I, Claudius Lesson Plan

What problems does Claudius have starting at birth? What are Antonia, Livia, Germanicus, and Augustus’s attitudes towards Claudius and his disabilities?

Claudius is born prematurely at seven months. He suffers a lot as a baby: he breaks out in a rash, has malaria, the measles, erysipelas, colitis, and infantile paralysis. The measles leaves him deaf in one ear and the paralysis shortens one leg, giving him a permanent limp. The illnesses also gave him a general weakness, and walking too long tires him out. He also has trouble eating and is often in intense pain after doing so. On top of all this, he also has a stammer and nervous tics.

Antonia, Claudius's mother, takes...