![]() ![]() As the battle rages, Brutus prematurely orders Cassius’s forces to attack Octavius’s vulnerable ones, giving Antony’s forces a chance to overrun them. Later, Brutus and Cassius bid farewell to each another-Cassius newly wary of omens, and Brutus asserting that his Stoic beliefs will keep him from suicide, no matter what happens. On the battlefield, the leaders exchange taunts. That night, Caesar’s ghost appears to Brutus for the first time, warning him that they’ll meet again at Philippi. Brutus successfully argues that their army should go on the offensive, marching to confront Antony and Octavius’s troops at Philippi. Brutus explains he is short-tempered because of the news of Portia’s recent suicide-she killed herself by eating hot coals because she feared that Brutus couldn’t defeat Antony and Octavius. After the argument descends into an exchange of insults and Cassius’s dramatic demand that Brutus kill him, the two reconcile. ![]() In their own army camp, Brutus and Cassius have a disagreement, centered on Brutus’s stubborn sense of principle and Cassius’s pragmatism. Later, Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus-the Second Triumvirate-make battle plans and consider whether to execute other conspirators. When Antony addresses the people, however, he gives an emotionally charged speech, grieving Caesar and ironically praising Brutus as “honorable.” By the time he concludes his speech with a reading of Caesar’s will, he has incited the people to vengeful rebellion, and Brutus and Cassius have fled the city. After the others leave, Antony prophesies that brutal civil war will break out, prompted by Caesar’s vengeful spirit, and he begins to plot with Caesar’s nephew and heir, Octavius Caesar.Īt Caesar’s funeral, Brutus appeals to the people’s reason, arguing that it was necessary to kill Caesar for the sake of Rome. Antony comes in, ostensibly makes peace with the conspirators, and gains Brutus’s permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral, despite Cassius’s suspicions. Caesar dies after saying, “You, too, Brutus?” The conspirators dip their hands and weapons in Caesar’s blood as a sign of Rome’s newfound “liberty” from tyranny. They use this opportunity to stab Caesar to death in turn. Inside the Capitol, the conspirators kneel before Caesar, presenting the case of Metellus Cimber’s brother’s banishment. When conspirator Decius arrives, he confirms Caesar’s decision by reinterpreting Calpurnia’s bloody dream in a favorable light and telling Caesar he’ll be crowned by the Senate that day.Īt the Senate, the crowds are chaotic, with various attempts either to warn Caesar or encourage the conspirators. In spite of this warning and a fearful augury, Caesar, needing to project invulnerability, determines to go anyway. His wife, Calpurnia, has dreamed of Caesar’s murder and begs him to stay home from the Capitol that day. She says that as his wife and Cato’s daughter, she’s stronger than most women in fact, she’s wounded herself in the thigh to demonstrate her trustworthiness. After the conspirators part ways, Brutus’s wife, Portia, begs Brutus to tell her what’s going on. Brutus continues to be motivated more by principle than by ambition, emerging as a leader of the plot-he rejects the inclusion of Cicero and the assassination of Antony, who’s close to Caesar. Then Cassius arrives with the other conspirators. He reads an anonymous letter urging him to “redress” unspoken injustices against Rome. ![]() Cassius persuades Casca that the omens are signs of Caesar’s imminent tyranny, winning him over to the conspiracy.īrutus, who hasn’t slept since Cassius spoke to him of the conspiracy, talks himself into believing that assassinating Caesar is the best thing to do for Rome. Later, the streets of Rome are filled with fearful omens like meteors, earthquakes, lions, and owls. Brutus and Cassius agree to talk later Cassius plots to leave Brutus fake letters denouncing Caesar’s ambition. After the Lupercal race, Casca informs them that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, and Caesar refused it each time, although he thinks that Caesar looked increasingly reluctant to say no with each refusal. ![]() Brutus admits that although he loves Caesar, he doesn’t want Caesar to become king, and he desires the good of Rome above all else. Meanwhile, Cassius tries to persuade Brutus that Caesar is dangerously ambitious. During the festivities, a soothsayer warns Caesar to “Beware the idea of March”-an omen Caesar quickly dismisses. It’s also the feast of Lupercal, an annual Roman holiday. The play opens with Julius Caesar’s triumphal entry into Rome after defeating his rival, Pompey. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |