God Forbid Women are Single *eye roll*

Although the full  reasoning behind Elizabeth not wanting to marry is never know in full detail, we know it worked for her.  Why though, would she not marry, never have children,  never have a "love"?  She probably never knew a "family life" (although being queen she most likely wouldn't have had much time).  Did she do this only for the good of her kingdom, so she could be the best leader they needed? Or did she have other private intentions that haven't been reveled?  Was she afraid of her husband overtaking her power? There's many reasons, some we know for sure, but maybe there are others that have never been revealed. 

No One Dies Silently

CASSIUS:

PINDARUS stabs him 

Caesar, thou art revenged,
Even with the sword that kill'd thee. (4.3.53)

CAESAR: 

in pain - bleeding slowly 

May I remind you sirs that what you are doing may not be in your best interest
I do see my faults and I accept them, wont you allow me to change?
My friends, this is not the way to settle our differences, we can come together
We must work as one to build Rome to what it may be, we mustn't argue
The people of Rome need leaders, wont you allow me to lead? 
Give me the chance I beg for, please help me to live.


BRUTUS:

with sadness - crying 

Caesar, my dear friend,
I care not to kill you, but to look in the best interest of Rome and the people
Please forgive me as I do love you so, i beg you do not feel hate for me
You must realize the damage to our people you have caused
And I care to bring change

I must start with you.

BRUTUS stabs him

CAESAR:

Dies

Brutus' Takeover

"Caesar's better parts

Shall be crown'd in Brutus."

Julius Caesar (3.2.1587)





Although its small, I found this quote interesting. Right before, someone says basically that Brutus should be Caesar, but then someone corrects him to say only the good parts about Caesar. This shows the people didn't completely not care for Caesar, only some parts of him. It shows they still want a good leader, they just need some different qualities. Their society isn't mad over Caesars death, but they're at the same time not celebrating it. They desire a good leader. Right after, someone says "Peace silence, Brutus speaks!" just like they used to say when Caesar spoke, it shows how Brutus was so quickly transformed into Caesars place, and how it didn't really phase the people.

Riddle me this....

Why is it, do you think, that Shakespeare's Julius Caesar begins and stays for an entire scene without Caesar himself, specifically in relation to Richard III? Richard was about as direct as could be as he spoke directly to the audience with a bold monologue, whilst Caesar is only talked about by other people at first.

What does it say about Caesar's character and what Shakespeare's intent was in regard to presenting the characters (Richard III and Caesar)? Consider how it would be as performed in front of a live audience and the affect it would have on them.

P.S.

Seems like a lot to ask, but it's pretty much the same thought; answering one thing helps answer another, I think. I, of course, have my own conclusions on the matter, but I figured since it's a discussion question that I shouldn't write my own answers here...? Eh?

If Only They Wouldn't Have...

Minor Challenge: Discussion Question

While  reading  Acts  One  and  Two  of  Shakespeare's  Julius Caesar,  I  wanted  to  make  note  of  a  few  situations  I  felt  that  needs  to  be  discussed.

In  Act  One,  Scene  Two,  Cassius  was  obviously  trying  to  persuade  Brutus  into  plotting  against  Caesar.  Granted,  Brutus  did  say:  "What  means  this  shouting?  I  do  fear,  the  people  choose  Caesar  for  their  king."  (act  1,  scene  2,  lines  81-82)  then,  when  asked  if  he  wanted  Caesar  to  be  king  by  Cassius,  he  replied:  "I  would  not,  Cassius.  Yet  I  love  him  well."  (act  1,  scene  2,  line  84).  This  shows  that  Brutus  already  has  doubts  about  Caesar  being  king,  but  there  does  not  appear  to  be  any  violent  intentions  of  stopping  Caesar.  Cassius,  seeing  that  Brutus  is  doubtful,  begins  to  talk  dirty  about  Caesar.  After  their  conversation,  Cassius  tells  us  about  his  plans  to  butter  up  Brutus  by  leaving  him  letters  in  places  he'll  see  about  how  great  he  (Brutus)  is  and  how  unworthy  Caesar  is.  Cassius  then  tells  us  and  Casca  that  Brutus  is  already  mainly  on  their  side,  and  he  just  needs  a  little  push  to  fully  agree  with  their  plans.  Casca  then  replies:  "Oh,  he  sits  high  in  all  the  people's  hearts,  and  that  which  would  appear  offensive  in  us,  his  countenance,  like  richest  alchemy,  will  change  to  virtue  and  to  the  worthiness."  (act  1,  scene  2,  lines  159-162).  These  scenes  angered  me  when  I  read  them,  because  I  felt  like  Cassius  and  Casca  are  only  using  Brutus  for  their  plans,  instead  of  actually  being  his  friend  and  genuinely  supporting  him.  If  Cassius  had  not  tried  to  influence  Brutus,  would  Brutus  still  have  helped  Cassius  and  the  others  on  his  own?

