Julius Caesar act 3 quotes

“Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar.” (3.1. 79)

speaker: caesar

context: his final words before dying, after Brutus and conspirators stabbed him

paraphrase: you too Brutus? then Caesar is dead

significance: Ironic that he’s still arrogant because you would expect him to no longer be arrogant once he accepted his fate but he accepted his fate but was still arrogant by speaking in the third person

“How many ages hence/ shall this our lofty scene be acted over/ in states unborn and accents yet unknown!” (3.2.111-113)

speaker: cassius

context: right after the murder and cassius is talking to conspirators

paraphrase: this act will live on forever and be shown over and over in different countries and in different languages

significance: dramatic irony because when Shakespeare wrote it, he was in a different country speaking in a different language, character knowing that this scene will be played over and over in different countries in the future

“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.” (3.1.254-257)

speaker: Antony

context: during his soliloquy after the conspirators left and he was left alone with caesar

paraphrase: Forgive me caesar for being so gentle with these criminals. You are the dead body of the most noble person who has ever lived.

significance: characterizes antony as two faced because one moment he was gentle and kind with the conspirators and then when he was alone, he showed his true anger. Also characterizes Antony as being persuasive because the conspirators easily believed him that they were allies and weren’t seeking revenge. Ironic how the conspirators were trying to do good by killing Caesar and thinks they’re being honorable by doing so but they were actually acting as butcherers which is what Antony called them. Conflict between antony and conspirators because he is directly calling them butcherers and feels hatred towards them.

“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” (3.1.270-273)

speaker: antony

context: during his soliloquy about his real feelings about conspirators when he was alone with caesar

paraphrase: Caesar's spirit will come back from hell for revenge and cause war among Rome.

Significance: foreshadowing the fear for Caesar's ghost returning and making everyone suffer and how there will be civil war, evils, destruction. High and low imagery showing caesar falling and now he’s in hell where his spirit will rise up

“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.” (3.2.46-48)

Speaker: brutus

context: brutus giving speech during caesar’s funeral

paraphrase: since I’ve killed my best friend for the better of rome, I’m also willing to kill myself for the good of rome if that’s needed.

significance: characterizes Brutus as honorable and credible and devoted to his country, willing to do anything for Rome which builds up as ethos

“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” (3.2.182-184)

speaker: antony

context: his speech during caesar funeral when describing mantle

paraphrase: Caesar deeply loved brutus and brutus stabbing Caesar was the worst stab of all.

significance: he's using pathos to get emotional response out of audience because he's explaining betrayal of caesar and how upset caesar was right before he died that brutus betrayed him, characterizes caesar as a loving person and brutus as a traitor

“He was my friend, faithful and just to me;/ But Brutus says he was ambitious,/ And Brutus is an honorable man. (3.2. 86-88)

speaker: antony

context: his speech during caesar’s funeral

paraphrase: Caesar was my friend and he was kind to me, but Brutus, who's highly respected, says he was ambitious

significance: irony because he mentions how brutus said caesar was ambitious but he then gave the three points on how caesar wasn’t ambitious, characterizes caesar as being kinder than what is usually shown because we usually see him as being arrogant but antony knew him well and is talking about this different kinder side of him. Trying to build his credibility with the crowd by acting like he's a good guy and believes what the honorable people said, trying to build emotional connection with the crowd

“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.” (3.2.218-221)

speaker: antony

context: during caesars funeral

paraphrase: I am not a good speaker like Brutus, I'm too plain and direct, the conspirators knew I loved Caesar and allowed me to speak of him.

significance: showing ethos by making himself seem like a normal person like the rest of the people so the people feel a connection towards him and builds up his reputation as being one among them