The Ides of March are come.
The Ides of March have arrived.
The Ides of March are here.
the ides of march it's here
Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Yes, Caesar, but they're not over yet.
Yeah, Caesar, but it's not over.
yep caesar but it's not done yet
Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
Greetings, Caesar! Read this document.
Hi Caesar, read this.
caesar read this!!!
Trebonius doth desire you to o’er-read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
Trebonius wishes you to read over, at your convenience, this humble petition of his.
Trebonius wants you to look over his humble request whenever you have time.
trebonius wants u to look at his thing when u have a min
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit
That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
Oh Caesar, read mine first, because my petition concerns you more directly. Read it, great Caesar.
Caesar, read mine first—it matters more to you. Read it, please.
caesar read MINE first it's about u
What touches us ourself shall be last serv’d.
What concerns us personally will be handled last.
I'll handle what's about me last.
my stuff waits
Delay not, Caesar. Read it instantly.
Don't delay, Caesar. Read it immediately.
Don't put it off, Caesar. Read it now.
caesar READ IT NOW
What, is the fellow mad?
What, is this man insane?
What, is he crazy?
is this guy nuts?
Sirrah, give place.
You there, step aside.
Get out of the way.
move
What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
Are you requesting favors out here in the street? Come to the Capitol. Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
You can't be asking for handouts here in public. Let's take this to the Capitol. Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
not here in the street go to the capitol [caesar & senators enter]
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
I hope your enterprise succeeds today.
I hope what you're doing goes well today.
hope it goes well today
What enterprise, Popilius?
What enterprise, Popilius?
What enterprise, Popilius?
what enterprise, popilius
Fare you well.
Fare you well.
Fare you well.
fare you well
What said Popilius Lena?
What did Popilius Lena say?
What did Popilius tell you?
what'd popilius say?
He wish’d today our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
He hoped today our enterprise would succeed. I fear our plan has been discovered.
He hoped our plan would work today. I think someone found out about it.
he said he hopes it works i think we're busted
Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.
Look how he approaches Caesar—watch him closely.
Look how he's going to Caesar. Watch him.
watch him going to caesar
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
Casca, act quickly, for we fear we'll be stopped. Brutus, what should we do? If this is discovered, either Cassius or Caesar will not walk away alive, for I will kill myself.
Casca, hurry up before someone stops us. Brutus, what do we do? If anyone finds out, either I die or Caesar dies— I'll kill myself before I'm captured.
casca move FAST what do we do if they know i'm not going down for this
The moment when Artemidorus tries to hand Caesar his letter and Caesar says 'what touches us ourself shall be last served' is the hinge of the whole play. Caesar's principle sounds admirable — public business before personal concern. But it's wrong in this case, and it's wrong in a specific way: because the 'personal' concern IS the public concern. Artemidorus's letter isn't gossip about Caesar's private life; it's information about a political assassination that will destabilize the Republic. Caesar's magnanimous public posture and his private inability to accept that he needs protection are the same thing. The vanity of 'Caesar doesn't serve his own interests first' and the vanity of 'I am the northern star' are both faces of the same coin: he cannot believe he is vulnerable, so he cannot receive information that says he is. Every warning in this play — the Soothsayer, Calphurnia's dream, the augurers, Artemidorus — fails for the same reason: they're all asking Caesar to admit that he might be killed. And Caesar can't do that. He's too busy being Caesar.
Cassius, be constant:
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
For look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
Cassius, stay firm. Popilius Lena doesn't speak of our plan. Look—he smiles, and Caesar shows no change.
Cassius, stay calm. Popilius isn't saying anything about our plan. See? He's smiling and Caesar didn't react.
chill popilius isn't telling he's smiling. caesar's fine
Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus,
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Trebonius knows when to act—look, Brutus, he's pulling Mark Antony away.
Trebonius knows what to do—look, he's getting Mark Antony out of the way.
trebonius is on it he's pulling antony away
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
Where is Metellus Cimber? Have him go and immediately present his petition to Caesar.
