This article provides important terms related to the model of tragedy when studying Julius Caesar. Share these terms with your students and encourage them to identify an example of each while they are reading the play Julius Caesar so students feel prepared for reading.
Model of Tragedy Terms
These terms are similar to the ones students should have learned when studying short stories. Although the definitions may be similar, some distinct differences are apparent as well. For example, the terms exciting force and catastrophe are specific to Shakespearean tragedy and should be identified as such.
Exposition
The exposition describes the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the play. The time and place will be identified as well as the main characters. The exposition in Julius Caesar includes the two tribunes, Marullus and Flavius, criticizing the commoners for celebrating Caesar’s return to Rome from battle. They clearly support Pompey, their previous leader. Villagers are also preparing for the annual Feast of Lupercal, so there exists a general jubilant atmosphere. Many characters are introduced, including Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, Antony, Calpurnia and the Soothsayer. The conspiracy is formed.
Exciting Force
Also sometimes called the complication, the exciting force introduces the conflict and begins the action of the play. The exciting force occurs in Julius Caesar when Brutus decides to join the conspiracy against Caesar, even though he does so for the love of Rome.
Rising Action
The rising action includes the series of events which lead up to the climax of the play. This includes all the events leading up to Caesar’s murder, such as Calpurnia’s dream of Caesar being murdered and Caesar’s stubborn decision to go to the Senate against his wife’s wishes.
Climax
Although the climax in fiction is identified as the peak action in a story, it has an additional dimension in drama. This moment also represents the turning point of the play. From this point on, the protagonist moves to his or her inevitable end. The climax in Julius Caesar occurs when the conspirators murder Caesar.
Falling Action
The falling includes all events occurring from the time of the climax to the protagonist’s death at the end. Examples of falling action in Julius Caesar include the following: Antony wins the favor of the Roman people; Brutus sees Caesar’s ghost; Antony’s forces gain the upper hand at Philippi.
Catastrophe
The catastrophe concerns the necessary consequences of the hero’s previous actions which must be the protagonist’s death. It will usually be simple and brief. In Julius Caesar, this includes the deaths of Cassius and Brutus.
Teaching dramatic terms is a great starting place to help students who have never before read a Shakespearean drama. Allowing them to study the basic plot in advance gives them a touchstone of familiarity when faced with archaic language and challenging sentence structures. They can refer back to this basic story line whenever they begin to feel lost in the language of the 1600s. It is also helpful if you remind them that the themes illustrated in Julius Caesar are still relevant in today’s world.
Thadra Petkus - Thadra Petkus is currently a freelance writer, English teacher and mentor. Although she has taught students from age two through ...
