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Julius Caesar Explanation

Act II Scene II - Caesar's house.

Passage - Thunder and lightning. Enter CAESAR in his night-gown.

Explanation of the above passage - There was thunder and lightning in the sky. Caesar entered wearing
his night gown.

Passage - CAESAR: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within?
Word meaning
Hath – has
Explanation- Caesar said that the heaven and the Earth had been restless all night. His wife Calpurnia
had been seeing nightmares. She had cried thrice in her sleep and sought help as she dreamt that Caesar
was being murdered. Caesar called out that who was there inside the room.

Passage - Enter a servant

Explanation of the above passage - A servant appeared.

Passage - SERVANT: My lord?

Explanation of the above passage - The servant addressed Caesar as ‘My Lord’ and asked for orders.

Passage - CAESAR: Go bid the priest do present sacrifice and bring me their opinions of success.
Word meaning
Bid – call
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar ordered him to call the priest and ask him to offer sacrifices
to God to get their opinions regarding his future based upon the nightmares seen by Calpurnia.

Passage - SERVANT: I will, my lord

Explanation of the above passage - Servant went out to do the needful.

Passage - Enter CALPURNIA

Explanation of the above passage - Calpurnia appeared.

Passage - CALPURNIA: What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.
Word meaning
Forth – ahead
Stir – move
Explanation of the above passage - Calpurnia asked Caesar that what did he mean by walking ahead
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out of the house despite the nightmares seen by her. She asked him not to move out of the house that
day as she feared him being murdered.

Passage - CAESAR: Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me

Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar replied that he shall walk ahead. He added that the enemies
who threatened to kill him only planned to do so behind his back, but they did not have the courage to
face him. When they would see Caesar’s face, they would disappear due to fright.

Passage - CALPURNIA: Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,

Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.

O Caesar! these things are beyond all use,

And I do fear them.
Word meaning
stood on ceremonies - paid much attention to omens and forecasts
whelped – give birth to
right form of war - correct battle order
hurtled - clashed
beyond all use - most unnatural
Explanation of the above passage - Calpurnia replied that she never believed in omens and forecasts,
but this nightmare had scared her. Now she was afraid as she had seen and heard horrible things in the
dream. She describes the nightmare where she saw a lioness give birth to its young ones in the street.
She saw that the graves had opened, and the dead persons walked out of them. She saw all the brave
soldiers in the order of their ranks fight in a bloody war and the noises could be heard all around. There
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were sounds of the horses neighing and the soldiers who were dying in pain. She said that all of them
were unnatural and, so she was in fear.

Passage - CAESAR: What can be avoided

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar said that all the happenings had been pre – destined by God
and what had to happen would happen. So, he shall also continue his work and go ahead with it. He said
that Calpurnia’s nightmare applied to Caesar as it applied to the world in general and it did not have any
cause for him to fear of.

Passage - CALPURNIA When beggars die, there are no comets seen;

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
Word meaning
Comets – a heavenly object with a tail of fire
Blaze – set on fire
Explanation of the above passage - Calpurnia said that when a common man (referred as a ‘beggar’)
died, there were no heavenly predictions to indicate that but when a brave prince died, the heavens who
made such predictions got so disturbed that they set themselves on fire to announce such great
tragedies. She wanted to say that the nightmare that she saw was so intense as if the heavens had set
themselves on fire to forewarn of a great tragedy – the murder of Caesar.

Passage - CAESAR: Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
Word meaning
Coward- a person who lacks courage
Valiant – the brave
necessary – inevitable

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Explanation of the above passage - Caesar said that cowards die many times before their death – any
act of cowardice equaled to being dead. The brave men died only once in their lifetime. He further added
that out of all the amazing things that he had heard, it was strange that men feared death. As death was
unavoidable and had to come one day, it would come when it had to. So, he did not fear death.

Passage - Re-enter Servant

Explanation of the above passage - The servant re – appeared.

Passage - What say the augurers?

Word meaning:
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Augurers – soothsayers, foretellers

Explanation of the above passage - Caesar asked the servant about the forecast made by the priests.

Passage - Servant: They would not have you to stir forth to-day.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast.
Word meaning
Entrails – inner organs of a person or animal.
Explanation of the above passage - The servant said that the priests had advised that Caesar should not
go out of the house that day. When the inner organs of the animal that had been offered as a sacrifice
were plucked open, they found that the animal’s heart was not there.

Passage - CAESAR: The gods do this in shame of cowardice:

Caesar should be a beast without a heart,
If he should stay at home to-day for fear.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he:
We are two lions litter'd in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible:
And Caesar shall go forth.
Word meaning
Litter’d – to be born
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar replied that the God’s reacted by removing the animal’s
heart as they looked down upon the cowardly act of Caesar to fear death. He added that he would be
that animal without the heart if he stayed back at home that day. He refused to stay back and said that
danger knew that Caesar was more dangerous than it. He added that he and danger were like two lions
who had been born on the same day and as he was the elder one, was more terrible than danger. So, he
announced that he shall go out of the house.

Passage - CALPURNIA Alas, my lord,

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear
That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house:
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And he shall say you are not well to-day:

Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.
Explanation of the above passage - Calpurnia expressed sadness as Caesar’s wisdom had been
shadowed by over confidence. She asked him not to go out because her fear, for her sake and not due to
his fear. She offered to send Mark Antony in his place to the senate. She suggested that Mark would say
that Caesar was absent as he was unwell. She begged on her knees and asked him to give permission for
it.