Where's Metellus Cimber? Get him to go present his petition to Caesar right now.
where's metellus get him to ask caesar now
He is address’d; press near and second him.
He's ready. Move close and support him.
He's all set. Get close and back him up.
he's ready get close and help
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Casca, you're the first to raise your hand.
Casca, you're the first one going for it.
casca u first
Are we all ready? What is now amiss
That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
Is everyone ready? What's wrong now that Caesar and his Senate must fix?
Are we all set? What needs to be done that Caesar and the Senate should handle?
everyone ready? what needs fixing?
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart.
Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber lays before your throne a humble heart.
Great, mighty, and powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber puts before you a humble and sincere heart.
caesar greatest and mightiest i humbly come before u
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thaw’d from the true quality
With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words,
Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning.
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Caesar dost not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
I must stop you, Cimber. These bowings and formal courtesies might stir the hearts of ordinary men and turn established laws and first decrees into the rules of children. Don't be foolish to think Caesar has such weak blood that will be melted from his true nature by what softens fools—I mean sweet words, low bows, and base servile flattery. Your brother by decree is banished. If you bend, and pray, and fawn for him, I'll kick you like a dog out of my way. Know this: Caesar does not wrong, and never will settle this without good reason.
I have to stop you, Cimber. These bows and courteous gestures might sway ordinary people, turning our established laws and decrees into something for children to play with. Don't be foolish— don't think Caesar's made of such weak blood that sweet words and servile bowing can melt away his principles. Your brother was banished by law. If you bend and beg and grovel for him, I'll throw you out like a dog. Understand: Caesar doesn't wrong people, and he won't change without real reason.
no. these bows and flattery don't work on me i'm not some ordinary guy u can melt sweet words? nope your brother's banished for a reason i'm not changing my mind
Is there no voice more worthy than my own,
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear
For the repealing of my banish’d brother?
Is there no one with more authority than me to appeal more persuasively to great Caesar's ear for the reversal of my banished brother's sentence?
Isn't there someone better than me to convince great Caesar to bring back my banished brother?
isn't someone else gonna ask for my bro?
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
I kiss your hand, but not as flattery, Caesar. I ask you to let Publius Cimber have his sentence overturned immediately.
I show respect, Caesar, but this isn't flattery. I'm asking you to let Publius Cimber have his case reversed right now.
real talk caesar let publius come back
What, Brutus?
What, Brutus?
What, Brutus?
what, brutus
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Please, Caesar, please pardon. Cassius falls as low as your feet to beg the restoration of Publius Cimber's freedom.
Please, Caesar, please show mercy. I'm down at your feet begging for Publius Cimber to get his rights back.
caesar pls i'm begging. let him go
I could be well mov’d, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks,
They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.
So in the world; ’tis furnish’d well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshak’d of motion: and that I am he,
Let me a little show it, even in this,
That I was constant Cimber should be banish’d,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
I could be easily swayed if I were like you. If prayers could move me, I would be moved. But I am constant as the North Star, whose fixed and unchanging nature has no equal in the heavens. The sky is painted with countless sparks, all fire, all shining. But there's only one that holds its place. So in the world—it's filled with men, men of flesh and blood, capable of feeling. Yet among them I know only one who holds his position unassailable, unshaken by any force. And I am that one. Let me show it here: I decided Cimber should be banished, and I will remain constant to keep him banished.
I'd probably give in if I were like you. If prayers worked on me, I'd cave. But I'm like the North Star— fixed in place, unchanging. There's nothing like it in the whole sky. The heavens are full of stars, all shining, but only one stays in the exact same spot. Same with people—the world's full of them, all flesh and blood, all emotional. But there's only one of us who can't be moved, who never wavers. That's me. I decided Cimber gets banished, and that's how it stays.
i'm not like u prayers don't work on me i'm the north star fixed. unmovable. i decided cimber's banished and that's final
O Caesar,—
O Caesar,—
O Caesar,—
o caesar,—
Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
Be gone! Will you lift up Olympus?
