Spartacus Literary Elements

Spartacus Literary Elements

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Leading Actors/Actresses

Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons

Supporting Actors/Actresses

Peter Ustinov, Charles Laughton

Genre

Adventure, Biography, Drama

Language

English

Awards

Won 4 Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Peter Ustinov), Best Cinematography (Color), Best Art-Direction Set-Direction (Color), Best Costume Design (Color)

Date of Release

1960

Producer

Edward Lewis

Setting and Context

1st Century B.C. Roman Republic

Narrator and Point of View

The point of view is that of Spartacus

Tone and Mood

Realistic, Dramatic

Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist is Spartacus, antagonist is Crassus

Major Conflict

The Roman Republic has enslaved men, women and children in order to do their manual labor and provide pleasure in gladiator contests. They do not value the life of the slave as human.

Climax

Spartacus leads a band of slaves to rebel against Crassus and the Roman Republic in order to disband slavery. Crassus and his forces defeat Spartacus and crucify the survivors on the Appian Way leading to Rome.

Foreshadowing

Draba choosing to attempt to kill Crassus during the gladiator match foreshadows how Spartacus will too choose to die before killing another slave.

Understatement

Crassus admiration for Spartacus, and his desire to be a force just as he was that the people turn to and follow.

Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques

n/a

Allusions

This era of slavery alludes to every period of time in the history of man where slavery has been an acceptable practice, and where men fought to stop it.

Paradox

Spartacus could lead his people to safety by leaving on the boats with the Cilicians, but paradoxically chooses to stay to fight the Roman army knowing that they will give their lives doing so.

Parallelism

Crassus' speech to the Roman people on the steps of the Senate parallels Spartacus' speech to his people on a hill in the wilderness.

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