Julius Caesar

-P'I

",I
II -,It
1"c..E-

William Shakespeare
Fully annotated, with an Introduction, by Burton Raffel
With an essay by Harold Bloom

THE ANNOTATED

Yale University Press.

SHAKESPEARE

New Haven and'London

....

~-------------

/----

For John G. Kulka

Copyright

(Q 2006 by Burton Raffel.

All rights reserved.

This book may not be reproduced,

in whole or in part, including illustrations,

in any form (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108
of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press),
without written permission from the publishers.

Harold Bloom, Introduction to Julius Caesar,copyright (Q 1994, adapted

and reprinted

with permission of Chelsea House Publishers, an imprint

ofInfobase Publishing.

Designed by Rebecca Gibb.

Set in Bembo type byThe Composing Room of Michigan, Inc.
Printed in the United States of America by R. R. Donnelley & Sons.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.

Data

Julius Cae~ar / William Shakespeare; fully annotated, with an introduction,

by Burton Raffel; with an essay by Harold Bloom.
p. cm.-(The
annotated Shakespeare)
Includes bibliographical references (p.
).
ISBN-13: 978-0-300-10809-5
(pbk.)
ISBN-I0: 0-300-10809-5 (pbk.)
I. Caesar, Julius-Assassination-Drama.

2. Conspiracies-Drama.

3. Assassins-Drama.
4. Rome-Drama.
1. Raffel,Burton.
II. Bloom, Harold.
III. Title.
PR2808.A2R26 2006
822.3'3-dc22
2006007378

A catalogue record for this book is available ttom the British Library.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 I

--

ACT I

ACT I

'SCEN,E 2

SCENE

FLOURISH

SCENE

A public place
FLOURISH!

ENTER
THE

CAESAR,
RELIGIOUS

BRUTUS,

ANTONY
RUN),

CICERO,

A CROWD

AND

(STRIPPED

DOWN

CALPHURNIA,
BRUTUS,

FOR

PORTIA,

CASSIUS,

A SOOTHSAYER3

AND

MAKING

IS

DECIUS

'" e muslC
1S10turned to hear.

CASCA,2

FOLLOWING

1 ~March.12

Calphurnia!

What man 13is that?

Peace/ho! Caesa

Casca

Brutus

Caesar

Caesar

Calphurnia

Cassius

A so~yer
bids you be
e the Ides. of March.
'm before me, let me see is face.
..
ow, come from the throng, 10

Caesar

upon 14 Caesar.

What say'st thou to me now? Speak

er

Beware the Ides of March.

He is a dreamer,15 let us leave him. Pass.16

Forge

FLOURISH

To touch C
urrua. t'or our eld~say
The bar,
touched in this holy cha
Sha
ff their sterile curse.
An

EXEUNT
~

I shall remembels,
hen Caesar says "Do this," it is performed.

Caesar

20

Cassius

3 someone capable of predicting the future

4 silence, be quiet* (the crowd is noisy)
5 the first three lines are metrically / prosodically

iambic pentameter line: calFURnya PEACE ho CAESar SPEAKS

calFURnya
6 husband (male head/lord of the household)
7 path* (of the run/race)
8 rite, observance

AND CASSIUS

Brutus
Cassius

I pray you, do.

9 multitude,
IO has
II EYEDZ
counted as one complete

BRUTUS

Will you go see the order17 of the course?

Not I.

Set on, and leave no ceremony8 out.

I fanfare (brass instruments)*

2 KAska

ALL EXCEPT

25

crowd*

12 15 March (i.e., in exactly another month)

13 what man = who
14 at
15 visionary, having visions in his sleep
16 let us proceed
17 ranking, sequence

._1-

. ACT .1,'

Brutus
30

SCENE. 2

I am not gamesome.18Ido lack some part19

But let not thereforemy good friendsbe grieved -

Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires.

Among which number, Cassius,be you37 one

Nor construe38 any further my neglect
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men.

Cassius Brutus,I do observe21you now oflate.

