Group+15


 * Minimum Project Requirements:**
 * 5 **//__IN__//** __DEPTH__ discussions with opposing counsel via class network. These discussions must present not only relevant and specific facts from the play, but also from your historical research.
 * Preliminary Draft of Closing Statement entered in your class network. Draft must contain **//__at least 5 detailed paragraphs__//**: 1) Introductory paragraph outlining the overall theme of your case - thesis statement; 2) //at least// 3 paragraphs which include **//__detailed__//** supporting evidence for your case - 1 piece of evidence with explanation per paragraph; and 3) a closing paragraph which ties all the evidence together and solidifies your case.
 * Peer editing of opposing counsel's statement following guidelines to be provided; plus an additional peer revision of your choice.
 * Works Cited page containing **//__at__//** **//__least three__//** **//__(3) sources__//**: 2 book sources for each electronic source.
 * Final Draft of Closing Statement, typed, double-spaced at a 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Please no decorative fonts – use something easy to read.
 * Oral recitation of your Closing Statement before the court. Be sure to use your voice as a persuasive tool to effectively deliver your statement. Suggestions for oral interpretation to be provided.


 * Remember that the above represent the minimum requirements for this project, the completion of which will earn you a minimum average grade of 70%. You can improve this grade by going above and beyond these minimum expectations.**

One way to increase your points will be to complete more than five discussion posts with your opposing counsel. To post a discussion, click the DISCUSSION tab above; click NEW POST, label the subject with a specific name, and then type and post your comment. To reply to a comment, simply click on the post heading, scroll to the bottom of the page, and then type and post your reply. Ideally, discussion topics will reflect either specific research sources or ideas learned from your research. You must cite all sources within your discussions so that your opposing counsel can verify your information.


 * Post Prosecution Closing Statement Here:**

Honorable Caesar The honorable Caesar should have never been killed. He built upRomeby using money from the general coffers. Caesar was not selfish and Marcus Brutus killed him for that his friend for doing everything for the good ofRome. Mark Antony tells us he used the general coffers to help in act3 scene2 line88-89. So the honorable Caesar was betrayed by Brutus because of personal reasons. Caesars honor was great Mark Antony says so in the play. Act3 scene2 line85 Caesar was a friend faithful and just to me. Again he states act3 scene2 line91 when the poor cry Caesar wept. If none of this shows this than this will, Mark Antony thrice presented the crown and Caesar did thrice refuse. Now this does show that Caesars honor was great. Brutus betrayed Caesar, Caesar thought they were friends but in Julius Caesar Dictator for Life it says when he saw Brutus in the group Caesar stopped trying to fight. Then in Caesar andRome it also says that his enemies were trying to entrap him into saying that he wants to be king. Betraying Brutus doesn’t seem so honorable now by no means and he was Brutus really a friend because in Caesar anRome it quotes a conspiracy is brewing organized by Cassius and Brutus. Brutus also killed Caesar for personal reasons. I know this so because Cassius sent him fake letters acting like it was from the citizens ofRome. He decided to kill him because of what his ancestors did in the past. He was also jealous and scared of all the power Caesar had it says this in the play act3 scene1 line110 lets all cry peace freedom and liberty. All of these quotes show that Brutus was ambitious and that Caesar is honorable. Caesar did not deserve death he deserved a reward for all he did forRome, but he was betrayed by Brutus his so called friend. Honorable Caesar was betrayed by Brutus because of personal reasons.

