Plot structure

Julius Caesar Summary provides a quick review of the play's plot including every
important action in the play. Julius Caesar Summary is divided by the five acts of the
play and is an ideal introduction before reading the original text.

Act I.

Shakespeare's famous Roman play opens to the scene of two Tribunes, Marullus and Flavius
scolding Roman citizens for blindly worshipping Caesar. Their conversation reveals deep-
seated fears that Caesar is growing too powerful, too arrogant and must be stopped. Hoping
to reduce the blind hero worship of Caesar, the two men remove ceremonial decorations off
Caesar's "images" (statues) despite the obvious dangers of doing so...

A little later, we see Caesar leading a procession through the streets of Rome. A Soothsayer
or fortune teller tells Caesar to beware the "ides of March [the 15th of March]" a warning that
Caesar will die on this day. It is ignored. Cassius, who fears Caesar's ever growing power,
begins to recruit Brutus, a close friend of Caesar's, towards his conspiracy by implying that
Caesar is becoming too powerful... We also learn that Marullus and Flavius, the two tribunes
pulling decorations off Caesar's statues have been put to silence for "pulling scarfs off
Caesar's images [statues]." Brutus is suspicious of Cassius' motives but tells Cassius that he
will think it over... Casca, another conspirator, reveals information to Brutus that suggests
Caesar may be getting more ambitious...

Cassius' conspiracy gains momentum when he recruits a suspicious Casca to their cause
against Caesar by pointing out that several recent strange occurrences are omens warning
them against Caesar... To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius has Cinna place some
forged letters where Brutus will find them convincing Brutus to join their cause. Cinna
reveals that Brutus' good name will be an asset to their conspiracy...

Act II.

Brutus cannot sleep, revealing for the first time his own true fears that Caesar may be
growing too powerful. A letter is discovered, which Brutus reads, convincing him to join the
conspiracy. The complete group of conspirators meets at Brutus' house, discussing Caesar's
assassination. Brutus argues against Caesar's right hand man, Mark Antony being
assassinated as well. Cassius and Trebonius have their doubts but go along with Brutus.
Brutus' troubled wife Portia tries to find out what her husband is planning, worried for him...

Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, wakes Caesar up after herself awakening from a terrible
nightmare. She tells Caesar, that her dream foretells doom and succeeds in convincing Caesar
not go to the Senate (also referred to as The Capitol) on the "ides of March" which is
tomorrow. Decius Brutus arrives and hearing that Caesar will not be at the Senate tomorrow,
flatters Caesar into going so as not to show fear (allowing Brutus and company to kill him
there).
Artemidorus waits in a street with a letter warning Caesar of the conspiracy, hoping to avert
Caesar's assassination...

Portia worries for her husband, hoping his "enterprise" today will succeed. The Soothsayer
who warned Caesar about the "ides of March" in Act I, waits in a narrow street hoping to
warn Caesar of his imminent danger...

Act III.

Caesar arrogantly tells the Soothsayer that today is the "ides of March", but the Soothsayer
tells him the day is not over yet... Artemidorus nearly warns Caesar but Decius Brutus
prevents this. Popilius wishes the conspirators good luck, scaring them that Caesar may
already know their plans.

Metellus Cimber petitions Caesar to lift his brother's banishment order. Caesar refuses and
the conspirators kill Caesar. Mark Antony flees. Mark Antony pretends to treat Caesar's
murderers as friends. He asks to speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius thinks this is dangerous,
Brutus, disagreeing, lets Mark Antony speak at the funeral.

Mark Antony reveals his true hatred for the conspirators. Octavius, Mark Antony's ally is
remain safely outside of Rome a little longer... Brutus and Cassius explain to the citizens of
Rome why they killed Caesar, gaining their support.

Using the immortal words, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;" Mark Antony
turns the citizens of Rome against Brutus and Cassius by making the citizens feel remorse for
Caesar's cruel death and by bribing then with the news that Caesar's will gifts each citizen
money from his will. Mark Antony uses this fact to suggest Caesar was a great man who
should not have been murdered.

The crowd, now an angry, crazed mob, go after the conspirators including Brutus and Cassius
who flee in fear...

A poet called Cinna who bears the same name as one of the conspirators is killed by the
angry mob which shows Shakespeare's insight into the senselessness of the mob mentality...

