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And now for KickAss Shakespeare's presentation of:
The Tragedie of Julius Caesar
Text version: 0.9.1.3
Program built on: 8-May-2024 at 8:00 PM
Julius Caesar, born a minor aristocrat, had risen through the military to become the last general standing during the Roman Republic’s civil war. His last victory had been over the sons of Pompey in Spain, and having just returned to Rome, he is holding a victory parade, a Triumph, as if he had defeated a foreign land, not fellow Romans in a civil war. While many in Rome cheered him, some of the aristocrats and senators - fearing that Caesar would be declared King and the Senate would lose all its power – were beginning to organize against him - though any outward opposition could lead to being ‘put to silence’.
The aristocrats knew that to make Caesar a king would be the end of the Roman Republic. Those who supported him did so because either they believed that Rome needed a strong, absolute ruler to bring peace and prosperity to the empire, or they did so out of personal loyalty to Caesar.
Mark Antony was very close to Caesar and was his most ardent supporter. Senator Cassius vehemently objects to Caesar’s rise to power, fearing what will happen if he is declared King. He enlists others to actively oppose Caesar, especially another popular and powerful senator, Brutus.
Brutus is reluctant at first, but then becomes the leader of the gang that plots Caesar’s murder.
Act I
Act I. Scene I. Rome. A street.
Two of them disperse the common people from the streets and take down the decorations that adorn the statues and images of Caesar for the occasion.
Enter Flavius, Murellus, and certain Commoners
Is this a holiday? What, know you not,
Being
Upon a
Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?
Speak, what trade art thou?
Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
Enter Flavius, Murellus, and certain Commoners
Is this a Holiday? What, know you not
(Being Mechanicall) you ought not walke
Vpon a labouring day, without the signe
Of your Profession? Speake, what Trade art thou?
Lupercalia was a pastoral festival of Ancient Rome observed annually on February 15 to purify the city, promoting health and fertility.Not to be confused with Lupercaldespite the similar spelling and sound.~from Wikipedia
Flavius and Marullus, were Tribunes, an office which was created in 494 BC, to protect the plebeians (here called commoners), from being oppressed by the patricians. Under the rule of Sulla, the tribunes had been deprived of the greater part of their power; but their powers had been restored by Pompey. For this reason, Flavius and Marullus are loyal to the memory and party of Pompey and indignantly resist any attempt to honor Caesar. ~Hutton
hence, has several different meanings depending on the context but all are centered around distance, both in space and in time.
mechanical, laborors and semi-skilled workers, normally referring to people who make, build, and repair things.
sign of your profession, Sign of your profession : this is not a reference to the badges of the mediaeval and Elizabethan guilds, as some editors have argued. The phrase simply implies "without your working garments." The men were attired in holiday garb.TJC
thou vs. you, 'Thou' was generally used by a master to a servant and by a superior to an inferior. The use of 'thou' was already in decline by Shakespeare's time.TJC
Why sir, a carpenter.
Why sir, a carpenter.
Where is thy leather apron and thy
What dost thou with thy best
You sir, what trade are you?
Where is thy leather apron and thy
You sir, what trade are you?
What dost thou with thy best Apparrell on?
You sir, what Trade are you ?
Truly sir,
as you would say, a cobbler.
Truly sir,
but as you would say, a Cobler.
cobbler, Cobbler had two meanings in Shakespeare's time:
1) a crude workman.
2) a mender of shoes.
The two meanings confuse Marulius as to what the man means when he says he is a cobbler, so he asks him again.
Also 'to cobble' can mean to patch up in a rough or in not too skillful a mannerDJC
But what trade art thou?
But what trade art thou?
A trade sir, that I hope, I may
conscience; which is indeed sir, a mender of bad soles.
A trade sir, that I hope I may
Conscience, which is indeed Sir, a Mender of bad soules.
mender of bad soles, The pun on 'soles' and 'souls' was a favourite one among Elizabethans, and was more apparent to them than to us, as the verbal distinction between the words was less marked then than it is now now: 'soles' being spelt 'souls'. Cf. [Merchant of Venice, IV. i. 123, 1st. folio, "Not on thy soale but on thy soule, harsh Jew."TJC
What trade, thou
What trade thou
what Trade?
knave, boy (here used affectionately) though in Shakespeare's time the word had begun to take on the modern meaning of rogue, rascal, and sometimes it is used that way by the poet.ThurberJC
Shakespeare uses it both ways in different places.
Nay I
if you
Nay I
if you be out Sir, I can mend you.
mend, Here 'mend' can mean 'repair the soles of shoes, or it can mean to correct the character of a person.
It continues the pun on 'soles' and 'souls'
What meanest thou by that? Mend me, thou
What meanest thou by that? Mend me, thou
sawcy Fellow?
Why sir,
Why sir,
Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
Thou art a cobbler, art thou?
Truly sir, all that I live by is with the awl: I
meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's
matters, but withal. I am indeed, sir, a surgeon
to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I
Truly sir, all that I live by is with the awl. I
meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's
matters, but withal. I am indeed, sir, a surgeon
to old shoes. When they are in great danger, I
meddle with no Tradesmans matters, nor womens matters;
but withal I am indeed Sir, a Surgeon to old shooes:
when they are in great danger, I recouer them. As proper
men as euer trod vpon Neats Leather, haue gone vpon
my handy-worke.
As proper men ... neat's leather, this was a popular saying in Elizabethan days. Shakespeare uses it again in The Tempest.
Neat is pure Saxon for an ox or cow.TJC
withal / with awl, Note the pun on sound of the two words.
awl, A thin leather punch with a large handle to fit the palm of a hand.
I recover them, A pun upon the word, 'recover', in the two senses of 'covering again,' and 'of restoring to a healthy state (a person's soul).'~DJC
But
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets?
But
Why do'st thou leade these men about the streets?
Truly sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself
30into more work.
to see Caesar, and to rejoice in his
Truly sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work.
selfe into more worke. But indeede sir, we make Holyday
to see Caesar, and to reioyce in his Triumph.
Caesar's triumph, This was Caesar's fifth triumph, and was celebrated to commemorate his victory in Spain over the sons of Pompey, whom he defeated on, March 17, B.C. 45.TJC
A triumph was a massive military parade moving through the streets of Rome, substantially in the following order:
1) the magistrates;
2) the Senate;
3) trumpeters;
4) wagons and platforms laden with spoils, bearing explanatory labels, pictures, maps, models, etc.;
5) flute-players;
6) white bulls or oxen for sacrifice;
7) priests and their attendants;
8) elephants, or other strange animals from the conquered districts;
9) arms, standards, and insignia of the conquered nations;
10) captive princes, leaders, and their kindred;
11) other prisoners of war in fetters;
12) crowns and gifts from allies;
13) lictors in single file with brows and fasces wreathed with laurel;
14) the triumphant Imperator, standing with his youngest children in a circular car drawn by four horses;
15) his grown-up sons on horseback;
16) mounted legati, tribuni, and equites;
17) Roman legions laurelled and marching in column, singing and shouting.
~Hutton
The Tribunes, who dislike Caesar, are mad because Triumphs were celebrated for victories over foreign peoples, but this Triumph celebrates a victory over other Romans in a civil war.
What
You blocks, you stones, you worse than
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements,
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops,
40Your infants in your arms, and there have sat
The livelong day, with patient expectation,
To see great Pompey
And when you saw his chariot
Have you not made
To hear the
Made in her
And do you now put on your best attire?
And do you now
And do you now strew flowers in his way
That comes in triumph over Pompey's
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Pray to the gods to
That needs must
You blocks, you stones, you worse than
And do you now put on your best attire?
And do you now
Be gone!
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
pray to the gods to
What Conquest brings he home?
What Tributaries follow him to Rome,
To grace in Captiue bonds his Chariot Wheeles?
You Blockes, you stones, you worse then senslesse things:
O you hard hearts, you cruell men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey many a time and oft?
Haue you climb'd vp to Walles and Battlements,
To Towres and Windowes? Yea, to Chimney tops,
Your Infants in your Armes, and there haue sate
The liue-long day, with patient expectation,
To see great Pompey passe the streets of Rome:
And when you saw his Chariot but appeare,
Haue you not made an Vniuersall shout,
That Tyber trembled vnderneath her bankes
To heare the replication of your sounds,
Made in her Concaue Shores?
And do you now put on your best attyre?
And do you now cull out a Holyday?
And do you now strew Flowers in his way,
That comes in Triumph ouer Pompeyes blood?
Be gone,
Runne to your houses, fall vpon your knees,
Pray to the Gods to intermit the plague
That needs must light on this Ingratitude.
Pompey, Pompey surnamed the Great, the rival of Csesar, and the champion of the aristocratic Republican party in Rome. He was defeated by Caesar at Pharsalia, in 48 BC.
Tributaries, captives of war. So-called because their countries, being conquered, would pay tribute to Rome. This triumph was not a celebration of a foreign conquest, and the tribunes, who belong to the Pompeian party, are enraged at the popular demonstration in honor of Caesar.HJC
his chariot but appear, but here means 'first' or 'only': the meaning is that the chariot scarcely had made its appearance when the plaudits commenced. 'But' had no fixed place in Elizabethan sentences.TJC
concave shores, Banks of a river hollowed out by the flow of its water, most notable at the bends in a river's course.
Go, go, good countrymen, and for
Assemble all the poor men of your sort;
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
Into the channel, till the lowest stream
Exeunt all the Commoners
See where their
They vanish, tongue-tied in their guiltiness.
Go you down that way towards the Capitol;
This way will I. Disrobe the
If you do find them
Go, go good countrymen, and for this
fault assemble all the poor men of your sort.
Draw them to Tiber banks and weep your tears
into the channel till the lowest stream
Exeunt all the Commoners
See where their
Go you down that way towards the Capitol,
this way will I. Disrobe the
Assemble all the poore men of your sort;
Draw them to Tyber bankes, and weepe your teares
Into the Channell, till the lowest streame
Do kisse the most exalted Shores of all.
Exeunt. all the Commoners.
See where their basest mettle be not mou'd,
They vanish tongue-tyed in their guiltinesse:
Go you downe that way towards the Capitoll,
This way will I: Disrobe the Images,
If you do finde them deckt with Ceremonies
ceremonies, festal garlands and ornaments. (Referred to as 'scarfs' in the next scene.) The crowning of Caesar's statues was another attempt to influence the populace to make him a king. North's Plutarch reads, "There were set up images of Caesar in the city, with diadems on their heads, like kings."TJC
basest metal, The meaning is, the meanest spirited - those who are dull and gross, like the baser metals such as iron and lead.
Capitol, 'Capitol' here, as in the rest of the play, does not refer to a government building or the seat of government but rather the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the Capitoline Hill, dedicated to the three great gods of the Romans, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.~HJC
May we do so?
You know it is the feast
May we do so?
You know it is the feast
You know it is the Feast of Lupercall
Lupercal, An ancient Roman festival held annually on the 15th of February, in honor of Lupercus (the Greeks called him Pan), the god of fertility.
The Lupercal itself was a cavern in the Palatine Hill. It was there that the she-wolf is fabled to have suckled Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who founded of Rome.~HJC
It is no matter; let no
Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about,
And drive away the
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing
Will make him fly an ordinary
Who else would soar above the view of men
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.
Exeunt
It is no matter. Let no
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing
will make him fly an ordinary
Exeunt
Be hung with Caesars Trophees: Ile about,
And driue away the Vulgar from the streets:
So do you too, where you perceiue them thicke.
These growing Feathers, pluckt from Caesars wing,
Will make him flye an ordinary pitch,
Who else would soare aboue the view of men,
And keepe vs all in seruile fearefulnesse.
Exit.
trophies, Symbols of victory. Originally, a trophy was a monument erected on a battle-field at the point where the enemy had been made to surrender, or had been put to flight. It was decorated with the captured arms.
the vulgar, not only the mob, but the lower orders - the workers, and the common people generally.TJC
fly...pitch, a term in falconry, meaning to fly at a certain level. Henry Vl, II. "Between two hawks which flies the higher pitch?". It is also used metaphorically as it is here.TJC
Act I. Scene II. A public place.
Elsewhere Brutus and Cassius hear the roar of the crowds. Casca arrives and tells Brutus and Cassius what happened when Mark Antony offered a king’s crown to Caesar.
Flourish. Enter Caesar; Antony for the course; Calpurnia, Portia, Decius Brutus, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Casca; and after them Murellus and Flavius
Calpurnia.
Calpurnia.
Enter Caesar, Antony for the Course, Calphurnia, Portia, De-
cius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, a Soothsayer: af-
ter them Murellus and Flauius.
for the course, Stripped to the waist and wearing a girdle of goatskin.
