The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: Characters, Setting, and Plot

Background

In a time of chaos, a great leader rises to power by promising to restore order. He rewards the loyal followers who have helped him. Soon he grows so powerful and arrogant that even his followers no longer trust him and conspire to kill him. In the hands of William Shakespeare, this true story from history became a great tragic drama, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

Full title

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Author

William Shakespeare

Type of work

Play

Genre

Tragic drama, historical drama

Language

Old English

Time and place written

1599, in London

Climax

Cassius’s death (V.iii), upon ordering his servant, Pindarus, to stab him, marks the point at which it becomes clear that the murdered Caesar has been avenged, and that Cassius, Brutus, and the other conspirators have lost in their attempt to keep Rome a republic rather than an empire. Ironically, the conspirators’ defeat is not yet as certain as Cassius believes, but his death helps bring about defeat for his side.

Protagonists

Brutus and Cassius

Antagonists

Antony and Octavius

Setting (time)

44 B.C.

Setting (place)

Ancient Rome, toward the end of the Roman republic.

Tone

Serious, proud, virtuous, enraged, vengeful, idealistic, anguished.

Setting

Julius Caesar is largely set in Rome, in February of the year 44 B.C. In later scenes, the action moves to Sardis and the battlefield at Philippi. The setting of Julius Caesar is vital to the understanding of the play. The Roman society presented is sophisticated, marked by a rich cultural heritage and a political tradition of democracy. The physical landmarks of ancient Rome, such as the Tiber River, the Capitol, and the house of the Senate, are referred to with great frequency. The Forum is also the setting for an important scene. Roman political institutions and officials, such as tribunes, Senators, Patricians, and priests, are always present. Many traditional Roman customs of the time are also mentioned, adding to the cultural setting; for instance, in the opening scenes there is a reference to the Feast of Lupercal. In actuality, Rome dominates the play and everything revolves around it, at times making it seem like a character in and of itself.

Major Characters

Julius Caesar

The protagonist of the play. He is the leader of Rome who hopes to be crowned head of the entire Roman Empire. He is enjoying popularity among the people because he has recently returned from a victorious battle against the sons of Pompey the Great; however, his susceptibility to flattery and his false sense of infallibility lead to his tragic assassination. The entire play revolves around this event and the attempts of his close friend Antony to avenge his death and restore order to Rome. Late in the play, Caesar's ghost briefly appears as a character.

Octavius Caesar

Julius Caesar's heir. After Caesar's assassination, Octavius makes a pact with Mark Antony and Aemilius Lepidus to seize control of the Roman Empire.

Mark Antony

Julius Caesar’s trusted companion. After Caesar’s assassination, Antony turns the crowds against the conspirators. He then enters into a pact with Octavius Caesar and Aemilius Lepidus to form a triumvirate to rule Rome. He instigates mob riots and subtly encourages the burning of the houses of the conspirators. Along with Octavius and Lepidus, Antony leads an attack against Cassius and Brutus (and their army of conspirators) and defeats them at Philippi.