Episode 40 - Julius Caesar

Power, politics, ambition, and honour. Four human facets set across the backdrop of a failing Republic. Is Julius Caesar the most topical play to talk about on November 3, 2020? Yes, but we swear we didn't plan it that way - sometimes the stars simply align.

We talked about the characters and their foibles, the historical factors that fed into the play, and Shakespeare's decision to avoid easy answers when talking about one of the most divisive figures in Ancient History. We circled round and round trying to find those answers, but wound up in mired in the midst of a play that continues to excite with its staging, its rhetoric, and the timeless lines that stride through history like so many colossi. Answers? Maybe not, but a play worth looking at in this day and age? Absolutely.

Notes:

Lindsay watched this Tony Robinson documentary about Julius Caesar and it was mentioned a few times in our discussion.

We also discussed this awesome feat of Caesar's at the battle of Alesia, which Buzzfeed took on to the joy of many (including your hosts).

Ancient Bickerings:

Our discussion this week was fitting for a play all about great men and their choices: is there an ideal leader anywhere in the play?