From Plutarch's Julius Caesar:, "At that time, the feast of Luperealia was celebrated, which in old times, was the feast of Shepheards or Herdsmen, ... That day there are a number noblemen's sons, young men (and some of them who are magistrates themselves), who run naked through the City, lightly striking in sport those they meet in their way with leather thongs, hair and all on, to make them give way to the runners.
And many noble women, and gentlewomen too, go for the purpose to stand in their way, and do put forth their hands to be stricken with the leaves of the ferula plant; persuading themselves that, if they are with child, they shall have a good delivery; and if the are barren, that it will make them to conceive with child.
Antony, who was Consul at that time, was one of those that ran this holy course." ~HJC
Calpurnia, Was Caesar's fourth wife, married to him in 59 BC.~HJC
Calpurnia!
Calpurnia!
Here, my lord.
Here, my lord.
Stand you directly in Antonio's way,
When he doth run his
Stand you directly in Antonio's way
when he doth run his
Antonio!
When he doth run his course. Antonio.
Antonio's way...run his course, Antony was one of the priests of the Luperci, and was therefore about to run throughout the part of the town immediately adjoining the forum (market place) and thus past Caesar and his wife Calpurnia.TJC
Caesar, my lord?
Caesar, my lord?
Forget not, in your speed Antonio,
To touch Calpurnia: for our elders say,
10The barren touched in this holy
Shake off their
Forget not, in your speed Antonio,
to touch Calpurnia for our elders say
the barren touched in this holy
To touch Calphurnia: for our Elders say,
The Barren touched in this holy chace,
Shake off their sterrile curse.
Forget not...To touch Calpurnia, Caesar was very desirous of having an heir. His only daughter, Julia, had died ten years before.~HJC
I shall remember:
When Caesar says 'Do this', it is perform'd.
I shall remember: when Caesar says 'Do this', it is perform'd.
When Caesar sayes, Do this; it is perform'd.
Flourish
Flourish
Caesar!
Caesar!
Ha? Who calls?
Ha? Who calls?
Bid every noise be still:
Bid every noise be still.
Who is it in the
I hear a
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Who is it in the
I hear a
Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.
I heare a Tongue shriller then all the Musicke
Cry, Caesar: Speake, Caesar is turn'd to heare.
Beware the
Beware the
Ides of March, According to the Roman calendar, the Ides fell on the 15th of March, May, July and October, and on the 13th of the other months.TJC
In Roman times a date would be referred to by its relationship to established markers in a month e.g., 'Five days before the Ides'.
What man is that?
What man is that?
A
A
Set him before me; let me see his face.
Set him before me, let me see his face.
Fellow, come from the
Fellow, come from the
What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again.
What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again.
Beware the
Beware the
He is
Sennet sounds. Exit all except Brutus and Cassius
He is
Sennet sounds. Exit all except Brutus and Cassius
Sennet
Exeunt. Manet Brut. & Cass.
Sennet, A llourish of trumpets. Often found in stage directions to indicate the exit or the entrance of important people
Manet, In stage directions means 'except'. Normally only found in the source texts, not in modern renditions.KAS
Will you go see the
Will you go see the
Not I.
Not I.
I pray you do.
I pray you do.
I am not
Of that
Let me not hinder Cassius your desires;
I'll leave you.
I am not
Of that quicke Spirit that is in Antony:
Let me not hinder Cassius your desires;
Ile leaue you.
gamesome, not meaning 'playful' as it frequently does now, but rather ' fond of playing sports and games'.
Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have
And show of love as I was wont to have:
You bear too stubborn and too strange
Brutus, I do observe you now of late.
I have
I haue not from your eyes, that gentlenesse
And shew of Loue, as I was wont to haue:
You beare too stubborne, and too strange a hand
Ouer your Friend, that loues you
.
You bear...a hand, too harsh and unfamiliar a manner: "hand" here must be regarded as equivalent to the present day, "to keep too strict a hand over" i.e. too much authorityTJC
Cassius,
Be not deceived: if I have
I turn the trouble of my
Of late with
Which give some
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved--
Among which number, Cassius, be you one--
50Nor
Than that poor Brutus with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men.
Cassius,
be not deceived. If I have
Be not deceiu'd: If I haue veyl'd my looke,
I turne the trouble of my Countenance
Meerely vpon my selfe. Vexed I am
Of late, with passions of some difference,
Conceptions onely proper to my selfe,
Which giue some soyle (perhaps) to my Behauiours:
But let not therefore my good Friends be greeu'd
(Among which number Cassius be you one)
Nor construe any further my neglect,
Then that poore Brutus with himselfe at warre,
Forgets the shewes of Loue to other men.
shows of love, Here, as elsewhere in this play 'love' means 'great friendship' not romantic love.
Then Brutus I have much mistook your passion;
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy
Tell me good Brutus, can you see your face?
Then Brutus I have much mistook your passion,
by means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
thoughts of great value, worthy
Tell me good Brutus, can you see your face?
By meanes whereof, this Brest of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy Cogitations.
Tell me good Brutus, Can you see your face?
No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself,
But by reflection,
No Cassius, for the eye sees not itself
but by reflection,
For the eye sees not it selfe but by reflection,
By some other things
the eye sees not itself, a familiar saying to the Elizabethans.TJC
And it is very much lamented Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
That you might see your
Where many of the
(Except immortal Caesar) speaking of Brutus
And groaning underneath
Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes.
And it is very much lamented Brutus,
that you have no such mirrors as will
And it is very much lamented Brutus,
That you haue no such Mirrors, as will turne
Your hidden worthinesse into your eye,
That you might see your shadow:
I haue heard,
Where many of the best respect in Rome,
(Except immortall Caesar) speaking of Brutus,
And groaning vnderneath this Ages yoake,
Haue wish'd, that Noble Brutus had his eyes
had his eyes, there is an ambiguity here as to whether the "persons of the best respect" desired that Brutus saw things with their eyes, or had his own eyes see as they wished him to see.TJC
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
That you would have me seek into myself
70For that which is not in me?
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me?
Leade me Cassius?
That you would haue me seeke into my selfe,
For that which is not in me?
And since you know you cannot see yourself
So well as by reflection, I, your
Will modestly
That of yourself which you yet know not of.
And
Were I a common
To
To every
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard
And
That I
To
Flourish, and shout
Flourish, and shout
And since you know, you cannot see your selfe
So well as by Reflection; I your Glasse,
Will modestly discouer to your selfe
That of your selfe, which you yet know not of.
And be not iealous on me, gentle Brutus:
Were I a common Laughter, or did vse
To stale with ordinary Oathes my loue
To euery new Protester: if you know,
That I do fawne on men, and hugge them hard,
And after scandall them: Or if you know,
That I professe my selfe in Banquetting
To all the Rout, then hold me dangerous.
Flourish, and Shout.
What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
What means this shouting? I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king.
I do feare, the People choose Caesar
For their King.
king, Cassius, Brutus and others believed, or at least had growing suspicions, that Caesar wanted to be King and thus take away the power of the Senate and the aristocracy, especially as by being crowned King, Caesar could pass the crown down to his heirs. This was anathema to those who believed in the democratic (at least for the upper class) replublic.
A republic is a sovereign state or country which is organised with a form of government in which power resides in elected individuals representing the citizen body and government leaders exercise power according to the rule of law- from Wikipedia
Ay, do you fear it?
Then must I think you would not have it so.
Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so.
Then must I thinke you would not haue it so.
I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.
But
What is it that you would impart to me?
If it be aught toward the general good,
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other,
And I will look on both
For let the gods so
The name of honour, more than I fear death.
I would not Cassius, yet I love him well.
But
But wherefore do you hold me heere so long?
What is it, that you would impart to me?
If it be ought toward the generall good,
Set Honor in one eye, and Death i'th other,
And I will looke on both indifferently:
For let the Gods so speed mee, as I loue
The name of Honor, more then I feare death.
I know that virtue to be in you Brutus,
As well as I do know your outward
Well, honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
100Think of this life: but for my single self,
I
In awe of such a thing, as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you:
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter's cold as well as he:
For once, upon a raw and
The troubled
Caesar said to me 'Darest thou Cassius now
Leap in with me into this angry flood,
110And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word,
And bade him follow; so indeed he did.
The torrent roar'd, and we did
With lusty
And stemming it with hearts
But ere we could
Caesar cried 'Help me Cassius or I sink!'
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
120The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake;
His coward lips
And that same eye whose
Did lose
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
Alas, it cried 'Give me some drink, Titinius,'
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble
And bear the
Shout. Flourish
I know that virtue to be in you Brutus,
as well as I do know your outward
Upon the word,
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder the old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber did I the tired Caesar.
And this man
is now become a god, and Cassius is
a wretched creature and must
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
and when the fit was on him I did mark
how he did shake. 'Ttis true, this god did shake.
His coward lips
Ye gods, it doth amaze me
a man of such a feeble
Shout. Flourish
As well as I do know your outward fauour.
Well, Honor is the subiect of my Story:
I cannot tell, what you and other men
Thinke of this life: But for my single selfe,
I had as liefe not be, as liue to be
In awe of such a Thing, as I my selfe.
I was borne free as Caesar, so were you,
We both haue fed as well, and we can both
Endure the Winters cold, as well as hee.
For once, vpon a Rawe and Gustie day,
The troubled Tyber, chafing with her Shores,
Caesar saide to me, Dar'st thou Cassius now
Leape in with me into this angry Flood,
And swim to yonder Point? Vpon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in.
And bad him follow: so indeed he did.
The Torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it
With lusty Sinewes, throwing it aside,
And stemming it with hearts of Controuersie.
But ere we could arriue the Point propos'd,
Caesar cride, Helpe me Cassius, or I sinke.
I (as Aeneas, our great Ancestor,
Did from the Flames of Troy, vpon his shoulder
The old Anchyses beare) so, from the waues of Tyber
Did I the tyred Caesar: And this Man,
Is now become a God, and Cassius is
A wretched Creature, and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelesly but nod on him.
He had a Feauer when he was in Spaine,
And when the Fit was on him, I did marke
How he did shake: Tis true, this God did shake,
His Coward lippes did from their colour flye,
And that same Eye, whose bend doth awe the World,
Did loose his Lustre: I did heare him grone:
I, and that Tongue of his, that bad the Romans
Marke him, and write his Speeches in their Bookes,
Alas, it cried, Giue me some drinke Titinius,
As a sicke Girle: Ye Gods, it doth amaze me,
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the Maiesticke world,
And beare the Palme alone.
Shout. Flourish.
Caesar said...swim to yonder point, Caesar was a noted swimmer.TJC
Aeneas, one of the Trojan heroes, who, after the fall of Troy, was said to have gone to Italy and become the father of the Roman people.
The AEneid is the history of his wanderings.TJC
become a god, Divine honours were decreed to Julius Casar even before he died, and thereafter each of the succeeding Roman Emperors was deified.TJC
Titinius, one of Caesar's friends.
bear the palm, An allusion to the custom of placing palm branches in the hands of the victors in the ancient Olympic games.
~HJCAnother
I do believe that these applauses are
140For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar.
Another
I do beleeue, that these applauses are
For some new Honors, that are heap'd on Caesar.
Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that 'Caesar'?
Why should that name be sounded more than yours?
150Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
Weigh them, it is as heavy;
Brutus will
Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed,
That he is grown so great?
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods.
When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome,
That her wide walls encompass'd but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed and room enough,
When there is in it but
O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
There was a Brutus once that would have
The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.
Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
like a Colossus, and we petty men
walk under his huge legs and peep about
to find ourselves dishonourable graves.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not
O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
there was a Brutus once that would have
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walke vnder his huge legges, and peepe about
To finde our selues dishonourable Graues.
Men at sometime, are Masters of their Fates.
The fault (deere Brutus) is not in our Starres,
But in our Selues, that we are vnderlings.
Brutus and Caesar: What should be in that Caesar?
Why should that name be sounded more then yours
Write them together: Yours, is as faire a Name:
Sound them, it doth become the mouth aswell:
Weigh them, it is as heauy: Coniure with 'em,
Brutus will start a Spirit as soone as Caesar.
Now in the names of all the Gods at once,
Vpon what meate doth this our Caesar feede,
That he is growne so great? Age, thou art sham'd.
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of Noble Bloods.
When went there by an Age, since the great Flood,
But it was fam'd with more then with one man?
When could they say (till now) that talk'd of Rome,
That her wide Walkes incompast but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed, and Roome enough
When there is in it but one onely man.
O! you and I, haue heard our Fathers say,
There was a Brutus once, that would haue brook'd
Th' eternall Diuell to keepe his State in Rome,
As easily as a King.
