Introduction
Follow-up Activity of Shakespeare's Play "Julius Caesar"
The Appropriate Grades For This Webquest: 6-8
Created by Mrs. Halfin's English Sophomore Class
Julius Caesar was a manipulative man who rose to power through his connections, becoming the dictator of Rome. A dear friend of his was a noble, patriotic politician: Marcus Junius Brutus. Through Caesar's rise to power, Brutus questions the fate of Rome under Caesar's rule. He faced the decision on whether or not to join a conspiracy to kill Caesar.
Task
Your task is to first read Shakespeare's play, "Julius Caesar", if you haven't already. You can read the online version here: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/full.html
Next, you will develop a historical knowledge of the two main characters, Brutus and Caesar. Your job is to research both Brutus and Caesar, using your own sources as well as the ones we provide. After conducting research (enough to answer the questions in the "Process" portion of this Webquest), you will complete a final project.
Let's get started!
Process
Your research should cover these questions as a miniumum:
1. Describe Julius Caesar's personality.
2. How did Julius Caesar first start to prove his ability to lead an attack?
3. Which country did Julius govern a Roman province of in 61-60 BC?
4. In 59 BC what was Julius elected as?
5. How long was Julius the dictator of his country before his assassination?
6. Who is Brutus' wife?
7. How did the real Brutus die?
8. Why was Brutus so special to Caesar?
9. Where did Brutus' loyalties lie?
10. What was Brutus' reputation in real life?
**Use these links to help you:
http://www.biography.com/people/julius-caesar-9192504#awesm=~oEm3FIWtk2RPIc
http://www.livius.org/bn-bz/brutus/brutus02.html
http://www.shmoop.com/julius-caesar/brutus.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brutus-commits-suicide
http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=characters&FileName=brutus2.php
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/82449/Marcus-Junius-Brutus
Evaluation
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Use this rubric for the next tab: Oral Presentation Rubric : Caesar and Brutus Skit |
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CATEGORY |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Pitch |
Pitch was often used and it conveyed emotions appropriately. |
Pitch was often used but the emotion it conveyed sometimes did not fit the content. |
Pitch was rarely used OR the emotion it conveyed often did not fit the content. |
Pitch was not used to convey emotion. |
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Volume |
Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation. Volume varies through out according to emotion. |
Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time. Volume varies at some points. |
Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time. Volume varies very little. |
Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members. Volume never varies. |
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Props |
Student uses several props that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better. Considerable effort was shown. |
Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better. Effort was shown. |
Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better. Little effort was shown. |
The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation. No effort was shown. |
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Preparedness |
Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. All lines were memorized. |
Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. Some lines were memorized. |
The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. Very few lines were memorized. |
Student does not seem at all prepared to present. No lines were memorized, constantly reading off of script. |
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Written Script |
Script contains thirty lines. Each character speaks at least six separate times each. |
Script contains at least twenty-five lines. Each character speaks at least five separate times. |
Script contains at least twenty lines. Each character speaks at least four separate times. |
Script contains less than twenty lines and characters speak less than four separate times each. |
Conclusion
Your final project is to gather a small group of students and conduct a short skit of the scene where Brutus kills Caesar.
You must write a script with at least thirty lines, with each character speaking at least six seperate times each. LINES MUST BE MEMORIZED to recieve full credit. Also consider how pitch and volume affect the play, and use both accordingly.
Have fun with this! Play up emotion, as well as use props! The creativity will make the play more entertaining, thus giving you a better grade.
Good luck!
Credits
Sources:
"Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 28 May2014."Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio." Brutus. N.p., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.livius.org/bn-bz/brutus/brutus02.html>.Shmoop Editorial Team. "Brutus in Julius Caesar." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.shmoop.com/julius-caesar/brutus.html>."Julius Caesar." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/>."Brutus commits suicide." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brutus-commits-suicide>.Badian, E.. "Marcus Junius Brutus (Roman politician)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/82449/Marcus-Junius-Brutus>.