Cry, Havoc! Historical Fiction Background Information

What is historical fiction?

• A genre that takes place in a fictional world

• A genre that takes place in the future

• A genre that takes place in outer space

• A genre that takes place in real historical events

True or False: Historical fiction is a sub-genre of prose only

• True - historical fiction, by definition, is prose.

• False - It can also be prose

• False - it can be prose, drama, opera, television, or any other genre

• True - history is history so history must be history

Who wrote the biographies that Shakespeare used as the basis for his play Julius Caesar?

• Plutarch

• Julius Caesar

• William Shakespeare

• Queen Elizabeth I

What was Plutarch's main concern in writing biographies of historical figures?

• To create fictional stories

• To predict the future

• To explore the positive and negative influence of characters

• To entertain the readers

What was happening in Queen Elizabeth I's reign when Julius Caesar was written?

• The beginning of her reign

• The end of her reign

• A period of war

• A period of peace

Who are the characters from Plutarch that we will be working with?

• Julias Caesar and Pompey

• Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Brutus

• Julius Caesar, Brutus, Cassius

• Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus

What is important to consider while analyzing historical fiction?

• Departures from the historical record

• The author's favorite food

• The author's favorite color

• The author's favorite movie

What is the setting of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare?

• Feudal Japan

• Medieval England

• Ancient Rome

• Ancient Greece

What is the significance of Plutarch's biographies of historical figures?

• They have no historical value

• They are based on future events

• They provide insight into the positive and negative influence of characters

• They are fictional stories

Why might Shakespeare make changes to the historical record in his play Julius Caesar?

• To make the story more accurate

• To make the story less interesting

• To appeal to the audience

• To confuse the audience