『줄리어스 시저』의 이상주의와 현실주의 정치 대립을 통해 본 평민들의 꿈

Abstract

According to Dover Wilson’s conjecture, Julius Caesar was clearly written for the opening of the Globe and was the first Shakespearean play performed there. It premiered in commemoration of the newly opened Bankside playhouse located on the southern bank of the Thames in 1599 in London, England. Due to the anti-theatrical sentiments throughout the Elizabethan period, particularly the perceptions of the authorities and bourgeoisie which were negative towards the people who gathered in and around the playhouse, the actors and audience were closely observed with an underlying suspicion. Those with power saw the crowd as a potential threat for the authorities and bourgeoisie. The Globe and its actors had some positive effects on the lives of many citizens at that time, contrary to the cynical beliefs that some people had about them. Thanks to the theatre and its actors, the members of the audience could relieve their daily stress. The actors made an effort to express many feelings which they had experienced in the real world, such as forfeitures, frustrations, despair, dissatisfaction, and hardship they faced in life. Most of these negative feelings arose during the absurdity of the Elizabethan period in England. In addition, some critics say the professional actors at that time, were distinct from the bawdy comedians and zany actors found on the street. The writer hopes to label them as a new cultural icon which appeared on the scene during this period. If we would like to understand the Romans’ values and the plebeians’ necessities in Julius Caesar, it is necessary to understand the criteria of the Elizabethans’ and the necessities of English citizens’ during that period, namely their wants and difficult financial situations. During the Roman Empire, Res Publica Romana, Brutus and his party did their best to keep liberty and justice in Rome by getting rid of Caesar. However, they did not fully succeed. There were several reasons why the conspiracy led by the two leaders failed in the end. The political philosophies of two leaders were completely different from one another. Brutus was Stoic, while Cassius was Epicurean, and as a result they were unable to work together in a coherent fashion in order to succeed. Furthermore, Brutus overlooked the fact that they should possess a significant amount of war funds, manpower and force in order to achieve their goal. Finally, it was a decisive blunder when Brutus granted Antony permission to speak out in front of the plebeians. Even before speaking in public, Antony recognized the fact that money and land were the most important concerns the plebeians faced rather than any political ideologies. In this sense, he is also a realistic Epicurean like Cassius. The Englishmen of the Elizabethan period equally valued, money, bread and land for cultivation, as they were very precious elements for their livelihood. From what we know, Caesar left every Roman plebeians, seventy-five Drachmas each, opened up his personal walk ways for any citizen to use, as well as his private arbour, and newly-planted orchards along the side of the Tiber. It must have been astonishing news for the everyday plebeians. During his speech, Antony told the plebeians that Caesar had left them his property which could also be handed down to their descendants. They were shocked by the contents of Caesar’s last will. Perhaps, the English audience, as they watched the rendition of Julius Caesar, experienced a similar situation as plebeians did, and could feel the same emotions that the plebeians felt while they witnessed Antony’s speech. It would have been ideal if the Elizabethans watching the play were granted the same fortune and opportunity that was presented in Caesar’s will for the plebeians. Their dreams in life were actual necessities. Bread, land, liberty and a chance to make a livelihood were the things that both the Plebeians and the English had in common. Consequently, I think Shakespeare, through Caesar, Antony, and Brutus expresses the dreams of the Roman plebeians, Elizabethans, and all of the other underprivileged and dispossessed people throughout the world in this roman play Julius Caesar. Dreams of the Plebeians through Confrontation between the Ideal and the Real Politics in Julius Caesar Abstract Hyo-Chun Park According to Dover Wilson’s conjecture, Julius Caesar was clearly written for the opening of the Globe and was the first Shakespearean play performed there. It premiered in commemoration of the newly opened Bankside playhouse located on the southern bank of the Thames in 1599 in London, England. Due to the anti-theatrical sentiments throughout the Elizabethan period, particularly the perceptions of the authorities and bourgeoisie which were negative towards the people who gathered in and around the playhouse, the actors and audience were closely observed with an underlying suspicion. Those with power saw the crowd as a potential threat for the authorities and bourgeoisie. The Globe and its actors had some positive effects on the lives of many citizens at that time, contrary to the cynical beliefs that some people had about them. Thanks to the theatre and its actors, the members of the audience could relieve their daily stress. The actors made an effort to express many feelings which they had experienced in the real world, such as forfeitures, frustrations, despair, dissatisfaction, and hardship they faced in life. Most of these negative feelings arose during the absurdity of the Elizabethan period in England. In addition, some critics say the professional actors at that time, were distinct from the bawdy comedians and zany actors found on the street. The writer hopes to label them as a new cultural icon which appeared on the scene during this period. If we would like to understand the Romans’ values and the plebeians’ necessities in Julius Caesar, it is necessary to understand the criteria of the Elizabethans’ and the necessities of English citizens’ during that period, namely their wants and difficult financial situations. During the Roman Empire, Res Publica Romana, Brutus and his party did their best to keep liberty and justice in Rome by getting rid of Caesar. However, they did not fully succeed. There were several reasons why the conspiracy led by the two leaders failed in the end. The political philosophies of two leaders were completely different from one another. Brutus was Stoic, while Cassius was Epicurean, and as a result they were unable to work together in a coherent fashion in order to succeed. Furthermore, Brutus overlooked the fact that they should possess a significant amount of war funds, manpower and force in order to achieve their goal. Finally, it was a decisive blunder when Brutus granted Antony permission to speak out in front of the plebeians. Even before speaking in public, Antony recognized the fact that money and land were the most important concerns the plebeians faced rather than any political ideologies. In this sense, he is also a realistic Epicurean like Cassius. The Englishmen of the Elizabethan period equally valued, money, bread and land for cultivation, as they were very precious elements for their livelihood. From what we know, Caesar left every Roman plebeians, seventy-five Drachmas each, opened up his personal walk ways for any citizen to use, as well as his private arbour, and newly-planted orchards along the side of the Tiber. It must have been astonishing news for the everyday plebeians. During his speech, Antony told the plebeians that Caesar had left them his property which could also be handed down to their descendants. They were shocked by the contents of Caesar’s last will. Perhaps, the English audience, as they watched the rendition of Julius Caesar, experienced a similar situation as plebeians did, and could feel the same emotions that the plebeians felt while they witnessed Antony’s speech. It would have been ideal if the Elizabethans watching the play were granted the same fortune and opportunity that was presented in Caesar’s will for the plebeians. Their dreams in life were actual necessities. Bread, land, liberty and a chance to make a livelihood were the things that both the Plebeians and the English had in common. Consequently, I think Shakespeare, through Caesar, Antony, and Brutus expresses the dreams of the Roman plebeians, Elizabethans, and all of the other underprivileged and dispossessed people throughout the world in this roman play Julius Caesar.