.. other men, is constant. They all stab Caesar at Cassius’s word.
His final words are “Et tu Brute” meaning “you too Brutus?” The conspirators celebrate, and assure the senators they mean no one else harm. Casca and Brutus mention that they have done Caesar a favor by cutting short the time he will fear death. Cassius and Brutus predict that Caesar’s death will be acted out many centuries in the future. A servant of Antony’s asks if Antony can talk to Brutus. Brutus says that’s fine and Antony enters.
Antony is sad that Caesar is dead and asks Brutus to kill him. Brutus and Cassius assure Antony they mean him no harm. Brutus says he will explain why they did this after he addresses the crowd. Antony shakes hands with the conspirators and apologizes to Caesar’s body for doing so. He goes on and on about how sad he is.
Cassius asks Antony if he is going to cause them trouble. Antony promises them friendship but asks to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus agrees. Cassius doesn’t want Antony to speak in case he sways the favor of the crowd. Brutus assures Cassius, saying that he will speak first, but Cassius is still worried.
Everyone but Antony leaves. In a very famous speech (III.i.254-275). Antony apologizes to Caesar for being nice to the conspirators and then predicts that the country will soon be ravaged by a terrible civil war. A servant of Octavius enters saying that Octavius is coming, upon Caesar’s request. Then the servant notices Caesar is dead. Antony says Octavius should wait before he comes to Rome, because Rome isn’t safe.
Antony says he will try to sway public opinion against the conspirators during his funeral oration. They both leave. Act III, Scene ii Summary Brutus and Antony will both address the crowd. First, Brutus’s speech: He says he loved Caesar dearly but loved Rome more. Just as Brutus appropriately responded to Caesar’s triumphs and valor with rejoicing and honor, he responded to his ambition by slaying him. If he has offended someone that person loves tyranny and clearly there is no such person.
Brutus says he will die for Rome whenever it is necessary, just as it was necessary for Caesar to die. The crowd is very pleased with Brutus and even suggests he be crowned. Brutus asks that everyone stay to hear Antony’s very famous speech (III.ii.74). Antony starts by saying he will not disagree with Brutus, but quickly he says Caesar wasn’t ambitious.
The comment he repeats “And Brutus is an honorable man” is seen to be ironic. Every time Antony pauses in his speech the comments of the plebeians are more spiteful toward the conspirators. Antony reads Caesar’s will where Caesar gave a lot to the public. He also displays Caesar’s body. The crowd is turned into an angry mob out to get the conspirators. The crowds depart to burn and pillage.
Octavius’s servant comes and says that Octavius and Lepidus are at Caesar’s house. Antony says he will meet them there. The servant mentions that Brutus and Cassius have left the city in fear. Act III, Scene iii Summary Cinna the poet (no relationship to Cinna the conspirator) is walking along the street.
He recalls a dream where he had dinner with Caesar. He says he doesn’t want to be outside but “something leads me forth” (III.iii.4). Four plebeians ask him his name, his destination, where he lives, and if he is married. He jokes with them a little and reports that he lives near the capitol, is a bachelor, is going to Caesar’s funeral, and his name is Cinna. They think is Cinna the conspirator. He explains that he isn’t but they kill him anyway.
Act IV, Scene I Summary Antony, Octavius and Lepidus are making a list of whom to kill. Octavius says they have to kill Lepidus’ brother. Lepidus says OK as long as they kill Antony’s nephew. Antony sends Lepidus to fetch Caesar’s will so they can change it in order to get some money. Lepidus Leaves.
Antony says that Lepidus is only good for doing busy work, and he is no longer useful. Octavius defends Lepidus but says Antony can have it his way. Antony says Brutus and Cassius are raising an army, and suggests to Octavius that the two of them have to do strategic planning. Act IV, Scene ii Summary Lucius tells Brutus that Cassius and his army are coming.
Lucius says that Cassius was a bit cold to him when they met. Cassius and his army arrive. Cassius is angry with Brutus and wants to talk to him. Brutus says that he doesn’t want their armies to see them angry with each other and suggests they talk in his tent. Act IV, Scene iii Summary Cassius is angry because Brutus punished Lucius Pella for taking bribes even though Cassius had written letters on his behalf. Brutus criticizes Cassius for taking bribes himself.
Cassius is angry and offended. Brutus reminds Cassius that they killed Caesar for justice’s sake, so they would be hypocrites if they were unjust now. The two of them threaten each other and begin to bicker like children. Cassius says Brutus doesn’t love him, and offers Brutus a dagger and his naked chest. Now they start to calm.
They make up. A poet enters with some guards; he tries to make everyone feel better by singing, but is quickly shown the door. Brutus tells Cassius that he is sad. Cassius says that Brutus isn’t being very stoic as he usually is, if he lets ordinary misfortunes upset him. Brutus tells Cassius that Portia has killed herself.
Lucius brings a bowl of wine. Brutus says not to mention Portia anymore, and they pledge friendships to one another. Cassius is clearly upset by Portia’s death. Titinius and Messala enter to bring news. Antony and Octavius are bringing their armies to Phillipi. They have killed 70 (according to Brutus) or 100 (according to Messala) senators including Cicero.