Passage - CAESAR: Mark Antony shall say I am not well,

And, for thy humour, I will stay at home.
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar feels humiliated by Calpurnia’s idea. He did not approve that
for her sake that he would stay back at home and that Mark Antony would say in the senate that he was
unwell.

Passage - Enter DECIUS BRUTUS

Explanation of the above passage - Decius Brutus appeared.

Passage - Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

Explanation of the above passage - Caesar said that Decius Brutus would say so in the senate.

Passage - DECIUS BRUTUS: Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
Word meaning
Hail – a greeting
Explanation of the above passage - Decius greeted Caesar and said that he had come to take him for
the meeting at the senate.

Passage - CAESAR: And you are come in very happy time,

To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.
Word meaning
in very happy time - at the right moment
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar said that Decius had appeared at the right time. He asked
him to greet the senators on his behalf and to tell them that he would not come to the senate that day.
He added that saying that he ‘cannot’ come was untrue and that he ‘dare not’ to come was more untrue.
He said this because it was not that he was unable to go or that he feared going out of the house. He
was not going for some other reason (his wife Calpurnia’s fear and subsequent request). He asked Decius
to tell the senate that he would be absent that day.

Passage - CALPURNIA: Say he is sick.

Explanation of the above passage - Calpurnia asked Decius to say that Caesar was sick.

Passage - CAESAR: Shall Caesar send a lie?

Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
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Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

Word meaning
graybeards- old men (contemptuously dismissing the senators)
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar asked Calpurnia that should he tell a lie to the senators. He
further asked her that in the battles, had he killed so many innocent people that he should feel guilty and
not be able to tell the truth to the group of hateful old men. He asked Decius to go and tell them that he
would not come that day.

Passage - DECIUS BRUTUS: Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
Explanation of the above passage - Decius who was a part of the conspiracy to kill Caesar asked him for
a reason to give for his absence lest he should be laughed upon by the senators.

Passage - CAESAR: Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:

She dreamt to-night she saw my statue,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.
Word meaning
Spout – nozzle
lusty- strong; vigorous
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar told him the reason for not going out of the house was that
his wife Calpurnia saw a nightmare in which Caesar’s statue was immersed in a fountain of blood that
flowed from a hundred spouts. Many great men of Rome came smiling towards it and washed their
hands with his blood. She treated it as a forewarning of a tragedy and so had begged on her knees for
him to stay at home that day.

Passage - DECIUS BRUTUS: This dream is all amiss interpreted;

It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
Word meaning
blood - In Decius' explanation the use of the term "blood" is metaphoric. It symbolizes Caesar's spirit or
influence
great men shall press… cognizance - great men shall gather around Caesar and stain their handkerchiefs
in his blood which will serve as colours added to a coat of arms, an object of reverence, mementos and a
badge of service
Explanation of the above passage - Decius said that they had interpreted the dream incorrectly. It was a
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fair dream and signified good fortune. Caesar’s blood symbolized his spirit and love for Rome and that
the great men shall soak their handkerchiefs with his spirit and patriotism to retain as mementoes.

Passage - CAESAR: And this way have you well expounded it.
Word meaning
Expounded – explained
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar was convinced with Decius’s words and said that he had
explained it well.

Passage - DECIUS BRUTUS: I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now: the senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change.
Explanation of the above passage - Decius said that he had explained well as Caesar understood what
he said. He added that the senate was due to crown him as the ruler that day and that if he did not go,
they might change their mind. (He wanted to take Caesar to the senate so that the senators along with
him could murder Caesar).

Passage - CAESAR: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!

I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
Word meaning
yield to – give in to
robe – a long, loose outer garment
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar said that Calpurnia’s fear was foolish and that he was
ashamed to have accepted it and decided to remain at home that day. He asked for his robe as he
decided to go to the senate.

Passage - Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA,

TREBONIUS, and CINNA
Explanation of the above passage - Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius and Cinna
appear

Passage - CAESAR: Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar invited his friends for some wine and said that they would go
together to the senate.

Passage - BRUTUS: [Aside] That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!
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Word meaning
That every like is … think upon - Brutus's heart grieves when he thinks that being like a friend is not the
same as being a friend
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus was a true friend of Caesar and he knew that the other men
envied him. He went to a side and said to himself that his heart was pained to see that being like a friend
was not like being a friend.

Passage - Exeunt
Explanation of the above passage - All the men exit the stage.

Act III Scene I - Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above

Passage - Flourish. Enter CAESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS BRUTUS,

METELLUS CIMBER, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS, PUBLIUS, and others
Explanation of the above passage - The senators stood up to welcome the men as they arrived – Caesar,
Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Popilius,
Publius and others enter the senate.

Passage - CAESAR: Are we all ready? What is now amiss

That Caesar and his senate must redress?
Word meaning
Amiss – missing
Redress – rectify, to correct
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar asked that was the senate ready to begin the session or was
something missing that needed to be corrected before they started the session.