Get out of here! What, are you going to move a mountain?
leave. are you gonna move a mountain?
Great Caesar,—
Great Caesar,—
Great Caesar,—
great caesar,—
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
Is not Brutus kneeling in vain?
Isn't Brutus kneeling for nothing?
even brutus is kneeling for nothing
Speak, hands, for me!
Let my hands speak for me!
My hands will do the talking!
time to strike
Antony's performance in 3-1 is Shakespeare's most sophisticated portrait of political intelligence in action. He arrives with Caesar's body literally still warm, surrounded by armed men who just killed his closest friend. He has to survive this room AND get what he needs from it. Watch how he does it: first, grief that is real but performed in a way that makes him seem harmless ('I could die here, if you want'). Then the handshaking — touching every murderer's bloody hand, which looks like cooperation but is also Antony taking account of everyone who owes him a debt of life. Then the eulogy request, slipped in as an afterthought: 'in the pulpit, as becomes a friend.' Brutus agrees before Cassius can object. Then the terms — don't blame us, speak with our permission — which are so mild that agreeing to them costs Antony nothing and concedes him the platform. Every move in this exchange is the move of someone playing three or four steps ahead. The 'dogs of war' soliloquy shows us what the whole performance was for: the funeral speech. Antony got exactly what he came for. Now he's going to use it.
_Et tu, Brute?_—Then fall, Caesar!
And you, Brutus?—Then I fall!
You too, Brutus?—Then I'm going down.
even u brutus? i'm done
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run out, proclaim it, shout it through the streets.
Freedom! Liberty! Tyranny is gone! Get out there and tell everyone in the streets!
freedom!!! tyranny is dead tell everyone
Some to the common pulpits and cry out,
“Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”
Some go to the public platforms and cry out, 'Liberty, freedom, and rights for all!'
Get to the public platforms and shout, 'Liberty, freedom, and everyone's rights!'
go yell from the pulpits freedom for all!
People and Senators, be not affrighted.
Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid.
People and Senators, don't be afraid. Don't run away; stand your ground. Ambition's debt is paid.
Everyone, stay calm. Don't run away. Just stand here. The price of ambition has been paid.
don't panic stay. it's done
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Go to the platform, Brutus.
Get up to the pulpit, Brutus.
go speak, brutus
And Cassius too.
And Cassius too.
And Cassius too.
and cassius too
Where’s Publius?
Where’s Publius?
Where’s Publius?
where’s publius
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Here, completely bewildered by this uprising.
Here, totally confused by all this.
i'm here but wtf just happened
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s
Should chance—
Hold together, in case some friend of Caesar's should happen by.
Stay close, just in case one of Caesar's friends shows up.
stick together if caesar's friends come
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer!
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.
Don't talk of standing guard. Publius, stay positive! We mean no harm to you, nor to any other Roman. Tell them so, Publius.
Don't worry about defending yourself. Publius, look— we're not going to hurt you or anyone else. Tell people that.
you're safe publius we're not hurting anybody tell them that
And leave us, Publius; lest that the people
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
And leave us, Publius, in case the people rushing toward us should hurt you because of your age.
Publius, go—so the crowd rushing at us doesn't hurt you because you're elderly.
go publius the crowd might hurt u
Do so; and let no man abide this deed
But we the doers.
Do so. And let no one pay for this act but us who did it.
Do that. And only we who did it should face the consequences.
go. only we face this
Where’s Antony?
Where’s Antony?
Where’s Antony?
where’s antony
Fled to his house amaz’d.
Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run,
As it were doomsday.
He fled to his house in shock. Men, women, and children stare, cry out, and run, as if it were doomsday.
He ran home in shock. People are standing there stunned, screaming, running— like it's the end of the world.
he ran home everyone's freaking out like it's the apocalypse
Fates, we will know your pleasures.
That we shall die, we know; ’tis but the time
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Fate, we accept your will. That we will die, we know—it's only the timing and how long we live that matters.
Whatever fate brings, we accept it. We know we'll die—it's just about when and how long we get to live.
fate, we're ready we're all dying anyway just matter of when
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Well, whoever cuts off twenty years of someone's life cuts off twenty years of that person fearing death.
Look, cutting twenty years off someone's life means they skip twenty years of being afraid of death.
cutting 20 years off life means 20 fewer years of being scared
The scene where Cassius asks 'how many ages hence shall this our lofty scene be acted over' and Brutus answers that 'Caesar shall bleed in sport' is one of the most self-referential moments in the Shakespeare canon. The conspirators are standing in the Globe Theatre (or its predecessor), speaking about future theatrical performances of this very moment, in a play that is being performed right now. It is dizzying if you sit with it. But there's a darker reading: Cassius says they will be called 'the men that gave their country liberty.' He believes this. He is wrong. Within two acts, both he and Brutus will be dead, their cause destroyed. The 'lofty scene' they imagine celebrating them will be performed for centuries — but not as a triumph. As a tragedy. The conspirators write their own epitaph in this moment, and they get it completely backwards.
Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridg’d
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And waving our red weapons o’er our heads,
Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
Accept that, and death becomes a gift. So we are Caesar's friends, having shortened his time of fearing death. Bend down, Romans, bend, and let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood up to the elbows, and stain our swords. Then walk out, right to the marketplace, and waving our red weapons over our heads, let's all cry, 'Peace, freedom, and liberty!'
That makes sense—death is actually a gift. We're Caesar's friends who cut short his years of fear. Come on, Romans, let's get our hands bloody in Caesar's blood, stain our swords completely. Then walk out to the marketplace waving our bloody weapons above our heads and shout together, 'Peace, freedom, liberty!'
so death's a gift we freed him from fear come on. get bloody stain ur swords go to the square wave ur weapons shout FREEDOM
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In States unborn, and accents yet unknown!
Bend down and wash. How many centuries from now will this grand scene be performed again in nations not yet born, in languages yet unknown!
Wash your hands then. Someday, ages from now, this whole dramatic moment will be performed again in countries that don't even exist yet, in languages nobody speaks now!
get those hands washed people will remember this forever in places we can't even imagine
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey’s basis lies along,
No worthier than the dust!
How many times will Caesar bleed in plays, he who now lies stretched on Pompey's pedestal, no more worthy than dust!
How many times will Caesar bleed on stage— him lying there on Pompey's monument, no better than dust now!
they'll act this out forever caesar's nothing but dust now no matter how great he was
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be call’d
The men that gave their country liberty.
Whenever that happens, our group will be called the men who gave their country freedom.
Every time it's performed, we'll be remembered as the men who freed the country.
every time it's done we'll be the ones who freed rome
What, shall we forth?
What, shall we go out?
What, should we go?
should we leave?
Ay, every man away.
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Yes, everyone leave. Brutus will lead, and we will honor him with the boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Yeah, everyone get out of here. Brutus will lead, and we'll follow him with Rome's best and bravest men.
yep everyone go brutus leads we got the best men of rome
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.
Wait, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Hold on, who's coming? One of Antony's men.
wait who's this antony's friend
Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel;
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving;
Say I love Brutus and I honour him;
Say I fear’d Caesar, honour’d him, and lov’d him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolv’d
How Caesar hath deserv’d to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
This is how my master told me to kneel, Brutus. This is how Mark Antony told me to fall down. And while lying down, he told me to say: Brutus is noble, wise, brave, and honest. Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. Tell him I love Brutus and I honor him. Tell him I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him. If Brutus will allow Antony to come to him safely, and be convinced that Caesar deserved to be dead, Mark Antony won't love Caesar dead nearly as much as Brutus living. He will follow the fortunes and dealings of noble Brutus through all the dangers of this uncharted situation, with complete loyalty. That's what my master Antony says.
