Julius Caesar (The New Folger Library Shakespeare)

Shakespeare's classic story of political insider maneuverings by lieutenants on the eve of a possible coup of a leader facing the real threat of civil war. The actions of motivations of the people who would do anything, including assassination, to be in charge are balanced by one man's dedication to honor, personal loyalty and love of country. When Caesar ignores the oracle telling...more

Shakespeare's classic story of political insider maneuverings by lieutenants on the eve of a possible coup of a leader facing the real threat of civil war. The actions of motivations of the people who would do anything, including assassination, to be in charge are balanced by one man's dedication to honor, personal loyalty and love of country. When Caesar ignores the oracle telling him to beware the Ides of March as the likeliest time for his murder and his wife begging him to stay, Caesar returns to Rome and walks into a political trap sprung by his opponents. He is killed by a group of lieutenants, the last of whom is Caesar's trusted and beloved Marcus Brutus, forcing Caesar to recognize his betrayal with the heartbreaking words, "Et tu, Brute?" Brutus momentarily placates the Roman mob with a halfhearted speech, but the truly loyal Marc Anthony in his famous "friends, Romans, countrymen" speech pokes holes in Brutus' speech and ignites the mob to drive the lieutenants from Rome. History, politics and personal ambition collide with great effect in JULIUS CAESAR. It is still worth reading and discussing well into the 21st century.   hide