I have not22 from your eyes that gendeness23
And show24 oflove as I was wont25 to have.
You bear26 toq stubborn and too strange27 a hand
Over28 your friend that loves you.
Cassius,
Brutus

40

Which give some soil35 (perhaps) to my behaviors.36

Of that quick spirit20 that is in Antony.

I'll leave you.

35

ACT 1 . SCENE2

Be not deceived. If! have veiled my look,

I turn the trouble29 of my countenance30
Merely upon myself.Vexed I am
Of late with passions31of some difference,32
Conceptions33 only proper to34 myself,

18 sportive, playful, merry

19 portion, share*
20 quick spirit = lively ("full oflife")* (1) soul, essence, nature, character,*
(2) inclination, impulse
21 pay attention to
22 have not = have not experienced/felt
23 affability
24 display, demonstration, appearance*
25 accustomed
26 bear. . . a hand = treat, deal with (idiom from horsemanship)
27 stubborn. . . strange = inflexible, hard, fierce. . . unfamiliar, unusual,
surprising
28 on, upon
29 disturbance, vexation, grief, perplexity
30 (I) appearance, face, (2) behavior
31 (1) feelings, emotions,* (2) sufferings
32 diversity, dissimilarity
33 ideas, views
34 proper to = belonging/related
to

10

45

Cassius Then Brutus, I have much mistook your passion,

By means whereof39 this breast of mine hath buried40
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

50

No,Cassius.For the eyeseesnot itself

Brutus

But41 by reflection, by some other things.42

Cassius 'Tis just, 43

And it is very much lamented, Brutus,

That you have no such mirrors aswill turn
Your hidden worthiness int044 your eye,
That45 you might see your shadow.46I have heard,
Where many of the best respect47in Rome
(Except immortal Caesar), speaking oH3rutus
35 stain, discoloration, tarnish
36 singular and plural were not, in Shakespeare's time, as sharply distinguished
as they are today
37 be you

= you

are

38 analyze, explain, interpret*

39 by means whereof

40 hidden, concealed
41 except
42 other

things

= because

things

different

of which mistake

from

itself

43 fair, honorable, correct

44 inTO
45 so that
46 your

shadow

47 best respect

= the
= most

image

you cast/reveal

respected/honored

II

to others

(of yourself)

55

60

ACT 1

And groamng underneath

SCENE

ACT 1

FLOURISH,

Brutus
Cassius

Ay, do you fear it?

Brutus

So well as by reflection, I, your glass,50

I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.

Will modestly discover51 to yourself

But wherefore do you hold me here so long?

That of yourself which you yet know not of.

What is it that you would impart to me?

And be n~t jealous on52 me, gentle53 Brutus,

If it be aught toward the general64 g'ood,

Set honor in one eye, and death i' the other,

Were 154

a common

80

Then must 1 think you would not have it so.

And since you know you cannot see yourself

75

What means this shouting? I do fear the people

Choose Caesar for their king.

Cassius Therefore good Brutus, be prepared to hear;

AND SHOUT

Into.what dangers would you49 lead me, Cassius,

That you would have me seek into myself

For that which is not in me?

65

SCENE 2

To all the rout,63 then hold me dangerous.

this age's yoke,48

Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.

Brutus

laughter, 55 or did use56

To stale57 with ordinary58 oaths my love

And I will look on both indifferently. 65

To every new protester. 59 If you know

For let the gods so speed me66 as67I love

The name of honor more than I fear death.

That I do fawn on men and hug them hard

Cassius I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,

And after scandal60 them, or if you know

85

As well as I do know your outward favor.68

That I profess myselfin61 banqueting62

Well, honor is the subject of my story.

48 age's yoke = time/ era's* device for coupling draught animals together, so
that they may pull as one*
49 would you = do you wish
50 mirror*

I cannot tell what you and other men

5 r modestly discover = without exaggeration disclose/ reveal*

52 jealous on
suspicious* of
53 well-born, distinguished, excellent, gentlemanly*
54 were I = as if I were

In awe of such a thing as ~myself.

