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kellyrenea's review against another edition
5.0
“The fault is in our stars, not in ourselves,” “This was the most unkindest cut of all!” “Et tu Brute?” So many classic quotes from this unforgettable play! Definitely one of Shakespeare’s best! Yet the tragic hero is not Caesar, but Brutus. Poor Brutus, whom everyone knows is “an honorable man,” falls victim to a conspiracy that he believes is righteous. He “loves Caesar but loves Rome more,” and therefore must commit this horrid act that he believes will save Rome, yet tragically destroys all, including himself.
caleb8's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
happylilkt's review against another edition
5.0
Update March 27, 2021: I just watched a recording of OSF(Oregon Shakespeare Festival)'s 2017 production of Julius Caesar and am struck once more by how strong the storytelling and the writing is in this magnificent play. So many beautiful lines that we all know are here and the speeches are just so good. I am now persuaded that it must be one of my Shakespearean favorites. Also, it's past time for me to read Plutarch's [b:Lives|279461|Roman Lives A Selection of Eight Lives (Aemilius Paulus, Tiberius Gracchus and Gaius Grachus, Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Caesar, Marc Anthony)|Plutarch|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388563990l/279461._SY75_.jpg|271064]
Original review (April 2020):
We all know the Ides of March will bring tragedy for Caesar... his wife Calpurnia is troubled with vivid bloody dreams: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."
Brutus is morally persuaded that Caesar must die, is tormented by it, yet acts with boldness.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures."
Marc Antony is the consummate politician and unwavering in his resolve to overturn the conspirators and grasp power for himself.
"O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever livèd in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!"
"I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is,
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man
That love my friend. And that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit nor words nor worth,
Action nor utterance nor the power of speech,
To stir men’s blood. I only speak right on.
I tell you that which you yourselves do know,
Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me."
Politics, principles, ambitions, rhetoric, honor, conspiracy, betrayal, mobs, war. All of the complexity of men's scheming is here, enrobed in Shakespeare's rich language.
Original review (April 2020):
We all know the Ides of March will bring tragedy for Caesar... his wife Calpurnia is troubled with vivid bloody dreams: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."
Brutus is morally persuaded that Caesar must die, is tormented by it, yet acts with boldness.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures."
Marc Antony is the consummate politician and unwavering in his resolve to overturn the conspirators and grasp power for himself.
"O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever livèd in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!"
"I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is,
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man
That love my friend. And that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit nor words nor worth,
Action nor utterance nor the power of speech,
To stir men’s blood. I only speak right on.
I tell you that which you yourselves do know,
Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me."
Politics, principles, ambitions, rhetoric, honor, conspiracy, betrayal, mobs, war. All of the complexity of men's scheming is here, enrobed in Shakespeare's rich language.
purewater100's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cassiuscoded's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zoeesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
autogeek's review against another edition
4.0
The edition of the book I "read" was an audiobook from Audible from the Shakespeare Appreciated lineup. Unfortunately, this edition of the book is not listed on Goodreads and since they can't be bothered to respond to my librarian application, I have had to settle for a random edition of the book.
That said, the play itself is just "meh". It is the commentary that once again saves the play, doing an excellent job of summarizing and providing context. The plot unfortunately (perhaps because it is based on real events) is average, bordering on predictable. But like most Shakespeare plays, there are still several iconic phrases and dialogs ("Et tu, Brute" and "Friends, Romans, countrymen...") in it.
Overall, I would give this play a 3.5 (rounded up to 4) stars. Recommended with commentary.
That said, the play itself is just "meh". It is the commentary that once again saves the play, doing an excellent job of summarizing and providing context. The plot unfortunately (perhaps because it is based on real events) is average, bordering on predictable. But like most Shakespeare plays, there are still several iconic phrases and dialogs ("Et tu, Brute" and "Friends, Romans, countrymen...") in it.
Overall, I would give this play a 3.5 (rounded up to 4) stars. Recommended with commentary.
soleil_soleil's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Ewwww. Totally did not enjoy reading this play. The plot structure is literally the same as in Shakespeare's other plays - 5 acts, same chacter types, big guy dies in act 2-3, others go mad, bloody fights, death. Wow. Shocking. *eyeroll*
"Et tu, Brute?" Houlà mais tu veux quoi là 🤪
"Et tu, Brute?" Houlà mais tu veux quoi là 🤪