In 45 BC the war between Pompey and Caesar had ended and that was just the beginning of the troubles for Rome cause then the ambitious Caesar came into power. Something had to be done to stop Caesar and that man was the honorable Brutus. Some call the death of Julius Caesar a tragedy, but in fact it is not. For the honorable Brutus killed the ambitious Caesar to protect the good ofRome. He did not kill him out of jealousy or personal motive. Brutus did what had to be done to protectRomefrom the greedy, self- centered Caesar
 * Post Defense Closing Statement Here:**

Brutus was an honorable man in many ways. His ancestors were great pieces in Roman history and great hero’s. Brutus cared so much about honor because of his ancestors and because he cared for Rome that he said in Act I scene II lines 85-89 “If it be ought toward the general good, set honor in one eye and death in the other, and I will look on both indifferently.” This shows that Brutus would choose honor over death anyday. He would not be afraid to die for Rome if it meant that honor would be shown and that Rome would be safe from harm. Some also say that Brutus only killed Caesar out of personal cause or jelousy but how would that be if in Act II scene I lines 10-34 “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general good He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder And that craves wary walking. Crown him? that; And then, I grant, we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power, and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd. More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof. That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. So Caesar may; Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Will bear no color for the thing he is. Fashion it thus, that what he is, augmented. Would run to these and these extremities; And therefore think him as a serpent's egg Which hatch'd would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell.” See here that Brutus only wanted to do what was for the better of Rome because he was afraid that Caesar was going to ruin Rome. Brutus had no reason other then that to kill him. Brutus was an honorable man, good and truthful. He treated his wife with respect, always protected Rome, and followed in his ancestors ways of honor and glory. He had no other reason then these to kill Caesar.

Caesar was a political animal that only wanted power and Rome to honor him. He was ambitious in his ways and wanted to stay that way for the rest of his life time. Caesar wanted the crown and wanted to rule over Rome in Act I scene II lines 234-248 says “I can well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was more foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Antony offer him a crown- yet twas not a crown neither, twas one of these cronets- and, as I told you. He put it by once; but for all that to my thinking, he would have fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again, then he put it by again; but to my thinking he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time. He put it the third time by;” Caesar was offered the crown, and yes he did put it by but as it says “He loathed to lay his hands off it.” Caesar only refused the crown to gain the respect of the Roman people just so they would trust him and give him more power. And if someone who uses people to gain political power is not ambitious then bid me wrong but in Philip Matyszak’s book //Chronicles of the Roman Republc// he states that “Political setbacks looking for a marriage alliance. He divorced Pompeia, allegedly because of suspected dalliance with the wild young Claudian, but in reality because her family lacked potent political power.” Also I found that in Rupert Matthews //warriors of conquerors// he also states that “ By borrowing money from Crassus, one of the richest men in Rome, and using his friendship with the powerful general, Pompey, he began a political career.” Caesar obviously would do anything and everything to get the political power and support to get to the head of Rome and he did not care who he hurt along the way. Which shows the ambition and greediness of Caesar and why he did not deserve to rule over Rome and the only way for him to step down would be to kill him because it was what needed to be done for the better of Rome and Brutus stepped up and did it out of honor.

Rome was a falling nation and needed a leader and yes Caesar was there to be a political leader after murdering Pompey at war. But this was not what Rome really needed. They needed the honorable Brutus who wanted what was best for Rome to step up and show that Caesar was not what Rome needed. Brutus cared about the better of Rome just like it states in Act I scene II line 178-181 “Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome. Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.” Brutus would rather be a villager then to call himself a son of Rome. Also Brutus was honorable and would do anything for Rome as I stated before. He loved Rome it was is history, his home and he only wanted what was best for it.

Brutus was honorable and stepped up to save Rome. He showed character and heroism. The tragedy of Caesar was not a tragedy at all, it was something that needed to be done and Brutus did it knowing some of the consequences. The ambitious Caesar would have ran Rome into the ground and who knows next instead of Rome it would have been called Caesar. Atleast after reading Rachel Hanes book //Ancient Rome, an interactive History adventure.// She states that “It’s true that Caesar does think highly of himself. He puts his image on Roman coin. He wears the finest robes. He insists on public celebrations of his birthday and the anniversaries of his military victories.” After changing and enforcing all these things to better himself what other great lengths would he have gone to better himself in Rome? But instead of waiting to find out Brutus stepped on the serpent egg before it could hatch and hurt anyone or anything. Brutus was honorable and just in this action. Brutus was a hero of Rome.