Reviews

Julius Ceaser by William Shakespeare

quinnology101's review against another edition

4.0

I don't think I will ever forget laughing so damn hard when I read Caesar getting stabbed about a 1/4 to 1/2 way through. I'm certain that was not the intended purpose of its chronology, but like all Shakespeare, it is not a stagnant corpse of a document, but a living one. Not the finest of his works, but memorable to me personally, and also a damn fine work by itself too.

meadforddude's review against another edition

5.0

Finally getting back into the Shakespeare groove, and - to the shock of I'm sure no one - this is absolutely one of his best and most fully-realized plays. There's an ambiguity to the story here that still feels fresh, and which really keys into the chaos of political assassination. The way the masses can be subsequently swayed with opposing viewpoints in the wake of tragedy in particular really registered with me here. It's presented in almost comically brief fashion here - in fact it's been often parodied - but it only rings more true with each passing day.

I also have to confess that I really vibed with all of the ominous portents and supernatural vibes suggested by the characters throughout. The "Ides of March" stuff is obviously fairly well-known at this point, but I was more struck by the outright fantastical claims suggested as omens - stuff like "the dead are rising from their graves." Spooky stuff!

blindlyadoringlymadly's review against another edition

4.5

joe biden listen to me. i have an idea

cadillaceazy's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

yaiyai's review against another edition

4.0

People were killing themselves left and right back then huh

tina_perseveres's review against another edition

4.0

I read this in high school. I know I liked it but the details are fuzzy.

briipearl's review against another edition

3.0

Shakespeare's sarcasm and comebacks never cease to amaze me. // Kinda sad that JC wasn't required reading for me in high school but glad I got to enjoy it in my twenties. I had a (false) preconceived notion that the play ended with the "dramatic" death of Caesar. Overall, I'm surprised at the fact that = Antony (the posterboy for sarcasm in JC) and Porcia ended up being my favorite characters.

I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you? Am I yourself
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.

Oh, snap.

bluebell4's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Murder and War

fjette's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to buy Caesar, not to praise him. 
The evil that men do lives after them, 
The good is oft interred with their bones…
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me. 

lorelai_mad06's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75