Colossus, The allusion is to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This was a celebrated brazen figure which (it was thought) bestrode the entrance to the harbour of Rhodes, and vessels with all sails set could pass between its legs. It was 70 cubits or 105 feet in height, and started to be built around 300 B.C. and took several years to build. After standing for some seventy or eighty years it was partially demolished by an earthquake in 224 B.C. and was never repaired. Shakespeare refers to it more than once.TJC
conjure with them, Some of the names of Greek and Roman heroes were accounted so powerful that, by using them with certain secret ceremonies, the spirits of the dead could be recalled. TJC
There was a Brutus once, This refers to Lucius Junius Brutus, who, after the outrage upon Lucretia, wife of Collatinus, was instrumental in expelling the Tarquins, the last kings of Rome, (around BC 509).TJC
I have heard,..., Plutarch tells us that Caesar's evident desire to be made king "made the multitude' turn their eyes on Brutus.... But the honors and favors Brutus had received from Caesar checked him from attempting to oppose Caesar on his own accord; for he had not only been pardoned himself by Caesar after Pompey's defeat at Pharsalia, and had procured the same favor for many of his friends, but was one in whom Caesar had a particular confidence. He had, at that time, the most honorable preetorship, and was named for the. consulship four years after, being preferred before Cassius, his competitor.
But Cassius, a man of fierce disposition, and one who, out of private malice, rather than love of the public, hated Caesar the man, not Caesar the tyrant, continually inflamed Brutus and urged him on."~HJC
the great flood, An allusion to the Greek myth of the flood with which Zeus wanted to destroy man because of his degeneracy; but Deucalion, king of a city in Thessaly, and his wife, Pyrrha, saved themselves in a vessel and became the progenitors of a new race.HJC
That you do love me, I
What you
How I have thought of this and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter;
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further moved. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time
Till then, my noble friend,
Brutus had rather be a
Than to
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.
That you do love me, I
What you would worke me too, I haue some ayme:
How I haue thought of this, and of these times
I shall recount heereafter. For this present,
I would not so (with loue I might intreat you)
Be any further moou'd: What you haue said,
I will consider: what you haue to say
I will with patience heare, and finde a time
Both meete to heare, and answer such high things.
Till then, my Noble Friend, chew vpon this:
Brutus had rather be a Villager,
Then to repute himselfe a Sonne of Rome
Vnder these hard Conditions, as this time
Is like to lay vpon vs.
I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
I am glad that my weak words have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.
Haue strucke but thus much shew of fire from Brutus,
The games are done and Caesar is returning.
The games are done and Caesar is returning.
Enter Caesar and his Traine.
And Caesar is returning.
As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve;
And he will, after his sour
What hath
As they pass by pluck Casca by the sleeve
and he will, after his sour
Plucke Caska by the Sleeue,
And he will (after his sowre fashion) tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note to day.
Enter Caesar and his followers
I will do
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow,
190And all the rest look like
Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero
Looks with such
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being
I will do
The angry spot doth glow on Caesars brow,
And all the rest, looke like a chidden Traine;
Calphurnia's Cheeke is pale, and Cicero
Lookes with such Ferret, and such fiery eyes
As we haue seene him in the Capitoll
Being crost in Conference, by some Senators.
Cicero, A Roman senator known for his great oratory and calm, intelligent thoughtfullness. He is later killed by the Triumvirs who rulled Rome after Caesar's murder - Mark Antony, Octavius and Lepidus.
ferret, An animal, akin to the weasel, which bas bright red eyes with a fierce expression.~HJC
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Casca will tell us what the matter is.
Antonio.
Antonio.
Caesar?
Caesar?
Let me have men about me that are fat;
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
Let me have men about me that are fat:
Sleeke-headed men, and such as sleepe a-nights:
Yond Cassius has a leane and hungry looke,
He thinkes too much: such men are dangerous.
Fear him not Caesar, he's not dangerous;
He is a noble Roman and well
Fear him not Caesar, he's not dangerous.
He is a noble Roman and well
He is a Noble Roman, and well giuen.
Would he were fatter; But I fear him not:
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that
He is a great observer and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays,
210As thou dost Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a
As if he mock'd himself and
That could be moved to smile at anything.
Such men as he be never
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.
Sennet sounds. Exit Caesar and all his followers except Casca
Would he were fatter, but I fear him not.
Yet if my name were liable to fear
I do not know the man I should avoid
so soon as that
Sennet sounds. Exit Caesar and all his followers except Casca
Yet if my name were lyable to feare,
I do not know the man I should auoyd
So soone as that spare Cassius. He reades much,
He is a great Obseruer, and he lookes
Quite through the Deeds of men. He loues no Playes,
As thou dost Antony: he heares no Musicke;
Seldome he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himselfe, and scorn'd his spirit
That could be mou'd to smile at any thing.
Such men as he, be neuer at hearts ease,
Whiles they behold a greater then themselues,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd,
Then what I feare: for alwayes I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this eare is deafe,
And tell me truely, what thou think'st of him.
Sennit.
Exeunt. Caesar and his Traine.
You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
You pull'd me by the cloak, would you speak with me?
with me?
Ay, Casca; tell us what hath
That Caesar looks so sad.
Ay, Casca, tell us what hath
That Caesar lookes so sad.
Why you were with him, were you not?
Why you were with him, were you not?
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
Why there was a crown offered him: and being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand thus,
and then the people
Why there was a crown offered him. And being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand thus,
and then the people
offer'd him, he put it by with the backe of his hand thus,
and then the people fell a shouting.
What was the second noise for?
What was the second noise for?
Why for that too.
Why for that too.
They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
They shouted thrice, what was the last cry for?
Why, for that too.
Why for that too.
Was the crown offered him thrice?
Was the crown offered him thrice?
Ay
time
mine honest neighbours shouted.
Ay
time gentler then other; and at euery putting by, mine
honest Neighbors showted.
marry, Originally an expression appealing to the Virgin Mary and gradually corrupted from the name MarieTJC
A common, mild oath.
Who offered him the crown?
Who offered him the crown?
Why Antony.
Why Antony.
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.
I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it:
it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark
Antony offer him a crown--yet 'twas not a crown
neither, 'twas one of these
you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my
thinking, he would
offered it to him again; then he put it by again:
but, to my thinking, he was very loath to
fingers off it. And then he offered it the third
time; he put it the third time by: and still as he
250refused it, the
chapped hands and threw up their sweaty
and
Caesar refused the crown that it had almost
Caesar; for he swounded and fell down
for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of
opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it:
it was mere foolery. I did not mark it. I saw Mark
Antony offer him a crown -- yet 'twas not a crown
neither, 'twas one of these
And still as he
refused it, the
it: It was meere Foolerie, I did not marke it. I sawe
Marke Antony offer him a Crowne, yet 'twas not a
Crowne neyther, 'twas one of these Coronets: and as I
told you, hee put it by once: but for all that, to my thinking,
he would faine haue had it. Then hee offered it to
him againe: then hee put it by againe: but to my thinking,
he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then
he offered it the third time; hee put it the third time by,
and still as hee refus'd it, the rabblement howted, and
clapp'd their chopt hands, and threw vppe their sweatie
Night-cappes, and vttered such a deale of stinking
breath, because Caesar refus'd the Crowne, that it had
(almost) choaked Caesar: for hee swoonded, and fell
downe at it: And for mine owne part, I durst not laugh,
for feare of opening my Lippes, and receyuing the bad
Ayre
rabblement, the mob as contrasted with the vulgar, who were working men.
But, soft, I pray you: what, did Caesar
But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar
He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at
mouth, and was speechless.
He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless.
at mouth, and was speechlesse.
'Tis very like: he hath
'Tis very like he hath
like, likely
No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I,
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
No, Caesar hath it not. But you and I and honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
And honest Caska, we haue the Falling sicknesse.
Caesar fell down. If the
displeased them, as they use to do the players in
the theatre, I am no
If the
sure Caesar fell downe. If the tag-ragge people did not
clap him, and hisse him, according as he pleas'd, and displeas'd
them, as they vse to doe the Players in the Theatre,
I am no true man
tag-rag, (or tagrag) another name for rabble, same as riffraff.TJC
What said he when he came unto himself?
What said he when he came unto himself?
common herd was glad he refused the crown, he
throat to cut. And I had been a man of any
occupation, if I would not have taken him at a word,
I would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so
he fell. When he came to himself again, he said,
If he had done or said anything amiss, he desired
their worships to think it was his
or four wenches, where I stood, cried 'Alas, good
soul!' and forgave him with all their hearts: but
280there's no heed to be
stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.
When he came to himself again he said
if he had done or said anything amiss, he desired
their worships to think it was his
the common Heard was glad he refus'd the Crowne, he
pluckt me ope his Doublet, and offer'd them his Throat
to cut: and I had beene a man of any Occupation, if I
would not haue taken him at a word, I would I might
goe to Hell among the Rogues, and so hee fell. When
he came to himselfe againe, hee said, If hee had done, or
said any thing amisse, he desir'd their Worships to thinke
it was his infirmitie. Three or foure Wenches where I
stood, cryed, Alasse good Soule, and forgaue him with
all their hearts: But there's no heed to be taken of them;
if Caesar had stab'd their Mothers, they would haue done
no lesse
And after that, he came,
And after that he came,
Ay.
Ay.
Did Cicero say anything?
Did Cicero say anything?
Ay, he spoke Greek.
Ay, he spoke Greek.
To what effect?
To what effect?
Nay, and I tell you that, Ill ne'er look you i' the
face again: but those that understood him smiled at
one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own
290part, it was Greek to
news too: Murellus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs
off Caesar's images, are put to silence. Fare you
well. There was more foolery yet, if I could
remember it.
Nay, and I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the
face again. But those that understood him smiled at
one another and shook their heads but for mine own
part, it was Greek to
I could tell you more news too. Murellus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar's images, are put to silence.
Fare you well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember it.
i'th' face againe. But those that vnderstood him, smil'd
at one another, and shooke their heads: but for mine
owne part, it was Greeke to me. I could tell you more
newes too: Murrellus and Flauius, for pulling Scarffes
off Caesars Images, are put to silence. Fare you well.
There was more Foolerie yet, if I could remember
it.
scarfs, festal garlands and ornaments. (Referred to as 'ceremonies' in a previous scene.) The crowning of Caesar's statues was another attempt to influence the populace to make him a king. North's Plutarch reads, "There were set up images of Caesar in the city, with diadems on their heads, like kings."TJC
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?
Will you sup with me tonight Casca?
No, I am promised
No, I am promised
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
Ay, if I be alive and your mind
Dinner worth the eating.
Ay, if I be alive, and your mind
Dinner worth the eating.
Good: I will expect you.
Good. I will expect you.
Do so. Farewell, both.
Exit
Do so. Farewell, both.
Exit
What a blunt fellow
He was
What a blunt fellow
Enter.
He was quick Mettle, when he went to Schoole.
So is he now in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprise,
However he puts on this
This rudeness is a
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite.
So is he now in execution
of any bold or noble enterprise,
however he puts on this
This rudeness is a
Of any bold, or Noble Enterprize,
How-euer he puts on this tardie forme:
This Rudenesse is a Sawce to his good Wit,
Which giues men stomacke to disgest his words
With better Appetite.
Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
I will come home to you; or, if you will,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
For this time I will leaue you:
To morrow, if you please to speake with me,
I will come home to you: or if you will,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
I will do
Exit Brutus
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,
Thy honourable
From
That noble minds keep
For who
Caesar doth
If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
He should not
In
As if they came from
Writings all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name; wherein
Caesar's ambition shall be
And after this, let Caesar
For we will
Exit
I will do
Exit Brutus
Well Brutus, thou art noble, yet I see
thy honourable
Exit
Exit Brutus.
Well Brutus, thou art Noble: yet I see,
Thy Honorable Mettle may be wrought
From that it is dispos'd: therefore it is meet,
That Noble mindes keepe euer with their likes:
For who so firme, that cannot be seduc'd?
Caesar doth beare me hard, but he loues Brutus.
If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
He should not humor me. I will this Night,
In seuerall Hands, in at his Windowes throw,
As if they came from seuerall Citizens,
Writings, all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his Name: wherein obscurely
Caesars Ambition shall be glanced at.
And after this, let Caesar seat him sure,
For wee will shake him, or worse dayes endure.
Exit.
world, To a Roman the world was synonymouse with Rome. So the meaning here is akin to 'think of Rome'. ~HJC
If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius he should not humour me, There are two interpretations of this ambiguous clause: (1) He (Brutus) should not influenoe me; (2) He (Caesar) should not influence me through his affectlon for me.HJC
Act I. Scene III. The same. A street.
Thunder and lightning. Casca and Cicero enter from opposite sides of the stage
Good
Why are you breathless? and why stare you so?
Good
Thunder, and Lightning. Enter Caska, and Cicero.
Why are you breathlesse, and why stare you so?
