 |
Menu:
Research Links
This site, sponsored by the University of Reading (UK), is dedicated to
providing background information on Shakespearean performance in original
conditions. Centered around the construction of a replica of the Globe
playhouse in London, it includes pages devoted to the original Globe and
other playhouses in Early Modern London, reports and photographic documentaries
on reconstruction and performances at the New Globe, and also some practical
information.
PBS's Frontline program ran this show about the argument over whether
William Shakespeare was the real author of the plays and poems in existence. The
producer of this show takes the position that Shakespeare was not the author.
This web site provided by PBS has links to all sides of the question and offers
some interesting reading on the topic.
This is a simple site designed for middle school students but has some history
necessary for understanding Julius Caesar and his background. Go to the home
page and click on the picture of Julius Caesar.
This is the reconstructed Globe Theater, located just 200 yards east of
the original Globe where Shakespeare's plays were originally performed.
The original Globe opened in 1599. It burned down in 1613 and was immediately
rebuilt. It was closed by the Puritans in 1642. Now, after almost
400 years, the Globe Theater has been opened to the public again: the rebuilt
playhouse was officially inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen on Thursday
12 June 1997.
This site attempts two things: (1)To be a complete annotated guide
to the scholarly Shakespeare resources available on Internet. (2)To present
new Shakespeare material unavailable elsewhere on the Internet
Shakespeare can speak to everyone, and with this belief, we've begun assembling
a collection of dynamic lesson plans for teaching Shakespeare in all kinds
of classrooms with all kinds of students.
This series of pages was originally intended for students who wish to study
the works of William Shakespeare at the late high school or introductory
college level.
Shakespeare Illustrated explores nineteenth century paintings, criticism
and productions of Shakespeare's plays and their influences on one another.
Shakespeare lovers on the internet.
Sites of Interest
Offers support to the theories that it was not William Shakespeare did
not write the plays. This page suggests that it was Edward de Vere, the
17th Earl of Oxford (1550-1604), who is the true writer.
Shakespeare for Fun
Write your own Shakespearean sonnet using the words most often used by
the bard himself. Arrange the words as you would in magnet poetry.
Yes, now you can have the sonnet of the day e-mailed to you. Imagine, one
sonnet a day to a more beautiful and literate life.
Test yourself on your knowledge of the most famous quotes from Shakespeare's
plays.
Learn how to tell 'em off with wit and style. All insults are based on
the words from Shakespeare's plays.
Students at the high school at Glen Ridge, New Jersey have created a fun
movie mixing Macbeth and Star Wars.
Assignments
Discussion and Essay
Topics for Julius Caesar:
If you are caught without your text, do not worry. Click on the following
link to find a cite that contains the play:
Supernatural Elements
Shakespeare uses supernatural elements throughout his play The Tragedy
of Julius Caesar. From the soothsayer who warns Caesar to "Beware the
Ides of March" to Calphurnia's dreams that foretell the assassination to
Caesar's ghost, the play is packed more than usual with links to the supernatural.
What do they add to or take away from the play? Do these elements get in
the way of the message of the play or do they add a special dimension.
Please find as many of these elements as you can and decide if they are
a help or a hindrance to the theme.
Courage and Cowardice
There are many examples of courage and cowardice in this play. Caesar brags
of his ability to stare danger in the eye and Cassius speaks of a Caesar
who fears death. Casca is seen as both a man who fears a thunder storm
and the first to strike at Caesar. How do these discussions and examples
of the qualities of fear and bravery add to the themes on Julius Caesar?
Find as many examples of discourse on these topics as you can and then
relate how they enhance the meaning of the play.
Janus-faced Attitudes
Janus was the Roman god who wore two faces, one looking forward, the other
backward. He was the god of openings and closings, beginnings and endings.
(January is named for him.) He undeservedly has given his name to a phrase,
"Janus-faced," which mean two-faced or hypocritical. Many of the characters
in Julius Caesar act one way when with one character and another
way when alone or with a different character. Casca, Cassius, Antony and
even Caesar himself behave differently depending upon who he is with. Who
in the play displays hypocrisy and where? Are there any characters who
are as they seem no matter who he or she is with? What does this say about
the themes of Julius Caesar?
Good Brutus/Bad Brutus
In most modern entertainment it is easy to spot the good guy or the bad
guy. With Shakespeare, there are just guys (in his day, this was taken
literally). Is Brutus a good person or a bad person. Please find examples
of each and then weigh them and come to a conclusion about him. Remember,
you must find examples of the good and the bad (and there are many) or
you have only done half the work.
Kill Caesar/Spare Caesar
Well, what would you have done? Were the conspirators right or wrong? Would
you have aided their conspiracy or would you have tried to stop it? If
you would have not gotten involved, please add yourself to the aiders and
abettors, because you had foreknowledge of the deed and chose to do nothing
to stop it. Please pick a side and then prove with citings from the text
that you have chosen the proper side and that the other side is wrong.
Copyright 2001-2002 by Thomas Trevenen
Number of visitors since January 8, 2001:
You have visited this page 13 times.
|
