ABOUT THE AUTHER

William Shakespeare was bon on April 23.

1564 at Stratford-on-Avon in
Warwickshire. He was the son of John and
Mary Shakespeare. John Shakespeare was
a prosperous businessman. When seven
years of age, Shakespeare was admitted
into a Grammar School. At the age of
fourteen, Shakespeare had to leave school.
In 1582, when Shakespeare was eighteen,
he married Anne Hathaway. In 1587, he
left Stratford for commenced writing his
great plays, the first being Loves Labour
Lost.
In 1597, at the age of thirty-three,
Shakespeare returned to Stratford and
bought a house there, which he called New
Palace, he lived until his death in 1616. h
was buried in Stratford Church.
THEME
One of the main themes of the play is overconfidence as a
human weakness. Overconfidence makes one proud and
unkind. It makes one short-sighted and blind of ones
weaknesses. Julius Caesar in his overconfidence ignores the
pleas of his Senators. He fails to judge the pulse of the people.
He fails to retain the confidence of even his close friends like
Brutus. He has to pay a heavy price for his weakness. Marcus
Brutus is another character who falls a victim of
overconfidence. It is in over-confidence that he allows
Antony to deliver the funeral speech, which turns the public
against him and his associates. Overconfidence leads to his
defeat and death.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
JULIUS CAESAR
Julius Caesar is a great warrior and popular
ruler. He has won many battles and
defeated Pompeys sons. He is worshipped
by the people. He is quite fearless. He
prides himself on his spirit of resolution.
He remains unmoved by the requests of the
senators. His stubborn makes people
hostile. He had no belief in superstitions,
spirits and omens. He rejects the fears
created by the soothsayer. Ever after his
death, he continues to be a powerful force
and influence. In a way, his spirit refuses to
die.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
MARCUS BRUTUS
Marcus Brutus holds a high position
in Rome. He is much respected for his
nobility and selflessness. He is a
rationalist. He loves freedom and
republicanism. When he is sure that
his friend Caesar has become a
dictator. He sides with his enemies. In
fact, he is blinded by his over-
confidence. This over-confidence
becomes the cause of his failure,
defeat and death. He makes a blunder
in allowing Antony to deliver the
funeral speech.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
CAIUS CASSIUS
Cassius is Caesars enemy. It is he who
builds a conspiracy against Caesar. He is
jealous of Caesar. He is practical. He
knows that without the help of Brutus,
the forces of conspiracy cannot win. So
he does his best in seeking the support
of Brutus. In spite of his weaknesses, he
has extreme love for his country. He
loves freedom. He is convinced that
Caesar will become a dictator and put an
end to their freedom. So when he learns
that Caesar is to wear the crown, he
promises to himself to work against
Caesar.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
MARK ANTONY
Mark Antony is a firmly devoted to
Caesar. When Caesar is killed, he decides
to take revenge on Caesars enemies. He
is quite cunning and schemy. At first, he
befriends the conspirators. Then he turns
the wave against them. His funeral speech
reveals that he is a subtle orator who can
play on the emotions of his listeners. He
is a leisure-loving person. He is fond of
plays.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
PORTIA
Portia is Brutus wife and Catos
daughter. She is worthy of sharing her
husbands secret. She is a true and
honourable wife. She stands by her
husband in all circumstances.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
CALPURNIA
Calpurnia Pisonis daughter of Lucius
Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, sister of
Lucius Calpurnius Piso, "the Pontifex",
was a Roman woman and the third and
last wife of Julius Caesar. Calpurnia was
the great-granddaughter of a lieutenant
of Lucius Cassius Longinus, whose
name was Lucius Piso. The grandfather
of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesonius
was killed by the Tigurini during
the Gallic Wars, as was Lucius Cassius
Longinus.