Are not you
Shakes like a thing
I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds
Have
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,
To be
But never till tonight, never till now,
10Did I go through
Either there is a civil strife in heaven,
Or else the world, too
Incenses them to send destruction.
Are not you
Either there is a civil strife in heaven
or else the world, too
Shakes, like a thing vnfirme? O Cicero,
I haue seene Tempests, when the scolding Winds
Haue riu'd the knottie Oakes, and I haue seene
Th' ambitious Ocean swell, and rage, and foame,
To be exalted with the threatning Clouds:
But neuer till to Night, neuer till now,
Did I goe through a Tempest-dropping-fire.
Eyther there is a Ciuill strife in Heauen,
Or else the World, too sawcie with the Gods,
Incenses them to send destruction.
unfirm, According to Hufford (HJC), who quotes from Abbott, The reason for unfirm instead of infirm seems to be "we use the prefix in where we desire to make the negative a part of the word, and un where the separation is maintained."
To those of us here at KickAss Shakespeare, that seems to be over analyzing things a bit - well actually, over analyzing things a lot. (Unless, of course, you are a scholar, a professional shakespearean actor, or a smartass.)
earth shakes, Shakespeare often uses violent weather and unnatural acts to announce impending doom and gloom, or to proceed significant events (and not good ones either). All happening most usually at night.
Why, saw you anything more
Why, saw you anything more
A common slave--you know him well by sight--
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn
Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand,
Not
Besides--I ha' not since put up my sword--
20Who glared upon me, and went
Without annoying me: and there were
Transformed with their fear; who swore they saw
Men
And yesterday the
Even at noon-day upon the market-place,
Hooting and shrieking. When these
Do
'These are their reasons; they are natural;'
For, I believe, they are portentous things
Unto the
A common slave -- you know him well by sight --
held up his left hand which did flame and burn
like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand,
not
And yesterday the
Held vp his left Hand, which did flame and burne
Like twentie Torches ioyn'd; and yet his Hand,
Not sensible of fire, remain'd vnscorch'd.
Besides, I ha' not since put vp my Sword,
Against the Capitoll I met a Lyon,
Who glaz'd vpon me, and went surly by,
Without annoying me. And there were drawne
Vpon a heape, a hundred gastly Women,
Transformed with their feare, who swore, they saw
Men, all in fire, walke vp and downe the streetes.
And yesterday, the Bird of Night did sit,
Euen at Noone-day, vpon the Market place,
Howting, and shreeking. When these Prodigies
Doe so conioyntly meet, let not men say,
These are their Reasons, they are Naturall:
For I beleeue, they are portentous things
Vnto the Clymate, that they point vpon.
Capitol, (As above.) 'Capitol' here does not refer to a government building or the seat of government but rather the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the Capitoline Hill, dedicated to the three great gods of the Romans, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.~HJC
bird of night, the 'bird of night' i.e. the owl, is active at night so something must be wrong if the are 'hooting and shrieking, at noon. Or so the Elizabethan's appently thought. KAS
Indeed, it is a
But men may
Come Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?
Indeed, it is a
Come Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow?
But men may construe things after their fashion,
Cleane from the purpose of the things themselues.
Comes Caesar to the Capitoll to morrow?
He doth; for he did bid Antonio
Send word to you he would be there tomorrow.
He doth, for he did bid Antonio send word to you he would be there tomorrow.
Send word to you, he would be there to morrow.
Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky
40Is not to walk in.
Good night then, Casca. This disturbed sky is not to walk in.
This disturbed Skie is not to walke in
Farewell, Cicero.
Exit Cicero
Farewell Cicero.
Exit Cicero
Exit Cicero.
Enter Cassius
Who's there?
Who's there?
Enter Cassius.
A Roman.
A Roman.
Casca, by your voice.
Casca, by your voice.
Your ear is good. Cassius, what
Your ear is good. Cassius, what
Cassius, what Night is this?
what (a) night, "a" was frequently omitted in Shakespeare after "what" when it implied "what kind of".TJC
A very pleasing night to honest men.
A very pleasing night to honest men.
Who ever knew the heavens menace so?
Who ever knew the heavens menace so?
Those that have known the earth so full of faults.
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets,
50And, thus
Have bared my bosom to the
And when the
The breast of heaven, I did present myself
Even in the aim and very flash of it.
Those that have known the earth so full of faults.
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets,
faults.
For my part, I haue walk'd about the streets,
Submitting me vnto the perillous Night;
And thus vnbraced, Caska, as you see,
Haue bar'd my Bosome to the Thunder-stone:
And when the crosse blew Lightning seem'd to open
The Brest of Heauen, I did present my selfe
Euen in the ayme, and very flash of it.
unbraced, = with his doublet unbuttoned. Julius Caesar was then played by actors in the dress of their own day i.e., doublets, a kind of shirt worn in Shakespeare's time, and not in that of the period of Julius Caesar.TJC
thunder-stone, The ancients believed that a solid object called 'brantfa" fell with lightning and did the damage. They thought that the rounded nodules of crystallised iron pyrites often found near iron ore were thunder-stones.TJC
But
It is the part of men to fear and tremble,
When the most mighty gods, by
Such dreadful heralds to
But
It is the part of men, to feare and tremble,
When the most mightie Gods, by tokens send
Such dreadfull Heraulds, to astonish vs.
You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life
That should be in a Roman you
Or else you use not. You look pale and
And put on fear and
To see the strange impatience of the heavens:
But if you would consider the true cause
Why all these fires, why all these gliding Ghosts,
Why birds and beasts
Why old men, fools, and children
Why all these things change from their
Their natures and
To monstrous quality--why you shall find
That heaven hath infused them with these spirits,
To make them instruments of fear and warning
Unto some monstrous state.
Most like this dreadful night,
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
As doth the lion in the Capitol,
A man no mightier than thyself or me
80In personal action, yet
And
You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life
that should be in a Roman, you do want,
or else you use not. You look pale and
And those sparkes of Life, that should be in a Roman,
You doe want, or else you vse not.
You looke pale, and gaze, and put on feare,
And cast your selfe in wonder,
To see the strange impatience of the Heauens:
But if you would consider the true cause,
Why all these Fires, why all these gliding Ghosts,
Why Birds and Beasts, from qualitie and kinde,
Why Old men, Fooles, and Children calculate,
Why all these things change from their Ordinance,
Their Natures, and pre-formed Faculties,
To monstrous qualitie; why you shall finde,
That Heauen hath infus'd them with these Spirits,
To make them Instruments of feare, and warning,
Vnto some monstrous State.
Now could I (Caska) name to thee a man,
Most like this dreadfull Night,
That Thunders, Lightens, opens Graues, and roares,
As doth the Lyon in the Capitoll:
A man no mightier then thy selfe, or me,
In personall action; yet prodigious growne,
And fearefull, as these strange eruptions are.
from, 'away from' or 'apart from.' It is often used in this sense when there isn't a verb of motion associated with it.TJC
'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius?
'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cassius?
Is it not, Cassius?
Let it be who it is: for Romans now
Have
But
And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits;
Our yoke and
Let it be who it is: for Romans now
have
Haue Thewes, and Limbes, like to their Ancestors;
But woe the while, our Fathers mindes are dead,
And we are gouern'd with our Mothers spirits,
Our yoake, and sufferance, shew vs Womanish.
Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow
Mean to establish Caesar as a king;
90And he shall wear his crown by sea and land,
In every place,
Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow
mean to establish Caesar as a king.
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land,
in every place,
Meane to establish Caesar as a King:
And he shall weare his Crowne by Sea, and Land,
In euery place, saue here in Italy.
as king...save here in Italy, Would be the King of everywhere except Italy, because, after the expulsion of the Tarquins 400 years earlier, monarchy was forbidden among the Romans themselves.~HJC
I know where I will wear this dagger then;
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius:
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat:
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,
Can
But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
100Never lacks power to dismiss itself.
If I know this,
That part of tyranny that I do bear,
I can shake off
Thunder still
I know where I will wear this dagger then,
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;
therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat:
nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron
can
But life, being weary of these worldly bars,
never lacks power to dismiss itself.
If I know this,
Thunder still
Cassius from Bondage will deliuer Cassius:
Therein, yee Gods, you make the weake most strong;
Therein, yee Gods, you Tyrants doe defeat.
Nor Stonie Tower, nor Walls of beaten Brasse,
Nor ayre-lesse Dungeon, nor strong Linkes of Iron,
Can be retentiue to the strength of spirit:
But Life being wearie of these worldly Barres,
Neuer lacks power to dismisse it selfe.
If I know this, know all the World besides,
That part of Tyrannie that I doe beare,
I can shake off at pleasure.
So can I:
So every
The power to
So can I.
So every
Thunder still.
So euery Bond-man in his owne hand beares
The power to cancell his Captiuitie.
And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf,
He were no lion, were not Romans
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire,
Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome,
What rubbish and what
For the base matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief,
Where hast thou led me?
Before a willing
And dangers are
And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf
Poore man, I know he would not be a Wolfe,
But that he sees the Romans are but Sheepe:
He were no Lyon, were not Romans Hindes.
Those that with haste will make a mightie fire,
Begin it with weake Strawes. What trash is Rome?
What Rubbish, and what Offall? when it serues
For the base matter, to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar. But oh Griefe,
Where hast thou led me? I (perhaps) speake this
Before a willing Bond-man: then I know
My answere must be made. But I am arm'd,
And dangers are to me indifferent.
hind, a female red deer
You speak to Casca, and to such a man
And I will set this foot of mine as far
As who goes farthest.
You speak to Casca and to such a man
That is no flearing Tell-tale. Hold, my Hand:
Be factious for redresse of all these Griefes,
And I will set this foot of mine as farre,
As who goes farthest.
There's a bargain made.
Now know you, Casca, I have
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
To
Of
And I do know, by this, they
In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night,
There is no stir or walking in the streets;
And the complexion of the
In
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.
There's a bargain made.
Now know you, Casca, I have
For now, this fearful night,
there is no stir or walking in the streets
and the complexion of the
Now know you, Caska, I haue mou'd already
Some certaine of the Noblest minded Romans
To vnder-goe, with me, an Enterprize,
Of Honorable dangerous consequence;
And I doe know by this, they stay for me
In Pompeyes Porch: for now this fearefull Night,
There is no stirre, or walking in the streetes;
And the Complexion of the Element
Is Fauors, like the Worke we haue in hand,
Most bloodie, fierie, and most terrible.
honourable-dangerous, Shakespeare has several examples of compound adjectives such as this, where the first part is a sort of adverb qualifying the second. Such as: "sudden-bold", "fertile-fresh". and "deep-contemplative."TJC
Pompey's porch, Refers to a shelter built along with Pompey's theater i.e. the theater built by Pompey.
Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste.
Stand close awhile for here comes one in haste.
Enter Cinna.
haste.
'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait;
He is a friend.
Enter Cinna
Cinna, where haste you so?
'Tis Cinna: I do know him by his gait. He is a friend.
Enter Cinna
Cinna, where haste you so?
He is a friend. Cinna, where haste you so?
To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber?
To find out you. Who's that, Metellus Cimber?
Cymber?
No, it is Casca, one incorporate
To our attempts. Am I not
No, it is Casca, one incorporate
to our attempts. Am I not
To our Attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna?
I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this!
There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.
I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights.
What a fearefull Night is this?.
There's two or three of vs haue seene strange sights
Am I not
Am I not
Yes, you are.
O Cassius, if you could
But win the noble Brutus to our party--
Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could but win the noble Brutus to our party--
If you could but winne the Noble Brutus
To our party-
Be you content: good Cinna, take this paper,
150And look you lay it in the
Where Brutus
In at his window; set this up with wax
Upon old Brutus' statue:
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us.
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
Be you content.
Good Cinna, take this paper
and look you lay it in the
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
And looke you lay it in the Pretors Chayre,
Where Brutus may but finde it: and throw this
In at his Window; set this vp with Waxe
Vpon old Brutus Statue: all this done,
Repaire to Pompeyes Porch, where you shall finde vs.
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
paretor's, Caesar had appointed Brutus to be a praetor which was a magistrate or high judical official.
All but Metellus Cimber; and he's gone
To seek you at your house. Well, I will
And so
All but Metellus Cimber, and he's gone
to seek you at your house. Well, I will hie
and so
To seeke you at your house. Well, I will hie,
And so bestow these Papers as you bad me.
That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.
Exit Cinna
Come, Casca, you and I will yet
See Brutus at his house: three parts of him
Is ours already, and the man entire
Upon the next encounter yields him ours.
That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.
Exit Cinna
Come Casca, you and I will yet
Exit Cinna.
Come Caska, you and I will yet, ere day,
See Brutus at his house: three parts of him
Is ours alreadie, and the man entire
Vpon the next encounter, yeelds him ours.
