Group+34


 * 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:**

In the story The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar there is the contradiction of Marcus Brutus being guilty or innocent of the killing of Julius Caesar. Marcus Brutus is guilty of killing Julius Caesar, he struck down an unarmed man. Julius Caesar was a well respected man who indeed was a Roman hero to many. Not only that but Brutus killed an honorable and honest man with un honorable intentions. Brutus did indeed commit an act of a traitor towards a friend and hurt the city of Rome, and by this I say that Marcus Brutus is guilty of killing Julius Caesar.

Brutus is an un honorable man and murdered Caesar with un honorable intentions. This is true because Brutus killed his so called best friend and when he did it he defiled his body. For example in the article Julius Caesar historical background Barbara F McManus states, “The sixty conspirators led by Marcus Brutus, Cassius Longinus, Decimus Albinus, Gaius Trebonius came to the meeting with daggers concealed in their togas and struck Caesar 23 times at the base of Pompey’s statue”. This is a great example of the total disrespect for a fellow Roman on Brutus’s part. This relates to the topic of Brutus being and un honorable man. Another example of Brutus being un honorable is him betraying Caesar, in the Shakespeare play The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar act 3 scene 2 lines 187-189 is clearly a great example of this. “For Brutus as you know was Caesar’s angel: Judge, O’ you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all; for when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude more strong then traitor’s arms”. This quote basically means how much Caesar love Brutus and how hurt he was to see his “Friend” betray him. This goes along with the topic of Brutus being un honorable by showing that he was a traitor.

Caesar is an honorable man who was loved and a great Roman leader. I say this because the evidence shows that Caesar had a kind and giving heart. For example in the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar act 3 scene lines86-90 “He brought many captives home in Rome whose Ransoms did the general coffers fill, did this in Caesar seem ambitious.” This basically says that Caesar has won many battles for the good of Rome to fulfill their needs. This relates to the topic of Caesar being honorable by showing some of the good things he did for Rome. Another great example of this from the article Julius Caesar: Historical background Barbara F. McManus talks about this. "Caesar on the staff of a military legate he was awarded the civic crown (Oak Leaves) for saving the life of a citizen in battle”. This relates to the topic of Caesar being honorable by showing that he is a hero that saves the lives of in many in battle.

Caesar is not ambitious he is contempt with who he is. An example of this, in Act 3 scene 1 lines 58-62 the play The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar is a great example. “I could be well moved if I were as you; if I could pray to move, Prayers would move me; But I am constant as the Northern Star of whose true fixed an resting quality, there is no fellow in the firmament”. This basically states that Caesar believes he is as good as it gets so there is no reason for him to be power hungry. This relates to the topic by saying that Caesar has no reason to be ambitious. Another example of this in the play The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar act 2 lines 9-11. “Caesar shall forth ; the things that threatn’d me Ne’er look’d but on my back; when they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished”. This basically shows that people talk behind his back and he is used to it and when he confronts them they kiss his butt so he does not need to be ambitious. Caesar was a loved man who many people loved. I say this just by how his family defended him after the conspirators killed him and by how the crowds reacted to whenever they saw him. A great example of this in Adrian Goldsworthy's book Caesar: Life Of A Colossus Pg.471. "In general the crowd had delighted in Caesar's triumphs, celebrations and games." This basically shows how much Caesar was loved and that whenever he went in front of crowds people generally cheered for him and were happy to see him. This relates to the topic of caesar being a loved man by showing how the general Roman person cheered and were happy around him. Also another example of this in The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar in act 3 scene 2 "Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me." This shows how much Caesar was loved by a friend and how good of a person he was. This relates to the topic of Caesar being a loved man by showing how someone feels about Caesar his friend.

Caesar was not an ambitious man he was an honorable man who did indeed care about the Roman people. For example The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar act 3 scene 2 lines 95-98. “ you all did see that on the Lupercal. I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious. I can personally relate to what Caesar is going through some people just think differently of your actions like some consider them ambitious and some consider them just and reasonable. This basically means that Caesar is not ambitious he is just being accused of that by biased thinkers. This relates to the thesis by showing how Caesar is not ambitious.

Brutus is not personaly guilty for the death of Caesar. Brutus did kill Caesar, but he had his reasons. Brutus is an honerable man who is thoughtfull and giving. He caes about the city of Rome and its people. He would never intintually do anything to hurt them. Honerable Brutus Killed the ambitious Caesar for the protection of Rome and it's peoples future. Brutus is an homerable man. He is a man of his word. He'd rather help someone els than do something to benifit himself. He does what he says he'll do when he say he'll do it. Brutus says, "not that i loved Caesar less, but i love Rome more." (III.ii.20-24) He is saying, he did love Caesar, but he loved Rome more. he killed Caesar fo the good of Rome, even though he was fiends with and love Caesar. He sacaficed a fiend for everyone els' protection, because he cares about Rome more. Brutus love for Caesa was real. Brutus says, "Any dear friend of Caesars, to him i say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his." (III.ii.18-19) Brutus is saying he loved Caesar just as much as Caesar love him. He killed him Beacuse Caesar was ambitious and not worthy of being king of Rome. Steve Fobes says, "Ambition is one of the most dangerous - that anve to grabe the biggest slice of pie befoe anyone els and sometimes even the whole pie. Julius Caesa had plunty of ambition." Caesar was know for his ambition, Philip Matyszak says, "In a burst of legislative activity, Ceasar rearranged the calendar renaming one month after himself" (208) This shows how self centered he is. He just wanted power over everyone and to be in charge of everything. He never did anything to have a day named after himself let alone a whole month. For him to do it himself is more poof that he is ambitious. Caesar did not care about others, he used people. He'd use you then forget about you once he relized he could gain no more from you. Adrian Goldsworthy says, "Caesar obviously did ty to use him, but quickly relized there was little to be gained and that vettius vettius could not be relied upon." (108) Caesar was uneliable because he relied on othes. a king should not have to rely on the people he is in control of, whats the point of him being king then? If Caesar could use you he would and always did. Brutus killed Caesar for the Protection of Rome and everyone els. He said "What mean this shouting? I do fear the people choosing Caesar as their king." (79-80) Brutus knew Caesar had everyone on his side and knew they'd want him as king but he also knew how Caesar was and not everyone did. Brutus killed Him for all the right reasons. Brutus had no personal reasons to kill Caesar. Brutus says, "Why I, that did love Caesar when i struck him have thus proceeded." (183-184) He's saying he loved him even when he stabbed him. Why would Butus kill Caesar if he loved him. He killed him for the protection of everyone els and their futue. Butus killed Casar and is right for his actions. He should be respected and thought of as a hero. if it where not for him, who knows how Rome would end up. Honrable Brutuse killed the ambitious Caesar for the best. Brutus is not guilty.
 * Post Defense Closing Statement Here:**