Important Aspects
The Soothsayer's Warning.
This is the man who famously and cryptically warns Caesar to "beware the Ides of March". The "Ides of March" refers to March 15, the day Julius Caesar is assassinated by the Roman conspirators. Even though he gets to speak the coolest line in the play, nobody pays any attention to the soothsayer (except the audience, who knows all about how the historical Julius Caesar was stabbed in the back that day). The soothsayer's warning raises an interesting question about fate and free will. If Caesar had actually heeded the warning to "beware the Ides of March," could he have changed the course of events that day?
Cassius convincing Brutus to conspire against Caesar.
Cassius presents his best argument to convince Brutus, his close friend and brother-in-law, to conspire with him to assassinate Caesar. Brutus reveals he has concerns about the state of the Republic, but will not commit outright to join with Cassius. Later on, Cassius tricks Brutus by fabricating a petition, pretending it is from the angry citizens demanding Caesar's removal, and then throws it in Brutus's window. The welfare of Rome drives Brutus, and Cassius knows Brutus will give the people what they desire.
The Murder of Julius Caesar.
Metellus approaches Caesar to request that his brother, Publius Cimber, who has been banished from Rome, be granted permission to return. Caesar answers that since Publius was banished by lawful decree, there is not just cause for absolving his guilt. Brutus and Cassius kneel at Caesar’s feet and repeat Metellus’s plea; Caesar answers that he will not change his mind now, declaring himself as “constant as the Northern Star” . When Cinna comes forward and kneels to plead further, Caesar adds another comparison, suggesting that they might as well hope to “lift up Olympus,” the mountain where the gods were believed to dwell, as to sway Caesar in his convictions. Decius and Ligarius, followed by Casca, come forward to kneel at Caesar’s feet. Casca stabs Caesar first, and the others quickly follow, ending with Brutus. Recognizing that Brutus, too, has joined with the conspirators, Caesar speaks his last words: “Et tu, Brute?—Then fall Caesar”. He then yields and dies.
Julius Caesar's Funeral, Antony's Speech.
Antony's strong suit is rhetoric, which makes him a terrific politician. After Caesar's death, Antony manages to convince the conspirators that he should be allowed to speak at Caesar's funeral. In the famous speech that begins, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" , Antony delivers a carefully crafted eulogy that's designed to turn the people against the conspirators and launch him into a position of power. The success of Antony's speech suggests that effective leadership goes hand in hand with rhetoric because, after Antony finishes talking, all hell breaks loose and civil war ensues, which is exactly what Antony intended.
Cinna the Poets Death.
Cinna the poet is killed because he contains the same name as Cinna the conspirator. He was killed by large number of plebeian descendants who dragged him off and beat him to death.
The Death of Cassius And Brutus.
Cassius has his slave, Pindarus, kill him with a thrust of the sword. Previously, Cassius took Pindarus prisoner and saved him from execution, upon Pindarus' promise that he would grant any request of Cassius. Also, Pindarus will be a free man when he fulfills his promise. Brutus asks two of his comrades to kill him, but they refuse, because they love him. He asks a third to hold his sword, while he runs on it, but he refuses. Finally, Strato holds Brutus' sword, and he runs on it.
This is the man who famously and cryptically warns Caesar to "beware the Ides of March". The "Ides of March" refers to March 15, the day Julius Caesar is assassinated by the Roman conspirators. Even though he gets to speak the coolest line in the play, nobody pays any attention to the soothsayer (except the audience, who knows all about how the historical Julius Caesar was stabbed in the back that day). The soothsayer's warning raises an interesting question about fate and free will. If Caesar had actually heeded the warning to "beware the Ides of March," could he have changed the course of events that day?
Cassius convincing Brutus to conspire against Caesar.
Cassius presents his best argument to convince Brutus, his close friend and brother-in-law, to conspire with him to assassinate Caesar. Brutus reveals he has concerns about the state of the Republic, but will not commit outright to join with Cassius. Later on, Cassius tricks Brutus by fabricating a petition, pretending it is from the angry citizens demanding Caesar's removal, and then throws it in Brutus's window. The welfare of Rome drives Brutus, and Cassius knows Brutus will give the people what they desire.
The Murder of Julius Caesar.
Metellus approaches Caesar to request that his brother, Publius Cimber, who has been banished from Rome, be granted permission to return. Caesar answers that since Publius was banished by lawful decree, there is not just cause for absolving his guilt. Brutus and Cassius kneel at Caesar’s feet and repeat Metellus’s plea; Caesar answers that he will not change his mind now, declaring himself as “constant as the Northern Star” . When Cinna comes forward and kneels to plead further, Caesar adds another comparison, suggesting that they might as well hope to “lift up Olympus,” the mountain where the gods were believed to dwell, as to sway Caesar in his convictions. Decius and Ligarius, followed by Casca, come forward to kneel at Caesar’s feet. Casca stabs Caesar first, and the others quickly follow, ending with Brutus. Recognizing that Brutus, too, has joined with the conspirators, Caesar speaks his last words: “Et tu, Brute?—Then fall Caesar”. He then yields and dies.
Julius Caesar's Funeral, Antony's Speech.
Antony's strong suit is rhetoric, which makes him a terrific politician. After Caesar's death, Antony manages to convince the conspirators that he should be allowed to speak at Caesar's funeral. In the famous speech that begins, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" , Antony delivers a carefully crafted eulogy that's designed to turn the people against the conspirators and launch him into a position of power. The success of Antony's speech suggests that effective leadership goes hand in hand with rhetoric because, after Antony finishes talking, all hell breaks loose and civil war ensues, which is exactly what Antony intended.
Cinna the Poets Death.
Cinna the poet is killed because he contains the same name as Cinna the conspirator. He was killed by large number of plebeian descendants who dragged him off and beat him to death.
The Death of Cassius And Brutus.
Cassius has his slave, Pindarus, kill him with a thrust of the sword. Previously, Cassius took Pindarus prisoner and saved him from execution, upon Pindarus' promise that he would grant any request of Cassius. Also, Pindarus will be a free man when he fulfills his promise. Brutus asks two of his comrades to kill him, but they refuse, because they love him. He asks a third to hold his sword, while he runs on it, but he refuses. Finally, Strato holds Brutus' sword, and he runs on it.