English Literature / Drama GCSE: Julius Caesar - Act I, Scene 2 - Persuading Brutus (workshop)

A classic rehearsal exercise is used to investigate and break down the tactics Cassius uses to persuade Brutus to join the plot to assassinate Caesar.

This short film is from the BBC series, Shakespeare Unlocked.

Teacher Notes

After watching this short film, ask your students to decide on the physical representation of the emotional distance between characters in the scenes immediately preceding and following this.

Now that they have knowledge of the discussion between Caesar's exit and entrance, how do they think that Cassius and Brutus would situate themselves around Caesar?

Does Caesar draw close to them, and they further away from him? Would Brutus and Cassius stand closer together following their conversation?

Then ask students to imitate this exercise with another scene - how does the physical distance between characters imitate their emotional distance?

You can do this exercise with pictures or toy figures representing characters if you wish, and then ask students to annotate a large sheet of paper with the pictures or figures laid out on it, explaining their choice of positions.

Curriculum Notes

This short film is suitable for teaching GCSE English literature and drama in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/ 5 in Scotland.

More from Shakespeare Unlocked: Julius Caesar

Cassius confronts Brutus about his friend’s uncharacteristic coldness.

Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius enlists Brutus

The actors explore what their characters are trying to achieve in this early confrontation.

Act I, Scene 2 - Cassius and Brutus (workshop)

The actors explore key points in Cassius’s speech about Caesar and the future of Rome.

Act I, Scene 2 - Marking the words (workshop)

Conspirators isolate Caesar on the way to the Senate and Cimber presents his petition.

Act 3, Scene 1 - The Murder

The actors use the clues in the text to build an unique interpretation of Caesar’s murder.

Act 3, Scene 1 - Killing Caesar (workshop)

Brutus explains why conspirators killed Caesar and insists they stay to hear Mark Antony.

Act 3, Scene 2 - The Orations

The two funeral speeches are compared, each set against the structures of rhetoric.

Act 3, Scene 2 - Rhetoric and politics (workshop)