Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What do you know about Julius Caesar and the ancient Romans? Consider events from Caesar’s life, such as his Gallic Wars, the Roman Civil War, and Caesar’s assassination. What characteristics are typically associated with Caesar?

Teaching Suggestion: The life and accomplishments of Caesar were carefully documented by authors and historians, including Caesar himself. Caesar was usually represented as a highly capable and ambitious politician and general, and these qualities contributed to his success as well as his downfall. Knowing something about the historical Caesar and his world can help students engage with Shakespeare’s play on a deeper level. Some students may not be familiar with Julis Caesar, the ancient Romans, or wars during this time. If this is the case, consider allowing students to conduct brief, informal research to help them develop a stronger foundation prior to in-class discussions.

• This page includes a translation of Suetonius’s popular biography of Julius Caesar.
• This article from History Today discusses the assassination of Julius Caesar and the aftermath of the event.