O, he sits high in all the people's hearts:
And that which would appear offence in us,
His countenance, like
Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
O, he sits high in all the people's hearts.
And that which would appear offence in us,
his countenance, like
And that which would appeare Offence in vs,
His Countenance, like richest Alchymie,
Will change to Vertue, and to Worthinesse.
Him and his worth and our great need of him
You have right well
For it is after midnight; and
We will awake him and be sure of him.
Exeunt
Him and his worth and our great need of him,
you have right well
Exeunt
You haue right well conceited: let vs goe,
For it is after Mid-night, and ere day,
We will awake him, and be sure of him.
Exeunt.
Act II
Act II. Scene I. Rome. Brutus's orchard.
Portia, Brutus’ wife, expresses concern, especially since Brutus won’t tell her what he is up to.
Enter Brutus
What, Lucius, ho!
I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
Give guess how near to
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
What, Lucius, ho!
I cannot, by the progress of the stars,
give guess how near to
Actus Secundus.
Enter Brutus in his Orchard.
I cannot, by the progresse of the Starres,
Giue guesse how neere to day- Lucius, I say?
I would it were my fault to sleepe so soundly.
When Lucius, when? awake, I say: what Lucius?
Enter Lucius
Enter Lucius.
Get me a
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
Get me a
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
I will, my lord.
Exit
I will, my lord.
Exit
Exit.
It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to
But for the
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the
And that
And then, I grant, we
That at his will he may do danger with.
The abuse of greatness is, when it
Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar,
20I have not known when his
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,
That
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may,
Fashion it thus; that what he is,
Would run to
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell.
It must be by his death. And for my part,
I know no personal cause to
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the
I know no personall cause, to spurne at him,
But for the generall. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question?
It is the bright day, that brings forth the Adder,
And that craues warie walking: Crowne him that,
And then I graunt we put a Sting in him,
That at his will he may doe danger with.
Th' abuse of Greatnesse, is, when it dis-ioynes
Remorse from Power: And to speake truth of Caesar,
I haue not knowne, when his Affections sway'd
More then his Reason. But 'tis a common proofe,
That Lowlynesse is young Ambitions Ladder,
Whereto the Climber vpward turnes his Face:
But when he once attaines the vpmost Round,
He then vnto the Ladder turnes his Backe,
Lookes in the Clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend: so Caesar may;
Then least he may, preuent. And since the Quarrell
Will beare no colour, for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
Would runne to these, and these extremities:
And therefore thinke him as a Serpents egge,
Which hatch'd, would as his kinde grow mischieuous;
And kill him in the shell.
brings forth the adder..., Brutus is comparing the dangers of crowning Caesar as King to the dangers of the adder that comes out on a warm day, requiring men walk carefully so that they don't get bit.
Enter Lucius
The
Searching the window for a flint, I found
This paper, thus seal'd up; and, I am sure,
It did not lie there when I went to bed.
Gives him the letter
The
Gives him the letter
Enter Lucius.
Searching the Window for a Flint, I found
This Paper, thus seal'd vp, and I am sure
It did not lye there when I went to Bed.
Giues him the Letter.
Get you to bed again; it is not day.
40Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March?
Get you to bed again: it is not day. Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March?
Is not to morrow (Boy) the first of March?
I know not, sir.
I know not, sir.
Look in the calendar, and bring me word.
Look in the calendar and bring me word.
I will, sir.
Exit
I will, sir.
Exit
Exit.
The
Give so much light that I may read by them.
Opens the letter and reads
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself.
Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!
Such instigations have been often dropp'd
Where I have took them up.
'Shall Rome, etc.' Thus must I piece it out:
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?
50My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The
'Speak, strike, redress!' Am I entreated
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee
If the
Thy full
The
Opens the letter and reads
Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress! Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake!
Such instigations have been often dropp'd
where I have took them up.
'Shall Rome, etc.' Thus must I piece it out:
shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome?
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
the
O Rome, I make thee
Giue so much light, that I may reade by them.
Opens the Letter, and reades.
Brutus thou sleep'st; awake, and see thy selfe:
Shall Rome, &c. speake, strike, redresse.
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake.
Such instigations haue beene often dropt,
Where I haue tooke them vp:
Shall Rome, &c. Thus must I piece it out:
Shall Rome stand vnder one mans awe? What Rome?
My Ancestors did from the streetes of Rome
The Tarquin driue, when he was call'd a King.
Speake, strike, redresse. Am I entreated
To speake, and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
If the redresse will follow, thou receiuest
Thy full Petition at the hand of Brutus.
Tarquins, The Tarquins, the last kings of Rome, where driven out around BC 509. Purportably, one of Brutus' ancient ancestors help to drive them out.TJC
Enter Lucius
Sir, March is wasted fourteen days.
Knocking within
Sir, March is wasted fourteen days.
Knocking within
Enter Lucius.
Knocke within.
fifteen days, March 15th, according to the Roman calender, was known as the Ides of March.
'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
Exit Lucius
Since Cassius first did
I have not slept.
60Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a
The
Are then
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.
'Tis good. Go to the gate, somebody knocks.
Exit Lucius
Since Cassius first did
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I haue not slept.
Betweene the acting of a dreadfull thing,
And the first motion, all the Interim is
Like a Phantasma, or a hideous Dreame:
The Genius, and the mortall Instruments
Are then in councell; and the state of a man,
Like to a little Kingdome, suffers then
The nature of an Insurrection.
Enter Lucius
Sir, 'tis your
Who doth desire to see you.
Sir, 'tis your
Enter Lucius.
Who doth desire to see you.
your brother Cassius, Cassius was Brutus' brother-in-law
Is he alone?
Is he alone?
No, sir, there are more with him.
No, sir, there are more with him.
Do you know them?
Do you know them?
No, sir; their hats are
And half their faces buried in their cloaks,
That by no means I may discover
No sir, their hats are
And halfe their Faces buried in their Cloakes,
That by no meanes I may discouer them,
By any marke of fauour.
Let 'em enter.
Exit Lucius
They are the
When evils are most free? O, then by day
80Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;
Hide it in smiles and affability:
For if
Not
To
Let 'em enter.
Exit Lucius
They are the
They are the Faction. O Conspiracie,
Sham'st thou to shew thy dang'rous Brow by Night,
When euills are most free? O then, by day
Where wilt thou finde a Cauerne darke enough,
To maske thy monstrous Visage? Seek none Conspiracie,
Hide it in Smiles, and Affabilitie:
For if thou path thy natiue semblance on,
Not Erebus it selfe were dimme enough,
To hide thee from preuention.
Enter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius Brutus, Cinna, Metellus
I think we are too bold
Good morrow, Brutus; do we trouble you?
I think we are too bold
Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Caska, Decius, Cinna, Metellus,
and
Trebonius.
Good morrow Brutus, doe we trouble you?
I have been up this hour, awake all night.
Know I these men that come along with you?
I have been up this hour, awake all night. Know I these men that come along with you?
Know I these men, that come along with you?
Yes, every man of them, and no man here
But honours you; and every one doth wish
You had but that opinion of yourself
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.
Yes, every man of them, and no man here but honours you, and every one doth wish you had but that opinion of yourself which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.
But honors you: and euery one doth wish,
You had but that opinion of your selfe,
Which euery Noble Roman beares of you.
This is Trebonius.
He is welcome hither.
He is welcome hither.
This, Decius Brutus.
This, Decius Brutus.
He is welcome too.
He is welcome too.
This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
Cymber.
They are all welcome.
100What watchful cares do
They are all welcome.
What watchful cares do
What watchfull Cares doe interpose themselues
Betwixt your Eyes, and Night?
Shall I entreat a word?
Brutus and Cassius whisper
Shall I entreat a word?
Brutus and Cassius whisper
They whisper.
Here lies the east: doth not the day break here?
Here lies the east. Doth not the day break here?
heere?
No.
No.
O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon gray lines
That
O, pardon sir, it doth. And yon gray lines
that
That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day.
You shall confess that you are both
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,
Which is a great way growing on the south,
110Some two months
He first presents his fire; and the high east
Stands, as the
You shall confess that you are both
Heere, as I point my Sword, the Sunne arises,
Which is a great way growing on the South,
Weighing the youthfull Season of the yeare.
Some two moneths hence, vp higher toward the North
He first presents his fire, and the high East
Stands as the Capitoll, directly heere.
Capitol, 'Capitol' here, as in the rest of the play, does not refer to a government building or the seat of government but rather the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the Capitoline Hill, dedicated to the three great gods of the Romans, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.~HJC
Give me your hands
Give me your hands
And let us swear our resolution.
And let us swear our resolution.
No, not an oath: if not the face of men,
The
If these be
And every man
So let
Till each man
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough
To
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,
What need we any spur but our own cause,
To
Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,
And will not
Than
That this shall be, or we will fall for it?
Swear priests and cowards and
Old feeble
That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear
Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain
The
Nor the
To think that
That every Roman bears, and nobly bears,
140Is guilty of
If he do break the smallest particle
Of any promise that hath pass'd from him.
No, not an oath.
If not the face of men,
the
But if
Swear priests and cowards and
The sufferance of our Soules, the times Abuse;
If these be Motiues weake, breake off betimes,
And euery man hence, to his idle bed:
So let high-sighted-Tyranny range on,
Till each man drop by Lottery. But if these
(As I am sure they do) beare fire enough
To kindle Cowards, and to steele with valour
The melting Spirits of women. Then Countrymen,
What neede we any spurre, but our owne cause
To pricke vs to redresse? What other Bond,
Then secret Romans, that haue spoke the word,
And will not palter? And what other Oath,
Then Honesty to Honesty ingag'd,
That this shall be, or we will fall for it.
Sweare Priests and Cowards, and men Cautelous
Old feeble Carrions, and such suffering Soules
That welcome wrongs: Vnto bad causes, sweare
Such Creatures as men doubt; but do not staine
The euen vertue of our Enterprize,
Nor th' insuppressiue Mettle of our Spirits,
To thinke, that or our Cause, or our Performance
Did neede an Oath. When euery drop of blood
That euery Roman beares, and Nobly beares
Is guilty of a seuerall Bastardie,
If he do breake the smallest Particle
Of any promise that hath past from him
But what of Cicero? shall we
I think he will stand very strong with us.
But what of Cicero? Shall we
I thinke he will stand very strong with vs.
Let us not leave him out.
Let us not leave him out.
No, by no means.
No, by no means.
O, let us have him, for his silver hairs
Will purchase us a good
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds:
150It shall be said, his judgment ruled our hands;
Our youths and wildness shall
O, let us have him, for his silver hairs
will purchase us a good
Will purchase vs a good opinion:
And buy mens voyces, to commend our deeds:
It shall be sayd, his iudgement rul'd our hands,
Our youths, and wildenesse, shall no whit appeare,
But all be buried in his Grauity.
O, name him not: let us not
For he will never follow anything
That other men begin.
O, name him not. Let us not
For he will neuer follow any thing.
That other men begin
Then leave him out.
Then leave him out.
Indeed he is not fit.
Indeed he is not fit.
Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
Decius, well urged: I think it is not
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him
A
If he
As to annoy us all: which to prevent,
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
Decius, well urged. I think it is not
Marke Antony, so well belou'd of Caesar,
Should out-liue Caesar, we shall finde of him
A shrew'd Contriuer. And you know, his meanes
If he improue them, may well stretch so farre
As to annoy vs all: which to preuent,
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.
Our
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar:
170Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar;
And in the spirit of men there
O, that we then could
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,
Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends,
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods,
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds:
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
180Stir up their servants to an act of rage,
And after seem to
Our purpose necessary and not envious:
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
We shall be call'd
And for Mark Antony, think not of him;
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm
When Caesar's head is off.
Our
And for Mark Antony, think not of him for he can do no more than Caesar's arm when Caesar's head is off.
To cut the Head off, and then hacke the Limbes:
Like Wrath in death, and Enuy afterwards:
For Antony, is but a Limbe of Caesar.
Let's be Sacrificers, but not Butchers Caius:
We all stand vp against the spirit of Caesar,
And in the Spirit of men, there is no blood:
O that we then could come by Caesars Spirit,
And not dismember Caesar! But (alas)
Caesar must bleed for it. And gentle Friends,
Let's kill him Boldly, but not Wrathfully:
Let's carue him, as a Dish fit for the Gods,
Not hew him as a Carkasse fit for Hounds:
And let our Hearts, as subtle Masters do,
Stirre vp their Seruants to an acte of Rage,
And after seeme to chide 'em. This shall make
Our purpose Necessary, and not Enuious.
Which so appearing to the common eyes,
We shall be call'd Purgers, not Murderers.
And for Marke Antony, thinke not of him:
For he can do no more then Caesars Arme,
When Caesars head is off.
Yet I fear him;
For in the
Yet I fear him
for in the
For in the ingrafted loue he beares to Caesar.
Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him:
If he love Caesar, all that he can do
Is to himself,
And that were much he should; for he is given
To sports, to wildness and much company.
Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him. If he love Caesar all that he can do is to himself: take thought, and die for Caesar. And that were much he should for he is given to sports, to wildness and much company.
If he loue Caesar, all that he can do
Is to himselfe; take thought, and dye for Caesar,
And that were much he should: for he is giuen
To sports, to wildenesse, and much company.
There is no
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
There is no
For he will liue, and laugh at this heereafter.
Clock strikes
Clocke strikes.
The clock hath stricken three.
The clock hath stricken three.
'Tis time to part.
'Tis time to part.
But it is doubtful yet,
Whether Caesar will come forth today, or no;
For he is superstitious grown of late,
Quite
Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies:
It may be, these apparent
The unaccustom'd terror of this night,
And the persuasion of his
May
But it is doubtful yet
whether Caesar will come forth today or no,
for he is superstitious grown of late:
quite
It may be these apparent
Whether Caesar will come forth to day, or no:
For he is Superstitious growne of late,
Quite from the maine Opinion he held once,
Of Fantasie, of Dreames, and Ceremonies:
It may be, these apparant Prodigies,
The vnaccustom'd Terror of this night,
And the perswasion of his Augurers,
May hold him from the Capitoll to day.
Never fear that: if he be so
I can
That unicorns may be
And bears with
Lions with
But when I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered.
Let me
For I can give his
And I will bring him to the Capitol.
Never fear that. If he be so
I can ore-sway him: For he loues to heare,
That Vnicornes may be betray'd with Trees,
And Beares with Glasses, Elephants with Holes,
Lyons with Toyles, and men with Flatterers.
But, when I tell him, he hates Flatterers,
He sayes, he does; being then most flattered.
Let me worke:
For I can giue his humour the true bent;
And I will bring him to the Capitoll.
unicorns ... trees, Unicorns (mythical one-horned, horse-like animals) are said to have been taken by one who, running behind a tree, eluded the violent push the animal was making at him, so that his horn spent its force on the tree trunk, and stuck fast, detaining the beast till he was killed by the hunter.HJC
Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.
By the eighth hour: is that the
By the eighth hour. Is that the
Be that the uttermost, and fail not then.
Be that the uttermost and fail not then.
Caius Ligarius doth
Who
I wonder none of you have thought of him.
Caius Ligarius doth
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey;
I wonder none of you haue thought of him.
Now, good Metellus, go
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons;
Send him but hither, and I'll
Now, good Metellus, go
He loues me well, and I haue giuen him Reasons,
Send him but hither, and Ile fashion him.
The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, Brutus.
And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember
230What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, Brutus. And friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember what you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.
Wee'l leaue you Brutus,
And Friends disperse your selues; but all remember
What you haue said, and shew your selues true Romans.
Good gentlemen, look
Let not our looks
But bear it as our Roman actors do,
With untired spirits and
And so good morrow to you every one.
Exeunt all but Brutus
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter;
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber:
Thou hast no
Which
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
Good gentlemen, look
Exeunt all but Brutus
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter,
enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.
Thou hast no
Let not our lookes put on our purposes,
But beare it as our Roman Actors do,
With vntyr'd Spirits, and formall Constancie,
And so good morrow to you euery one.
Exeunt.
Manet Brutus.
Boy: Lucius: Fast asleepe? It is no matter,
Enioy the hony-heauy-Dew of Slumber:
Thou hast no Figures, nor no Fantasies,
Which busie care drawes, in the braines of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound.
honey-heavy dew, The ancient belief was that the dew absorbed the odour of the flowers, and that the bees used the flavored dew to make their honey.TJC
Enter Portia
Brutus, my lord!
Brutus, my lord!
Enter Portia.
Portia,
It is
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
Portia,
It is not for your health, thus to commit
Your weake condition, to the raw cold morning.
Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper,
You suddenly arose, and walk'd about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
250You stared upon me with
I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head,
And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot;
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,
Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did;
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seem'd too
Hoping it was but an effect of
Which sometime hath his hour with every man.
260It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
And
As it hath much prevail'd on your
I should not know you, Brutus.
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
stole from my bed. And yesternight at supper
you suddenly arose and walk'd about,
musing and sighing, with your arms
Stole from my bed: and yesternight at Supper
You sodainly arose, and walk'd about,
Musing, and sighing, with your armes acrosse
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
You star'd vpon me, with vngentle lookes.
I vrg'd you further, then you scratch'd your head,
And too impatiently stampt with your foote:
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,
But with an angry wafter of your hand
Gaue signe for me to leaue you: So I did,
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seem'd too much inkindled; and withall,
Hoping it was but an effect of Humor,
Which sometime hath his houre with euery man.
It will not let you eate, nor talke, nor sleepe;
And could it worke so much vpon your shape,
As it hath much preuayl'd on your Condition,
I should not know you Brutus. Deare my Lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of greefe.
I am not well in health, and that is all.
I am not well in health and that is all.
Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health,
He would embrace the means to
Brutus is wise and were he not in health
he would embrace the means to
He would embrace the meanes to come by it.
Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Why so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.
Is Brutus sick? and is it
To walk
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile
And tempt the
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;
You have some
Which, by the right and virtue of my place,
I ought to know of:
I
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did
That you
Why you are
Have had
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces
Even from darkness.
Is Brutus sick? And is it
To walke vnbraced, and sucke vp the humours
Of the danke Morning? What, is Brutus sicke?
And will he steale out of his wholsome bed
To dare the vile contagion of the Night?
And tempt the Rhewmy, and vnpurged Ayre,
To adde vnto his sicknesse? No my Brutus,
You haue some sicke Offence within your minde,
Which by the Right and Vertue of my place
I ought to know of: And vpon my knees,
I charme you, by my once commended Beauty,
By all your vowes of Loue, and that great Vow
Which did incorporate and make vs one,
That you vnfold to me, your selfe; your halfe
Why you are heauy: and what men to night
Haue had resort to you: for heere haue beene
Some sixe or seuen, who did hide their faces
Euen from darknesse.
Kneel not, gentle Portia.
Kneel not gentle Portia.
I should not
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
290Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
And talk to you sometimes?
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.
I should not
Within the Bond of Marriage, tell me Brutus,
Is it excepted, I should know no Secrets
That appertaine to you? Am I your Selfe,
But as it were in sort, or limitation?
To keepe with you at Meales, comfort your Bed,
And talke to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the Suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus Harlot, not his Wife.
You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the
That visit my sad heart.
You are my true and honourable wife,
as dear to me as are the
As deere to me, as are the ruddy droppes
That visit my sad heart.
If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I am a woman; but withal
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife:
I grant I am a woman; but withal
A woman well-
Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so father'd and so husbanded?
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary wound
310Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience.
And not my husband's secrets?
If this were true, then should I know this secret.
I grant I am a woman: but withal a woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.
I grant I am a woman; but withal
a woman well-
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, being so father'd and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em. I have made strong proof of my constancy, giving myself a voluntary wound here in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience and not my husband's secrets?
I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,
A Woman that Lord Brutus tooke to Wife:
I graunt I am a Woman; but withall,
A Woman well reputed: Cato's Daughter.
Thinke you, I am no stronger then my Sex
Being so Father'd, and so Husbanded?
Tell me your Counsels, I will not disclose 'em:
I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie,
Giuing my selfe a voluntary wound
Heere, in the Thigh: Can I beare that with patience,
And not my Husbands Secrets?
A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter, Cato was famously distinguished by integrity, honor, and a stern insistence upon the principles of virtue. He belonged to the party of Pompey, and after the disastrous defeat at Thapsus, 46 b.C., he fell upon his sword, rather than submit to Cassar, who, on his part, desired to have the opportunity of pardoning him.HJC
O ye gods,
Knocking within
Hark, hark! one knocks: Portia, go in awhile;
And by and by thy bosom shall
The secrets of my heart.
All my
All the
Leave me with haste.
Exit Portia
Enter Lucius with Ligarius
Lucius, who's that knocks?
O ye gods
Knocking within
Hark, hark! One knocks. Portia, go in awhile
and by and by thy bosom shall
Leave me with haste.
Exit Portia
Enter Lucius with Ligarius
Lucius, who's that knocks?
Render me worthy of this Noble Wife.
Knocke.
Harke, harke, one knockes: Portia go in a while,
And by and by thy bosome shall partake
The secrets of my Heart.
All my engagements, I will construe to thee,
All the Charractery of my sad browes:
Leaue me with hast.
Exit Portia.
Enter Lucius and Ligarius.
Lucius, who's that knockes.
Here is a sick man that would speak with you.
Here is a sick man that would speak with you.
Caius Ligarius,
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius!
Caius Ligarius,
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how?
O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
To wear a kerchief!
O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,
to wear a kerchief!
To weare a Kerchiefe? Would you were not sicke.
wear a kerchief, It was a common practice in Shakespeare's time for the sick to wear a kerchief tied round the heacl as a poultice or containingr medicine to help them recover.TJC,HJC
I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honour.
I am not sick if Brutus have in hand any exploit worthy the name of honour.
Any exploit worthy the name of Honor.
Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,
330
Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,
Had you a healthfull eare to heare of it.
By all the gods that Romans bow before,
I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!
Brave son, derived from honourable loins!
Thou, like an exorcist, hast
And I will strive with things impossible;
Yea, get the better of them. What's to do?
By all the gods that Romans bow before,
I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome!
Brave son, derived from honourable loins,
thou, like an exorcist, hast
What's to do?
I heere discard my sicknesse. Soule of Rome,
Braue Sonne, deriu'd from Honourable Loines,
Thou like an Exorcist, hast coniur'd vp
My mortified Spirit. Now bid me runne,
And I will striue with things impossible,
Yea get the better of them. What's to do?
A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
A piece of work that will make sick men whole.
That will make sicke men whole.
But are not some whole that we must make sick?
But are not some whole that we must make sick?
That must we also. What it is, my Caius,
I shall unfold to thee, as we are going
That must we also. What it is, my Caius,
I shall unfold to thee as we are going
I shall vnfold to thee, as we are going,
To whom it must be done.
And with a heart
To do
That Brutus leads me on.
And with a heart new-fir'd, I follow you,
To do I know not what: but it sufficeth
That Brutus leads me on.
Thunder
Follow me, then.
Exeunt
Follow me, then.
Exeunt
Exeunt.
Act II. Scene II. Caesar's house.
(Spoiler alert: If Caesar had stayed home this would not have been much of a story.)
Thunder and lightning. Enter Caesar, in his night-gown
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within?
Who's within?
Thunder & Lightning
Enter Iulius Caesar in his Night-gowne.
Haue beene at peace to night:
Thrice hath Calphurnia, in her sleepe cryed out,
Helpe, ho: They murther Caesar. Who's within?
Enter a Servant
My lord?
My lord?
Enter a Seruant.
Go
And bring me their opinions
Go
And bring me their opinions of Successe.
I will, my lord.
Exit
I will, my lord.
Exit
Exit
Enter Calpurnia
What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house today.
What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house today.
Enter Calphurnia.
You shall not stirre out of your house to day.
Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
Caesar shall forth. The things that threaten'd me
Ne're look'd but on my backe: When they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
Caesar, I never
Yet now they fright me.
Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
A lioness hath
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
20In ranks and squadrons, and
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
And I do fear them.
Caesar, I never
O Caesar, these things are beyond
Yet now they fright me: There is one within,
Besides the things that we haue heard and seene,
Recounts most horrid sights seene by the Watch.
A Lionnesse hath whelped in the streets,
And Graues haue yawn'd, and yeelded vp their dead;
Fierce fiery Warriours fight vpon the Clouds
In Rankes and Squadrons, and right forme of Warre
Which drizel'd blood vpon the Capitoll:
The noise of Battell hurtled in the Ayre:
Horsses do neigh, and dying men did grone,
And Ghosts did shrieke and squeale about the streets.
O Caesar, these things are beyond all vse,
And I do feare them.
There is one within, Probably a servant or watchman.
What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
30Are to the world in general,
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,
Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty Gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth: for these Predictions
Are to the world in generall, as to Caesar.
When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves
When beggars die there are no comets seen,
the heavens themselves
The Heauens themselues blaze forth the death of Princes
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
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
Enter Servant
What say the
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
Enter Servant
What say the
The valiant neuer taste of death but once:
Of all the Wonders that I yet haue heard,
It seemes to me most strange that men should feare,
Seeing that death, a necessary end
Will come, when it will come.
Enter a Seruant.
What say the Augurers?
augurer (or augur), those who foretold the future from the examining the entrails of animals.TJC
They would not have you to stir forth today.
Plucking the
They could not find a heart within the beast.
They would not have you to stir forth today.