This is how my master told me to approach you, Brutus. This is how Mark Antony told me to bow. And from the ground, he told me to tell you: Brutus is noble, wise, brave, and honest. Caesar was powerful, bold, royal, and generous. Tell him I respect Brutus and I honor him. Tell him I was afraid of Caesar, honored him, and loved him. If Brutus will let Antony come see him safely, and can convince him that Caesar deserved to die, then Mark Antony will support Brutus far more than he ever loved Caesar. He'll follow Brutus through whatever happens next, with complete faith. That's what Antony told me to say.
here's what antony says: brutus ur noble honest brave i respect u i was scared of caesar but i loved him too if u let me come see u i'll help u not hate u i'll follow u thru everything that's the real deal
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied and, by my honour,
Depart untouch’d.
Your master is a wise and brave Roman. I've never thought less of him. Tell him if he'd like to come here, he'll get all his answers, and by my honor, he'll leave unharmed.
Your master is a smart and brave guy. I've always respected him. Tell him he's welcome to come here. I'll answer all his questions, and I promise he'll leave without any trouble.
ur master's solid tell him come by i'll explain everything i swear he's safe
I’ll fetch him presently.
I'll bring him right away.
I'll get him now.
i'll get him
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
I know we'll have him as a good ally.
I think Antony's going to be on our side.
antony's gonna help us
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
I hope so, but I have a feeling that fears him greatly, and my suspicion always tends to hit the mark.
I hope so, but I have a bad feeling about him. My gut instinct usually turns out to be right.
maybe but i don't trust him i got a bad feeling
But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.
Here comes Antony now. Welcome to us, Mark Antony.
Look, Antony's here. Welcome aboard, Mark.
antony just showed up welcome
O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Caesar’s death’s hour; nor no instrument
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die.
No place will please me so, no means of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
Oh mighty Caesar! Are you lying there dead? Are all your conquests, glories, triumphs, plunder, reduced to this small body? Farewell. I don't know, gentlemen, what you plan, who else must be killed, who else deserves it. If it's me, there's no better time than Caesar's death hour, nor any instrument half as worthy as your swords, made glorious with the most noble blood in the world. I beg you, if you're angry with me, now while your blood-stained hands steam, go ahead and kill me. Live a thousand years, I'll never be more ready to die. No place will suit me better, no kind of death, than here by Caesar, killed by you, the greatest and noblest men of this age.
Oh great Caesar! Are you dead? Are all your victories, your glory, your power, reduced to this? Goodbye. Gentlemen, I don't know what you're planning, who else gets killed, who else deserves it. If it's me, now is perfect—Caesar's death moment. Your swords are as noble as anything could be, soaked in the blood of the greatest man alive. I'm begging you, if you hate me, kill me now while your hands are still bloody and hot. I could live a thousand years and never be more ready to die. There's no better place, no better way than to die here next to Caesar, killed by Rome's greatest men.
caesar's gone all ur glory... gone i don't know what's next if it's me... now's good right here next to him i'm ready to die there's no better time
O Antony, beg not your death of us.
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As by our hands and this our present act
You see we do; yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done.
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome—
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony;
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts
Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
Oh Antony, don't ask us to kill you. Though we must now appear bloody and cruel— and you see we are, by our hands and this act— yet you see only our hands and the bleeding work they've done. You don't see our hearts, which are full of pity. Our pity for Rome's general suffering— as one fire drives out another, so one pity overcomes another— has done this to Caesar. As for you, our swords have blunt points for you, Mark Antony. Our arms, though they appeared violent, and our hearts, filled with brotherly feeling, welcome you with complete kindness, good intentions, and respect.
Antony, don't ask us to kill you. Yes, we look bloody and cruel right now— it's all over our hands, what we just did. But that's not who we are. Our hearts are full of pity, compassion for what Rome was suffering. We didn't do this out of violence— we did it out of love for Rome. Our swords aren't meant for you. We're your brothers in this, Antony. We respect and honor you.
don't ask us to kill u yes we look brutal but we did this for rome not out of hate we respect u we're brothers in this
Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s
In the disposing of new dignities.
