Calphurnia.
Calphurnia.
Calphurnia.
calphurnia
Casca performs cynicism as a kind of armor — blunt, deflating, refusing to admit he finds anything impressive. He pretends everything is beneath him. But the mask occasionally slips, like when he nervously notes that Caesar fainted at the crown. Watch for the contrast between what he claims not to care about and what he clearly can't stop watching.
Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
peace, ho
Calphurnia.
Calphurnia.
Calphurnia.
calphurnia
Calphurnia's first appearance is as a silent body following Caesar's instruction. Her two words are 'Here, my lord.' But remember this obedience when she's desperately trying to keep Caesar home in 2-2 — she has no illusions about her power in this marriage.
Here, my lord.
Here, my lord.
Here, my lord.
here, my lord
Stand you directly in Antonius’ way,
When he doth run his course. Antonius.
Stand you directly in Antonius’ way, When he does run his course. Antonius.
Stand you directly in Antonius’ way, When he does run his course. Antonius.
stand you directly in antonius’ way, when he doth run his course
Antony's first line — 'When Caesar says "Do this," it is performed' — tells you everything. His devotion to Caesar is total and unquestioning, and he says so proudly. Watch for how this absolute loyalty becomes a political weapon after Caesar's death.
Caesar, my lord?
Caesar, my lord?
Caesar, my lord?
caesar, my lord
Forget not in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calphurnia; for our elders say,
The barren, touched in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.
Forget not in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calphurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.
Forget not in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calphurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.
forget not in your speed, antonius, to touch calphurnia; for our elders say, the barren, touched in this holy chase, shake off their sterile curse
I shall remember.
When Caesar says “Do this,” it is perform’d.
I shall remember. When Caesar says “Do this,” it is perform’d.
I shall remember. When Caesar says “Do this,” it is perform’d.
i shall remember
Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
set on; and leave no ceremony out
The Soothsayer says almost nothing and changes everything. 'Beware the Ides of March' is delivered twice, flatly, and Caesar dismisses the speaker as 'a dreamer.' Watch for when this dreamer reappears.
Caesar!
Caesar!
Caesar!
caesar
Ha! Who calls?
Ha! Who calls?
Ha! Who calls?
ha
Bid every noise be still; peace yet again!
Bid every noise be still; peace yet again!
Bid every noise be still; peace yet again!
bid every noise be still; peace yet again
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music,
Cry “Caesar”! Speak. Caesar is turn’d to hear.
Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue shriller than all the music, Cry “Caesar”! Speak. Caesar is turn’d to hear.
Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue shriller than all the music, Cry “Caesar”! Speak. Caesar is turn’d to hear.
who is it in the press that calls on me
Beware the Ides of March.
Beware the Ides of March.
Beware the Ides of March.
beware the ides of march
What man is that?
What man is that?
What man is that?
what man is that
Brutus speaks in careful, qualified sentences — 'I know no personal cause to spurn at him / But for the general.' He thinks out loud in the structure of formal argument, and his scrupulousness is both his greatest virtue and his greatest weakness. Watch for how he converts every political question into a philosophical one.
A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.
A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.
A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.
a soothsayer bids you beware the ides of march
Set him before me; let me see his face.
Set him before me; let me see his face.
Set him before me; let me see his face.
set him before me; let me see his face
Cassius operates through flattery that disguises itself as honesty — he keeps telling Brutus 'I'm not a flatterer' while doing exactly that. His key rhetorical move is the mirror: 'I'll show you what you are.' Watch for how often he uses Brutus's own nobility as leverage.
Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
fellow, come from the throng; look upon caesar
What say’st thou to me now? Speak once again.
What say’st you to me now? Speak once again.
What say’st you to me now? Speak once again.
what say’st thou to me now
Beware the Ides of March.
Beware the Ides of March.