Plucking the
Plucking the intrailes of an Offering forth,
They could not finde a heart within the beast.
The gods do this
Caesar should be a beast without a heart,
If he should stay at home today for fear.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he:
And I the elder and more terrible:
50And Caesar shall go forth.
The gods do this
Caesar should be a Beast without a heart
If he should stay at home to day for feare:
No Caesar shall not; Danger knowes full well
That Caesar is more dangerous then he.
We heare two Lyons litter'd in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible,
And Caesar shall go foorth.
Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is
Do not go forth today: call it my fear
That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house:
And he shall say you are not well today:
Alas, my lord,
your wisdom is
Your wisedome is consum'd in confidence:
Do not go forth to day: Call it my feare,
That keepes you in the house, and not your owne.
Wee'l send Mark Antony to the Senate house,
And he shall say, you are not well to day:
Let me vpon my knee, preuaile in this.
Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
And,
Enter Decius Brutus
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
Mark Antony shall say I am not well
and,
Enter Decius Brutus
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
And for thy humor, I will stay at home.
Enter Decius.
Heere's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so
Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar. I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
I come to fetch you to the Senate house.
And you are come in very happy time,
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come today:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come today: tell them so, Decius.
And you are come in very happy time, to bear my greeting to the senators and tell them that I will not come today. Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser. I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius.
To beare 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.
Say he is sick.
Say he is sick.
Shall Caesar send a lie?
70Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
Shall Caesar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far to be afraid to tell graybeards the truth? Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
Haue I in Conquest stretcht mine Arme so farre,
To be afear'd to tell Gray-beards the truth:
Decius, go tell them, Caesar will not come.
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
Lest I be laught at when I tell them so.
The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife,
She dreamt
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home today.
The cause is in my will: I will not come. That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
because I love you, I will let you know.
Calpurnia here, my wife,
That is enough to satisfie the Senate.
But for your priuate satisfaction,
Because I loue you, I will let you know.
Calphurnia heere my wife, stayes me at home:
She dreampt to night, she saw my Statue,
Which like a Fountaine, with an hundred spouts
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, & did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she apply, for warnings and portents,
And euils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd, that I will stay at home to day.
This dream is all amiss interpreted:
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
This dream is all amiss interpreted:
it was a vision fair and fortunate.
Your statue spouting blood
It was a vision, faire and fortunate:
Your Statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd,
Signifies, that from you great Rome shall sucke
Reuiuing blood, and that great men shall presse
For Tinctures, Staines, Reliques, and Cognisance.
This by Calphurnia's Dreame is signified.
And this way have you well
And this way have you well
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.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
100Their minds may change. Besides, it were a
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable.
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.
If you shall send them word you will not come
their minds may change. Besides, it were a
And know it now, the Senate haue concluded
To giue this day, a Crowne to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their mindes may change. Besides, it were a mocke
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say,
Breake vp the Senate, till another time:
When Caesars wife shall meete with better Dreames.
If Caesar hide himselfe, shall they not whisper
Loe Caesar is affraid?
Pardon me Caesar, for my deere deere loue
To your proceeding, bids me tell you this:
And reason to my loue is liable
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
110I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, and Cinna
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them. Give me my robe for I will go.
Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, and Cinna
And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
I am ashamed I did yeeld to them.
Giue me my Robe, for I will go.
Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Caska, Trebonius, Cynna, and
Publius.
And looke where Publius is come to fetch me
Good morrow, Caesar.
Good morrow, Caesar.
Welcome, Publius.
What Brutus, are you
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,
Caesar was ne'er so much your
As that same
What is 't o'clock?
Welcome Publius.
What Brutus, are you
What is 't o'clock?
What Brutus, are you stirr'd so earely too?
Good morrow Caska: Caius Ligarius,
Caesar was ne're so much your enemy,
As that same Ague which hath made you leane.
What is't a Clocke?
so much your enemy, Although Caius Ligarius fought against Caesar, when the civil war was over Caesar pardonded him. This was often done. At the end of the play Antony pardons many who fought alongside Brutus.
Caesar, 'tis
Caesar, 'tis
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
Enter Antony
See! Antony that
Is
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
Enter Antony
See! Antony that
Good morrow, Antony.
Enter Antony.
See, Antony that Reuels long a-nights
Is notwithstanding vp. Good morrow Antony.
So to most noble Caesar.
So to most noble Caesar.
Bid them prepare within:
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius!
I have an hour's talk in store for you;
Remember that you
Be near me, that I may remember you.
Bid them prepare within.
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
Now Cinna; now Metellus; what, Trebonius!
I have an hour's talk in store for you.
Remember that you
I am too blame to be thus waited for.
Now Cynna, now Metellus: what Trebonius,
I haue an houres talke in store for you:
Remember that you call on me to day:
Be neere me, that I may remember you.
Caesar, I will:
Aside
and so near will I be,
That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
Caesar, I will.
Aside
And so near will I be that your best friends shall wish I had been further.
That your best Friends shall wish I had beene further.
Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
Good friends, go in and taste some wine with me. And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
And we (like Friends) will straight way go together.
[Aside]
The heart of Brutus
Exeunt
[Aside]
Exeunt
The heart of Brutus earnes to thinke vpon.
Exeunt.
Act II. Scene III. Near the capitol a letter is prepared to warn Caesar
Enter Artemidorus, reading a paper
Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;
come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna, trust not
Trebonius: mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus
loves thee not: thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius.
There is but one mind in all these men, and it is
bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal,
look about you: security gives way to conspiracy.
The mighty gods defend thee!
Thy
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do
Exit
Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heed of Cassius, come not near Casca, have an eye to Cinna, trust not Trebonius. Mark well Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus loves thee not. Thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius.
There is but one mind in all these men and it is bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal look about you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee!
Thy
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along
and as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
out of the teeth of
Exit
Enter Artemidorus.
Caesar, beware of Brutus, take heede of Cassius; come not
neere Caska, haue an eye to Cynna, trust not Trebonius, marke
well Metellus Cymber, Decius Brutus loues thee not: Thou
hast wrong'd Caius Ligarius. There is but one minde in all
these men, and it is bent against Caesar: If thou beest not
Immortall, looke about you: Security giues way to Conspira-
cie. The mighty Gods defend thee.
Thy Louer, Artemidorus.
Heere will I stand, till Caesar passe along,
And as a Sutor will I giue him this:
My heart laments, that Vertue cannot liue
Out of the teeth of Emulation.
If thou reade this, O Caesar, thou mayest liue;
If not, the Fates with Traitors do contriue.
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation., My heart is saddened that virtuous men can not survive the attacks of those who are jealous.
Act II. Scene IV. Portia nags Brutus to tell her what is going on.
Enter Portia and Lucius
I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone:
Why dost thou stay?
I prithee boy, run to the senate-house. Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
Why dost thou stay?
Enter Portia and Lucius.
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
Why doest thou stay?
To know my errand, madam.
To know my errand, madam.
I would have had thee t
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
O
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
I have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
10How hard it is for women to
Art thou here yet?
I would have had thee t
Art thou here yet?
Ere I can tell thee what thou should'st do there:
O Constancie, be strong vpon my side,
Set a huge Mountaine 'tweene my Heart and Tongue:
I haue a mans minde, but a womans might:
How hard it is for women to keepe counsell.
Art thou heere yet?
Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?
Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol and nothing else? And so return to you and nothing else?
Run to the Capitoll, and nothing else?
And so returne to you, and nothing else?
Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! what noise is that?
Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well for he went sickly forth. And take good note what Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
Hark, boy! What noise is that?
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what Sutors presse to him.
Hearke Boy, what noyse is that?
I hear none, madam.
I hear none, madam.
I heard a bustling rumour, like a
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
I heard a bussling Rumor like a Fray,
And the winde brings it from the Capitoll
Enter the Soothsayer
Come hither, fellow:
Come hither, fellow.
Enter the Soothsayer.
Enter the Soothsayer, This soothsayer is Artemidorus who, in the previous scene, read over the note of warning he wants to present to Caesar.
At mine own house, good lady.
At mine own house, good lady.
What is't o'clock?
What is't o'clock?
About the ninth hour, lady.
About the ninth hour, lady.
Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol?
Madam, not yet: I go to take my
To see him pass on to the Capitol.
Madam, not yet. I go to take my
To see him passe on to the Capitoll.
Thou hast some
Thou hast some
That I have, lady: if it will please Caesar
To be so good to Caesar, as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to
That I have, lady. If it will please Caesar
to be so good to Caesar, as to hear me,
I shall beseech him to
To be so good to Caesar, as to heare me:
I shall beseech him to befriend himselfe.
Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?
Why, know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?
him?
None that I know will be, much that I fear may
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow:
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels,
Of senators, of
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death:
I'll get me to a place
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along.
Exit
None that I know will be, much that I fear may
I'll get me to a place
Exit
Much that I feare may chance:
Good morrow to you: heere the street is narrow:
The throng that followes Caesar at the heeles,
Of Senators, of Praetors, common Sutors,
Will crowd a feeble man (almost) to death:
Ile get me to a place more voyd, and there
Speake to great Caesar as he comes along.
Exit
I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing
The heart of woman is! O Brutus,
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
Sure, the boy heard me: Brutus hath a
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint.
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord;
Say I am
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
Exeunt severally
I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing
the heart of woman is! O Brutus,
the heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
Sure, the boy heard me. Brutus hath a
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord.
Say I am
Exeunt severally
Aye me! How weake a thing
The heart of woman is? O Brutus,
The Heauens speede thee in thine enterprize.
Sure the Boy heard me: Brutus hath a suite
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint:
Run Lucius, and commend me to my Lord,
Say I am merry; Come to me againe,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.
Exeunt.
Act III
Act III. Scene I. Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above.
A crowd of people; among them Artemidorus and the Soothsayer.
Flourish.
Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepidus, Popilius, Publius, and others
[To the Soothsayer]
The Ides of March are come.
[To the Soothsayer]
The Ides of March are come.
Actus Tertius.
Enter Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Caska, Decius, Metellus, Tre-
bonius, Cynna, Antony, Lepidus, Artimedorus, Pub-
lius, and the Soothsayer.
Flourish
Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Ay Caesar, but not gone.
Hail, Caesar! read this
Hail Caesar! Read this
Trebonius doth desire you to
At your
Trebonius doth desire you to
(At your best leysure) this his humble suite.
best leisure, whenever it is most convenient to you, but, at the same time, as soon as you possibly can.
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar.
O Caesar, read mine first -- for mine's a suit that touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
That touches Caesar neerer. Read it great Caesar.
What touches us ourself shall be last served.
What touches us ourself shall be last served.
Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
Delay not Caesar, read it instantly.
What, is the fellow mad?
What, is the fellow mad?
Sirrah,
Sirrah,
What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
Caesar goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following
What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol.
Caesar goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following
Come to the Capitoll
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
What enterprise, Popilius?
What enterprise, Popilius?
Fare you well.
Advances to Caesar
Fare you well.
Advances to Caesar
What said Popilius Lena?
What said Popilius Lena?
He wish'd today our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
He wish'd today our enterprise might thrive. I fear our purpose is discovered.
I feare our purpose is discouered.
Look how he
Look how he
Casca
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
Casca
Brutus what shall be done? If this be knowne,
Cassius or Caesar neuer shall turne backe,
For I will slay my selfe.
Cassius, be
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
For look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
Cassius, be
Popillius Lena speakes not of our purposes,
For looke he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus.
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Exeunt Antony and Trebonius
Trebonius knows his time for, look you Brutus, he draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Exeunt Antony and Trebonius
He drawes Mark Antony out of the way.
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And presently
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
and presently
And presently preferre his suite to Caesar.
He is
He is
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Are we all ready? What is now
That Caesar and his senate must
Are we all ready? What is now
That Caesar and his Senate must redresse?
Most high, most mighty, and most
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart.
Kneeling
Most high, most mighty and most
Kneeling
Metellus Cymber throwes before thy Seate.
An humble heart
Metellus Cimber's brother, Caesar had banished Cimber's brother some time ago. The conspiritors use the pretext of Cimber petitioning Caesar, to let his brother return from excile, in order to crowd around Caesar concealing what they are doing.
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
40Might
And turn
Into the law of children. Be not
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
50I spurn thee like a
Know, Caesar
Will he be satisfied.
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
Be not fond
to think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
that will be thaw'd from the true quality
with that which
Thy brother by decree is banished.
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a
Know Caesar
These couchings, and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turne pre-Ordinance, and first Decree
Into the lane of Children. Be not fond,
To thinke that Caesar beares such Rebell blood
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth Fooles, I meane sweet words,
Low-crooked-curtsies, and base Spaniell fawning:
Thy Brother by decree is banished:
If thou doest bend, and pray, and fawne for him,
I spurne thee like a Curre out of my way:
Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
Is there no voice more worthy than my own
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear
For the
Is there no voice more worthy than my own
to sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear
for the
To sound more sweetly in great Caesars eare,
For the repealing of my banish'd Brother?
