Julius Caesar Play
Julius Caesar begins with Tribunes, Marullus
and Flavius scolding Roman citizens for blindly worshipping
Caesar. Their words reveals deep-seated fears that Caesar
is growing too powerful and must be stopped. A little
later, we see Caesar leading a procession through the
streets of Rome. A Soothsayer (fortune teller) tells
Caesar to beware the "ides of March [the 15th of
March]", a warning that he will die on this day.
It is ignored... Cassius, fearing Caesar's ever growing
power, begins to recruit Brutus, a close friend of Caesar's,
towards his conspiracy to assassinate him by implying
that Caesar is becoming too powerful... Brutus is suspicious
of Cassius' motives... Casca, another conspirator, reveals
to Brutus information suggesting Cassius' fears may
be real...
To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius has
Cinna place some forged letters where Brutus will find
them, convincing Brutus to join them; Brutus' good name
will be an asset to their conspiracy... Brutus, unable
to sleep, reveals his own fear of Caesar. Discovering
the letter ,Brutus joins the conspiracy. The conspirators
plan the assassination, Brutus arguing against Mark
Antony also being assassinated...
Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, tells him that her dream
foretells doom, convincing him not go to the Senate
on the "ides of March" which is tomorrow.
Decius Brutus, hearing this, goads Caesar into going
so as not to look weak... Artemidorus and the Soothsayer
both try to warn Caesar but fail. At the Senate, the
conspirators kill Caesar. Mark Antony flees but later
asks to speak at the funeral. Cassius thinks this is
dangerous, but Brutus lets Mark Antony speak.
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 against
Brutus and Cassius by making them feel remorse for Caesar's
death and by informing them that his will gifts them
money. The crowd, now a crazed mob, go after the conspirators.
Mark Antony and ally Octavius start planning their attack
on Brutus and Cassius.
Brutus argues with Cassius over Cassius' dishonesty,
Brutus eventually forgiving him. Brutus meets Caesar's
Ghost which tells Brutus he will see him again at Philippi.
On the Plains of Philippi, Mark Antony's and Octavius'
forces face Brutus' and Cassius' forces. 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' army has defeated Octavius
but are not helping Cassius.
Needing information, Cassius sends Titinius to a nearby
hill to report if it is friendly or not. Cassius instructs
Pindarus 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 returns, revealing that he was not captured
but was greeted by Brutus' victorious forces. Brutus
learns of Cassius' death. The battle rages on. Tired
and weary, Brutus rests with his few remaining followers.
One by one, Brutus asks Clitius, Dardanius and Volumnius
to kill him but each refuses. Finally Brutus falls 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..."
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act V
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V
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