Your voice will count as much as anyone's in deciding who gets new positions of power.
You'll have as much say as anyone when we decide who runs things now.
u get a say in who's in charge
Only be patient till we have appeas’d
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Just be patient until we've calmed the crowd, who are terrified, and then we'll explain to you why I, who loved Caesar even as I killed him, have done this.
Just give us time to calm the crowds down— they're scared out of their minds. Then we'll explain to you why I did this to Caesar, even though I loved him.
give us a min to calm everyone then we'll explain why i killed someone i loved
I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand.
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand.
Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer.
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true:
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,
Most noble, in the presence of thy corse?
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay’d, brave hart;
Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign’d in thy spoil, and crimson’d in thy lethe.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;
And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee.
How like a deer strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
I trust you completely. Let me shake the bloody hands of each of you. First you, Marcus Brutus—I shake your hand. Then you, Caius Cassius. Now you, Decius, and you, Metellus; You, Cinna; and you too, brave Casca; And last, good Trebonius—my love for all of you is equal. Gentlemen, what can I say? My reputation is now in a terrible position. You'll think I'm either a coward or a flatterer. I did love Caesar—that's the truth. If his spirit is watching us now, won't it hurt him more than death, to see me shaking hands with his killers right here at his body? If I had as many eyes as his wounds, I'd cry enough to match his blood. It would look better than this friendship with the men who killed him. Forgive me, Caesar! Here you were trapped, a brave man brought down. Here you fell, and here stand your killers, soaked in your blood. Oh world, this man was your greatest. He was the heart of Rome. Like a deer killed by many hunters, here he lies.
I'm with you all the way. Let me shake each of your bloody hands now. First you, Marcus Brutus. Then you, Caius Cassius. Now Decius, Metellus, Cinna, and you Casca. Last of all, good Trebonius—I love you all equally. But gentlemen, what can I even say? My situation is impossible. You'll think I'm either a coward jumping ship or a flatterer. I really did love Caesar. That's true. If his spirit is looking down at us right now, won't his death hurt more seeing me shake hands with his murderers standing over his corpse? If I had as many eyes as his wounds, I'd have enough tears to match his blood flowing. It would make more sense to cry alone than stand here like a friend to these men. Caesar, forgive me! You're pinned here, cut down by cowards. They stand over you covered in your blood. You were Rome's greatest treasure. You were Rome's heart. Like a noble deer surrounded and struck down, here you lie.
i trust u let me shake ur bloody hands i loved caesar. it's true. this is killing me. i look like a traitor but i had to side with u forgive me caesar here u are dead stuck by everyone u were the greatest the heart of rome
Antony's soliloquy is one of the great turning-point speeches in Shakespeare, and its most vivid image — 'cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war' — is doing more work than it first appears. 'Havoc' was a specific military command in medieval and Elizabethan warfare: once the order was given, soldiers were released from all rules of engagement. No quarter, no mercy, no prisoners. The 'dogs' were soldiers — or possibly the trained war dogs some armies actually used. Antony is saying that Caesar's spirit, with Até (the goddess of blind ruin) beside it, will give this command — and once given, it cannot be recalled. The rest of the play proves him right. Civil war follows; the proscriptions of Act 4 show exactly how complete the breakdown of Roman civil order becomes. The 'dogs of war' that Antony predicts are Octavius and himself, as much as they are the legions of the Triumvirate. Antony ends by becoming exactly what he predicts.
Mark Antony,—
Mark Antony,—
Mark Antony,—
mark antony,—
Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Forgive me, Caius Cassius. Caesar's enemies would say such things. But coming from a friend, it's just reserved restraint.
Forgive me, Cassius. Caesar's enemies would say things like this. But from a friend, it's just being respectfully restrained.
my bad cassius enemies would say this but i'm being respectful
I blame you not for praising Caesar so;
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be prick’d in number of our friends,
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
I don't blame you for praising Caesar so. But what kind of agreement do you mean to have with us? Will you be counted among our friends, or should we continue on without depending on you?