Act IV.

The Triumvirs (Octavius, Mark Antony and Lepidus) decide which of the conspirators shall
live and which shall die. Mark Antony assures Octavius that Lepidus does not and will not
ever have any serious power... The two men start planning their attack on Brutus' and
Cassius' forces.

Brutus learns that Cassius has finally arrived. Brutus is angry with Cassius, Cassius saying he
has done his friend no wrong. Brutus wanting privacy from his troops, tells Cassius to step
into his tent where he will discuss the issue further...

Brutus angrily attacks Cassius first for contradicting his order to remove Lucius Pella for
taking bribes and then Cassius himself for his own dishonesty. Cassius is upset by this but
eventually Brutus chooses to forgive his friend. We learn that Portia, Brutus' wife has died,
over one hundred senators have been put to death by the Triumvirs and that a large army led
by Mark Antony and Octavius is approaching their position... Brutus is greeted by Caesar's
Ghost which tells Brutus he will see Caesar again at Philippi.

Act V.

On the Plains of Philippi, Mark Antony's and Octavius' forces face Brutus' and Cassius'
forces. The two sides insult each other, Mark Antony and Octavius then leaving with their
army.

Later in battle with Mark Antony and Octavius, Brutus sends orders via messenger Messala
to Cassius' forces on the other side of the battlefield.

Cassius' forces are losing ground to Mark Antony's forces. Brutus has defeated Octavius'
forces but instead of reinforcing Cassius' forces, have instead sought out spoils or bounty
from the field.

Needing information, Cassius sends Titinius to a nearby hill to report if it is friendly or not.
Cassius instructs Pindarus to go atop a hill to report Titinius' progress to him.

Pindarus sees Titinius pulled off his horse and fears Titinius has been captured. This would
mean Brutus' forces have been beaten so Cassius kills himself on Pindarus' sword. Titinius
now returns realizing that Titinius was not captured but was greeted by Brutus' victorious
forces. Brutus learns of Cassius' death. Titinius, mourning Cassius, kills commits suicide.

Brutus inspires his men to keep fighting. Lucilius who is mistaken for Brutus is captured.
Eventually Mark Antony realizes this. The battle rages on and Antony issues orders for
Brutus to be captured, dead or alive...

Tired, weary, but still alive, Brutus finds a place to catch his breath with his few remaining
followers. One by one, Brutus asks first Clitius, Dardanius and Volumnius to kill him but
each refuses. Finally Brutus gets his wish by falling on his sword, killing himself.

Octavius, Mark Antony, Messala and Lucilius now arrive. Strato explains how Brutus died.
Mark Antony pays tribute to Brutus' noble spirit by famously saying, "This was the noblest
Roman of them all..." Octavius tells his soldiers to stand down, the battle now over..

Julius Caesar Characters

Julius Caesar Characters guide studies each character's role and motivation in this
play.

Julius Caesar: The victorious leader of Rome, it is the fear that he may become King and
revoke the privileges of men like Cassius that leads to his death at the hands of Cassius,
Brutus and their fellow conspirators.

The threat that Caesar was moving away from the ideals of the Roman republic towards an
Empire ruled directly by himself is the chief reason so many senators, aristocrats and even
Caesar's friend Brutus, conspired to kill him.

Introduced early in the play as a great (and arguably arrogant) leader who fears nothing,
Caesar is warned by Artemidorus, The Soothsayer and wife (Calphurnia) alike not to go to
the Senate on the "ides of March" the very day he is assassinated.

Caesar later returns in the play as a ghost which haunts Brutus in Act V. Easily flattered by
Decius Brutus (not to be confused with Brutus), Caesar appears to us as a man almost guided
not so much by his own will but what he believes are the expectations his people have of
"Caesar." This is why he is reluctant to show fear, Caesar, as he frequently refers to himself
in the third person, fears nothing and can show no sign of weakness or indeed mortality...

Note: The "ides of March" is the fifteenth of March (See Act II, Scene I, Line 58).

Octavius Caesar: The adopted son of Caesar, Octavius by history, ultimately became ruler
of the Roman Empire following his defeat of Mark Antony in Egypt (See Shakespeare's
Antony and Cleopatra). In this play, Octavius with Mark Antony and Lepidus (The Second
Triumvirate), destroy the forces of Brutus and Cassius on the Plains of Philippi, which results
in the death of both these conspirators (Act V).

Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony): One of the Triumvirs (leaders) who rule Rome following
Caesar's assassination. Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius) is famous in this play for his speech,
which turns the Romans against Brutus following his group's assassination of Caesar. Famous
for the immortal lines "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;" (Act III, Scene II,
Line 79), Mark Antony with fellow Triumvirs, Octavius and Lepidus later defeat Brutus and
Cassius on the Plains of Philippi in Act V.

M. Aemilius Lepidus: The last of the Triumvirs, this old man holds little real power and is
used in Mark Antony's own words as a loyal, trusted man "Meet [fit] to be sent on errands:"
(Act IV, Scene I, Line 13).

Cicero: A well-known orator (public speaker) and Senator, Cicero is killed by the Triumvirs
(Mark Antony, Octavius and Lepidus) following Caesar's assassination.

Publius: A Senator who travels with Caesar to the Senate House the day Caesar is killed, he
witnesses Caesar's assassination. Though deeply "confounded" or confused and shaken by the
assassination of Caesar (Act III, Scene I, Line 86), he is used by Brutus to tell the citizens of
Rome that Caesar aside, no one else will be hurt (Act III, Scene I, Lines 89-91).

Popilius Lena: The Senator who terrifies Cassius by telling Cassius that he hopes his
"enterprise [assassination attempt] today may thrive" or be successful just as Caesar goes into
the Senate house on the "ides of March" (Act III, Scene I, Line 13).

Marcus Brutus: The most complex character in this play, Brutus is one of the men who
assassinate Caesar in the Senate. Brutus is complex, because he does not kill Caesar for
greed, envy nor to preserve his social position like so many of the other conspirators against
Caesar. This Brutus makes very clear in his speech in Act III, Scene II (Lines 12-76), when
he explains his actions as being for the good of Rome.
Unlike the other conspirators, Brutus is in fact a dear friend of Caesar's but kills his beloved
friend not for who he is, but what he could become as a King. It is for this reason that when
Brutus dies by suicide in Act V, Mark Antony describes his bitter enemy by saying "This
[Brutus] was the noblest Roman of them all;" (Act V, Scene V, Line 68). Mark Antony
recognizes with these words that Brutus acted from a sense of civic duty, not malice, nor
greed nor envy.

In academic circles, Brutus is still a source of much heated debate; does assassinating a leader
for the good of the people constitute bravery worthy of a tragic hero or can the end never
justify the means? The controversy on whether Brutus is tragic hero or villain still rages...

Ironically, though it can be argued that Brutus assassinated his friend to prevent one man
ruling the Roman Empire, history was later to make this a reality. Octavius, one of the
Triumvirs who defeated Brutus and Cassius, was later to become a Roman Emperor ruling
the entire Roman Empire alone following his victory over Cleopatra and Mark Antony.

Cassius: One of the original conspirators against Caesar. Like the other conspirators he fears
what life under King Caesar's rule could mean for him and the privileges he has.

Unlike the other conspirators however, Cassius plays a leading role in Caesar's assassination.
It is he who gathers those against Caesar around him and it is Cassius who carefully
manipulates Brutus to their cause by appealing to Brutus' sense of civic duty which believes
that Caesar as a King would be bad for the people of Rome and by Cassius' clever use of
forged letters.

The great thinker of the conspiracy, his advice is continually overruled by Brutus with tragic
results for the conspirators.

First, his advice to kill Mark Antony as well as Caesar is ignored leading to Mark Antony
becoming their greatest enemy.

Later at Caesar's funeral, Cassius' advice that Mark Antony should not speak at the funeral is
also ignored leading to Antony turning the masses against the previously popular
conspirators.

Finally in Act V, Brutus ignores Cassius' advise to stay on high ground, leading to a battle in
the plains of Philippi, a battle favored by Mark Antony and Octavius, their enemies. Like
Brutus, he dies by suicide in Act V, when fearing Brutus dead, he commits suicide.

Casca: One of the conspirators against Caesar, he starts the actual assassination of Caesar by
stabbing first from behind.