Messala asks if Brutus has heard from Portia and then regretfully reports that she is dead. Brutus says too bad; we all must die sometime. Cassius and Messala comment about how well Brutus is handling Portia’s death. Returning to business, Brutus suggests they meet the enemy at Phillipi. Cassius prefers waiting.
Each presents his arguments, and they agree to go to Phillipi. It’s time for bed. Cassius, Titinius and Messala leave. Varro and Claudius come to be by Brutus while he sleeps, in case he needs something.
Lucius plays some music for Brutus. Caesar’s ghost enters. Brutus is scared and asks what it is. The ghost says it is Brutus’ evil spirit, and will meet him again at Phillipi. Brutus says: OK, I’ll see you then. Brutus wakes his servants and asks them if they saw anything.
They say no. Brutus tells Varro and Claudius to go tell Cassius to get his troops on the move. Act V, Scene I Summary Octavius is happy to see that Brutus and Cassius’s army is coming to meet them. Antony suggests that Octavius lead the left flank. Octavius suggests the opposite. Antony is upset that Octavius contradicts him.
Octavius says he isn’t contradicting him, but he will have his way. Brutus and Cassius enter and exchange taunts with Octavius and Antony. Octavius and Antony depart to prepare for battle. Brutus leaves to talk with Lucius. Cassius tells Messala that it is his birthday, and even though he usually doesn’t credit omens, the day before he saw two eagles eating from his soldiers’ hands. Today there are ravens instead.
Messala tells him to credit the omen. Brutus and Cassius say their final good-byes. Act V, Scene ii Summary Brutus perceives a weakness in Octavius’s army, and sends order to Cassius. Act V, Scene iii Summary Antony has done very well against Cassius. Cassius send Titinius to see how Brutus’s side is doing.
Pindarus watches Titinius from a hill; he sees him surrounded, taken off his horse, and hears a shout. Cassius and his servant Pindarus assume that Brutus has lost. Cassius gives Pindarus his freedom. Pindarus helps Cassius kill himself.
Pindarus runs off. Titinius and Messala come to tell Cassius the good news that Brutus has defeated Octavius. They discover Cassius dead. Messala goes to report the bad news to Brutus. While Messala is gone, Titinius crows Cassius’ corpse and kills himself. Brutus, Cato, and Messala discover the two bodies.
Brutus says that Caesar’s ghost still walks and caused this confusion. Next, Brutus stoically says that he will find time to mourn his two good friends, but now he will engage in second battle. Act V, Scene iv Summary Brutus leaves for another part of the battlefield. Brutus’s friends Cato and Lucilius charge the enemy. Lucilius shouts that he is Brutus.
Cato is killed, Lucilius taken prisoner. Antony’s soldiers present Lucilius to Antony thinking he is Brutus. Antony realizes that Lucilius isn’t Brutus, and tells his men to be very nice to Lucilius. Antony tells his men to report to Octavius that the battle is going well. Act V, Scene v Summary Brutus is trying to convince various members of his army to help him kill himself. No one agrees saying that they might still win, and that it isn’t a nice thing to ask a friend.
Everyone runs because Antony and Octavius are coming. After saying his good-byes to life, Brutus gets one of his servants Strato to hold his sword while he runs into it. Antony and Octavius enter with Lucilius and Messala captive. Octavius says any of Brutus’ servants can serve him now.
With Messala’s permission Strato become Octavius servant. Antony gives a nice, and famous, speech about how noble Brutus was (V.v.68-76). Octavius ends the play by saying that because Brutus had a good reputation if they give him an expensive funeral it will make them look good. THE END List of Characters For Julius Caesar Julius Caesar – The titular character is a loving husband, a devoted statesman, and a trusting friend. Childless and deaf in one ear, at home he is a feeble and superstitious, but kind man.
At work he is strong, powerful, and stubborn. He lets power go to his head and suffers for it. Brutus – Brutus is “the noblest Roman of them all” (V.v.68). A devoted stoic, he always puts the good of the state first. Also a good husband and an accomplished orator, Brutus is a bit too trusting, and learns his lesson the hard way. Some consider Brutus to be the play’s protagonist.
Mark Antony – Always man number two, Mark Antony is great to have as a friend and bad to have as an enemy. Perhaps not as bright or honest as Brutus, he may be the most passionate character of the play. Cassius – A sly and cynical manipulator, Cassius betrays Caesar for personal motivations. Although he has “a lean and hungry look” (I.ii.194) in the end he too is shown to be a human being worth empathy. Octavius – Octavius is the soulless strong man who puts everything right in the end.
Caesar may have been ambitious, but at least he had a family, and a softer side. Octavius is a terse and single minded power seeker, just the sort of thing necessary to get things back in order after a civil war. Casca – A not very bright, and often mercurial conspirator. Portia – Brutus’s wife. Calpurnia – Caesar’s wife. Lucilius – A servant of Brutus Cinna, Ligarius, Trebonius, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber – Other conspirators.
