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| Julius Caesar (The New Folger Library Shakespeare) | 
 enlarge | Author: William Shakespeare
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Category: Book
List Price: $5.99
Buy Used: $1.20
You Save: $4.79 (80%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 22519
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 0743482743
Dewey Decimal Number: 822.33
EAN: 9780743482745
ASIN: 0743482743
Publication Date: January 1, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Expect to see visible wear to book including crease to cover and spine
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Power Of Language May 16, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Julius Caesar is murdered very shortly into this play so while he bears the title the play is about the conspirators and the supporters of caesar and the struggle for power that comes after his asassination. The power of language to persude the masses and the fickle nature of crowds are only a few of the themes that Shakespeare explores.
Shakespeare explores the nature of tyranny, politics and absolute power in ways that must have been remarkably risky and controversial in his day.
Someone below noted that we have come to believe that the events as Shakespeare crafted them in his play are how this really happened. "Et Tu Brutus", etc. This is one of the better known and more widely read of Shakespeare's works and is the way many middle school kids are introduced to Shakespeare (maybe rivaled by Romeo and Juliet).
That said it is a fine drama and after multiple readings will still yield something new to think about or some new phrase that will stick in the readers mind.
When Brutus and Antony each deliver their respective addresses to the crowd following Caesar's death Shakespeare demonstrates a universal truth that people can be persuaded by words and the body politic is susceptable to a good propogandist. As true today as it was then.
 Shakespeare was meant to be seen and heard not read September 2, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
At the outset, I will corrupt my review by saying that any Shakespeare play should be watched live if possible otherwise by proxy by getting hold of a copy of the BBC productions widely available on dvd.
Having said this, I particularly enjoyed reading this tragedy after watching the production.
It is filled with humour from the beginning of Act 1 and furnished with brilliant speeches:
Caes. I could be well moved, if I were as you:
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me: 60
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
They are all fire and every one doth shine,
But there's but one in all doth hold his place:
So in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank, 70
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he,
Let me a little show it, even in this+;
That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Musings on the nature of evil acts:
Bru. --Let 'em enter. Exit Lucius.
They are the faction. O conspiracy,
Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
When evils are most free? O, then by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;
Hide it in smiles and affability:
For if thou path, thy native semblance on,
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention. Enter the conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS CIMBER, and TREBONIUS.
Classic one liners:
1) Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears
2) If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:--
Not that I loved Caesar less, but that
I loved Rome more
Shakespeare's insights into the nature of human thought and desires is penetrating yet pardoxically reflective.
The story fades into the backgroud eclipsed by philosophy, human behaviour and psychology offered to us in beautiful prose garnished with humour, wit, symbolism and metaphors.
Words can be as dangerous as weapons, when wielded with expertise... December 31, 2005
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
"Julius Caesar" was written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), and even though it is not as well-known as some of his other plays, it is a classic that should be read with the attention it deserves.
The main character is, of course, Julius Caesar, and this play tells us about his assassination. The plays also highlights how those who survived him tried to earn the approval of the fickle plebeians. In my opinion, one of the best scenes is that in which Brutus, and then Mark Anthony, speak to the plebeians. Brutus, depicted as an idealistic man that loved Caesar but feared his ambitions, stands by his actions and seems to be respected for taking a stand on behalf of the republic. However, soon enough Anthony starts his eulogy to Caesar, pointing out that Caesar cared for Rome above everything and that he had remembered the people of Rome in his testament. As a result of Anthony mastery of words, the plebeians turn their back on Brutus, and start a riot.
Truth to be told, "Julius Caesar" doesn't end there, but that scene is a turning point in the story, and perhaps more importantly, an excellent way to realize that words can be as dangerous as weapons, when wielded with expertise.
All in all, I can say that I liked this play. Yes, it is true that it is not overly easy to read, due to the fact that the language in which it is written is quite dated, but you can always buy a reading companion to "Julius Caesar", or an edition with good footnotes. And even though Shakespeare's English isn't "your" English, I think you will manage!
In my opinion, you should try to overcome that small inconvenient. The reasons for that are at least two. First, the story is interesting. Secondly, it is always a good idea to remember how important a good mastery of language is, and this play helps you to do exactly that. On the whole, recommended!
Belen Alcat
Another enjoyable history lesson. May 24, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
As with so many of Shakespeare's history and tragedy plays, this one is a wonderful history lesson. It is also a wonderful character portrayal of some well-known historical figures. Brutus is a fine example of one of Shakespeare's most wonderfully portrayed tragic figures. Brutus is the true hero of this tragic play. There are lots of wonderful soliliquays, and the language used is just beautiful. A wonderful play to re-read.
Shakespeare never gets stale April 9, 2006
Scholars have expounded on the merits of Shakespeare's work for centuries, so I'm not likely to add anything of value here. I merely want to point out how extraordinary and rewarding it is to read something written 500 years ago that still seems so fresh today. Human nature really hasn't changed at all. Upon rereading this tale of the machinations surrounding the assassination of Julius Caeser, the scene that really stood out for me was the one in which the assassin Brutus and the loyalist Antony take turns addressing the public following Caeser's death. The manner in which the crowd is stirred against Caeser by Brutus and then swayed the opposite way by Antony can be read as a humorous parody of today's poll-driven political scene. When Antony insists that "I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,/ Action, nor utterance, nor the powers of speech/ To stir men's blood; I only speak right on," I can hear the voices of any number of modern politicians, including good old George W. himself.
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