Group+18


 * 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.

Jessica Hughes Nienaber English 10 CP November 16, 2011 On March 15, 44 B.C. the Senator of Rome, Gaius Julius Caesar was mudered. The murderer, Marcus Brutus. Caesar was honorable, he didn’t deserve to be murdered by the jealous Brutus. Caesar was for the good of Rome. In the Life of a Colassus Adrian Goldsworth says ,“Caesar was famous at Rome for his readiness to forgive and his willingness to do favours.” (page 217) Caesar forgave people and this was the kind of man Rome needed and had as their Senator. They did not need someone like the guilty Brutus I will prove him to be. He made a better Rome. What Caesar recieved was unjusified. Also in Act III Scene 3 lines 240-243 Antony says in his speech at Caesars funeral, “Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal to every Roman citizen he gives, to every several man.” He left every Roman money. Brutus was all about himself, Caesar was not. Brutus was jealous of Caesar for his fame within Rome. In Act 3 Scene 2 lines 21 -22 Brutus says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.” (page 820) Brutus was more for the power he wanted than his friendship with Caesar. Maybe even Brutus should be killed for his crualty. Also in Act 3 Scene 1 lines 114-116 it says “How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, that now on Pompey’s bases lies along no worthier than the dust.” What Brutus is saying is Caesar is no worthier than anyone else along with the filthy dust on the ground of Rome. Caeser is worthier than anyone, especially Brutus! In the Assasantation of Julius Caesar: A People’s History of Ancient Rome it says “It is reported that Caesar was much concerned for Marcus Brutus’s safety at Pharsalus, isssuing orders to his commanders that on no account must he be slain in the fighting.” Caesar respected his and Brutus’ friendship. Yet Brtutus says not that he loved Caesar less, but that he loved Rome more. “I tell you that which your yourselves do know, show your sweet Caesar’s wounds poor poor dumb mouths, and bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus, and Brutus Antony, there were an Antony would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue in every wound of Caesar that would move these stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.” Caesar was an honorable man of Rome, Antony says so himself. The people of Rome honored him. He didn’t deserve to die. He would have been a great ruler to continue through Rome. Show respect for Caesar, for he was worthy. Caesar needed to be ruler not Antony, Octavious, Brutus, or anybody else for that matter! In Act 3 Scene 3 lines 245-247 Brutus tells Antony, “You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, but speak all good you can devise of Caesar.” Antony was told do not talk bad of Caesar ,but the good. The good should be all that Caesar is. That is all he is. I am here to prove the trial of Gaius Julius Caesar vs Marcus Brutus. I believe I have proven the killer, Marcus Brutus guilty. Brutus was just a jealous, unrightful man. Caesar was the honorable senator of Rome.
 * Post Prosecution Closing Statement Here:**