Beware the Ides of March.
beware the ides of march
Cassius's seduction of Brutus is one of the most sophisticated pieces of political manipulation in dramatic literature. He begins not with Caesar but with Brutus — with the idea that Brutus can't see himself clearly. 'I'll be your glass,' he says: just a neutral mirror. But mirrors can be angled. Cassius chooses exactly which aspects of Brutus to reflect: his honor, his nobility, his Roman name. He builds Brutus up with one hand and makes Caesar small with the other. The swimming story is brilliant: Cassius saves Caesar, therefore Caesar owes Cassius, therefore Caesar is in some sense Cassius's inferior. The fever story compounds it: even Caesar's body is weak. By the time Cassius is done, he has made Caesar seem like a sick, lucky, mortal man who happens to be in the way. The tragedy is that Brutus is not naive — he knows he's being led somewhere. He asks, 'Into what dangers would you lead me?' But he goes anyway, because Cassius has identified exactly the thing Brutus wants: a noble reason.
He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass.
he is a dreamer; let us leave him
Will you go see the order of the course?
Will you go see the order of the course?
Will you go see the order of the course?
will you go see the order of the course
Not I.
Not I.
Not I.
not i
I pray you, do.
I pray you, do.
I pray you, do.
i pray you, do
I am not gamesome: I do lack some part
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony.
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
I’ll leave you.
I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; I’ll leave you.
I'm not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that's in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; I’ll leave you.
i am not gamesome: i do lack some part of that quick spirit that is in antony
Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have not from your eyes that gentleness
And show of love as I was wont to have.
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you.
Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not from your eyes that gentleness And show of love as I was wont to have. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Over your friend that loves you.
Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I haven't from your eyes that gentleness And show of love as I was wont to have. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Over your friend that loves you.
brutus, i do observe you now of late: i have not from your eyes that gentleness and show of love as i was wont to have
Cassius,
Be not deceived: if I have veil’d my look,
I turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference,
Conceptions only proper to myself,
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors;
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved
(Among which number, Cassius, be you one)
Nor construe any further my neglect,
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men.
Cassius, Be not deceived: if I have veil’d my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexed I am Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; But let not therefore my good friends be grieved (Among which number, Cassius, be you one) Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men.
Cassius, Be not deceived: if I have veil’d my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexed I'm Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; But let not therefore my good friends be grieved (Among which number, Cassius, be you one) Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men.
cassius, be not deceived: if i have veil’d my look, i turn the trouble of my countenance merely upon myself
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion;
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof this breast of mine has buried Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof this breast of mine has buried Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?
then, brutus, i have much mistook your passion; by means whereof this breast of mine hath buried thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself
But by reflection, by some other thing.
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself But by reflection, by some other thing.
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself But by reflection, by some other thing.
no, cassius, for the eye sees not itself but by reflection, by some other thing
’Tis just:
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
That you might see your shadow. I have heard
Where many of the best respect in Rome,
(Except immortal Caesar) speaking of Brutus,
And groaning underneath this age’s yoke,
Have wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes.
’Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard Where many of the best respect in Rome, (Except immortal Caesar) speaking of Brutus, And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, Have wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes.
’Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard Where many of the best respect in Rome, (Except immortal Caesar) speaking of Brutus, And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, Have wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes.
’tis just: and it is very much lamented, brutus, that you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
That you would have me seek into myself
For that which is not in me?
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me?
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which isn't in me?
into what dangers would you lead me, cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear;
And since you know you cannot see yourself
So well as by reflection, I, your glass,
Will modestly discover to yourself
That of yourself which you yet know not of.
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus:
Were I a common laugher, or did use
To stale with ordinary oaths my love
To every new protester; if you know
That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard,
And after scandal them; or if you know
That I profess myself in banqueting,
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear; And since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus: Were I a common laugher, or did use To stale with ordinary oaths my love To every new protester; if you know That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, And after scandal them; or if you know That I profess myself in banqueting, To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear; And since you know you can't see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus: Were I a common laugher, or did use To stale with ordinary oaths my love To every new protester; if you know That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, And after scandal them; or if you know That I profess myself in banqueting, To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.
therefore, good brutus, be prepared to hear; and since you know you cannot see yourself so well as by reflection, i, your glass, will modestly discover to yourself that of...
What means this shouting? I do fear the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king.
What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king.
what means this shouting
Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.
Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so.
Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you wouldn't have it so.
ay, do you fear it
I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well,
But wherefore do you hold me here so long?
What is it that you would impart to me?
If it be aught toward the general good,
Set honour in one eye and death i’ the other,
And I will look on both indifferently;
For let the gods so speed me as I love
The name of honour more than I fear death.
I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well, But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, Set honour in one eye and death i’ the other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so speed me as I love The name of honour more than I fear death.
I wouldn't, Cassius; yet I love him well, But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, Set honour in one eye and death i’ the other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so speed me as I love The name of honour more than I fear death.
i would not, cassius; yet i love him well, but wherefore do you hold me here so long
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
As well as I do know your outward favour.
Well, honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you;
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter’s cold as well as he:
For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me, “Dar’st thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood,
And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in,
And bade him follow: so indeed he did.
The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy.
But ere we could arrive the point propos’d,
Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god; and Cassius is
A wretched creature, and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him I did mark
How he did shake: ’tis true, this god did shake:
His coward lips did from their colour fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan:
Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans
Mark him, and write his speeches in their books,
Alas, it cried, “Give me some drink, Titinius,”
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me,
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world,
And bear the palm alone.
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favour. Well, honour is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other men Think of this life; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Caesar; so were you; We both have fed as well, and we can both Endure the winter’s cold as well as he: For once, upon a raw and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, Caesar said to me, “Dar’st you, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to over there point?” Upon the word, Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, And bade him follow: so indeed he did. The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside And stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point propos’d, Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Did I the tired Caesar. And this man Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body, If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him I did mark How he did shake: ’tis true, this god did shake: His coward lips did from their colour fly, And that same eye whose bend does awe the world Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan: Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans Mark him, and write his speeches in their books, Alas, it cried, “Give me some drink, Titinius,” As a sick girl. Ye gods, it does amaze me, A man of such a feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic world, And bear the palm alone.
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favour. Well, honour is the subject of my story. I can't tell what you and other men Think of this life; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Caesar; so were you; We both have fed as well, and we can both Endure the winter’s cold as well as he: For once, upon a raw and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, Caesar said to me, “Dar’st you, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to over there point?” Upon the word, Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, And bade him follow: so indeed he did. The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside And stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point propos’d, Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Did I the tired Caesar. And this man Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body, If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him I did mark How he did shake: ’tis true, this god did shake: His coward lips did from their colour fly, And that same eye whose bend does awe the world Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan: Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans Mark him, and write his speeches in their books, Alas, it cried, “Give me some drink, Titinius,” As a sick girl. Ye gods, it does amaze me, A man of such a feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic world, And bear the palm alone.
i know that virtue to be in you, brutus, as well as i do know your outward favour
Another general shout?
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honours that are heap’d on Caesar.
Another general shout? I do believe that these applauses are For some new honours that are heap’d on Caesar.
Another general shout? I do believe that these applauses are For some new honours that are heap’d on Caesar.
another general shout
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
“Brutus” and “Caesar”: what should be in that “Caesar”?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
Why, man, he does bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. “Brutus” and “Caesar”: what should be in that “Caesar”? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
Why, man, he does bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, isn't in our stars, But in ourselves, that we're underlings. “Brutus” and “Caesar”: what should be in that “Caesar”? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs, and peep about to find ourselves dishonourable graves
Casca's report of the crown episode is the scene's dramatic engine, and it raises a question the play never definitively answers: did Caesar actually refuse the crown? And if so, was it sincere? Casca believes Caesar 'would fain have had it' — that the refusals were performance. Modern historians debate this too. Some think Caesar genuinely didn't want the title 'king' (rex), which was poisonous in Rome's memory — he may have wanted permanent dictatorial power under some other name. Others think he wanted the crown and was testing public opinion. Shakespeare keeps it ambiguous. What matters is what the conspirators believe: that the refusals were theater. This belief, right or wrong, gives them the political justification they need. The crown episode is the rhetorical foundation of the assassination — and it may have been built on a misreading.
That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
What you would work me to, I have some aim:
How I have thought of this, and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter. For this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further mov’d. What you have said,
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear; and find a time
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.