Terminus: The only conspirator who does not actually stab Caesar, he is the man responsible
for saving Mark Antony's life following Caesar's assassination. He leads Mark Antony away
from the Senate house following the assassination and he backs up Brutus' suggestion that
Mark Antony's life be spared.

Ligarius: The reluctantly assassin, Caius Ligarius at first hesitates in killing Caesar, but later
enthusiastically follows the others in killing Caesar after Brutus restores his conviction.

Decius Brutus: A man who lures Caesar to his death by his deep understanding of Caesar's
true vanity...

Not to be confused with Marcus Brutus, who is referred to in Julius Caesar simply as as
Brutus. It is Decius Brutus who convinces Caesar to turn up to the Senate on the "ides of
March" after Caesar announces that he is unwilling to attend the day's Senate because of his
wife Calphurnia's dream foretelling doom. Decius Brutus turns Calphurnia's dream into a
reason to attend the Senate by cleverly reinterpreting its negative imagery to instead
symbolize Caesar's triumph.

Metellus Cimber: A conspirator against Caesar, it is his petition or request to Caesar for his
brother's banishment to be overturned, that allows the conspirators to move close to Caesar,
before they assassinate him with multiple stab wounds...

Cinna: A conspirator against Caesar, who plays a key role in enlisting Brutus to their cause.
It is Cinna who suggests to Cassius that Brutus join their conspiracy. Also assists Cassius'
manipulation of Brutus by placing Cassius' letters responsible for manipulating Brutus where
Brutus is sure to find and read them... Indirectly responsible for Cinna, the poet's death; since
it is he the mob originally wished to kill...

Flavius and Marullus: Two Tribunes introduced to us at the beginning of the play. Their
conversation reveals the deep mistrust and fear many in Rome have about Caesar's growing
popularity, which eventually leads to Caesar's assassination. These two men criticize Rome's
citizens for praising Caesar almost without reason and are later put to death or "put to
silence" for "pulling scarfs off Caesar's images," (Act I, Scene II, Line 291) during the Feast
of Lupercal in Act I, Scene I (Note: Flavius the Tribune is not the same person as Flavius, a
soldier whom appears in Act IV).

Artemidorus: The man who nearly saves Caesar, he presents Caesar with a letter warning
warning Caesar that he will be killed (Act II, Scene III). Caesar however does not read the
letter and so proceeds to his doom...

Cinna, the Poet: A humble poet, this man dies because he has the wrong name at the wrong
time. After Mark Antony incites (angers) the people of Rome against Caesar's assassins,
Cinna who shares the same name as one of the assassins, is killed despite his explaining his
identity as a poet. The mob, eager for blood, kill him regardless and use the excuse that they
never liked his poems much anyway (Act III, Scene III, Lines 1-43).

Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, Young Cato and Volumnius: Friends to Brutus and Cassius.

Varro, Clitus, Claudius, Strato, Lucius and Dardanius: Servants to Brutus.

Pindarus: A servant to Cassius, he is also the messenger bearing the wrong news... In Act V,
Pindarus misreports to Cassius that Titinius, a scout sent to Brutus' forces was captured by
the Triumvir's forces when he was actually welcomed by Brutus' army. On Pindarus'
information, Cassius assumes that Brutus has been defeated and so thinking all is lost,
decides to kill himself, using Pindarus to hold a sword out which he runs onto, the very
sword, Cassius used against Caesar...

Calphurnia: The wife of Caesar, she begs her husband not to go to the Senate on "the ides of
March" (March 15) when she cries out "'Help, ho! They murder Caesar!'" three times in her
sleep, the day before Caesar's death. This and strange occurrences such as a lioness whelping
in the streets of Rome,"Fierce fiery warriors" fighting in the clouds (Act II, Scene II, Lines
12-24) and graves yawning and yielding up their dead, convince Calphurnia that her husband
Julius Caesar, must stay home on the "ides of March" (the fifteenth of March). Unfortunately
just as Calphurnia convinces Caesar to stay home and avoid the death that awaits him, Decius
Brutus (not to be confused with Brutus), arrives at Caesar's home convincing him that these
images mean that Rome will be revived by Caesar's presence at the Senate the following day.
Caesar ignores his wife's pleas and meets his bloody destiny at the hands of Brutus and
company the very next day.

Portia: The wife of Marcus Brutus, she tries to learn from Brutus the assassination
conspiracy he is hiding from her. She is later assumed to have committed suicide at the end of
the play when her death is reported as being under strange circumstances...

Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants and others...

Julius Caesar Characters Analysis

Julius Caesar Characters Analysis features noted Shakespeare scholar William Hazlitt's
famous critical essay about the characters of Julius Caesar.

JULIUS CÆSAR was one of three principal plays by different authors, pitched upon by the
celebrated Earl of Hallifax to be brought out in a splendid manner by subscription, in the year
1707. The other two were the King and No King of Fletcher, and Dryden's Maiden Queen.
There perhaps might be political reasons for this selection, as far as regards our author.
Otherwise, Shakespear's JULIUS CÆSAR is not equal as a whole, to either of his other plays
taken from the Roman history. It is inferior in interest to Coriolanus, and both in interest and
power to Antony and Cleopatra. It however abounds in admirable and affecting passages, and
is remarkable for the profound knowledge of character, in which Shakespear could scarcely
fail. If there is any exception to this remark, it is in the hero of the piece himself. We do not
much admire the representation here given of Julius Cæsar, nor do we think it answers to the
portrait given of him in his Commentaries. He makes several vapouring and rather pedantic
speeches, and does nothing. Indeed, he has nothing to do. So far, the fault of the character is
the fault of the plot.

The spirit with which the poet has entered at once into the manners of the common people,
and the jealousies and heart-burnings of the different factions, is shown in the first scene,
where Flavius and Marullus, tribunes of the people, and some citizens of Rome, appear upon
the stage.

"Flavius. Thou art a cobbler, art thou?

Cobbler. Truly, Sir, all that I live by, is the awl: I meddle
with no tradesman's matters, nor woman's matters, but
withal, I am indeed, Sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when
they are in great danger, I recover them.
Flavius. But wherefore art not in thy shop today? Why
dost thou lead these men about the streets?
Cobbler. Truly, Sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself
into more work. But, indeed, Sir, we make holiday to see
Cæsar, and rejoice in his triumph."

To this specimen of quaint low humour immediately follows that unexpected and animated
burst of indignant eloquence, put into the mouth of one of the angry tribunes.

"Marullus. Wherefore rejoice!-What conquest brings

he home?
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
To grace in captive-bonds his chariot-wheels?
Oh you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome!
Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements,
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops,
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat
The live-long day with patient expectation,
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome;
And when you saw his chariot but appear,
Have you not made an universal shout,
That Tyber trembled underneath his banks
To hear the replication of your sounds,
Made in his concave shores?
And do you now put on your best attire?
And do you now cull out an holiday?
And do you now strew flowers in his way
That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?
Begone—
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Pray to the Gods to intermit the plague,
That needs must light on this ingratitude."

The well-known dialogue between Brutus and Cassius, in which the latter breaks the design
of the conspiracy to the former, and partly gains him over to it, is a noble piece of high-
minded declamation. Cassius's insisting on the pretended effeminacy of Cæsar's character,
and his description of their swimming across the Tiber together, "once upon a raw and gusty
day," are among the finest strokes in it. But perhaps the whole is not equal to the short scene
which follows, when Cæsar enters with his train:—

"Brutus. The games are done, and Cæsar is returning.

Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What has proceeded worthy note to day.
Brutus. I will do so; but look you, Cassius—
The angry spot doth glow on Cæsar's brow,
And all the rest look like a chidden train.
Calphurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes,
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being crost in conference by some senators.
Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Cæsar. Antonius—
Antony, Cæsar?
Cæsar. Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights:
Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look,
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.
Antony. Fear him not, Cæsar, he's not dangerous:
He is a noble Roman, and well given.
Cæsar. Would he were fatter; but I fear him not:
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much;
He is a great observer; and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music:
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort,
As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit,
That could be mov'd to smile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's ease,
Whilst they behold a greater than themselves;
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear; for always I am Cæsar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him."

We know hardly any passage more expressive of the genius of Shakespear than this. It is as if
he had been actually present, had known the different characters and what they thought of
one another, and had taken down what he heard and saw, their looks, words, and gestures,
just as they happened.

