4.13 Identifying Theme: Julius Caesar For your essay at the end of this unit, you will first need to identify a theme in Julius
Caesar, explain how it is developed in the play, and use text evidence to support your ideas. (Save your work from today to help you with your essay) For your assignment today: Identify one theme that has emerged in the play. Explain one way this theme is developed. Support your answer with one quote from the text.
Some themes you might consider in the play include:
Greed Power and ambition What it means to be masculine and feminine Trying to persuade Idealism What it means to be a (good/bad) leader The importance of omens The difference between villains and heroes
The play shows the power of the words. It is mentioned with the lines “When Caesar says ‘Do this,’ it is performed,” by Antony, who shows the similar character to Octavius. Words also have got the weight of emotions and thoughts in the play. Relevant example is Antony's lines of “Let each man render me with his bloody hand”. It is actually Antony's own intention for his conspirators. The speech of Brutus and his justification of the killing of Caesar is another example for the power of the words which he confirms his deed in disguise.
If Sir Gawaine were devising a scheme to rescue his brothers, he would be creating a plan. To "devise" means to create or elaborate something, while a "scheme" refers to a plan of action, or a plot. The word is often used in reference to a plan that is secret, or dishonest.