Passage - METELLUS CIMBER: Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart,--
Kneeling
Word meaning
Thy – your
Puissant – powerful
Explanation of the above passage - Metellus Cimber addressed Caesar as the highest, most powerful
man. He fell in front of him with respect and sat on his knees.

Passage - CAESAR: 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.
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 doth not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
Word meaning
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Thee – you
couchings and these lowly courtesies – bowing and bending
pre-ordinance - order that has existed from earlier times
first decree - law passed earlier
thy – your
banished- punished
thou – you
dost – do
fawn – praise to get a favour
spurn – remove from the way
cur – dog
doth - does
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar said that Cimber should stop doing these acts of bowing and
bending before him as these could influence ordinary men but not Caesar. He added that by doing such
acts, he would not be able to change the law of the land or alter any past orders. He added that Cimber’s
brother had been punished by the law and if Cimber bent, bowed and tried to praise Caesar to get him
free, Caesar would push him out of his way like a dog. He also said that Cimber should remember that
Caesar did no wrong acts and would not be satisfied to release a guilty person without a valid reason.

Passage - METELLUS CIMBER: 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?
Word meaning
Repealing – cancelling, reversing
Explanation of the above passage - Metellus Cimber called out to the senators and asked that a
worthier man than him request Caesar on his behalf. Maybe Caesar would like the other person’s words
and cancel his brother’s punishment.

Passage - BRUTUS: I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;

Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Word meaning
Flattery – false praise
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus supported Cimber and said to Caesar that he was kissing his
hand not to praise him to get Cimber’s aim fulfilled but he desired that Cimber should get the freedom of
cancellation of punishment.

Passage - CAESAR: What, Brutus!

Explanation of the above passage - Caesar was shocked that Brutus supported Cimber.

Passage - CASSIUS: Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Word meaning
Enfranchisement – freedom from prison
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Explanation of the above passage - Cassius also spoke up and asked Caesar to excuse Publius Cimber
and release him from the prison.

Passage - CASSIUS: I could be well moved, 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.
I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Word meaning
I could pray to move - pray to others to change their minds.
resting – permanent
firmament – heavens or sky
Explanation of the above passage - Cassius said that he would change his mind if he were Caesar upon
seeing the requests of another person. If he could pray and beg a person to change his mind, then he
would also do the same if another person begged and prayed to him. But he said that he was not like
that, he was fixed in his decisions like the stationary Northern star which is the only one that remains
fixed in one position in the entire sky. He said that he had always thought that Cimber should be
punished and he was firm in his decision.

Passage - CASCA: Speak, hands for me!

Casca said that his hands would speak for him.
CASCA first, then the other Conspirators and BRUTUS stab CAESAR
Word meaning
Stab - to injure someone with a sharp pointed object such as a knife
Explanation of the above passage - He and the other senators injure Caesar with a knife. Even Brutus
who was a friend of Caesar stabbed him.

Passage - CAESAR: Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.

Dies
Word meaning
Et tu, Brute - even you, Brutus
Explanation of the above passage - Caesar was shocked to see that his friend Brutus was a part of the
conspiracy to kill him, his dying words were that even Brutus wanted to kill him.

Passage - CINNA: Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Word meaning
Tyranny – dictatorship, rule of terror
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Proclaim – to announce officially

Explanation of the above passage - Cinna shouted that with Caesar’s death, the Romans got freedom
from his dictatorship. He ordered his men to run around the kingdom and announce that Rome had got
freedom.

Passage - CASSIUS: Some to the common pulpits, and cry out

'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'
Word meaning
Pulpits – raised platform, stage
Explanation of the above passage - Cassius asked the senators to stand on the stage and announce that
they had gained freedom from slavery.

Passage - BRUTUS: But here comes Antony.

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus announced the entry of Mark Antony who was a true friend
of Caesar.

Passage - Re-enter ANTONY

Explanation of the above passage - Antony re – entered the senate.

Passage - Welcome, Mark Antony.

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus welcomed Antony.

Passage - ANTONY: O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?

Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
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 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,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
Word meaning
spoils - trophies of war
shrunk – reduced in size
little measure - small piece of ground on which your body lies
beseech – beg
bear me hard - bear a grudge against me
purpled hands – the colour of the hands turned purple as they were soaked in Caesar’s blood which had
dried and turned purple in colour
reek - stench
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master - powerful
Explanation of the above passage - Antony was heartbroken to see his dear friend Caesar’s dead body.
He said that the powerful Caesar was lying so low on the ground and that all his achievements, victories
and trophies of wars were insignificant because such a noble man had been betrayed and murdered by
his own men. He bid him farewell. He addressed the senators and said that he did not know the reason
behind killing Caesar who was the most noble Roman. He said that for him, there was none other better
time to get killed than the time when the great Caesar had been killed, none other better sword to get
killed with than the sword with which Caesar had been killed. The sword which had killed Caesar was rich
as it was smeared with the blood of the most noble man in the world. He begged the senators that if
they hated him, now when their hands were smeared with Caesar’s blood, they smelled of it, they should
fulfil their desire of killing him too. If he lived for a thousand more years, he shall not find a better time to
die than that time, no better place to die than there and no better person to die at the hands of than
those who had murdered Caesar. He addressed the conspirators as the masters of the age as they were
the rulers of Rome and would destine the future of the Romans.

Passage - BRUTUS: O Antony, beg not your death of us.

Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
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.
Word meaning
Hath – has
Leaden points – here, blunt edges
in strength of malice - which may appear to be hostile
reverence - respect
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus tried to justify the act of the senators. He asked Antony not
to beg for death. He said that they appeared to be cruel as he saw their hands which were full of
Caesar’s blood. He could not see their hearts which were full of pity for the people of Rome. Their hearts
had pity for Caesar also but as fire drives out fire, so did their pity for the Romans drove out their pity for
Caesar and so, they killed him. For Antony, their swords were blunt, their arms may appear to be full of
hatred, but their hearts considered him to be their brother. They welcomed him to the senate with love
and respect.

Passage - CASSIUS: Your voice shall be as strong as any man's In the disposing of new dignities.
Word meaning
dignities – honours
Explanation of the above passage - Cassius said to Antony that his opinions would be considered while
appointing new officers.
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Passage - ANTONY: I doubt not of your wisdom.

Let each man render me his bloody hand:
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?
Word meaning
conceit - consider
foes - enemies
corse - corpse
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said that all the senators were wise, and he had no doubt
about it. He asked all the conspirators to shake their hands soaked with Caesar’s blood with him. He
added that the senators may consider him to be either a coward or a flatterer. He could not justify
himself, but the fact was that he loved Caesar. Caesar’s soul would be watching them and would be
saddened to see that Caesar’s friend Antony was befriending and shaking hands with his enemies in the
presence of his dead body.

Passage - CASSIUS: Mark Antony,--

Explanation of the above passage - Cassius reacts and calls Antony.

Passage - ANTONY: Pardon me, Caius Cassius:

The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Word meaning
modesty – understatement
Explanation of the above passage - Antony begged Cassius to excuse him. He added that even Caesar’s
enemies would feel like that for him because Caesar was such a good man. He, being a friend of Caesar
was being modest and reasonable in saying such things for him.

Passage - CASSIUS: 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?
Word meaning
compact – agreement
Explanation of the above passage - Cassius said to Antony that he did not blame him for praising
Caesar. He asked that what agreement did he have with the conspirators – was he a friend of theirs or
should they proceed without him.
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Passage - ANTONY: 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.
Explanation of the above passage - Antony replied that he shook hands with them because he
considered them to be a friend. He was swayed by emotions as he saw Caesar’s dead body, but he was
their friend and loved them. He asked them that now that they were friends, they would explain that
how and why was Caesar dangerous for Rome that they murdered him. He hoped that they would reply
to his question.

Passage - BRUTUS: Our reasons are so full of good regard

That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
Word meaning
good regard - serious consideration
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus replied to his question and said that their hearts were so full
of serious consideration and reason that if Antony was Caesar’s son, he too would be satisfied with it.

Passage - ANTONY: 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.
Word meaning
Suitor – a person who makes a petition or request
order- ceremony
Explanation of the above passage - Mark Antony was satisfied with their reasoning. (He pretended to
be satisfied so that he could take revenge else, he feared that they would murder him too). He requested
the senators to allow him to take Caesar’s body to the stage in the market place and give a speech at
Caesar’s funeral.

Passage - BRUTUS: You shall, Mark Antony.

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus allowed Mark Antony to do that.

Passage - CASSIUS: Brutus, a word with you.

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 moved
By that which he will utter?
Explanation of the above passage - Cassius called Brutus to a side and talked to him. He said that
Brutus did not realize the consequence of what he was doing. He asked him not to allow Antony from
giving the speech at Caesar’s funeral as his speech would make the Romans sympathize with Caesar.
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Passage - BRUTUS: 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.
Word meaning
Pardon – to excuse
will - will go
protest - announce
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus said that he sought permission to be the first one to give a
speech and tell the Romans the reason for Caesar’s death. Then he would announce that Antony would
give a speech and that he had the permission to do so.

Passage - CASSIUS: I know not what may fall; I like it not.

Explanation of the above passage - Cassius was not convinced with this idea of Brutus.

Passage - BRUTUS: 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 it 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.
Word meaning
devise of - think of
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus said to Antony to take Caesar’s body. He directed him that
he was not allowed to blame them for killing Caesar, but he could only praise Caesar in his speech. If he
did not obey them then they would not be his friends and they would not allow him to participate in
Caesar’s funeral. He shall speak from the same stage from where Brutus would give the opening speech.

Passage - ANTONY: Be it so.

I do desire no more.
Explanation of the above passage - Antony replied that he did not want anything more than the chance
to give a speech in praise of Caesar.

Passage - BRUTUS: Prepare the body then, and follow us.

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus ordered him to prepare the body for funeral and then come
to the stage.Passage - Exeunt all but ANTONY
Explanation of the above passage - The conspirators exit, and Antony is alone with Caesar’s body.