The character of Mark Antony is farther speculated upon where the conspirators deliberate
whether he shall fall with Cæsar. Brutus is against it—

"And for Mark Antony, think not of him:

For he can do no more than Cæsar's arm,
When Cæsar's head is off.
Cassius. Yet I do fear him:
For in th' ingrafted love he bears to Cæsar—
Brutus, Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:
If he love Cæsar, all that he can do
Is to himself, take thought, and die for Cæsar:
And that were much, he should; for he is giv'n
To sports, to wildness, and much company.
Trebonius. There is no fear in him; let him not die;
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter."

They were in the wrong; and Cassius was right.

The honest manliness of Brutus is however sufficient to find out the unfitness of Cicero to be
included in their enterprise, from his affected egotism and literary vanity.

"O, name him not: let us not break with him;

For he will never follow anything,
That other men begin."

His scepticism as to prodigies and his moralising on the weather—"This disturbed sky is not
to walk in"—are in the same spirit of refined imbecility.

Shakespear has in this play and elsewhere shown the same penetration into political character
and the springs of public events as into those of everyday life. For instance, the whole design
of the conspirators to liberate their country fails from the generous temper and over-weening
confidence of Brutus in the goodness of their cause and the assistance of others. Thus it has
always been. Those who mean well themselves think well of others, and fall a prey to their
security. That humanity and honesty which dispose men to resist injustice and tyranny render
them unfit to cope with the cunning and power of those who are opposed to them. The friends
of liberty trust to the professions of others, because they are themselves sincere, and
endeavour to reconcile the public good with the least possible hurt to its enemies, who have
no regard to anything but their own unprincipled ends, and stick at nothing to accomplish
them. Cassius was better cut out for a conspirator. His heart prompted his head. His watchful
jealousy made him fear the worst that might happen, and his irritability of temper added to
his inveteracy of purpose, and sharpened his patriotism. The mixed nature of his motives
made him fitter to contend with bad men. The vices are never so well employed as in
combating one another. Tyranny and servility are to be dealt with after their own fashion:
otherwise, they will triumph over those who spare them, and finally pronounce their funeral
panegyric, as Antony did that of Brutus.

"All the conspirators, save only he,

Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar:
He only in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them."

The quarrel between Brutus and Cassius is managed in a masterly way. The dramatic
fluctuation of passion, the calmness of Brutus, the heat of Cassius, are admirably described;
and the exclamation of Cassius on hearing of the death of Portia, which he does not learn till
after their reconciliation, "How 'scaped I killing when I crost you so?" gives double force to
all that has gone before. The scene between Brutus and Portia, where she endeavours to
extort the secret of the conspiracy from him, is conceived in the most heroical spirit, and the
burst of tenderness in Brutus-

"You are my true and honourable wife;

As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart"—

is justified by her whole behaviour. Portia's breathless impatience to learn the event of the
conspiracy, in the dialogue with Lucius, is full of passion. The interest which Portia takes in
Brutus and that which Calphurnia takes in the fate of Cæsar are discriminated with the nicest
precision. Mark Antony's speech over the dead body of Cæsar has been justly admired for the
mixture of pathos and artifice in it: that of Brutus certainly is not so good.

The entrance of the conspirators to the house of Brutus at midnight is rendered very
impressive. In the midst of this scene, we meet with one of those careless and natural
digressions which occur so frequently and beautifully in Shakespear. After Cassius has
introduced his friends one by one, Brutus says—

"They are all welcome.

What watchful cares do interpose themselves
Betwixt your eyes and night?
Cassius. Shall I entreat a word (They whisper.)
Decius. Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?
Casca. No
Cinna. O pardon. Sir, it doth; and yon grey lines,
That fret the clouds, are messengers of day.
Casca. You shall confess, that you are both deceiv'd:
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,
Which is a great way growing on the south,
Weighing the youthful season of the year.
Some two months hence, up higher toward the north
He first presents his fire, and the high east
Stands as the Capitol, directly here."

We cannot help thinking this graceful familiarity better than all the fustian in the world. The
truth of history in JULIUS CÆSAR is very ably worked up with dramatic effect. The
councils of generals, the doubtful turns of battles, are represented to the life. The death of
Brutus is worthy of him-it has the dignity of the Roman senator with the firmness of the Stoic
philosopher. But what is perhaps better than either, is the little incident of his boy, Lucius,
falling asleep over his instrument, as he is playing to his master in his tent, the night before
the battle. Nature had played him the same forgetful trick once before on the night of the
conspiracy. The humanity of Brutus is the same on both occasions.

