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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
reread
"Este foi o mais nobre dos romanos.
Todos os conjurados, fora ele,
Agiram contra César por inveja;
Só ele, com honesta consciência
E pelo bem comum, juntou-se ao bando.
Nobremente viveu, e os elementos
De tal forma em seu ser se equilibravam
Que a Natureza bem podia erguer-se
E proclamar ao mundo: 'Eis um homem!' ".
Todos os conjurados, fora ele,
Agiram contra César por inveja;
Só ele, com honesta consciência
E pelo bem comum, juntou-se ao bando.
Nobremente viveu, e os elementos
De tal forma em seu ser se equilibravam
Que a Natureza bem podia erguer-se
E proclamar ao mundo: 'Eis um homem!' ".
Mrs. Carlton likes this play way too much and i can't take Shakespeare seriously after reading Georgia Nicolson.
I'm not going to rate this book, because I read it for a school project. This was my first Shakespeare novel, and I was very intrigued by it. I went in terrified of the writing style and I'll be honest, I was quite confused at first. I'd never read a playwright before and I really enjoyed this book-much more than I expected to. So, every couple days my English teacher would tell us to get out our book and we would read aloud to the class wearing costumes and having fun voices. I'll be honest I never volunteered to read ever-due to my anxiety and insecurities but still, I really had fun with this book. There's something special in experiencing a book together with a lot of other people who care just as much as you about reading and who feel like words are more than just words on a page (I'm in ELA honours). And it wasn't that we would just analyze all the important quotes and search for deeper meanings behind the printed text, for we did that too, but it was listening to others and expressing yourself in a safe environment. It was truly special I think. When given a literature project with such a well-known and prized text, it could be intimidating, but you start to feel the characters and believe in its beauty. Believe what you hear and feel what you wish to. There is no right or wrong in emotions and perspective, its the fact that you have a stance that matters. Okay about the book now, I didn't like Brutus. I think that he was not a tragic hero, I think that his death was not noble at all and that it was cowardess of him to run away from his consequences and fate. I felt like I connected more to Caesar. He never did anything wrong, he showed no signs of ambition and his intentions never felt dirty. He seemed like a knowledgeable and loyal man. The characters through this book were all very unique and their views interested me. I particularly loved the speeches made by some of the main protagonists, I loved Antony's at the funeral, and Caesars about fear and death and dear Brutus' about ambitions ladder. I enjoyed this whole novel thoroughly and am proud to have read something so out of my comfort zone. One thing I would like to speak to not really relating to the story is this: Though there are many a faults that we find with in ourselves, whoever you are and whatever you have done, lost your family or friends or everything... You still have you. Your brave heart and courageous soul are more valuable then the most richest of golds. So never believe of faults being a bad thing, for they are a part of the magical beauty that is you.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's kinda mid, it's the story that everyone knows but in more depth. It's interesting from a historical context, it can be entertaining at points and the build up is very intriguing, but honestly it lacks enjoyable qualities. I don't regret reading
One of the Shakespeare plays I had the pleasure of spending 5 weeks with this year. After reading, I wrote an essay on Brutus's gullibility and naïvete. The play has lots of very engaging and controversial characters, a pack likely led by Brutus with Cassius in hot pursuit. The story raises interesting ethical questions too; is it morally acceptable to kill someone who might grow into a maniacal violent tyrant? Cassius and co. seem to think so, yet that scheme (especially as it is selfishly motivated) ends in disaster for all involved. And even the most spectacular blunders (why would you let a renowned orator speak to a potentially violent crowd of armed Romans at his best friend's funeral?!) lead to historic moments such as the unrivaled delivery of the oft-lauded "Friends, Romans, Countrymen!" (Which I got to memorize and deliver for school; great fun ;) Many memorable moments: Caesar ignoring all prophetic warnings (C'mon, it's Shakespeare! You don't just disregard an ominous dream!) followed by the classic "Et tu, Brute?" (getting really loose with that Plutarch Mr. Playwright...) preceding the iconic stabbing. Cue "Bring your knife to work day" and salad dressing jokes Whoops, retroactive spoiler alert. Oh no, have I turned into one of those sarcastic and cynical Goodreads reviewers?? Sorry, I'll stop. Julius Caesar seems to be a play that is surprisingly historically accurate, yet the Bard manages, with his signature spellbinding and articulate style, to twist the tale into a touching tragedy that prompts the audience to ponder lessons on power, authority, honor, and honesty. Highly recommend giving it a read or even better watching it performed! (And I hope to see it enacted on stage near me in the next few years...hint hint wink wink)