The Multiple Features of Rome in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

• In Event: Representing Cities in Early Modern Literature

Abstract

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) presents Rome in Julius Caesar (1599). As for a city, we often raise such questions as what it is or what it ought to be. In the opening of Julius Caesar, common people reveal their social existence, a conflict between the republicanism and the monarchism while celebrating Caesar’s victorious return from defeating Pompey’s sons at the battle of Munda. After Caesar’s assassination, Mark Antony, with a subtle and eloquent speech, reminds common people of the good Caesar has done for Rome. Rome is not merely a visual city but also a symbolic city since the characters have the image of Rome in their mind. Consequently, there are two different images of Rome, physical and imagined. I would like to prove, via the relation between the city and the characters, Shakespeare portrays a multitude of features of Rome.

Author

• Shu-hua Chung, Tung Fang Design Institute