreciate this play more. However, as I turned the pages, I still found myself struggling to connect with the story and the characters. The language seemed archaic and difficult to follow, and the plot felt convoluted and hard to grasp.

Perhaps Shakespeare's plays are not for everyone. Maybe I'm just not sophisticated enough to understand the depth and beauty of his works. But despite my lack of appreciation for Julius Caesar, I still respect Shakespeare's place in literary history and his contribution to the world of drama.

Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history. Among his numerous masterpieces, it is often debated which one is his best play. However, if I had to choose, hands down, it would be "Hamlet".

"Hamlet" is a complex and profound tragedy that explores themes such as revenge, madness, and the human condition. The character of Hamlet is one of the most iconic in literature, known for his introspection,犹豫不决, and moral dilemmas. The play's rich language, vivid imagery, and powerful plot make it a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Another reason why "Hamlet" stands out is its exploration of the darker side of human nature. Shakespeare delves deep into the psyche of his characters, revealing their flaws, desires, and fears. This makes the play not only a work of art but also a mirror of our own lives, forcing us to confront our own inner demons and question our values and beliefs.

In conclusion, while all of Shakespeare's plays are remarkable in their own way, "Hamlet" is truly a masterpiece that represents the pinnacle of his artistic achievement. It is a play that will continue to be studied, performed, and cherished for generations to come.

“How many ages hence

Shall this our lofty scene be acted o’er

In States unborn and accents yet unknown?”

Julius Caesar was the first Shakespearean work I encountered. It's a kind of rite of passage for high school sophomores, being omnipresent in their literature classes. At fifteen, I came to the play already acquainted with the material due to an introduction via a Classics Illustrated Comics that I read at nine. In my young eyes, the illustrated abridgment was an exciting and bloody adventure. So, when I read the play in 10th grade, I was favorably inclined towards the material and relished the class. Through the subsequent years, I have reread Julius Caesar more often than any other of Shakespeare's plays, and each new reading validates its greatness.

Caesar is deceased before the play reaches its halfway point. Thus, although the play bears his name, it is Brutus, Caesar's friend and assassin, who emerges as its tragic hero. Caesar has great lines and outstanding speeches, yet he is overshadowed by both his friends and enemies. Cassius propels the plot. He is intelligent, pitiless, and tireless. Caesar is cautious of him - “He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.” Brutus, Caesar's friend, is both noble and naïve. His inclusion by the plotters is essential to lend respectability to their plan, but his lack of ruthlessness ultimately dooms their conspiracy. Mark Antony, Caesar's right-hand man, is a shrewd adversary to the assassins. As one ruthless man recognizes another, Cassius anticipates danger from Antony, stating, “Let Antony and Caesar fall together,” but in the first of his mistakes, Brutus overrules it.

Julius Caesar is replete with intrigue, drama, and spectacle. It is filled with brilliant speeches and memorable characters. Even the most minor of characters, like the cobbler in the play's first scene, deliver witticisms worth remembering. It is classic material deserving of frequent revisiting.

Ambition! Envy! Guilt! Revenge! These powerful emotions drive the characters in the play.

Although the title is about Julius Caesar, the story really focuses on the conflict between Brutus and Cassius on one side and Antony and Octavius on the other. We can't trust any of them. Caesar is brutally assassinated before we even get a good sense of him, and the play alternates between Old World Idealism (represented by Brutus) and New World Pragmatism (exemplified by Octavius).

The quote "But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, Make gallant show and promise of their mettle; But when they should endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, Sink in the trial" sums up the characters' true nature. It took a group of cowards to kill Caesar. I have little sympathy for Brutus, who seems like a weakling to me. He should have been the better man and turned the other cheek, but instead, he joined the others. He was no Cato the Younger.

For me, the alliance between Antony and Octavius is the most interesting aspect of the character interactions. They don't like each other, but they unite to avenge their friend and uncle. Knowing that their relationship will eventually turn sour makes the story even more engaging. Antony is a complex character. He talks his way out of certain death and then uses his eloquence to turn the people against Brutus. He's brave and rugged, but also dissolute, a flawed hero. Octavius, on the other hand, is cold and calculating, not letting his emotions get in the way of his future. He has the ability to cut Antony down when necessary, as seen when he calls out Antony's hypocrisy regarding Lepidus.

I could write more about this play, but I'll stop here. I really loved it.

Book Season = Spring (ides and tides)

"But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man…."


Oh yes! So very, very honourable was our dear Brutus…..


To think these two were once friends. How could it have come to this? The bond that once held them together now lies in tatters. Brutus, who was considered honourable, betrayed his friend. The very word "ambitious" that he used to describe his friend was perhaps a projection of his own hidden desires.


As we look at the images, they seem to tell a story of a relationship that was once strong but now is broken. The first image shows a scene that might have been from a time when they were still on good terms. The second image, perhaps, represents the turmoil and conflict that followed.


This is a tale of friendship lost and honour questioned. It makes us wonder about the true nature of people and the choices they make.

3 stars / wouldn’t re-read / wouldn’t recommend

My review for this book can be simply put as: Unimpressed. Shakespeare is an absolute legend. I actually feel a twinge of guilt for not being able to award him more than a lackluster three stars. However, this play really just doesn't do it for me. So, let's get started with my thoughts:

Things I Liked:

1) Brutus and Cassius had a great dynamic. Their brotherhood was quite interesting to observe.

2) Poor Lucius! That servant just couldn't catch a break and get some sleep.

3) The famous line "Speak, hands, for me!" when they stab Caesar, and of course, "Et tu, Brute?" being such a widely quoted line. I only like it because I'm a nerdy homeschooler and it's in Latin.

Things I Disliked:

1) *Ahem* I don't approve of suicide as a solution.

2) The entire conspiracy seemed so artificial. What? Brutus and Cassius just randomly decide they don't like Caesar and then decide to kill him? Maybe it's just me, but it felt very contrived.

3) Pretty much everything else that didn't fall into the "liked" category.

Things I Hated:

1) The entire second half of the book! It just didn't hold my interest at all.

Now I'm seriously wondering why I even gave it three stars. Maybe it's because I feel bad for Shakespeare. Here's my current opinion of him:

If you're a Shakespeare enthusiast, then you might want to read this book. But if you're not a fan of blood, gore, and suicide, then perhaps it's best to give it a miss!

I once had a rather extraordinary experience. I actually performed the entire "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech of Mark Anthony on the steps outside the Great Hall in Trinity College, Cambridge. And here's the thing, I was wearing a bedspread as a toga and had a bucket chained over my head. It was quite a sight, I'm sure. But it's a long story as to how this all came about. I think it was some sort of crazy dare or perhaps a moment of inspiration. In any case, it was a memorable event. And surprisingly, I still know the speech by heart. Every word of it is etched in my mind. It's quite remarkable really. I can still recite it with passion and enthusiasm, just as I did that day on the steps of Trinity College.

THIS PLAY. INSERT GRRRR BARK RUFRUFRUFRUFRUF IMAGE HERE. HOLY SHIT

I think being a Latin student definitely meant I got more out of this. And boy, did I get a lot! The nuances and the deeper meanings that might have otherwise been lost on others were right there for me to grasp. It was like uncovering a hidden treasure chest of knowledge and emotions. The language, the culture, all of it added a whole new layer of richness to the play.

Woman Brutus is the only thing that matters. She stands out as a powerful and complex character. Her actions, her decisions, they all have a profound impact on the story. She is not just a side character but a central figure whose presence and choices drive the narrative forward. Her strength and determination are truly inspiring, and she serves as a reminder that in the world of this play, she is the one who holds the key to many of the important events and developments.