Passage - ANTONY: 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.
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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 quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity choked 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.
Exeunt with CAESAR's body
Word meaning
Prophesy – predict the future
Dumb mouths – refers to the wounds which cannot speak
Ope – open
Ruby lips – refers to the wounds smeared in blood. They look like lips which are Ruby – red in colour.
light - fall
cumber - burden
in use - common
quarter'd with the hands of war – cut into pieces in the war
custom of fell deeds - terrible deeds shall become so familiar
Ate - Greek goddess of revenge
carrion men – decaying flesh of animals
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said that Caesar’s body was bleeding and was like a piece of
Earth as it had been rendered lifeless. Antony sought pardon from Caesar as he was being gentle with his
murderers. He added that Caesar was the noblest man that would ever be born on the Earth. He took an
oath over Caesar’s blood and the wounds on his body which were unable to speak and looked like ruby –
red coloured lips. He took an oath that his voice and the words that he spoke would bring a curse upon
the limbs of those men who had murdered Caesar. He vowed that there shall be anger, war, blood,
destruction all over Italy. Mothers shall see that their newborn children have been cut into pieces at the
hands of the war which will ensue. No one shall have pity in their hearts any longer as they will become
used to such sights of terrible deeds. Caesar’s soul will be accompanied by the Goddess of revenge – Ate
who will descend from hell. They shall create havoc and shall let loose fierce dogs of war. The smell of
the decaying dead bodies will be filled in the sky as the dead men will cry and beg for a burial.

The Forum. Act III -Scene II

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Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS, and a throng of Citizens

Passage - Citizens: We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.

Explanation of the above passage - The Romans sought for an explanation for Caesar’s murder.

Passage - BRUTUS: Then follow me, and give me audience, friends.

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus said that if they wanted one, they must listen to him.

Passage - First Citizen: I will hear Brutus speak.

Explanation of the above passage - A man said that he would hear Brutus speak.

Passage - BRUTUS goes into the pulpit

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus appeared on the stage.

Passage - Second Citizen: The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!

Explanation of the above passage - Second man said that the noble Brutus had arrived, so everyone
should remain silent.

Passage - BRUTUS: Be patient till the last.

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom,
and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was
no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: --Not that
I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves,
than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was
fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is
tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so
base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would
not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his
country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
Word meaning
my cause- the cause that I represent
believe me for mine honour- believe me because you know I am honourable
censure- judge, criticize me harshly
senses- understanding
rude- uncivilized
vile – wicked
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus asked the crowd to be patient till he ended his speech. He
said that if they respected him, considered him to be a wise man, then they must believe him too. He
added that if there was any close friend of Caesar then he should know that Caesar was a dear friend of
Brutus also. Then he gave the reason for him to go against Caesar and be a part of the conspiracy to
murder him. He said that he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar. He said that rather than have
Caesar live and all the people of Rome be his slaves, it was better that Caesar was dead and all the
people lived with freedom. Brutus was sad that Caesar was dead as he was a beloved, he was happy that
Caesar had been a fortunate man, he honoured his bravery but he slayed him due to his ambitious
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nature. He called out if there was a slave or who did not love Rome in the gathering who had been
offended by their act. He waited for a reply from the gathering.

Passage - All: None, Brutus, none.

Explanation of the above passage - The gathering replied that there was no one who considered his act
to be wrong.

Passage - BRUTUS: Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to
Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was
worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death.
Word meaning
do to Brutus- you may assassinate me if I become ambitious
question- reasons for
capitol – a government building
enrolled- recorded
extenuated – lessened, diminished
enforced- exaggerated; emphasized
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus said that then they had not offended anyone by killing Caesar
as the people could kill him also if he became ambitious like Caesar. The reasons for Caesar’s death had
been given in the Capitol. Just like Caesar was glorified for his good deeds, he had been punished for his
wrong acts.

Passage - Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR's body

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive
the benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this I depart, --
that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall
please my country to need my death.
Word meaning
the commonwealth - the free republic
lover- friend
Explanation of the above passage - Mark Antony arrived with Caesar’s body. Brutus said that Caesar’s
body had arrived, mourned by his friend Antony who had no role in Caesar’s killing but he shall get the
benefit of being a part of the free republic. Brutus ended his speech by saying that he was ready to face
the same knife which had killed Caesar if his country wanted his death.

Passage - All: Live, Brutus! live, live!

Explanation of the above passage - The crowd raised slogans that it wanted Brutus to live.
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Passage - First Citizen: Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen said that Caesar’s body be brought with
celebrations.

Passage - Second Citizen: Give him a statue with his ancestors.

Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen said that Caesar’s statue should be erected along
with his ancestors’.

Passage - Third Citizen: Let him be Caesar.

Explanation of the above passage - Third citizen said that he should be kept alone as Caesar.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: Caesar's better parts

Shall be crown'd in Brutus.
Word meaning
parts - qualities
Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen said that the good qualities of Caesar are there in
Brutus and for that he should be crowned as the emperor of Rome.

Passage - First Citizen: We'll bring him to his house

With shouts and clamours.
Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen said that they would carry Caesar’s body upto his
house with shouts and uproars.

Passage - BRUTUS: My countrymen, --

Explanation of the above passage - Brutus called out to his countrymen.

Passage - Second Citizen Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.

Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen asked the crowd to be silent and listen to Brutus.

Passage - First Citizen: Peace, ho!

Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen asked for silence.

Passage - BRUTUS: Good countrymen, let me depart alone,

And, for my sake, stay here with Antony:
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar's glories; which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow'd to make.
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus said to the crowd to let him leave alone and for his sake, stay
there with Antony. They must give respect to Caesar’s body and listen to Antony’s speech as he would
praise Caesar. The senate had allowed Antony to speak and that no one should leave till he has complete
his speech.

