Question

Shakespeare's characters may have lived a long time ago, in a country that is very different from your own, but they are still very human, with hopes, dreams, fears, and flaws. In this assignment, your task is to draw a thematic connection between this ancient tale of conspiracy and murder and your own real and modern world. For your presentation, you will • Select one theme from Julius Caesar. In your introduction, explain how it is developed in the play. • Use evidence from the text of the play (quotations from characters; examples of conflicts and resolutions; character choices, actions, and motivations, etc.) to support your ideas. • Conclude your presentation by clearly explaining how the theme you chose relates to real life. • Use an appropriate pattern of organization and create smooth transitions between your ideas. • Use verbal and nonverbal communication skills that are appropriate given your audience and purpose. • Outline the contents of your presentation using the Speech Notes Graphic Organizer. Remember to submit this. • Deliver the content of your presentation in a 1.5–2 minute oral presentation.

Answer 1

 This was my speech:

Julius Ceasar was a book filled with greed, corruption, and ambition.  But the biggest theme of the whole book was power.  Ceasar had so much power and was going to turn the city into becoming a dictatorship.  His friends decided to kill him so he wouldn't ruin the city.

As you can see from these examples in the book Cassius says:

" CASSIUS

Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life

Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

BRUTUS

Grant that, and then is death a benefit.

So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged

His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,

And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood

Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords."  This means that after stabbing Caesar in the back, Cassius and Brutus reason that they've done their pal a favor: now that Caesar's death, he no longer has to worry about dying. Then Brutus has another good idea – the conspirators should wash their hands in their friend's blood to signal that they've freed Rome from tyranny.

 In conclusion, this story relates to real-life because many people have a way to much power and need to be put to an end.  The only difference is that you could just kill them in the book but in real life that's not exactly an option.