55 person habitually laughed at/scorned

56 did use = was in the habit of*
57

to stale

diminishing

(Shakespeare

would use a participial)

58 everyday, regular, abundant
59 person making strong affirmations/
60 after scandal = afterwards slander

(common
often

claims

myself in = make a habit of

62 providing banquets for

6r profess

12

Think of this life. But for my single69 self,

I had as lief7 not be as live to be
I was born free as Caesar, so were you.

= general, universal)*

uses an infinitive

where,

today, we

63 mob, herd
64 common, universal*
65 without distinction, equally
66 speed me = make me successful*
67 to the degree/ extent that
68 appearance,look*
69 individual, solitary
70 had as lief = would be as glad/willing

13

95

ACT'I

SCENE

We both have fed as well,71 and we can both

Endure ,the winter's cold as well as he.
100

For once; upon a raw and gusty day,

The troubled72 Tiber chafing with73 her shores,
Caesar said to me, "Dar'st thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood,74
And swim to yonder point?" Upon the word,

105

Accoutred75 as I was, I plunged in

And bade him follow. So indeed he did.
The torrenr76 roared, and we did buffer77 it

110

SCENE

..

A wretched creature and must bend his body86

If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him I did mark

His coward87 lips did rom their color fly,

And that same eye whose bend88 doth awe the world
Did lose his89 luster. I did hear him groan.
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans

With lusty sinews,78 throwing it aside

And stemming79 it with hearts of controversy. 80

As90 a sick gir1.Ye gods, it doth amaze me

But ere we could arrive the point proposed,

Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink!"

A man of such a feeble temper should

Did rom the flames of Troy upon his shoulder

The old Anchises83 bear, so rom the waves of Tiber
Did I84 the tired Caesar. And this man
Is85 now become a god, and Cassius is
7 I fed as well

= eaten as well as Caesar has

72 agitated, stormy
73 chafing with = fretting/ rubbing/
74 river
75 dressed

So get the start of91 the m.uestic world

SHOUT.

Brutus

lusty sinews = lively/vigorous muscles

making headway ("swimming")
of controversy = competing/ competitive
just as

82
83
84
85

founder of Rome (anEEus)

Aeneas'father (anKEEzeez)
did I = did I bear
has

FLOURISH

I do believe that these applauses93 are

For some new honors that are heaped on Caesar.
Cassius Why man, he doth bestride94 the narrow95 world

= bow

87 (figurative: the fearful/ crightened

88 glance
89 its

lips run crom their own natural color)

90 like, just as
91 start of= jump on
92 symbol of triumph/victory
93 acclamations, demonstrations ofJoud
94 sit with legs astride, as on a horse
95 small, confined,limited

14

13

Another general shout?

86 bend his body

78
79
80
81

125

And bear the palm92 alone.

angry at

76 rushing stream
77 strike, beat, fight with

120

How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake,

Mark him, and write his speeches in their books,

Alas, it cried, "Give me some drink;Titinius,"

I, as81Aeneas, 82 our great ancestor,

lIS

ACT I

IS

approval

135

AC.T 1

SCENE

2
ACT 1

SCENE

Like a colossus,96 and we petty men

Now is it Rome indeed, 109 and room 110 enough,
When there is in it but one only man.

Walk under his huge legs and peep about

T097 find ourselves dishonorable graves.
Men at some time are. masters. of their fates.
140

O!You and I have heard our fathers say

There was a Brutus 111once that would have brooked 112

The fault (dear Brutus) is.not in our stars,9B

Th' eternal Divell13 to keep his statel14 in Rome

As easily as a king. lIS

But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

Brutus and Caesar: what should99 be in that "Caesar"?
Why should that name be soundedloo more than yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair101 a name.
145

Brutus That you dOl16 love me, I am nothingjealous.

What you would work me to, 117I have some aim. lIB
Howl19 I have thought of this, and of these times,

Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well.

I shall recount120 hereafter. For this present, 121

Weigh them, it is as heavy. Conjurel02 with 'em,

Brutus will start103 a spirit as soon as Caesar.

I will consider. What you have to say

I will with patience hear, and find a time

Upon what meat104 doth this our Caesar feed,

That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!

Both meet125 to hear and answer126 such high things.

Rome, thou hast lost the breedl05 of noble bloods!

