Julius Caesar (Annotated by Henry N. Hudson with an Introduction by Charles Harold Herford)

Believed to be written in 1599, William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” is one of several plays that the bard would write that were based upon Roman history. Closely based on actual events as chronicled in Plutarch’s “Lives”, it is the story of the tragic downfall of Julius Caesar and of those who conspired against him. The play begins with the celebration of Caesar’s return from defeating Pompey’s sons at the battle of Munda. When it is learned that Julius Caesar has been offered the crown of Rome by Mark Antony three times, and that each time he has refused it, it is believed that it is only a matter of time before he is to become King and thus dictator of Rome. Roman Senator Cassius is concerned about what such a coronation might mean for the people of Rome and begins to persuade fellow politician Brutus, who is also Caesar’s close friend, that they must prevent Caesar from gaining such power by assassinating him. A gripping historical drama “Julius Caesar” contains some of Shakespeare’s most memorable lines and is ranked as one of the playwright’s finest works. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, is annotated by Henry N. Hudson, and includes an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

Arguably the greatest English-language playwright, William Shakespeare was a seventeenth-century writer and dramatist, and is known as the Bard of Avon. Under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I, he penned more than 30 plays, 154 sonnets, and numerous narrative poems and short verses. Equally accomplished in histories, tragedies, comedy, and romance, Shakespeare s most famous works include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, The Taming of the Shrew, and As You Like It.

Like many of his contemporaries, including Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare began his career on the stage, eventually rising to become part-owner of Lord Chamberlain s Men, a popular dramatic company of his day, and of the storied Globe Theatre in London.

Extremely popular in his lifetime, Shakespeare s works continue to resonate more than three hundred years after his death. His plays are performed more often than any other playwright s, have been translated into every major language in the world, and are studied widely by scholars and students.