Passage - Exit
Explanation of the above passage - Brutus left
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Passage - First Citizen: Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
Explanation of the above passage - First citizen asked the crowd to remain there and listen to Antony.

Passage - Third Citizen: Let him go up into the public chair;

We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
Explanation of the above passage - Third citizen asked Antony to go to the dais as they were ready to
hear him.

Passage - ANTONY: For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.

Explanation of the above passage - Antony said that he was observing the crowd for the sake of Brutus.

Passage - Goes into the pulpit

Explanation of the above passage - Antony walked on to the stage.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: What does he say of Brutus?

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen asked that why did Antony refer to Brutus. This
showed that the crowd was sensitive and was not ready to hear anything against Brutus.

Passage - Third Citizen: He says, for Brutus' sake,

He finds himself beholding to us all.
Explanation of the above passage - Third citizen clarified that he said that he was observing the crowd
for the sake of Brutus.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen warned that it would be good for him if Antony
did not speak anything against Brutus.

Passage - First Citizen: This Caesar was a tyrant.

Word meaning
Tyrant – a cruel rulerExplanation of the above passage - The first citizen spoke up that Caesar was a
dictator.

Passage - Third Citizen: Nay, that's certain:

We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
Explanation of the above passage - The third citizen added that for sure they had been blessed by
getting rid of Caesar.

Passage - Second Citizen: Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.
Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen
them to be quiet and listen to what Antony had to say.

Passage - ANTONY: You gentle Romans,--

Explanation of the above passage - Antony addressed the crowd as gentle Romans.

Passage - Citizens: Peace, ho! let us hear him.

Explanation of the above passage - The citizens asked each other to be at peace and hear him.
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Passage - ANTONY: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest--
For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men--
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
Word meaning
Lupercal- the feast of the god Lupercus. Lupercus was the protector of flocks and herds, the god of
fertility
disprove- contradict
Explanation of the above passage - Antony asked all his friends, his countrymen, the Romans to hear
him. He was there for the burial of Caesar’s body and not to praise his worthiness. The wrong acts done
by men are remembered even after their death, but their good acts are forgotten as soon as they die and
are buried with their bodies. The good Brutus had said that Caesar was an ambitious man and if he was
one, it was a serious misdeed committed by him. He had got a serious punishment for it and had to pay
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for it with his life. He was speaking at his funeral with the permission of all the honourable men of Rome.
He said that Caesar was his friend, he was faithful and just to him. On the contrary, Brutus said that he
was an ambitious man. As Brutus was a noble man, it was considered that he was speaking the truth.
Did Caesar’s act of capturing many enemies and bringing them to Rome, for whose return Rome had
earned a lot of money, show that he was an ambitious man. Caesar used to cry to see the poor man cry
but an ambitious man ought to be had-hearted. Brutus had alleged Caesar to be ambitious and he was a
noble person so, he was saying the truth. On the contrary, at the feast of the Lupercal, Antony had thrice
offered the crown to Caesar, but he refused it which did not show that he was ambitious. Again, Antony
said that Brutus was a noble man and he had said that Caesar was ambitious. He added that he did not
want to prove that Brutus was wrong, but he wanted to put forth the facts that he knew were true. All
the people of Rome loved Caesar, but something was stopping them from mourning his death. They had
lost their power of judgement and reasoning. He asked them to excuse him for saying this. He was very
sad, and he had lost his heart which was lying next to Caesar’s body in the coffin. (He wants to say that
he was merely alive but had lost his emotions upon seeing the dead body of his friend). He stopped
himself from speaking further as in his anguish he would speak words which were not appreciable.

Passage - First Citizen: Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

Explanation of the above passage - The people react on hearing Antony. The first citizen says that
Antony’s words make sense.

Passage - Second Citizen: If thou consider rightly of the matter,

Caesar has had great wrong.
Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen said that if the first citizen felt Antony to be right
then Caesar had been wronged by the senators who had killed him.

Passage - Third Citizen: Has he, masters?

I fear there will a worse come in his place.
Explanation of the above passage - Third citizen said to the first and second that he feared that he next
emperor would be worse than Caesar.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
Explanation of the above passage - Fourth citizen said that Antony said that Caesar refused the crown
which indicated that he was not ambitious.

Passage - First Citizen: If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
Explanation of the above passage - First citizen said that they must bid goodbye to Caesar.

Passage - Second Citizen: Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
Explanation of the above passage - Second citizen said that Antony’s eyes had turned red as he had
been weeping.

Passage - Third Citizen: There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
Explanation of the above passage - The third citizen said that Antony was the most noble man in Rome.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: Now mark him, he begins again to speak.