When went there by an age, 106since the great flood,
But it was famed with more than with one man?
When could they say (till now), that talked of Rome,
That her wide walks107 encompassed10B but one man?

55

96 huge statue of a man (the ancient colossus at Rhodes, island in Aegean Sea,
offorder
Turkey,
97 in
to was said to be 75 feet tall, and to "bestride" the harbor)
98 i.e., astrologically
99 must
IOO proclaimed,
IOI
I02
I 03
I04

determined

destinies

uttered

I06 when went there by an age

I07 pathways*
I08 surrounded,

and "room" were homonyms)

I II Lucius Junius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic, ca. 5 I9 B.C. (brutus
= moron, idiot, a pose that the ancient Brutus used to avoid assassination
byTarquin, then king of Rome)
II2 put up with, tolerated
II3 Devil

= the

Devil's (I) existence/life,

II4

his state

I I5

as easily as a king

Roman
II 6 in fact
r I7 toward

I21

IO5 parentage, lineage

= when did an age go by

encircled, contained

I7

I09 truly, really

r IO space ("Rome"

king

= just

as readily

this present

(2) rule

as he (Brutus)

I I8 guess, conjecture
II9 what
I20 tell, narrate

beautiful, desirable, elegant*

call up supernatural beings*
bring/jump / burst up
food

I65

I would122 not S0123 (with love I might entreat you)

Be any further moved. 124 What you have said

Now in the names of all the gods at once,

[50

160

= now

122 wish, want, desire

123 thus
124 impelled, put in motion
125 proper, appropriate*
126 respond to *

16
17

would

have tolerated

'ACT

",'

SCENE

ACT I

175

Is like130 to lay upon us.

Cassius I am glad that my ,,:eak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire trom Brutus.

SCENE 2

Casca will tell us what the matter is.

Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this.

Brutus had rather be a villager127
Than to reputei28 himself a son of Rome
Under these129 hard conditions as this time

'

CASSIUS

AND BRUTUS

STAND ASIDE

Caesar

19

Antony
Caesar

ENTER CAESAR" AND HIS FOLLOWERS

195

180

200

185

205

127 i.e., a dweller in the countryside

Rome

and not a citizen of the city in the world,

128 consider, think

129 such

139
14
141
142
143
144

130 likely
13I style, habit, manner*
132 happened, taken place
133 of note
134 mark, stain
135 chidden

136 SIseROW

train

= scolded/reproved*

retinuelfollowing

145 looks

quite

through

= very

exhaustively

/ wholly

penetrates/

searches

146 exercise, sports

147 listens to

137 polecat
138 crossed in conference

that are = men that are

sleek-headed men = men with smooth heads of hair
disposed, inclined
family name, lineage
amenable, likely
thin, lean

= thwarted/opposed*

18

in discussion/ debate

148 scorned his spirit that

= found

it ludicrous/contemptible

19

that his spirit

ACT 2

SCENE

ACT 2

. SCENE

Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did,

Fearing to strengthen that impatience146
Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal147
Hoping it was but an effect of humor,
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.

23

25

It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,

And could it work so much upon your shape
ENTER PORTIA

Portia

As it hath much prevailed on your condition,

Brutus, my lord..

Brutus Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you now?

It is not for138 your health thus to commit139
235

Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.

Portia Nor for yours neither. Y'haveungently,

140Brutus,

Stole from my bed. And yesternight at supper

You suddenly arose, and walked about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms a-cross. 141
24

And when I asked you what the matter was,

You stared upon me with ungentle looks.
I urged you further, then you scratched your head,
And too impatiently142 stamp'd with your foot.143
Yet144 I insisted, yet you answered not,

245

But with an angry wafture145 of your hand

136 honey-heavy

dew

137 mental images

138 good/favorable
139 entrust

sweedy

heavy

Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

Brutus I am not well in health, and that is all.