That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; What you would work me to, I have some aim: How I have thought of this, and of these times, I shall recount hereafter. For this present, I would not, so with love I might entreat you, Be any further mov’d. What you have said, I will consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear; and find a time Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.
That you do love me, I'm nothing jealous; What you would work me to, I have some aim: How I have thought of this, and of these times, I shall recount hereafter. For this present, I wouldn't, so with love I might entreat you, Be any further mov’d. What you have said, I will consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear; and find a time Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.
that you do love me, i am nothing jealous; what you would work me to, i have some aim: how i have thought of this, and of these times, i...
I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
I'm glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
i am glad that my weak words have struck but thus much show of fire from brutus
The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
the games are done, and caesar is returning
As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note today.
As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you What has proceeded worthy note today.
As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you What has proceeded worthy note today.
as they pass by, pluck casca by the sleeve, and he will, after his sour fashion, tell you what hath proceeded worthy note today
I will do so. But, look you, Cassius,
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow,
And all the rest look like a chidden train:
Calphurnia’s cheek is pale; and Cicero
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being cross’d in conference by some senators.
I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, The angry spot does glow on Caesar’s brow, And all the rest look like a chidden train: Calphurnia’s cheek is pale; and Cicero Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes As we have seen him in the Capitol, Being cross’d in conference by some senators.
I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, The angry spot does glow on Caesar’s brow, And all the rest look like a chidden train: Calphurnia’s cheek is pale; and Cicero Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes As we have seen him in the Capitol, Being cross’d in conference by some senators.
i will do so
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
casca will tell us what the matter is
Antonius.
Antonius.
Antonius.
antonius
Caesar?
Caesar?
Caesar?
caesar
Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights:
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
let me have men about me that are fat, sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights: yond cassius has a lean and hungry look; he thinks too much: such men...
Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous;
He is a noble Roman and well given.
Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous; He is a noble Roman and well given.
Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous; He is a noble Roman and well given.
fear him not, caesar; he’s not dangerous; he is a noble roman and well given
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much,
He is a great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music.
Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock’d himself and scorn’d his spirit
That could be mov’d to smile at anything.
Such men as he be never at heart’s ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear’d
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much, He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, As you do, Antony; he hears no music. Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort As if he mock’d himself and scorn’d his spirit That could be mov’d to smile at anything. Such men as he be never at heart’s ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, And therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell you what is to be fear’d Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truly what you think’st of him.
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not: Yet if my name were liable to fear, I don't know the man I should avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much, He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, As you do, Antony; he hears no music. Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort As if he mock’d himself and scorn’d his spirit That could be mov’d to smile at anything. Such men as he be never at heart’s ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, And therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell you what's to be fear’d Than what I fear; for always I'm Caesar. Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, And tell me truly what you think’st of him.
would he were fatter
You pull’d me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
You pull’d me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
You pull’d me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
you pull’d me by the cloak; would you speak with me
Julius Caesar was historically recorded as having epilepsy (what the Romans called the 'falling sickness' or morbus comitialis — the assembly sickness, because it was considered an ill omen if someone fell during public proceedings). Caesar's physical body is a recurring argument in the play: Cassius tells the swimming story and the fever story to prove that Caesar is made of the same flesh as everyone else. He is not a god. He gets sick. He trembles. He needs to be saved. But there's a tension here that the play never quite resolves: Caesar is both undeniably mortal (he dies, he fainted, he had a fever) and somehow beyond ordinary mortality in what he represents. Killing him won't kill the idea of Caesar — as Antony and the second half of the play makes terrifyingly clear.
Ay, Casca, tell us what hath chanc’d today,
That Caesar looks so sad.
Ay, Casca, tell us what has chanc’d today, That Caesar looks so sad.
Ay, Casca, tell us what has chanc’d today, That Caesar looks so sad.
ay, casca, tell us what hath chanc’d today, that caesar looks so sad
Why, you were with him, were you not?
Why, you were with him, were you not?
Why, you were with him, were you not?
why, you were with him, were you not
I should not then ask Casca what had chanc’d.
I should not then ask Casca what had chanc’d.