It  also  bothered  me  how  quickly  Brutus  gets  on  board  with  Cassius's  plans  to  kill  Caesar.  For  the  sake  of  time,  it  makes  sense  that  Shakespeare  would  rush  this  process  along,  but  it  still  gives  me  chills  thinking  about  how  one  man  can  go  from  loving  his  friend  to  wanting  him  dead.

What  also  caught  my  attention  during  the  reading  was  how  Brutus  was  not  open  to  the  idea  of  allowing  Caesar  to  become  king.  Brutus  has  a  theory  that  Caesar,  once  he  becomes  king,  will  turn  his  back  on  his  friends  and  create  chaos  within  Rome.  Brutus  believes  in  this  theory  so  much,  that  he  thinks:  "And  therefore  think  him  as  a  serpent's  egg--which,  hatched,  would  as  his  kind  grow  mischievous--and  kill  him  in  his  shell."  (act  2,  scene  1,  lines  32-34).  Instead  of  giving  Caesar  the  benefit  of  the  doubt,  Brutus  would  rather  result  to  violence.  If  Brutus  and  the  others  changed  their  minds  and  allowed  Caesar  to  rule  Rome  for  awhile,  would  the  outcome  be  the  same;  Caesar  dying  at  the  hands  of  his  friends?

Long Live Richard, England's Royal King!

BRAKENBURY.  Well, madam, and in health. But by your leave, I may not suffer you to visit him. The King hath straitly charged the contrary.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.  The King? Why, who's that?

BRAKENBURY.  I cry you mercy: I mean the Lord Protector. (Act IV, Scene I, 10-14, p. 69)

       In the opening scene of Act IV, Queen Elizabeth along with Lady Anne, Duchess of York and Marquis Dorset request to see Prince Edward and the Duke of York inside the tower. Brakenbury denies their entry at Richard III's request, but by inadvertently referring to Richard III as 'The King' Brakenbury unintentionally exposes Richard III's inevitable ascension to the throne to Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Prince Edward and the Duke of York. At this point Queen Elizabeth realizes the immediate danger that her two sons are in as Richard III's opposition to the crown.

"Oh Death"

This  song  reminds  me  of  the  people  Richard  III  has  murdered,  and  in  Act  5  scene  3,  lines  124-188  where  the  ghosts  appear  to  torment  Richard  and  encourage  Richmond/ King  Henry  VII  before  the  final  battle.  This  line,  where  all  of  the  ghosts  say  to  Richmond/  Henry  VII:  "Awake,  and  think  our  wrongs  in  Richard's  bosom  [will]  conquer  him.  Awake,  and  win  the  day"  (Act  5  scene  3,  lines  153-154)  really  caught  my  attention  and  stuck  with  me  through  the  rest  of  the  play.  It  seems  such  a  final  way  to  end  Richard  and  his  influence,  much  like  the  clip  below  where  Death,  from  Supernatural,  is  first  introduced  and  ends  the  life  of  the  man  who  rudely  bumped  into  him.  Although  I  have  watched  that  scene  multiple  times,  I  still  get  chills  every  time  I  see  it.  If  we  watch  it  in  class,  please  let  me  know  what  you  guys  think.

"Oh Death," Jen Titus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1EzU9sLQ6I



Works Cited:
Google Images
Jen Titus
Richard III by William Shakespeare
Supernatural
YouTube