14 discourteously
141 crossed
142 irritably, irascibly
stamp'dWITH

48

your FOOT

255

Portia Brutus is wise, and were he not in health

He would embrace148 the means to come by it.149
Brutus Why so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Portia Is Brutus sick? And is it physical

260

To walk unbraced and suck up150 the humors151

Of the dank152 morning? What, is Brutus sick?
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And tempt the rheumy153 and unpurged154 air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus,
You have some sick offense within your mind,

retteshment

for

143 and TOO imPAtientLY

144 still
145 wave

I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,

146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154

imPAseeANCE
moreover, in addition, nevertheless*
avail himself of
health
suck up
breathe in
vapors, exhalation, moisture
damp
damp, rheumatic
not cleansed

49

265

... .ACT 2

S,CENE

1.

ACT

'.

Which by the right and virtue155 of my place156

270

I charm157 you, by my' once-commended

beauty,

Brutus You are my true and honorable 168wife,

That visit171 my sadl72 heart.

That 'you, unfold158 to me - your s~lf, your half-

Portia

drops

If this were true, then should I know this secret.

r grant r am a woman, but withal .

Some six or seven, who.did hide their faces

Even rom darkness.

Think you I am no stronger than my sex,

Being so fathered and so husbanded?

Kneel not, gentle Portia.

Portia I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.

A woman well-reputed,

Cato'sl73 daughter.

r have made strong proof175 of my constancy,

Giving myself a voluntary wound

That appertain162 to you? Am I yourself

And not my husband's secrets?

To keep165 with you at meals, comfort166 your bed,

And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot,167 not his wife.

295

Tell me your counsels,174 I will not 'disclose 'em.

y.,irthin the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,

Is it e:,'ceptedI61 I should know no secrets
But163 (as it were) in sort164 or limitation,

29

r grant I am a woman, but withal

A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.

Why you are heavy. 159And what men tonight

Have had resort160 to you. For here have been

Brutus

285

SCENE

As dear169 to me as are the ruddyl7

Which did incorporate .and make us one,

280

I ought to know of. And upon my knees.,

By all your vows oflove and that great vow

275

2.

Here, in the thigh. Can r bear that with patif''1ce,

0 ye gods,
Brutus
Render me176 worthy of this noble wife!
KNOCKING

WITHIN

Hark, hark, one177 knocks. Portia, go in a while,

And by and by178 thy bosom shall partake179

155
156
157
158

168 ONorABle

power
position
conjure, entreat
reveal, disclose

159 burdened,
160 access

169 worthy, precious*

170 red
171 come to

gloomy

161 an exception

172 (1) heavy, somber, mournful, (2) orderly, regular

173 Cato was celebrated for his totally moral character; a fierce opponent
Julius Caesar, he committed suicide after Caesar had triumphed,
174 (1) deliberations, conversations, (2) plans, purposes
175 (1) demonstration, (2) test, trial

to our oneness that

162 belong, are appropriate/proper

163 only
164 a certain/ different kind

176 render

165 stay, keep company

166 (1) gladden, cheer, entertain, (2) invigorate, refresh, relieve*
167 whore, prostitute

50

me

= cause/make

177 someone
178 soon, shordy
179 share, be informed

me

of

51

of

~-

ACT 2

305

SCENE

I.

ACT

SCENE

The secrets of my heart.

All my engagements180 I will construe to thee,
All the charactery181 of rny sad brows.
Leave me with haste.

325

EXIT PORTIA

Lucius, whO's182 that knocks?

ENTER LucIUS

WITH

LIGARIUS
330

Lucius

EXEUNT

po

I80 agreements,

undertakings,

promises, obligations

I8! meaning (i.e., that which is expressed by such visible signs/symbolic

representations)
I82 who is it
I83 how are you
I84 let me bestow/confer/grant*
I 85 chose out = picked out, selected
I86 wear a kerchief
I87 healthy

= be

sick (kerchief

I89 numbed, insensible

= head

I88 person who drives out evil spirits

covering for the sick)

I90 fight
I 9 I Caesar
I92 newly kindled/lighted

52

53

ACT

.. SCBNB

SCENE

Rome, the Forum

ENTER BRUTUS,

CASSIUS,

ACT 3

AND PLEBEIANS

SCENE

If there be any in this assembly,any dear friend of Caesar's,

to him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his.
If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar,
this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less,but that I loved

20

Rome more. Had6 you rather Caesar were living and die all
slaves,than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As
Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice
at it; as he was valiant, I honor him. But as he was ambitious,
I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune;
honor for his valor; and death for his ambition. Who is here

10
EXIT CASSIUS,
BRUTUS

WITH

SOME PLEBEIANS

GOES TO THE PULPIT

ThirdPlebeian The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!