I'm not blaming you for loving Caesar. But what's the deal here? Are you with us, or are we doing this without you?
no hard feelings on caesar but r u in or out
Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed
Sway’d from the point, by looking down on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all, and love you all,
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why, and wherein, Caesar was dangerous.
That's why I took your hands—but I was distracted by looking down at Caesar. I am your friend, and I love you all, if you'll give me reasons why and how Caesar was dangerous.
That's why I shook your hands—but looking at Caesar got me off track. I'm with you, I'm your friend, if you explain why Caesar was a threat.
ok i'm with u but explain why he was dangerous
Or else were this a savage spectacle.
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
Otherwise this would just be brutal savagery. Our reasons are so well thought through that even if you were Caesar's son, Antony, you would be convinced.
Otherwise this would just be pointless violence. Our reasons are so solid that even Caesar's own son would understand.
otherwise this is just murder but our reasons are solid u'll get it
That’s all I seek,
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
That's all I need. And I further ask that I may bring his body to the marketplace and speak from the platform, as befits a friend, at his funeral ceremony.
That's all I want. And I'm asking to bring his body to the marketplace and speak about him at his funeral, like a friend should.
ok that's all i need let me bring his body let me speak at the funeral
You shall, Mark Antony.
You will, Mark Antony.
You can, Mark Antony.
yep
Brutus, a word with you.
I need a private word with you, Brutus.
Brutus, can I talk to you alone?
brutus let's talk
[_Aside to Brutus._] You know not what you do. Do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral.
Know you how much the people may be mov’d
By that which he will utter?
You don't know what you're doing. Don't agree that Antony should speak at his funeral. Do you know how much the people can be moved by what he will say?
You're making a mistake. Don't let Antony speak at the funeral. You have no idea how much power his words will have over the crowd.
no stop. don't let antony speak. the ppl will listen to him. bad idea.
[_Aside to Cassius._] By your pardon:
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar’s death.
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission;
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
By your permission: I will go into the pulpit first, and explain why we killed Caesar. Whatever Antony says, I will make clear that he speaks only by our leave and with our consent; and that we have agreed Caesar shall have all the proper rights and lawful ceremonies. This will help us more than hurt us.
With your permission, I'll go up first and explain why we did this. When Antony speaks, I'll tell everyone he's only speaking because we allowed it. We're going to give Caesar all the honors and proper funeral rites. Trust me, this looks better for us, not worse.
let me go first and explain. antony only speaks bc we say so. caesar gets full honors. this makes us look good.
[_Aside to Brutus._] I know not what may fall; I like it not.
I don't know how this will turn out; I don't like it.
I have a bad feeling about this. I don't think it's going to end well.
idk bout this. bad feeling.
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body.
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.
Mark Antony, here, take Caesar's body. You shall not blame us in your funeral speech, but speak all the good you can think of about Caesar, and say you do so by our permission. Otherwise you'll have nothing to do with his funeral. And you'll speak from the same platform where I'm going, after I finish speaking.
Antony, take Caesar's body. Don't blame us in your speech. Say only good things about him, and make it clear you're doing it because we let you. If you don't agree, you get nothing to do with the funeral. You'll speak after me from the same platform.
take caesar dont blame us say good things about him cuz we're letting u otherwise no funeral speech
Be it so;
I do desire no more.
It shall be so. I want nothing more.
Fine. That's all I need.
ok that's it for me
Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
Prepare his body and follow us.
Get the body ready and come with us.
get him ready & let's go
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,
Which, like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so in use,
And dreadful objects so familiar,
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quartered with the hands of war;
All pity chok’d with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from Hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.
