INTRODUCTION

Summary

Popular in English schools and colleges on account of its simple style and classical theme, Julius Cæsar has probably appeared in a larger number of editions than any other of Shakespeare 's plays, though, as it happens, the most interesting edition of all was prepared for Indian university students and is little known in this country. The name of Sir Mark Hunter, a distinguished Indian Civil Servant who was also a good Elizabethan student, stands on the title-page, while he confesses in a preface that he is much indebted to Dr Percy Simpson ‘for many scholarly notes, not all of which, are expressly acknowledged’. In fact, Dr Simpson, who a year earlier had succeeded, as will presently appear, in establishing the true date of the play for the first time, virtually acted as his assistant editor; and I have frequently found myself treading in his steps, as I traced my own path through the play. For which reason, and also because there is special fitness in associating this most Roman of Shakespeare 's Roman plays with the veteran scholar who has devoted half a lifetime to the most Roman of Shakespeare's friends and rivals, admiration has combined with friendship to inspire the dedication on the opposite page.