Brutus
Be patient till the last.

IS

Romans, countrymen, and lovers,hear me for my cause,and

be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and
have respect to mine honor, that you may believe. Censure
me in your wisdom, and awake your senses,that you may the
better judge.

so base that would be a bondman? If any,speak, for him have

I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman?
If any,speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that
will not love his country? If any,speak, for him have I
offended. I pause for a reply.
All
None, Brutus, none.
Brutus Then none haveI offended.I havedone no more to
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question 7 of his
death is enrolled8 in the Capitol, his glory not extenuated,9
wherein he was worthy, nor his offenses enforced,lo for
which he suffered death.
ENTER ANTONY

AND OTHERS,

to

2 give me audience

3 part the numbers

= listen to me*
= divide the crowd

4 open to/in the presence ofall the community

5 have heard

82

CAESAR'S

35

BODY

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who though

he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his11
6 would

I wish/want

WITH

25

7 subject, facts
8 inscribed, recorded
9 shrunken, diminished,

reduced

10 emphasized, asserted, pressed

I I Caesar's

83

ACT 3

SCENE

dying, a place in the commonwealth,

not? With this12 I depart

ACT 3

as which of you shall

the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when

50

Fourth Plebeian What does he say of Brutus?

Third Plebeian He says, for Brutus' sake,

SecondPlebeian

Peace, silence,Brutus speaks.

FirstPlebeian Peace,hot

Brutus
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And (for my sake) stay here with Antony.
55

SecondPlebeianPeace, let us hear what Antony can say.

Antony
You gentle Romans Plebeians
Peace, ho, let us hear him.
Antony
ears.

Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech

Tending to14 Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allowed to make.

The good is oft interred17 with their bones.

So let it be with Caesar.The noble Brutus

I do entreat you, not a man depart,

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious. IS

Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath Caesar answered19 it.
Here, under leave of Brutus, and the rest

First Plebeian

Stay ho, and let us hear Mark Antony.

(For Brutus is an honorable man,

Third Plebeian

Let him go up into the public chair, 15

So are they all, all honorable men)

12 word

16 obliged. indebted
17 buried
18 amBIseeUS

13 cha~acteristics. capabilities, talents

14 tending to = dealing with
IS place/location
of authority

19 been held responsible for

84

70

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them,

EXIT BRUTUS

60

Fourth Plebeian 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.

FirstPlebeian This Caesar was a tyrant.
ThirdPlebeian
Nay,that's certain.
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.

Caesar's better parts 13 .

My countrymen

65

He finds himself beholding to us all.

First Plebeian
We'll bring him to his house
With shouts and clamors. .
Brutus

GOES TO PULPIT

FirstPlebeian Bring him.with triumph home unto his house.

Second
PlebeianGivehlm a statuewith hisancestors.
Third Plebeian Let him be Caesar.
Fourth Plebeian.
Shan be crowned in Brutus.

SCENE

We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.

Antony
For Brutus' sake,I am beholding16 to you.

that, as I slew my best lover for

it shall please my country to need my death.

45 All
Live Brutus, live, live!
.

85

75

80

ACT 3

. SCENE

Co~e I .to speak in20 Caesar's funeral.

He was my friend, faithful and just to me.
85

But Brutus says he was ambitious,

And Brutus is an honorable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?

When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.

Ambition should be made of sterner21 stuff.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious.
And Brutus is an honorable man. .
You all did see that on22 the Lupercal

95

I thrice presented him a kingly Crown,

Which he did thrice refuse.Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And sure23 he is an honorable man.

100

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,

But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause.
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
0 judgment!24 Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me,

15

My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,

And I must pause till it come back to me.
First Plebeian Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

23 surely
24 discernment,

reasonable opinion/

Caesar has had great wrong.