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen asked everyone to hear Antony’s speech.
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Passage - ANTONY: But yesterday the word of Caesar might

Have stood against the world; now lies he there.
And none so poor to do him reverence.
O masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable men:
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you ,
Than I will wrong such honourable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament--
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read--
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
Word meaning
stood against - overcome the opposition of
poor- humble
wrong the dead- be unjust to Caesar, who has been assassinated, by calling him ambitious
to wrong myself- by not speaking what I know
you- by allowing you to be deceived by Brutus
napkins- handkerchiefs
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said that till the time Caesar was alive, his words were heard
but now his speechless body was lying there. There was no one in Rome who was so poor that he could
not pay respect to Caesar. If Antony enraged the crowd and guided them to revolt against Caesar’s
killers then he would do wrong to Brutus and Cassius as he had promised them that he would not speak
bad about them. As they were honourable men, he would not speak bad about them rather he would
speak bad about the dead Caesar, about himself and about the people of Rome. Antony presented a
document with Caesar’s seal on it which was in Caesar’s cupboard. It was his will. He was reluctant to
read it as the people would be stirred with emotions upon hearing it. They would react by kissing
Caesar’s wounds, dipping their handkerchiefs in his blood to keep as mementoes, begging for a strand of
his hair as a memoir and would pass these things on to their next generations to be kept as a rich
heritage as the memoir of the noblest Roman – Caesar.
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Passage - Fourth Citizen: We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.
Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen said that they wanted to listen what was written
in the will.

Passage - All: The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will.
Explanation of the above passage - All the people asked Antony to read out Caesar’s will.

Passage - ANTONY: Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs;
For, if you should, O, what would come of it!
Word meaning
meet - fitting, proper
Explanation of the above passage - Antony asked the crowd to be patient. He said that the will must not
be read to them. He did not want to tell them that Caesar loved the Romans. As they were neither made
of wood, nor made of stones but were living men, they would get very angry and become mad to know
that Caesar loved them so much that he had bequeathed all his belongings to the people of Rome. He
feared the consequences of it.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony;
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen urged Antony to read Caesar’s will.

Passage - ANTONY: Will you be patient? will you stay awhile?

I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it:
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
Explanation of the above passage - Antony wondered if the crowd would be patient enough to hear
him. He thought that he had exceed his limits by referring to Caesar’s will as by reading it out, he feared
that he would harm the reputation of the so – called ‘honourable’ men of Rome who had conspired and
killed Caesar.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: They were traitors: honourable men!

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen replied that the conspirators who had killed
Caesar were traitors.

Passage - All: The will! the testament!

Explanation of the above passage - The crowd asked Antony to read the will.

Passage - Second Citizen: They were villains, murderers: the will! read the will.
Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen also repeated that the killers were bad men. He
asked Antony to read the will.
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Passage - ANTONY: You will compel me, then, to read the will?
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? and will you give me leave?
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said that as the crowd had forced him, he wanted them to
form a circle around Caesar’s body. He would show them the Caesar who had made the will. He sought
permission to come down from the stage.

Passage - Several Citizens: Come down.

Explanation of the above passage - The people asked him to come down from the stage.

Passage - Second Citizen: Descend.

Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen asked Antony to come down.

Passage - Third Citizen: You shall have leave.

Explanation of the above passage - The third citizen said that Antony had their permission to come.

Passage - ANTONY comes down

Explanation of the above passage - Antony came down from the stage.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: A ring; stand round.

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen asks all the people to form a circle around
Caesar’s body.

Passage - ANTONY: If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.

You all do know this mantle: I rememberThe first time ever Caesar put it on;
'T was on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame the Nervii:
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through:
See what a rent the envious Casca made:
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel:
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart;
And, in his mantle muffling up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statue,
Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
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The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.

Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.
Word meaning
mantle- cloak
Nervii- the most war-like of the Gallic tribes, defeated by Caesar in 57 B.C.
envious- malicious
Ingratitude- the blow struck by Brutus' ingratitude
Which all the while ran blood- which was covered with Caesar's blood
flourish'd- triumphed
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said to the people that if they had tears in their bodies, then
they must prepare themselves to cry. He showed Caesar’s cloak which he had worn for the first time
when he had defeated the Gallic Tribes in 57 A.D. He showed them the wound that had been instilled in
Caesar’s body by the jealous Casca. He said that as Casca took out the dagger from Caesar’s body, blood
flowed along. The blood gushed out of Caesar’s body as if it tried to resolve the issue due to which these
men had stabbed him. He added that Brutus was so unkind as he stabbed Caesar mercilessly. Brutus was
loved by Caesar and had betrayed him. The stab made by Brutus took away Caesar’s life as it was the
harshest – as Caesar realized that he had been betrayed by a friend. His powerful heart was broken, and
he fell at the base of Pompey’s statue. With Caesar’s fall, all the Romans fell as Rome’s betrayers
became victorious. He saw them weep for Caesar’s death and had pity for him. Their tears were precious
drops and that they should stop them from falling as they held Caesar’s dress which had been wounded
and smeared by his traitors.

Passage - First Citizen: O piteous spectacle!

Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen commented that Caesar’s body was pitiable.

Passage - Second Citizen: O noble Caesar!

Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen grieved that Caesar was a noble man.

Passage - Third Citizen: O woeful day!

Explanation of the above passage - The third citizen said that it was a sad day.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: O traitors, villains!

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen said that the killers had betrayed Rome, they were
bad men.

Passage - First Citizen: O most bloody sight!

Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen said that Caesar’s blood – soaked body was the
result of the cruelest act.

Passage - Second Citizen: We will be revenged.

Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen said that they would take revenge for this.

Passage - All: Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!

Let not a traitor live!
Explanation of the above passage - The crowd was enraged and shouted to seek revenge for Caesar’s
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killing. They wanted to find the killers and slay them. They said that no one of the conspirators should
remain alive.

Passage - ANTONY: Stay, countrymen.

