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Julius CaesarAct III , scene 1
March 15, 44 B.C.
The Ides of March
Rome: approaching the capitol
• Caesar • Brutus, • Cassius, • Casca, • Decius, • Metellus, • Trebonius, • Cinna,
• Antony, • Lepidus, • Artemidorus, • Publius, - senator • Popilus - senator
• Soothsayer
Artemidorus • Tries to warn Caesar with a letter
that names the conspirators –• Caesar refuses to
read it• Caesar says, “what
touches us ourself shall be last serv’d.”
Each conspirator has a job…• Trebonius - Get Antony out of
the way so he can’t defend Caesar
• Metellus Cimber - Distract Caesar by making a petition
• Casca - stab Caesar first
Caesar’s last words of arrogance…
When petitioned by Metellus, Caesar says that he will not change his mind regarding the banishment of Metellus’ brother.
Caesar compares himself to
–the Northern Star
and
–Mount Olympus
both grand, famous, and immovable landmarks
Conspirators attack!• Casca attacks first
• Brutus attacks last –
• When Caesar realizes even his friend had conspired against him he stops trying to defend himself . . . and dies
After the stabbing, the conspirators have different reactions
Cassius – excited and triumphant because he disliked Caesar and was bitter about his success
Brutus – calm and proud because he truly believes that he has saved Rome from a tyrannical monarch
Metellus – fearful maybe because he feels guilty
BloodBlood
• Brutus announces, “People and senators, be not affrighted. Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid.”
• Brutus leads them as they “bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood”
• “Let’s all cry, ‘Peace, freedom, and liberty!’”
Antony • Sends his servant to see if it is safe to
return to the capital. • Brutus assures him he will be safe • Cassius – expresses concern – he fears
Antony! • Antony pledges allegiance to Brutus but
weeps over Caesar’s body. • shakes hands with the conspirators
• Antony is willing to die with Caesar
• Brutus assures him that he can explain why this was necessary.
• Antony asks to speak at Caesar’s funeral
• Cassius doesn’t like the idea
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Brutus agrees to let Antony speak–conditions:
“You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do ’t by our permission.
Else shall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral. And you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.”
1. may not blame the conspirators
2. speak all good of Caesar
3. say he speaks with the conspirators’ permission
4.speak from the same pulpit as Brutus after Brutus
Conspirators leave Antony alone with Caesar’s body
• Antony (soliloquy) promises revenge to Caesar’s corpse
• Plots with Octavius Caesar’s servant (Caesar’s nephew)
Scene ii - Brutus speaks to the people
• Explains that he did this for the love of Rome!
• Tells them that Caesar was ambitious
• Tells them Caesar would have made them slaves (bondmen)
Brutus says…
“As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, Islew him. “
People cheer Brutus
Brutus leaves
Antony takes the pulpit
Right now (after Brutus’ speech),people feel that
• Brutus is HONORABLE
• Caesar was AMBITIOUS
What actions describe an AMBITOUS person?
• Always takes opportunities to advance self
• Gives nothing to others
• Has no concern / feelings for others
Antony now speaks to the peopleHe follows the 4 rules Brutus gave him
• speak from the same pulpit as Brutus after Brutus
• say he speaks with the conspirators’ permission
• may not blame the conspirators
• speak all good of Caesar
Marc Antony’sspeech• Refers to the conspirators
as “honorable”
• Uses repetition & irony
- Caesar refused the
crown,
• Reads from Caesar’s
will• Shows Caesar’s body
• Marc Antony riles the crowd! • The commoners leaves to find and kill the
murderers of Caesar.• Antony: “Mischief thou art afoot,”
The common people now…
• Support Antony• Want to give Caesar royal
burial• Want to kill conspirators and
burn their homes
• Octavius Caesar creates a coalition with Antony & Lepidus
• Brutus & Cassius are run out of the city
Scene iii• Mob attacks
Cinna the poet –• Shows how
riotous the crowds are seeking to avenge Caesar’s murder
