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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
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)
Happy Ides of March!
I am now going to go on AO3 to read Brutus/Cassius fanfiction <3
I am now going to go on AO3 to read Brutus/Cassius fanfiction <3
Always a good read. Marc Antony’s speech is maybe my favorite in all of Shakespeare. The rhetorical punch and progression is just stunning.
why should Caesar get to stomp around like a giant while the rest of us try not to get smushed under his big feet? what’s so great about Caesar, hm? Brutus is just as cute as Caesar. Brutus is just as smart as Caesar. People totally like Brutus just as much as they like Caesar. And when did it become okay for one person to be the boss of everybody, huh? because that’s not what Rome is about. We should totally just STAB CAESAR.
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this the guy they named the salad after
I really enjoyed Julius Caesar and got caught up in the intrigue and suspense. I found the character of Brutus to be much more sympathetic than expected, and I loved the cunning of Mark Antony. One of my favorite lines by Antony - "Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt! - gave me chills. What a fantastic scene of Antony turning the crowd against the "honourable men."
I decided not to give this 5 stars because I haven't read enough of Shakespeare's plays to say, "This is amazing, and better than_________." Perhaps my reasoning is faulty, but I'm going with it for now. I can always come back and change my rating. :) Now to read more Shakespeare!
I decided not to give this 5 stars because I haven't read enough of Shakespeare's plays to say, "This is amazing, and better than_________." Perhaps my reasoning is faulty, but I'm going with it for now. I can always come back and change my rating. :) Now to read more Shakespeare!