Defending By Katelyn Biehl I am defending Marcus Brutus. He is innocent, and yes, the honorable Brutus did kill the ambitious Caesar, but it was for good of Rome. Brutus was just looking out for Rome and protecting the Roman people. Brutus is extremely trustworthy and respectful so why would he, of all people, want to kill Caesar just for fun? Caesar was too power-hungry and ambitious; it was for his own good. Brutus was not even the starter of all of this, he agreed to help plan because he believed that it was be for the good if Caesar was not the leader anymore. Caesar didn’t really care for the people, he just wanted to be in power, and know that he can do anything, because of all that power. Do you really think that he cared about the people? It was all just an act, for power. When I think about honor, I think of a person who never goes back on their word, is extremely trustworthy, not going to cheat their way through things and is very respectful. These are all traits of Brutus. In Shakespeare’s play, Brutus’ wife, Portia, was begging Brutus to tell her what he was planning. She even got onto her knee, and acted like a beggar, and a servant. Portia says, “Is Brutus sick, and is it physical To walk unbraced and suck up the humors Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, To dare the vile contagion of the night, And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus; You have some sick offense within your mind, Which by the right and virtue of my place I ought to know of; and upon my knees I charm you, by my once commended beauty, By all your vows of love, and that great now Which did incorporate and make us one, That you unfold to me, yourself, your half, Why are you heavy, and what men tonight Have had a resort to you; for here have been Some six or seven, who did hide their faces Even from darkness.” Then Brutus says, “Kneel not, gentle Portia.” (II.i.261-290). This just shows how much respect he has for his wife. And he is just a respectful person, if he treats his wife like that, how would he treat the Roman people? In that quote Portia is saying, are you sick? But are you well enough to walk unbraced and suck up the humors of the morning, to walk around in the morning with your friends? If you are so “sick” to get out of bed at night and leave outside where you can get sicker? I will beg and get on my knees, just tell me what is really going on. Antony, Caesars’ best friend, is given permission, by Brutus, to speak at Caesars funeral. Being Caesars best friend, you would think that Antony would turn the people against Brutus and all of the other conspirators. So Brutus makes Antony promise not to saying anything rude or anything that would place him in a bad position, and that Brutus was going to speak first. Antony is a lot like Caesar; he found a way to turn the people against Brutus and the other conspirators without really saying anything mean or disrespectful. He implied many, many things that he really should not have, and could have gone against the promise. But Brutus, being the trustworthy and honorable man he is, trusted Antony, and let him speak, by himself. Brutus says, "Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, And say you do't by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all About his funeral. And you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I am going, After my speech has ended." (III.i.244-251). Cassius told Brutus not to trust Antony, which would have been smart, but that just proves how much trust Brutus has in people, even his enemies. Caesar was just in it for power, he was too ambitious and was way too power hungry. He was so disrespectful to the people and even his family. The Soothsayer warns Caesar about the Ides of March. You would think if a Soothsayer would warn you, you wouldn’t blow them off and be disrespectful, you should listen to them, even if you don’t really care about them. The Soothsayer says, "Beware the ides of March. (Caesar-) What man is that? (Brutus-) A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. (Caesar-) Set him before me; let me see his face. (Cassius-) Fellow, come from the throng, look upon Caesar. (Caesar-) What say'st thou to me now? Speak at once. (Soothsayer-) Beware the ides of March. (Caesar-) He is a dreamer, let us leave him. Pass." (I.ii.18-24). A good leader, one who isn’t doing it just for power, would listen to the people, for whatever they have to say. That proves that Caesar does not care for people, a soothsayer always tells the truth and he still ignored him. I mentioned earlier that Brutus’ wife knelt, and was begging, basically. Well Calphurina, Caesars wife, did the same thing, kind of. Calphurina was begging Caesar not to go to the capitol because she had a dream that something bad was going to happen. What happened when she knelt onto the ground? Nothing, nothing at all, Caesar just went on talking like nothing was going on and nothing was happening. Calphurina says, “Alas, my lord, Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. Do not go forth today. Call it my fear That keeps you in the house and not your own. We'll send Mark Antony to the Senate House, And he shall say you are not well today. Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. (Caesar-) Mark Antony shall say I am not well, And for thy humor, I will stay at home." He just let her kneel, without saying a word about, he just goes on with his day, like he used to her kneeling onto the ground, acting as if she is not worthy enough to be in Caesars’ presence. If Caesar treats his own wife with that much of disrespect and not caring, how do you think he would treat the Roman people? In Shakespeare’s play, Brutus says like twice that killing Caesar was for the good of Rome and he didn’t do it for any personal reason for killing Caesar. Brutus says, “It must be by his death; and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crowded. 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. Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power; and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed More than his reason." (II.i.10-21). He says, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, which means, he had no personal reason to kill Caesar. Has Brutus ever lied to anyone before? I’m pretty sure he has not, why would he start now? Also, in Denise Rinaldo’s book, //Julius Caesar; Dictator for life//, Denise says, “Caesar also took steps to consolidate his power. He gave important positions to many of Pompey’s former supporters in the hope of winning their allegiance.” Caesar does not really care about what positions people have or really care about the people at all. He just wants to have his own supporters, and so he is bribing them. Do think they would have really wanted a leader like that? It was for the good of Rome that Caesar died.
 * Post Defense Closing Statement Here:**