Explanation of the above passage - Antony asked the people of Rome to stop.

Passage - First Citizen: Peace there! hear the noble Antony.

Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen asked the crowd and listen to the noble Antony.

Passage - Second Citizen: We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him.
Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen said that they were ready to hear him, follow him
and even die with him.

Passage - ANTONY: Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up

To such a sudden flood of mutiny.

They that have done this deed are honourable:

What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it: they are wise and honourable,
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts:
I am no orator, as Brutus is;
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,
That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him:
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on;
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
Word meaning
flood of mutiny- wave of violence
wit- intelligence
worth- authority
Action- gestures
utterance- eloquence
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right on- directly

Explanation of the above passage - Antony addressed the crowd as his good friends and said that he did
not want to arouse a wave of violence. He was said that he did not know what personal indifferences did
the conspirators have with Caesar due to which they murdered him. As they were wise men and
commanded respect, they would have valid reasons for killing Caesar. He did not want to make the
crowd hard – hearted and fill their hearts with hatred. He said that he was not skilled at public speaking
like Brutus was but was a straightforward person instead. The senators who permitted Antony to give
the speech knew that he was neither intelligent nor did he have the art of public speaking and so, he
would not be able to arise the crowd against them. Antony only spoke the truth and showed them the
wounds on Caesar’s body. The open wounds were like mouths which could not speak for justice. Antony
said that if he were as good as Brutus at public speaking, then he would have been able to arouse the
crowd to become violent and become the voice of Caesar’s wounds. Then he would be able to provoke
them to seek justice on behalf of the wounds on Caesar’s body. Even the stones – the stone – hearted
people would be moved with emotions and seek justice.

Passage - All: We'll mutiny.

Explanation of the above passage - The crowd rose to violence.

Passage - First Citizen: We'll burn the house of Brutus.

Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen said that they would burn the house of Brutus.

Passage - Third Citizen: Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.

Explanation of the above passage - The third citizens called the crowd to move and look for the
conspirators.

Passage - ANTONY: Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.

Explanation of the above passage - Antony stopped the crowd again as he wanted it to hear him speak.

Passage - All: Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!

Explanation of the above passage - The crowd stopped to listen to Antony.

Passage - ANTONY: Why, friends, you go to do you know not what:

Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
Alas, you know not: I must tell you then:
You have forgot the will I told you of.
Word meaning
Wherein- in what way
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said that he had not yet told them that Caesar deserved to
be loved by the Romans. They had forgotten to read Caesar’s will.

Passage - All: Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the will.
Explanation of the above passage - All the men said that they will hear the will before leaving.

Passage - ANTONY: Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.

To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.
Word meaning
drachmas- silver coins
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Explanation of the above passage - Antony showed them the will which had Caesar’s official stamp on
it. He read it – Caesar had bequeathed seventy-five silver coins to every citizen of Rome.

Passage - Second Citizen: Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen commented that Caesar was the most noble man
and that they would seek revenge for his death.

Passage - Third Citizen: O royal Caesar!

Word meaning
royal - generous
Explanation of the above passage - The third citizen commented that Caesar was generous.

Passage - ANTONY: Hear me with patience.

Explanation of the above passage - Antony wanted to read further and asked the crowd to be quiet.

Passage - All: Peace, ho!

Explanation of the above passage - The crowd screamed for silence.

Passage - ANTONY: Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,

His private arbours and new-planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs forever, common pleasures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
Explanation of the above passage - Antony read the will further and said that Caesar had bequeathed
his gardens, the flowery shelters and the fruit trees by the side of the Tiber river to the people of Rome.
They were for the Romans to use for recreation. He added that this was the true Caesar and he was a
rare person.

Passage - First Citizen: Never, never. Come, away, away!

We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.
Take up the body.
Explanation of the above passage - The first citizen said that they would treat Caesar’s body like a
sacred object and burn it at a sacred place. They would take the burning wood from Caesar’s pyre and
burn the houses of his killers with it. He asked the crowd to pick the body.

Passage - Second Citizen: Go fetch fire.

Explanation of the above passage - The second citizen asked for fire.

Passage - Third Citizen: Pluck down benches.

Explanation of the above passage - The third citizen suggested that they could pull the benches out and
use the wood for fire. The crowd was so restless that it could wait no longer.

Passage - Fourth Citizen: Pluck down forms, windows, anything.

Explanation of the above passage - The fourth citizen suggested that hey pull anything – forms, window
frames, etc.
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Passage - Exeunt Citizens with the body

Explanation of the above passage - The citizens went with Caesar’s body.

Passage - ANTONY: Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,

Take thou what course thou wilt!
Word meaning
afoot - started
Explanation of the above passage - Antony said to himself that now the crowd would work on its own
and deliver justice to Caesar. He said that now bad behavior had started, and it would take further
course of action that it deemed appropriate.

Passage - Exeunt
Explanation of the above passage - Antony exited the stage.

After the extract:

Antony instigates the mob to revenge. He then sits with Octavius Caesar, Julius Caesar's nephew, coldly
calculating how to purge any future threat. Brutus and Cassius fall apart as the idealist in Brutus is
outraged by Cassius' practicality. The armies of Octavius Caesar and Antony clash with those of Brutus
and Cassius at Philippi and Sardis. Brutus and Cassius are defeated and both commit suicide.