Essay notes

ASSIGNMENT

Write an essay on the way in which Caesar’s character is depicted by 1) what others say about him, notably Cassius and Brutus, 2) what his interaction with his wife reveals, and 3) how Caesar’s words and actions right before the assassination (Act III, Scene i) show his true nature.

FORMAT

Double spaced

12 point font

MLA parenthetical citations


PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

One or two paragraph paraphrase of a research source. Put a parenthetical citation at the end of the paragraph.

Body

What Cassius and Brutus say about Caesar (1 or 2 paragraphs)

What is revealed about Caesar in the scene with his wife (1 or 2 paragraphs)

What Caesar reveals about himself in III. i. (1 or 2 paragraphs)

Conclusion – 1 paragraph









PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS

Placed in the text after what is being cited.

Quotations

Paraphrase

Include author’s name (if there is one) and page number (if there is one)

If no author, then give the title of the article, not Sparknotes

Julius Caesar is introduced in the play as victorious leader of Rome just returned from conquering Gaul. Although he is very popular among the people, it is feared by some of the Senators, notable Cassius and Brutus, that he may become king and revoke their privileges as the governing body of Rome. Introduced early in the play as a great but arrogant leader who fears nothing, Caesar is warned by his wife Calphurnia not to go to the Senate on the "ides of March" the very day he is assassinated. His character is a complex one, revealed by what other characters say about him, how he interacts with his wife, and what he says about himself (Tillyard 64).

Works Cited
Tillyard, E.M.W. “Julius Caesar.” Absolute Shakespeare. New York:
Harper and Row, 2008.
“Julius Caesar.” Absolute Shakespeare. New York: Harper and Row, 2008.
“Julius Caesar.” Absolute Shakespeare. 12 April 2008.



… the "ides of March" the very day he is assassinated. His character is a complex one, revealed by what other characters say about him, how he interacts with his wife, and what he says about himself (“Julius Caesar” 29).

… the "ides of March" the very day he is assassinated. His character is a complex one, revealed by what other characters say about him, how he interacts with his wife, and what he says about himself (“Julius Caesar”).
Parenthetical citations for lines from Shakespeare:
(I.i.1-15)
As Caesar and his followers return from the Lupercal, Cassius tries to discover Brutus’ feelings about Caesar’s ambition. Brutus somewhat reluctantly says that he is afraid that the people want to make Caesar king, which prompts Cassius to reply, “Ay, do you fear it? /Then I must think you would not have it so” (I.ii.80-81). Clearly, Cassius himself would not have Caesar crowned, for he thinks Caesar is pathetically weak and even recounts an incident in which Caesar almost drowned in a swimming contest and later cried out for water when he was ill. “And this man is now become a god?” Cassius asks incredulously (I. ii. 115-16).