Third Plebeian

Has he, masters?25

I fear there will a worse come in his place.

Fourth Plebeian Marked ye his words? He would not take the
crown,

IIO

Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.

First Plebeian

If it be found so, some will dear abide it.

SecondPlebeian Poor soul,26 his eyes are red as fire with

weeping.

Third Plebeian There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

FourthPlebeian Now mark him, he begins again to speak.

Antony
But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
And none so poor to d027him reverence.
0 masters! If! were disposed to stir

I IS

120

Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,

I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who (you all know) are honorable men.
I will not do them wrong. I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honorable men.
But here's a parchment,28 with the seal of Caesar.
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will.
Let but the commons29 hear this testament30
counterpart

to "gentlemen")

27 so poor to do = so poor that they do

28 document
estimate/valuation

SCENE

Second Plebeian If thou consider rightly of the matter,

25 fellows (the plebeian

26 i.e., Antony

20 at
21 more rigorous, less flexible
22 at the time of

ACT 3

29 common/ordinary
30 will ("declaration")

people

86
87

125

----

---

- -. ---

ACT 3

(Which pardon me, I do not mean to read)

13

And theywould

go and kiss dead" Caesar's wounds

And dip their napkins31 in his sacred blood,

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
135

Bequeathing it as a rich legacy

Unto their issue.32
Fourth Plebeian

We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.

All

The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will.

Antony

Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it,

14

It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.

You are not wood, you are not stones, but men.
And being men, hearing the will of Caesar,

145

Fourth Plebeian Read the will,we'll hearit, Antony.

You sha1134read us the will, Caesar's will.
Antony

Will you be patient? Will you stay35 awhile?

I have 0'ershot36 myself to tell you of it,

IS

I fear I wrong the honorable men

SecondPlebeian They were villains,murderers. The will, read

the will.
Antony
You will compel me, then, to read the will?
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.

155

Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?

SeveralPlebeians Come down.

Descend.

SecondPlebeian

You shallhave leave.

Third Plebeian
ANTONY

COMES DOWN

Fourth Plebeian A ring, stand round.

First Plebeian
body.

Stand from37the hearse,38stand from the

SecondPlebeian

Room for Antony, most noble Antony.

It will inflame you, it willmake you mad.

'Tis good you know not33 that you are his heirs,
For if you should, 0 what would come of it?

. SCENE

ACT 3

SCENE 2

160

Antony
Nay press not so upon me, stand far39 off.
SeveralPlebeians Stand back. Room, bear40 back.
Antony
If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
You all do know this mantle.41 I remember

165

The first time ever Caesar put it on.

'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii.42

Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar. I do fear it.

Fourth Plebeian They were traitors. Honorable men?

All

The will! the testament!

3 I handkerchiefs,
32 children
33 know

not

37 away crom
38 coffin, bier
39 further

small towels, etc.

4 move, push
41 cloak

do not know

34 must
35 wait
36 exceeded, gone beyond/too

Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through.

See what a rent43 the envious Casca made.

4257 B.C.: a fierce Belgic tribe (NERveeEYE)

43 fissure, cleft
far

88

89

170

--

---

---

-- -

ACT'3 .- SCENE2

Thro.ugh this the well-belaved Brutus stabbed,

And ashe plucked his cursed steel away,
Mark haw the blaad af Caesar fallawed it,
As44rushing aut af daars, to.be resalved45
IfBrutus so.unkindly46-knacked,47 arna.
Far Brutus, asyau knaw, was Caesar's ange1.48
Judge, 0 yau gads, haw dearly Caesar laved him!
This was the mast unkindest cut af all. '.-

175

Far when the nable Caesar saw him stab,

Ingratitude, mare strong than traitars' arms,
Quite vanquished him. Then burst his m:ightyheart,
And in.his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base af Pampey's
statue
(Which all the while ranbload), great Caesar fell.
0 what a fall was there, my cauntrymen!
Then I, and yau, and all af us fell dawn,
Whilst blaady treasan flaurished49 aver us.
0 naw yau weep, and I perceive yau feel
The dint50 af pity. These are graciaus drops.
Kind sauls,what! Weep yau when yau but behald
Our Caesar'svesture51waunded? Laak yau here,
Here is himself, marred52 as yau see with53 traitars.

