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English Literature / Drama GCSE: Julius Caesar - Act 3, Scene 1 - Leader or dictator (workshop)

The actors investigate how to play the character of Julius Caesar and explore the dramatic purpose of the action just before the murder.

This short film is from the 鶹Լ series, Shakespeare Unlocked.

Teacher Notes

In pairs or small groups, ask your students to dissect Caesar's speech into words and phrases where he speaks about himself and words and phrases where he speaks about others (they could do this in two columns).

Students should then compare the columns together.

How does Caesar speak about himself, and what in the language suggests his arrogance?

Now ask students to look at the language used by the others in the scene about themselves and about Caesar.

How far do their own words add to the division in language?

Curriculum Notes

This short film is suitable for teaching GCSE English literature and drama in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/ 5 in Scotland.

More from Shakespeare Unlocked: Julius Caesar

Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius enlists Brutus. video

Cassius confronts Brutus about his friend’s uncharacteristic coldness.

Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius enlists Brutus

Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius and Brutus (workshop) video

The actors explore what their characters are trying to achieve in this early confrontation.

Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius and Brutus (workshop)

Act I, Scene 2 - Persuading Brutus (workshop) video

Exploring the tactics Cassius uses to persuade Brutus to join the plot to assassinate Caesar.

Act I, Scene 2 - Persuading Brutus (workshop)

Act I, Scene 2 - Marking the words (workshop) video

The actors explore key points in Cassius’s speech about Caesar and the future of Rome.

Act I, Scene 2 - Marking the words (workshop)

Act 3, Scene 1 - The Murder. video

Conspirators isolate Caesar on the way to the Senate and Cimber presents his petition.

Act 3, Scene 1 - The Murder

Act 3, Scene 1 - Killing Caesar (workshop) video

The actors use the clues in the text to build an unique interpretation of Caesar’s murder.

Act 3, Scene 1 - Killing Caesar (workshop)

Act 3, Scene 2 - The Orations. video

Brutus explains why conspirators killed Caesar and insists they stay to hear Mark Antony.

Act 3, Scene 2 - The Orations

Act 3, Scene 2 - Rhetoric and politics (workshop) video

The two funeral speeches are compared, each set against the structures of rhetoric.

Act 3, Scene 2 - Rhetoric and politics (workshop)