Oh, forgive me, bleeding corpse, that I am mild and gentle with these killers. You are the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the course of history. Woe to the hand that spilled this precious blood! Over your wounds I now prophesy, these wounds like silent mouths opening their lips stained with blood, begging for my voice to speak, a curse shall fall upon all mankind. Civil war and violent strife shall burden every part of Italy. Blood and death shall become so common, and horrible sights so familiar, that mothers will smile when they see their babies cut to pieces by war. All pity will be killed by the habit of violence. And Caesar's ghost, seeking revenge, with the goddess of mischief beside him coming hot from Hell, shall cry out with a king's voice for destruction and unleash the horrors of war, so that this foul deed will stink above the earth with the bodies of the dead, groaning for burial.
Forgive me, Caesar, that I'm being nice to your killers. You were the greatest man who ever lived, and now you're just a corpse. Your blood was worth everything. I'm going to make a prophecy over your wounds: there will be a curse on Rome. This will start a terrible civil war. Blood will become so normal that mothers will stop crying when they see their children butchered. Cruel violence will become routine. Caesar's ghost will come back for revenge, bringing chaos with it from Hell itself. It will call out for war, unleash total destruction. This murder will haunt Rome forever.
sorry caesar i'm being nice to them u were the best now ur just dead this blood will curse rome war's coming everyone will die violence everywhere caesar's ghost will destroy rome war will never end
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
You work for Octavius Caesar, don't you?
You're in Octavius Caesar's service, aren't you?
you work for octavius?
I do, Mark Antony.
Yes, I do support you, Mark Antony.
I will, Mark Antony.
yep mark
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Caesar wrote to him to come to Rome.
Caesar invited him to come to Rome.
caesar asked him to come
He did receive his letters, and is coming,
And bid me say to you by word of mouth,—
[_Seeing the body._] O Caesar!
He received his letters and is coming, and told me to tell you by word of mouth— (seeing the body) Oh, Caesar!
He got your letter and he's on his way. He told me to tell you in person— (seeing the body) Oh no, Caesar!
he got ur letter, coming to rome. told me to tell u— (sees body) oh no caesar.
Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes,
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,
Began to water. Is thy master coming?
Your heart is full, go apart and cry. Passion, I see, is contagious. My eyes, seeing those tears standing in yours, began to water too. Is your master coming?
You're feeling a lot—go ahead and cry. I'm seeing your tears and now I'm getting emotional too. Is your master really coming?
go cry i'm getting emotional seeing u cry is he actually coming?
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
He's staying tonight about twenty miles from Rome.
He's about twenty miles away, staying the night.
he's like 20 miles away
Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc’d.
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse
Into the market-place: there shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men;
According to the which thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Go back quickly and tell him what has happened. Rome is mourning now, Rome is dangerous, it's not safe for Octavius yet. Go quickly and tell him. But wait a moment. Don't go back until I've brought this body to the marketplace. There I'll test, in my speech, how the people react to the cruel deed of these bloodstained men. Based on their reaction you'll report to young Octavius about how things stand. Give me your hand.
Go tell him what happened, and hurry. Rome is grieving, Rome is dangerous, it's not safe for Octavius here yet. Get going. But wait—don't leave until I've brought Caesar's body to the marketplace. I need to see how the people react when I give my speech about this murder. Then you can tell Octavius everything based on how the crowd responded. Let me have your hand.
go tell him what happened rome's not safe rn wait til i bring caesar to the square i need to see how ppl react to my speech then u tell octavius everything
The Reckoning
The assassination is the exact center of the play, and everything about it is wrong: the arguments are wrong, the execution is wrong, and the aftermath is catastrophically wrong. Brutus, who refused to kill Antony for being dangerous, now agrees to let Antony speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius sees the disaster coming and is overruled again. Antony, alone with the body, tears off the mask of cooperation and speaks his truest grief — and his deadliest intentions. The audience knows that the conspiracy has just lost the war it started.
If this happened today…
A group of executives force out their CEO in a board room coup. It goes exactly as planned — clean, bloodless, professional. Afterward, the CEO's closest ally shakes every hand in the room, tells them he understands and supports them, and asks only one thing: to give the eulogy at the all-hands. They agree, because he's asked nicely and seems cooperative. Then he goes back to his office, closes the door, and starts making calls. The all-hands is going to be a very different kind of event.