Reading Guide for Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Flavius

A tribune who scolds citizens for celebrating Caesar.

Murellus

Tribune who criticizes the crowd's loyalty shift.

Caesar's feathers

Symbolizes Caesar's accomplishments and rising power.

Beware the Ides of March

Fortuneteller's warning about Caesar's assassination.

Brutus's internal conflict

Struggle over Caesar's power versus Roman liberty.

Cassius's manipulation

Uses forged letters to sway Brutus against Caesar.

Unnatural wonders

Strange occurrences indicating unrest in Rome.

Caesar's crown refusal

Caesar pretends to decline power to gain favor.

Cassius's threat

He will commit suicide if Caesar becomes king.

Public perception of Caesar

Commoners view him as a hero, others as a threat.

Murellus's description of crowd

Calls citizens 'blocks' and 'stones' to show ignorance.

Flavius's actions

Plans to remove citizens and decorations from streets.

Cassius's disdain for Romans

Believes they act like sheep, following Caesar blindly.

Brutus's fear

Worries about the crowd's reaction to Caesar.

Cassius's qualities disliked by Caesar

Thinks too much, unsociable, and appears hungry.

Caesar's behavior in arena

Feigns humility while seeking public adoration.

Cassius's shame

Expresses frustration over Caesar's potential tyranny.

Crowd's cheers for Caesar

Publicly praises him, despite his false humility.

Flavius and Murellus's goal

To diminish Caesar's growing influence and power.

Brutus's civic duty

Motivates him to consider action against Caesar.

Casca's report

Describes unnatural events as signs of trouble.

Cassius's belief about gods

Claims they are angry at Caesar's ambition.

Brutus's noble status

His reputation is key to the conspiracy's success.

Caesar's Power

Derived from manipulation of submissive Roman people.

Brutus' Role

His presence legitimizes the conspiracy against Caesar.

Brutus' Doubts

Considers reasons for assassinating Caesar.

Cicero's Exclusion

Brutus believes Cicero is a leader, not a follower.

Antony's Fate

Brutus opposes killing Antony to avoid jealousy perception.

Decius' Persuasion

Will convince Caesar to go to Capitol despite illness.

Calphurnia's Fears

Strange events frighten her before Caesar's assassination.

Caesar on Death

Claims death is unavoidable and not to be feared.

Fortune-Tellers' Warning

Advise Caesar to stay home due to bad omens.

Artemidorus' Warning

Plans to deliver a letter to Caesar about conspiracy.

Portia's Secrets

Expresses difficulty in keeping Brutus' secrets.

Portia's Inquiry

Asks Lucius about Brutus' well-being at Capitol.

Portia's Weakness

Attributes her vulnerability to her womanhood.

Conspirators Named

Artemidorus lists eight conspirators against Caesar.

Brutus' Justification

Believes honorable men act for a just cause.

Brutus' Soliloquy

Reflects on doubts regarding Caesar's potential tyranny.

Cicero's Influence

Old orator viewed as a leader in Rome.

Decius' Interpretation

Claims Calphurnia's dream signifies life for Rome.

Strange Omens

Lioness births, graves open, blood rains in clouds.

Brutus' Illness

Portia suspects Brutus is hiding secrets.

Caesar's Message

Instructs Decius to inform senators of his illness.

Brutus' Concerns

Fears Caesar's rise to power may corrupt him.

Soothsayer

Warns Caesar about the Ides of March.

Artemidorus

Urges Caesar to read his warning letter.

Caesar's Authority

Refusal to pardon shows strong belief in power.

Caesar's Dying Words

"Et tu, Brute?" signifies betrayal by Brutus.

Brutus' Justification

Believes killing Caesar prevents tyranny and saves Rome.

Brutus vs. Cassius

Brutus wants transparency; Cassius fears retaliation from Antony.

Antony's Requests

Wants to speak at funeral, access body, and explanation.

Antony's Warnings

Predicts civil war, bloodshed, and Caesar's ghost seeking revenge.

Antony's Strategy

Uses funeral oration to gauge public reaction.

Brutus' Speech

Claims he killed Caesar for the good of Rome.

Antony's Evidence

Cites Caesar's refusal of the crown as non-ambitious.

Caesar's Will

Leaves 75 drachmas to each citizen and parks to Rome.

Mob Mentality

Attacks Cinna shows irrationality and lack of reason.

Proscribed Relatives

Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus have condemned relatives.

Antony's Will Change

Wants to alter it for personal gain.

Cinna the Poet

Attacked for his name, not actions.

Brutus' Appeal

Hopes to convince Antony to join their cause.

Cassius' Fear

Worried about Antony inciting revenge.

Caesar's Actions

Brought wealth to Rome, showed compassion for poor.

Public Reaction

Antony manipulates crowd emotions against conspirators.

Caesar's Ambition

Brutus claims ambition led to his assassination.

Antony's Manipulation

Uses rhetoric to sway public opinion after assassination.

Caesar's Will

Document revealing wealth left to Roman citizens.

Antony's Manipulation

Antony exploits public grief for political gain.

Lepidus

Antony views him as a weak tool.

Octavius's View on Lepidus

Octavius respects Lepidus as a loyal ally.

Chained to the Stake

Feeling vulnerable and unsure of trust.

Hot Friend Cooling

Brutus describes weakening friendship with Cassius.

Tent Discussion

Brutus and Cassius avoid public conflict.

Brutus's Accusation

Accuses Cassius of corruption and greed.

Cassius's Despair

Requests Brutus to end his life.

Portia's Death Reaction

Brutus calms down, leading to reconciliation.

March to Philippi

Brutus wants to attack Antony and Octavius.

Sardis Support

Brutus believes Sardis won't aid them.

Antony and Octavius's Fear

Conspirators fear their combined power.

Cassius's Blame

Cassius blames Brutus for their predicament.

Octavius's Vow

Swears to avenge Caesar's death.

Brutus's Arguments

Brutus persuades Cassius to act against enemies.

Cassius's Weary Life

Expresses fatigue and desire for death.

Brutus's Leadership

Brutus allows Antony to speak at funeral.

Antony's Information Gathering

Antony learns plans through loyal informants.

Signs of Disagreement

Antony and Octavius show conflict over strategy.

Ghost of Caesar

Informs Brutus, 'I'll see you at Philippi.'

Public Actions

Antony deduces intentions from Brutus's behavior.

Political Landscape

Antony understands dynamics to gather intelligence.

Cassius' Fear Sign

Eagles circling indicate impending battle doom.

Brutus and Cassius' Agreement

They choose suicide over capture and humiliation.

Brutus' Attack Order

Final stand against Antony's forces; honor in battle.

Cassius' Alienation

Poor decisions lead to distrust among his soldiers.

Titinius' Mission

Sent to identify distant soldiers' allegiance.

Cassius' Mistaken Belief

Thinks Titinius captured, leading to his suicide.

Pindarus' Freedom

Earned by killing Cassius on command.

Cause of Cassius' Death

Misunderstanding leads to despair and suicide.

Titinius' Suicide

Loyalty to Cassius drives him to die.

Brutus on Romans' Deaths

Cassius and Titinius symbolize decline of Roman ideals.