Assignment+4,+Death+of+Caesar


 * Assignment #4: The Death of Caesar**

For Friday's class, Read //Julius Caesar//, Act 3, Scene 1, up through just after the death of Caesar (up to line 85). After you've read, respond to one of the questions/prompts below. No more than __five students__ per question/prompt, so if a prompt is "full" make sure you respond to a different prompt. Put your last name in parentheses after your response.

1. The death of Caesar is iconic in Western cultures. Find an artistic/visual interpretation of his murder and post that image below, explaining why you think it's the most accurate or thought-provoking.

2. In his final moments, does Caesar prove that he is a leader who should be killed? Briefly explain your response.

3. Choose a significant example of figurative language from these lines and briefly explain both the figurative device used (metaphor, personification, simile, hyperbole, etc.) and its effect on meaning.

4. Imagine you are a director tasked to put this scene on the stage. Briefly provide and explain one or two decisions you would make in terms of costume, lighting, sound, blocking, movement, acting, etc. that would help bring this scene to life.

( Rivera) (Q1) It shows how isolated Caesar was when he was stabbed to death as his position was described in the book. The next line after he was stabbed was "Et tu Brutus?" which means you as well and the facial expression on his face can be described as a realization that he is going to die and he was betrayed by friends.

(Piovesan) (Q1) I think this is an accurate image of Caesar's death because he is somewhat in the position described in the book. His face is really afraid and he realizes that he is not invincible. His face also shows surprise because he is getting attacked by people he though to be his friends.

I think that in Caesar's final moments, he does prove that he is arrogant and egotistic. Whether or not he deserves to die if he was to become a leader with those qualities is another question. However,by comparing himself to the North Star ((line 66) and to Olympus, the home of the Gods (line 81), he shows that he is stubborn (he doesn't repeal his banishment of Publius, even when his friends fall to the ground in front of him and beg him) and arrogant/ prideful. I, personally, would not want to be under the leadership of such a person, nor do I doubt that Caesar's ego works against him in the minds of those who were already disposed to dislike him. However, this makes him a strong leader, and in that time in Rome, a strong leader could be what the nation needed. (Kanakiya, Q2)



This picture actually shows what happens after Caesar is stabbed. You can see that the conspirators had attacked him and thrown over his chair and then left in excitement. Everyone is leaving and the room is completely empty, while Caesar is lying on the ground, alone. (Archer, Q1)

In the Caesar's final speech, he says "But I am constant as the northern star...," which is a metaphor and personification. It is a metaphor because it is a comparison by using an intangible idea to describe a tangible object, and it is a personification because he is giving human qualities to an inanimate object. Metellus, Cassius and Cinna all plead to Caesar to let Publius Cimber return to Rome (because he was banished), but Caesar refuses. This metaphor means that Caesar will not change his mind, and he is powerful and will stand for his beliefs. (Q2, Mohr)

in this picture, Caesar doesn't look scared as much as betrayed which is what i picked up from his death when he said "et tu, Brute?" right before he died, Caesar did seam like an egotistical, power hungry fool. he compared himself to the gods (so original) and would not allow Publius return from banishment. (Correa) In this picture, Julius Caesar is wearing his renown tiara. There is a dagger already falling to the ground, so Caesar has most likely already been stabbed. One conspirator is ready to strike (that might be Cassius because he seems the one most filled with wrath). Another one has a visible knife in the left corner. The crowd behind seems very concerned and are trying to get a better view of what's going on. The bearded man approaching appears to be concerned as well; I'm not sure if he's a conspirator or has come to Caesar's aid. I think this image is thought-provoking because Caesar seems weak and powerless, while the others seem power and blood-thirsty. (Ioachimescu) (Q1)

Question 4- If I were to have directed this scene in a play, the moment where Brutus is stabbing Caesar would be very dramatic and exaggerated, with dim spotlights on both men, Caesar kneeling and looking up at his friend in awe and Brutus, maybe hesitantly killing his dear friend. (Audibert)

As the director as of this movie, at the end of the dramatic scene where Caesar is getting stabbed in the back, I'd have the music start to get faster and faster as they get close to killing Caesar. After having Caesar kneel down, take a glance up and see that it is Brutus that is doing the deed. Then all the music go silent, and you faintly hear Caesar say, "Et tu Brute". Brutus thus having a weird feeling after killing his "friend" (Breezy Q4)

Question 4- If I were the director in this scene in the play, I would make Caesar get stabbed while sitting down in his chair as shown in the paintings above, the movement and speed would change from a normal pace to slow motion once Brutus is about to stab Caesar all the way through the stabbing and as Caesar falls and hits the ground. In the background, music would start to speed up and as soon as the movement goes into slow motion, the music would also speed down, once Caesar is stabbed and he starts to fall to the ground with an expression on his face where he can't believe what has happened, the music fades, once all is silent, Brutus steps back and wipes the sweat off his forehead. (#Jimenez)

Question 4: If I were directing this scene, I would have tried to show as much emotion, through the acting, as possible - Brutus stabbing Caesar with some hint of guilt, though repeatedly stabbing his friend until his death. Caesar looking confused and surprised at exactly what was going on at first, looking innocent and afraid of his so-called "friends". I think that fast and dramatic movements would fit the scene very well, like Brutus stabbing at Caesar over, and over again without a pause. I also don't think I would show Caesar's actual death, I think the scene should fade away just before he dies. I feel that would make it more dramatic. The lighting would be dim. (#lorhab)

Question 3: In Caesar's speech from lines 63 to 78, he compares himself to the northern star. He uses a simile, saying "But I am constant as the northern star" (line 65), and then uses an extended metaphor of the nighttime and the stars in the sky. He states that the northern star is the only star in the sky that remains continuously in its place, that doesn't budge; he says that although the other stars "are all fire and every one doth shine" (line 69), there is only one star that keeps its place, that doesn't move. And that star (which, in Caesar's eyes, is considered the best and strongest one), is the northern star (i.e. Caesar). He compares himself to this star because he is expressing how single-minded and focused he is, and he is demonstrating his ability to make decisions and stick by them. He trusts his choices and follows through with them; he does not flip flop from one idea to another. He is not indecisive; he confidently decides on something and does not change his opinion, just like the northern star does not move. In this case, the issue is the banishment of Publius Cimber: the members of the conspiracy against Caesar are all trying to convince him to change his mind about banishing Publius Cimber, yet Caesar will not change his decision. (Khoury)