Julius Caesar
Shakespeare Made Easy Series
on Goodreads (212,239)
What’s inside...
Julius Caesar is another one of Shakespeare's famous plays that portrays actual events from Roman history. Set in ancient Rome, the play unfolds the evil conspiracy behind Caesar's murder and the great tragedy that strikes Rome in the aftermath of his death. An excellent way for readers to learn at the same time. Also available as part of a 20 book set, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Tragedy of Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Winter's Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Timon of Athens, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, Julius Caesar, Cymbeline, The Comedy of Errors, As You Like It, Anthony and Cleopatra and All's Well That Ends Well. About Sweet Cherry Easy Classics: Sweet Cherry Easy Classics adapts classic literature into stories for children, introducing these timeless tales to a new generation.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Marcus Brutus
Decius Brutus
Casca
Gaius Cassius
Octavius
Mark Antony
Julius Caesar
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
Portia Catonis
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Calpurnia
Augustus
Brutus
Marcus Antonius
Discussion points
How do you think Julius Caesar felt when his friends turned against him?
Why is it important to be a fair and just leader?
What qualities do you think make a good leader?
How can we learn from the mistakes of others in history?
If you were a character in the story, how would you have tried to change the outcome?
Tip: Role play these questions
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they feel about the characters' decisions.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the leadership qualities displayed in the book and those they see in everyday life.
Discuss the moral and ethical dilemmas presented in the book and ask your child how they would respond in similar situations.
Use the historical setting of the book as a starting point to explore other important historical events and figures together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The impact of ambition
Explanation: Julius Caesar showcases the rise and fall of its titular character, emphasizing how unchecked ambition can lead to consequences. Caesar's desire for power ultimately leads to his downfall.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of moderation and the potential consequences of being overly ambitious, encouraging them to balance their goals with ethical considerations.
Example Lesson: The importance of loyalty
Explanation: The character Brutus struggles with his loyalty to Caesar versus his loyalty to Rome, illustrating the complexities of allegiance and betrayal.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the value of loyalty and the moral dilemmas that can arise when conflicting loyalties are at play, teaching them to think critically about whom and what they choose to support.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The assassination of Caesar sets off a chain of events leading to war and the downfall of many key characters, highlighting that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their actions affect not only themselves but others around them, and it’s essential to consider the outcomes of their decisions.
Example Lesson: Leadership and responsibility
Explanation: Julius Caesar depicts various forms of leadership and the responsibilities that come with power, observing how different characters handle their roles.
Real-World Application: This lesson can foster a sense of responsibility in children, encouraging them to take leadership in appropriate situations and consider the welfare of others under their influence.
Example Lesson: The significance of civic duty
Explanation: Characters in the book wrestle with their roles in the republic and their duties towards it, facing moral and ethical questions about serving the greater good.
Real-World Application: It helps children appreciate the concept of civic responsibility and the importance of contributing positively to their community or group.