Julius Caesar Project Ideas
October 9th, 2007
Question: Ideas for an english project?
Does anyone have any ideas for an english project? It's Julius Caesar political ads. Brutus vs. Caesar and Caesar vs. Brutus.
Answer: Heroes vs. Villains
Both Cesar and Brutus are perceived to be heroes and villains in Julius Caesar. At the opening of the play, Caesar is hailed for his conquests and is admired for his apparent humility upon refusing the crown. However, once murdered, Caesar is painted (by Brutus et al) as a power hungry leader with the intentions of enslaving all of Rome. Brutus' speech, which follows Caesar's death, successfully manipulates the plebeian perspective. By the end of his speech, the crowd is hailing Brutus for killing Caesar, whom they now perceive as a great villain. But, the crowd is easily swayed once again when Antony speaks. Following Brutus' remarks, Antony gives Caesar's eulogy, manipulating the crowd with stories of Caesar's kindness, and sharing the details of Caesar's will, which leaves money to every Roman. At the end of Antony's speech, the crowd is once again supportive of Caesar, mourns his death, and seeks to kill Brutus, Cassius, and the other murderers. The swaying opinions of the plebeians, and the great differences in opinion that the play presents leave the audience to determine who, if anyone, is the hero, and who, if anyone, is the villain.
(I'm not sure if this will help, but I found a website that had a list of class activities for the topic, Julius Caesar; maybe you can generate ideas for your project from the information provided below.)
Your Class vs Julius Caesar, case 31544:
Hold a mock trial against Caesar. Use evidence from the text to find out if he is really worthy of death. Brutus may serve as the judge, a few Roman citizens as jury. Cassius may serve as chief prosecutor and Antony as representative for defense. You may hear testimony from other senators, Caesar’s family etc.Et tu Brute? Role Play:
Have students think of modern equivalents to Brutus’s situation. For example, a friend is trying to persuade you to drive without a license. He says it’s an emergency, you are a careful driver, but . . . What will you do? Or, our best friend has been elected student body president. Soon, you notice that she or she is taking advantage of the position by treating people differently, or cheating on assignments. How would you deal with this situation?Mud Slinging:
Assign students in small groups to create a mud slinging campaign against the political parties of Brutus and Cassius or Antony and Octavius. They can create radio spots and commercials, design posters, T-shirts, or bumper stickers exposing their opponents’ flaws. Have students “pitch” their campaign to the rest of the class.Opinionnaire: What is Democracy, Politics, Patriotism, and Protest?
Before reading the play, have students take the following “yes or no” survey to determine what they think about democracy and political systems. Have them retake the survey after having studied the play; discuss how their opinions have changed.
1. Murder is never justified.
2. People, not politicians know what is best for their country.
3. If a political leader becomes to powerful, it is right to get rid of him or her by whatever means necessary.
4. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
5. In certain situations it may be justified for a political leader to bend or break the law for the good of the country.
6. People should never compromise their ideals or beliefs.
7. “My country right or wrong” is not just a slogan; it is every citizen’s patriotic duty.
8. No cause, political or otherwise, is worth dying for.
9. Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant taste of death but once.
10. The evil that men do lives after them; the good is [often buried] with their bones.
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