Julius Caesar

A victorious general returns to Rome, a soothsayer warns him to beware the Ides of March, and a group of senators decides that the republic cannot survive his ambition. William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar turns a famous historical murder into a fast-moving tragedy about loyalty, persuasion and the price of political action. From the stormy night in Brutus' orchard to the funeral speeches in the Forum and the final battle on the plains of Philippi, the play shows how quickly a principled decision can become a civil war.

This edition is for anyone coming to the play for the first time, for students who need a clear way into the language, and for book clubs looking for a drama that still speaks to questions about power, honour and public speech. The five acts are presented in order, from the streets of Rome to the Senate house and the battlefield.

This edition contains the complete text of the play, a new introduction for first-time readers, a character guide to the principal figures, a summary of the story, a set of themes for discussion, a glossary of old and unusual words, and twelve open questions for readers, students and book clubs.