English Julius Caesar test

Grant that, and then is death a benefit.

So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridged

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 marketplace,

And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads,

Let’s all cry “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”

Brutus argues that killing Caesar is a favor because it shortens his time spent worrying about death. He directs the conspirators to wash their hands and swords in Caesar's blood to show they are responsible, then march to the marketplace and announce that Rome is now free.

Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up

To such a sudden flood of mutiny.

They that have done this deed are honorable.

What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,

That made them do it. They are wise and honorable

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.

Mark antony ironically tells the roman crowd he doesnt want to cause a riot or insult Brutus and the conspirators when calling them honorable despite them killing Caesar, he claims ge was just a blunt man lacking speaking skills attempting to turn the public against the murderers.

Octavius, I have seen more days than you,

And, though we lay these honors on this man

To ease ourselves of diverse sland’rous loads,

He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold,

To groan and sweat under the business,

Either led or driven, as we point the way;

And having brought our treasure where we will,

Then take we down his load and turn him off

(Like to the empty ass) to shake his ears

And graze in commons.

Mark Antony is telling Octavius how lepidus is just a tool to be used and thrown away, he compares lepidus to a donkey or in this case a “ass” carrying cold meant to be sweat under a heavy load acting only as commanded and be abandoned once his purpose was done.

Remember March; the ides of March remember.

Did not great Julius bleed for justice’ sake?

What villain touched his body that did stab

And not for justice? What, shall one of us

That struck the foremost man of all this world

But for supporting robbers, shall we now

Contaminate our fingers with base bribesr a heavy 

And sell the mighty space of our large honors

Fay, he or so much trash as may be graspèd thus?

I had rather be a dog and bay the moon Than such a Roman.

Brutus argues with cassius about taking bribes, he reminds Cassius that they killed Caesar on March 15th for the sake of justice not for personal gain, Brutus insists that because they killed the worlds most powerful man for being corrupt they shouldnt turn into corrupt robbers themselves by selling honor for money.

No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman,

That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome.

He bears too great a mind. But this same day

Must end that work the ides of March begun.

And whether we shall meet again, I know not.

Therefore our everlasting farewell take.

Forever and forever farewell, Cassius.

If we do meet again, why we shall smile;

If not, why then this parting was well made.

Brutus is telling Cassius his goodbyes not wanting to be led as a prisoner through Rome. He acknowledges the battle ending and what they began marking the final farewell.

Are yet two Romans living such as these?—

The last of all the Romans, fare thee well.

It is impossible that ever Rome

Should breed thy fellow.—Friends, I owe more

tears

To this dead man than you shall see me pay.—

I shall find time, Cassius; I shall find time.—

Come, therefore, and to Thasos send his body.

His funerals shall not be in our camp,

Lest it discomfort us.—Lucilius, come.—

And come, young Cato. Let us to the field.—

Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on.

’Tis three o’clock, and, Romans, yet ere night

We shall try fortune in a second fight.

These two men are honorable but we cant mourn them right now after the battle we will mourn them properly.