I shouldn't then ask Casca what had chanc’d.
i should not then ask casca what had chanc’d
Why, there was a crown offer’d him; and being offer’d him, he put it by
with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.
Why, there was a crown offer’d him; and being offer’d him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.
Why, there was a crown offer’d him; and being offer’d him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.
why, there was a crown offer’d him; and being offer’d him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting
What was the second noise for?
What was the second noise for?
What was the second noise for?
what was the second noise for
Why, for that too.
Why, for that too.
Why, for that too.
why, for that too
They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
they shouted thrice: what was the last cry for
Why, for that too.
Why, for that too.
Why, for that too.
why, for that too
Was the crown offer’d him thrice?
Was the crown offer’d him thrice?
Was the crown offer’d him thrice?
was the crown offer’d him thrice
Ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than
other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted.
Ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted.
Ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted.
ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted
Who offer’d him the crown?
Who offer’d him the crown?
Who offer’d him the crown?
who offer’d him the crown
Why, Antony.
Why, Antony.
Why, Antony.
why, antony
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
tell us the manner of it, gentle casca
I can as well be hang’d, as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery;
I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown; yet ’twas not a
crown neither, ’twas one of these coronets; and, as I told you, he put
it by once: but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had
it. Then he offered it to him again: then he put it by again: but, to
my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he
offered it the third time; he put it the third time by; and still, as
he refus’d it, the rabblement hooted, and clapp’d their chopt hands,
and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of
stinking breath because Caesar refus’d the crown, that it had, almost,
choked Caesar, for he swooned, and fell down at it. And for mine own
part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the
bad air.
I can as well be hang’d, as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown; yet ’twas not a crown neither, ’twas one of these coronets; and, as I told you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again: then he put it by again: but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by; and still, as he refus’d it, the rabblement hooted, and clapp’d their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refus’d the crown, that it had, almost, choked Caesar, for he swooned, and fell down at it. And for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
I can as well be hang’d, as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown; yet ’twas not a crown neither, ’twas one of these coronets; and, as I told you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offered it to him again: then he put it by again: but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time; he put it the third time by; and still, as he refus’d it, the rabblement hooted, and clapp’d their chopt hands, and threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refus’d the crown, that it had, almost, choked Caesar, for he swooned, and fell down at it. And for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
i can as well be hang’d, as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery; i did not mark it
But, soft! I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
But, soft! I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
But, soft! I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?
but, soft
He fell down in the market-place, and foam’d at mouth, and was
speechless.
He fell down in the market-place, and foam’d at mouth, and was speechless.
He fell down in the market-place, and foam’d at mouth, and was speechless.
he fell down in the market-place, and foam’d at mouth, and was speechless
’Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness.
’Tis very like: he has the falling-sickness.
’Tis very like: he has the falling-sickness.
’tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness
No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I,
And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness.
No, Caesar has it not; but you, and I, And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness.
No, Caesar has it not; but you, and I, And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness.
no, caesar hath it not; but you, and i, and honest casca, we have the falling-sickness
I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Caesar fell down. If
the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he
pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the
theatre, I am no true man.
I know not what you mean by that; but I am sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true man.
I know not what you mean by that; but I'm sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I'm no true man.
i know not what you mean by that; but i am sure caesar fell down
What said he when he came unto himself?
What said he when he came unto himself?
What said he when he came unto himself?
what said he when he came unto himself
Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad
he refused the crown, he pluck’d me ope his doublet, and offer’d them
his throat to cut. And I had been a man of any occupation, if I would
not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the
rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he
had done or said anything amiss, he desir’d their worships to think it
was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood cried, “Alas,
good soul!” and forgave him with all their hearts. But there’s no heed
to be taken of them: if Caesar had stabb’d their mothers, they would
have done no less.
Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck’d me ope his doublet, and offer’d them his throat to cut. And I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything amiss, he desir’d their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood cried, “Alas, good soul!” and forgave him with all their hearts. But there’s no heed to be taken of them: if Caesar had stabb’d their mothers, they would have done no less.
Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck’d me ope his doublet, and offer’d them his throat to cut. And I had been a man of any occupation, if I wouldn't have taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything amiss, he desir’d their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches where I stood cried, “Alas, good soul!” and forgave him with all their hearts. But there’s no heed to be taken of them: if Caesar had stabb’d their mothers, they would have done no less.
marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he pluck’d me ope his doublet, and offer’d them his throat to cut
And, after that, he came thus sad away?
And, after that, he came thus sad away?
And, after that, he came thus sad away?
and, after that, he came thus sad away
Ay.
Ay.
Ay.
ay
Did Cicero say anything?
Did Cicero say anything?
Did Cicero say anything?
did cicero say anything
Ay, he spoke Greek.
Ay, he spoke Greek.
Ay, he spoke Greek.
ay, he spoke greek
To what effect?
To what effect?
To what effect?
to what effect
Cassius's plan to push Brutus over the edge is to forge letters — in 'several hands,' as if from multiple concerned citizens — praising Brutus and warning about Caesar. This is the conspiracy's first morally compromising act, and it's Cassius's, not Brutus's. Brutus will spend the rest of the play insisting that the conspiracy is honorable. But it was founded on a lie: the manufactured public opinion that Cassius will throw through Brutus's window. There's a precise irony here. Brutus argues in 2-1 that they don't need an oath because honest men don't need such props. But he's already been manipulated by manufactured evidence. His integrity is built on a foundation Cassius secretly forged. This doesn't make Brutus hypocritical — he doesn't know — but it makes his certainty about the conspiracy's righteousness a kind of tragic self-deception.
Nay, and I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again. But
those that understood him smil’d at one another and shook their heads;
but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news
too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar’s images, are
put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could
remember it.
no, and I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again. But those that understood him smil’d at one another and shook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar’s images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.
no, and I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again. But those that understood him smil’d at one another and shook their heads; but for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar’s images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.
nay, and i tell you that, i’ll ne’er look you i’ the face again
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
will you sup with me tonight, casca
No, I am promis’d forth.
No, I am promis’d forth.
No, I'm promis’d forth.
no, i am promis’d forth
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
will you dine with me tomorrow
Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the
eating.
Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating.
Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating.
ay, if i be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the eating
Good. I will expect you.
Good. I will expect you.
Good. I will expect you.
good
Do so; farewell both.
Do so; farewell both.
Do so; farewell both.
do so; farewell both
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!
He was quick mettle when he went to school.
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school.
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school.
what a blunt fellow is this grown to be
So is he now in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprise,
However he puts on this tardy form.
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite.
So is he now in execution Of any bold or noble enterprise, However he puts on this tardy form. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite.
So is he now in execution Of any bold or noble enterprise, However he puts on this tardy form. This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite.
so is he now in execution of any bold or noble enterprise, however he puts on this tardy form
And so it is. For this time I will leave you:
Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
I will come home to you; or, if you will,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
And so it is. For this time I will leave you: Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me, I will come home to you; or, if you will, Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
And so it is. For this time I will leave you: Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me, I will come home to you; or, if you will, Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
and so it is
I will do so: till then, think of the world.
I will do so: till then, think of the world.
I will do so: till then, think of the world.
i will do so: till then, think of the world
The Reckoning
This is the scene where the conspiracy is born — not in a secret meeting, but in an intimate conversation in public, while Caesar's triumph procession passes nearby. Cassius is brilliant and relentless, and by the end Brutus is not yet committed but visibly shaken. We leave wondering how much Brutus already knew, and how much of himself he's about to lose.
If this happened today…
Imagine two colleagues at a company all-hands meeting, slipping out while the CEO gives a big speech. One starts: 'Have you noticed how different he's been lately? I've been thinking about this for a while. Remember when we were both junior employees and he asked us to jump into a river on a dare? I had to pull him out. Now he practically runs the place. Does that seem right to you?' Meanwhile, a friend reports back that the CEO just did a whole performance where he pretended not to want a lifetime appointment — three times — while loving every second of it. The first colleague texts the second: 'I'm going to send anonymous messages to the thoughtful one. We need him on board.'