180

185

190

ACT3 . SCENE2
First Plebeian
0 piteaus spectacle!
SecondPlebeian 0 nable Caesar!

First Plebeian

0 mast blaady sight!

SecondPlebeian We will be revenged.

All

Revenge! Abaut!54 Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!

Let nat a traitar live!

Antony

First Plebeian
Peace there! Hear the nable Antany.
Second Plebeian We'll hear him, we'll fallaw him, we'll die with
him.
Antony
Gaad friends, sweet friends, let me nat stir yau up
To. such a sudden flaad af mutiny.
They that have dane this deed are hanarable.

(1) unnaturally, cruelly, (2) ungratefully

(I) struck, hit hard, (2) rapped (as on a door)
shining/lovely person
thrived, flowered

50
5I
52
53

(1) stroke, blow, attack, (2) impact, impression, mark

clothing
damaged, harmed, destroyed, ruined
by

90.

2,05

What private griefs they have, alas r know nat,

That made them do. it. They are wise and hanarable,
And will no. daubt with reasans answer yau.

210

r came nat, friends, to. steal away yaur hearts,

I am no. aratar, as Brutus is,
But (as yau knaw me all) a plain blunt man
That lave my friend, and that they knaw full well
Far I have neither writ, 56 nar wards, nar warth,

46
47
48
49

200

Stay, cauntrymen.

That55 gave me public leave to. speak afhim.

44 as if
45 convinced, satisfied. setded, decided

195

Third Plebeian 0 waeful day!

Fourth Plebeian 0 traitars, villains!

Actian,57 nar utterance, 58 nar the pawer afspeech,

54 let's go
55 those who
56 a prepared/written
editors emend

speech; Second Folio (1632) has "wit," to which some

57 acting ability, gestures

58 fluency

91

215

ACT 3

220

225

.SCENE

ACT3 . SCENE2

To stir men's blood. 59I only speak right on.

I tell you that which you yourselves do know,
Sh~w you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me But were I Brutus,
And Brutus60Antony, thete61were an Antony
Would. ruffie62up your spirits, and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
All
We'll mutiny.
.
FirstPlebeian
We'll burn the house of Brutus.

Antony

Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,

His private arbors64 and new-planted

On this side Tiber. 65 He hath left them you,

And to your heirs for ever, common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate66 yourselves.
Here was a Caesar. When comes such another?
First Plebeian

Never, never. Come, away,away!

Take68 up the body.

SecondPlebeian Go fetch fire.

Antony

Third Plebeian Pluck69 down benches.

Yethear me countrymen,yethear me speak.

All
Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony.
230 Antony
Why friends, you go to do you know not what.
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alasyou know not, I must tell you then.
You have forgot the will I told you of.
All
Most true, the will, let's stay and hear the will.
235 Antony
Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.
To every Roman citizen he gives

245

We'll burn his body in the holy place,

And with the brands67 fire the traitors' houses.

ThirdPlebeian Away,then, come, seek the conspirators.

.

240

orchards,

250

Fourth Plebeian Pluck down forms,7 windows, anything.

EXEUNT

PLEBEIANS

WITH

THE BODY

Antony
Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!
ENTER SERVANT

To every severalman - seventy-fivedrachmas.63

255

e?

SecondPlebeian Most nobleCaesar!We'llrevengehisdeath.

.",."....

ThirdPlebeian 0 royalCaesar!
Antony
All
hot
59 passions. emotions*
60 and Brutus = and ifBrutus

Peace,

64 bowers (shaded resting places)

65 side Tiber = side of the Tiber River

66 reinvigorate. restore, refresh (REKreeATE)

67 glowing sticks
68 lift
69 pull

were

61 (heavily emphasized)
62 stir
63 silver coins (DRACKrnas):

He and Lepidus71are a~ouse.

And thither will I straight to visit'

Hear me with patience.

75 drachmas

92

= 3/4

lb. silver

70 images, statUes
71 LEpiDUS

93