—"It is no matter:
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,
Which busy care draws in the brains of men.
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound."

History- date and text

Julius Caesar was originally published in the First Folio of 1623, but a performance was
mentioned by Thomas Platter the Younger in his diary in September 1599. The play is not
mentioned in the list of Shakespeare's plays published by Francis Meres in 1598. Based on
these two points, as well as a number of contemporary allusions, and the belief that the play
is similar to Hamlet in vocabulary, and to Henry V and As You Like It in metre,[10] scholars
have suggested 1599 as a probable date.[11]

The text of Julius Caesar in the First Folio is the only authoritative text for the play. The
Folio text is notable for its quality and consistency; scholars judge it to have been set into
type from a theatrical prompt-book.[12] The source used by Shakespeare was Sir Thomas
North's translation of Plutarch's Life of Brutus and Life of Caesar[13]

The play contains many anachronistic elements from the Elizabethan period. The characters
mention objects such as hats and doublets (large, heavy jackets) – neither of which existed in
ancient Rome. Caesar is mentioned to be wearing an Elizabethan doublet instead of a Roman
toga. At one point a clock is heard to strike and Brutus notes it with "Count the clock".
Summary of Julius Caesar
The play, Julius Caesar, begins with Tribunes, Marullus and Flavius scolding the Roman
people who blindly worship Caesar. Their dialog discusses their great fears that Caesar is
growing too powerful and must be stopped. Later, Caesar leads a procession through the
streets of Rome. A soothsayer tells Caesar to beware of the ides of March, warning he will
die on this day. Caesar ignores the telling. Cassius begins to recruit Brutus, a friend of
Caesar's, to help assassinate Caesar, but Brutus becomes suspicious of his motives. Casca,
another conspirator, tells Brutus of the information suggesting Cassius' fears may be real.

To help ensure Brutus joins in the conspiracy, Cassius has Cinna place some forged letters in
places to where Brutus will find them. Brutus is unable to sleep, and reveals his fears of
Caesar. He discovers the letters and joins the conspiracy, helping plan the assassination, but
argues against having Mark Antony murdered as well.

Calphurnia, one of Caesar's wives, tells Caesar her dream foretells doom, convincing him to
not go to the Senate tomorrow, which is the ides of March. Decius Brutus, hears of Caesar's
plans to not go to the Senate and convinces him to go to not look weak. Artemidorus and the
soothsayer try to warn Caesar of Brutus, but fail. While at the Senate, the conspirators kill
Caesar, leaving Mark Antony to flew, but ask to speak at the funeral. Cassius thinks it is
dangerous, but Brutus tells Antony to speak.

Brutus and Cassius gain support from the citizens of Rome by explaining why they killed
Caesar. Using the famous words, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;" Mark
Antony turns the citizens against Brutus and Cassius by making them feel remorse for
Caesar's death. The crowd turns into a mob and go after the conspirators. Mark Antony and
Octavius start planning their attack on Brutus and Cassius.

Brutus meets Caesar's ghost, which tells him he will see him again at Philippi. On the Plains
of Philippi, the forces of Mark Antony and Octavius face Brutus and Cassius' forces. Later in
battle, Brutus sends orders to Messala, a messenger, to give to Cassius' forces on the other
side of the battlefield. Cassius' forces lose ground, but Brutus' forces defeated Octavius; but
do not help Cassius.

Cassius sends Titinius to a nearby hill to report if it is friendly. Cassius then instructs
Pindarus to report Titinius' progress to him. Pindarus sees Titinius pull of his horse and fears
he has been captured –- this would mean Brutus' forces have been beaten, so Cassius kills
himself using Pindarus' sword. Titinius returns and reveals that he was not killed, but greeted
by Brutus' forces. Brutus learns of Cassius' death as the battle rages on. Brutus becomes tired
and weary and rests with his followers. One by one, Brutus asks Clitius, Dardanius and
Volumius to kill him, but each refuse. Finally Brutus falls on his sword, killing him.
Octavius, Mark Antony, Messala and Lucilius arrive. Strato explains how Brutus died and
Mark Antony pays tribute to Brutus' noble spirit by saying, "This was the noblest Roman of
them all."