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar.
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
have an immediate freedom
Desiring thee, that Publius Cymber may
Haue an immediate freedome of repeale.
What, Brutus!
What, Brutus!
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Pardon Caesar. Caesar, pardon.
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, to beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
As lowe as to thy foote doth Cassius fall,
To begge infranchisement for Publius Cymber.
I could be well moved, if I were as you:
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I
Of whose
There is no fellow in the
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
They are all fire and every one doth shine,
70But
So in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and
Yet in the number I do know but one
That
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was
And
I could be well moved, if I were as you.
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.
But I
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks,
they are all fire and every one doth shine,
but
If I could pray to mooue, Prayers would mooue me:
But I am constant as the Northerne Starre,
Of whose true fixt, and resting quality,
There is no fellow in the Firmament.
The Skies are painted with vnnumbred sparkes,
They are all Fire, and euery 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 apprehensiue;
Yet in the number, I do know but One
That vnassayleable holds on his Ranke,
Vnshak'd of Motion: and that I am he,
Let me a little shew it, euen in this:
That I was constant Cymber should be banish'd,
And constant do remaine to keepe him so.
But there's but one ... hold his place, This refers to the North Star which always appears stationary in the night sky as the other stars move around it.
O Caesar...
O Caesar...
Great Caesar...
Great Caesar...
Doth not Brutus
Doth not Brutus
They stab Caesar.
Casca first, then the other conspirators stab Caesar.
Brutus is the last to stab.
Dies
Dies
Dyes
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim,
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim,
Run hence, proclaime, cry it about the Streets.
Some
'Liberty, freedom, and
Some
Liberty, Freedome, and Enfranchisement.
People and senators, be not
Fly not; stand stiff: ambition's debt is paid.
People and senators, be not
Fly not, stand still: Ambitions debt is paid.
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
And Cassius too.
And Cassius too.
Where's Publius?
Where's Publius?
Here, quite
Here, quite
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's
Should chance--
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's Should chance--
Should chance-
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer;
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer,
there is no harm intended to your person,
nor to
There is no harme intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them Publius
And leave us, Publius, lest that the people,
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
And leave us, Publius, lest that the people,
rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
Rushing on vs, should do your Age some mischiefe.
Do so: and let no man
But we the doers.
Do so. And let no man
But we the Doers.
Enter Trebonius
Where is Antony?
Where is Antony?
Enter Trebonius
Fled to his house amazed:
Men,
As it were doomsday.
Fled to his house amazed.
Men,
Men, Wiues, and Children, stare, cry out, and run,
As it were Doomesday.
wives, 'Wife' in the plural form used for 'women' in general.TJC
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time
110And drawing days out, that men
That we shall dye we know, 'tis but the time
And drawing dayes out, that men stand vpon.
Fates, In Greek & Roman mythology there were thee goddesses who determined the course of every human's life. They were somethimes simply known as the 'Fates'.
This is also the possible origen of the three 'weird sisters' that open the play Macbeth.
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
cuts off
Cuts off so many yeares of fearing death.
Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Caesar's friends, that have
His time of fearing death.
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
120Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'
Grant that, and then is death a benefit.
So are we Caesar's friends, that have
So are we Caesars Friends, that haue abridg'd
His time of fearing death. Stoope Romans, stoope,
And let vs bathe our hands in Caesars blood
Vp to the Elbowes, and besmeare our Swords:
Then walke we forth, euen to the Market place,
And wauing our red Weapons o're our heads,
Let's all cry Peace, Freedome, and Liberty.
Stoop then, and wash. How many
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In
Stoop then, and wash. How many
Shall this our lofty Scene be acted ouer,
In State vnborne, and Accents yet vnknowne?
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on
No worthier than the dust!
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
that now on
That now on Pompeyes Basis lye along,
No worthier then the dust?
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the
The men that gave their country liberty.
So oft as that shall be,
so often shall the
So often shall the knot of vs be call'd,
The Men that gaue their Country liberty.
What, shall we forth?
What, shall we forth?
Ay, every man away:
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Servant
Ay, every man away. Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels with the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Enter a Servant
Brutus shall leade, and we will grace his heeles
With the most boldest, and best hearts of Rome.
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Enter a Seruant.
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:
140Say I love Brutus, and I honour him;
Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him and loved him.
If Brutus will
May safely come to him, and be
How Caesar hath deserved 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
With all true faith.
150So says my master Antony.
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 loved him.
If Brutus will
So says my master Antony.
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall downe,
And being prostrate, thus he bad me say:
Brutus is Noble, Wise, Valiant, and Honest;
Caesar was Mighty, Bold, Royall, and Louing:
Say, I loue Brutus, and I honour him;
Say, I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him, and lou'd him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolu'd
How Caesar hath deseru'd to lye in death,
Mark Antony, shall not loue Caesar dead
So well as Brutus liuing; but will follow
The Fortunes and Affayres of Noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this vntrod State,
With all true Faith. So sayes my Master Antony.
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and by my honour
Depart untouch'd.
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman:
I never thought him
I neuer thought him worse:
Tell him, so please him come vnto this place
He shall be satisfied: and by my Honor
Depart vntouch'd.
I'll
Exit servant
I'll
Exit servant
Exit Seruant.
I know that we shall have him
I know that we shall have him
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
160Falls
I wish we may. But yet have I a mind
that fears him much, and my misgiving still
falls
That feares him much: and my misgiuing still
Falles shrewdly to the purpose.
But here comes Antony.
Enter Antony
Welcome, Mark Antony.
But here comes Antony.
Enter Antony
Welcome, Mark Antony.
Enter Antony.
Welcome Mark Antony.
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
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Caesar's death hour, nor no instrument
170Of 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
No place will please me so, no
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The
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
Are all thy Conquests, Glories, Triumphes, Spoiles,
Shrunke to this little Measure? Fare thee well.
I know not Gentlemen what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is ranke:
If I my selfe, there is no houre so fit
As Caesars deaths houre; nor no Instrument
Of halfe that worth, as those your Swords; made rich
With the most Noble blood of all this World.
I do beseech yee, if you beare me hard,
Now, whil'st your purpled hands do reeke and smoake,
Fulfill your pleasure. Liue a thousand yeeres,
I shall not finde my selfe so apt to dye.
No place will please me so, no meane of death,
As heere by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The Choice and Master Spirits of this Age.
mean, As with other, words Shakespeare often uses the singular form of a noun instead of the plural form, as we would use them today.
O Antony, beg not your death of us.
180Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands and this our present act,
You see we do, yet
And this the bleeding business they have done:
Our hearts you see not; they are
And pity to the general wrong of Rome--
As fire drives out fire, so
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have
Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts
190Of brothers' temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
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
Though now we must appeare bloody and cruell,
As by our hands, and this our present Acte
You see we do: Yet see you but our hands,
And this, the bleeding businesse they haue done:
Our hearts you see not, they are pittifull:
And pitty to the generall wrong of Rome,
As fire driues out fire, so pitty, pitty
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you, our Swords haue leaden points Marke Antony:
Our Armes in strength of malice, and our Hearts
Of Brothers temper, do receiue you in,
With all kinde loue, good thoughts, and reuerence.
Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In the
Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
in the
In the disposing of new Dignities.
Only be patient till we have appeased
The multitude,
And then we will
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Only be patient till we have appeased
the multitude,
The Multitude, beside themselues with feare,
And then, we will deliuer you the cause,
Why I, that did loue Caesar when I strooke him,
Haue thus proceeded.
I doubt not of your wisdom.
200Let each man
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 last in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all: alas, what shall I say?
My
That one of two bad ways you must
Either a coward or a flatterer.
210If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee
To see thy Anthony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,
Most noble, in the presence of thy
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
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou
Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
O world, thou wast the forest to
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.
How like a deer, strucken by
Dost thou here lie!
I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man
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
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 Caska, yours;
Though last, not least in loue, yours good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all: Alas, what shall I say,
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad wayes you must conceit me,
Either a Coward, or a Flatterer.
That I did loue thee Caesar, O 'tis true:
If then thy Spirit looke vpon vs now,
Shall it not greeue thee deerer then thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy Foes?
Most Noble, in the presence of thy Coarse,
Had I as many eyes, as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they streame forth thy blood,
It would become me better, then to close
In tearmes of Friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me Iulius, heere was't thou bay'd braue Hart,
Heere did'st thou fall, and heere thy Hunters stand
Sign'd in thy Spoyle, and Crimson'd in thy Lethee.
O World! thou wast the Forrest to this Hart,
And this indeed, O World, the Hart of thee.
How like a Deere, stroken by many Princes,
Dost thou heere lye?
bay'd, brought to bay, The figure is that of a stag turning on the dogs, but slain by them at last.TJC
Mark Antony...
Mark Antony...
Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
230Then, in a friend, it is
Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
the enemies of Caesar shall say this.
Then, in a friend, it is
The Enemies of Caesar, shall say this:
Then, in a Friend, it is cold Modestie.
I blame you not for praising Caesar so;
But what
Will you be
Or shall we
I blame you not for praising Caesar so,
but what
But what compact meane you to haue with vs?
Will you be prick'd in number of our Friends,
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed
Friends am I with you all and love you all,
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed
Sway'd from the point, by looking downe on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all, and loue you all,
Vpon this hope, that you shall giue me Reasons,
Why, and wherein, Caesar was dangerous.
Or else
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
Or else
Our Reasons are so full of good regard,
That were you Antony, the Sonne of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
That's all I seek:
And am moreover
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak
That's all I seek.
And am moreover
And am moreouer sutor, that I may
Produce his body to the Market-place,
And in the Pulpit as becomes a Friend,
Speake in the Order of his Funerall.
You shall, Mark Antony.
You shall, Mark Antony.
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?
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?
You know not what you do; Do not consent
That Antony speake in his Funerall:
Know you how much the people may be mou'd
By that which he will vtter.
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
He speaks
And that we are
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies.
It shall
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
I will my selfe into the Pulpit first,
And shew the reason of our Caesars death.
What Antony shall speake, I will protest
He speakes by leaue, and by permission:
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Haue all true Rites, and lawfull Ceremonies,
It shall aduantage more, then do vs wrong.
It shall advantage more, than do us wrong, Note the first folio uses 'then do us wrong' and most modern editions use 'than do us wrong'. We don't argue with the modern editions, but it can make sense either way.
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
270In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
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.
You shall not in your Funerall speech blame vs,
But speake all good you can deuise of Caesar,
And say you doo't by our permission:
Else shall you not haue any hand at all
About his Funerall. And you shall speake
In the same Pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
Be it so.
I do desire no more.
Be it so. I do desire no more.
I do desire no more
Prepare the body then, and follow us.
Exeunt all but Antony
Prepare the body then, and follow us.
Exeunt all but Antony
Exeunt.
Manet Antony.
Aside
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
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
280Over 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
Shall
Blood and destruction shall be so
And dreadful objects so familiar
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants
All pity choked with
And Caesar's spirit,
With
Shall in
Cry 'Havoc,' and
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With
Enter a Servant
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
Aside
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
Enter a Servant
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?
O pardon me, thou bleeding peece of Earth:
That I am meeke and gentle with these Butchers.
Thou art the Ruines of the Noblest man
That euer liued in the Tide of Times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly Blood.
Ouer thy wounds, now do I Prophesie,
(Which like dumbe mouthes do ope their Ruby lips,
To begge the voyce and vtterance of my Tongue)
A Curse shall light vpon the limbes of men;
Domesticke Fury, and fierce Ciuill strife,
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy:
Blood and destruction shall be so in vse,
And dreadfull Obiects so familiar,
That Mothers shall but smile, when they behold
Their Infants quartered with the hands of Warre:
All pitty choak'd with custome of fell deeds,
And Caesars Spirit ranging for Reuenge,
With Ate by his side, come hot from Hell,
Shall in these Confines, with a Monarkes voyce,
Cry hauocke, and let slip the Dogges of Warre,
That this foule deede, shall smell aboue the earth
With Carrion men, groaning for Buriall.
Enter Octauio's Seruant.
You serue Octauius Caesar, do you not?
Ate, In Greek mythology the Goddess of retribution.TJC
Havoc, An expletive used when combat was to be so merciless and bloody that quarter was neither to be asked nor given.TJC
Octavius Caesar, The grand-nephew and heir of Julius Caersar and eventual Roman Emperor when he was then known as Augustus Caersar.
I do, Mark Antony.
I do, Mark Antony.
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
He did receive his letters, and is coming;
And bid me say to you by word of mouth--
Seeing the body
O Caesar!
He did receive his letters, and is coming, And bid me say to you by word of mouth.
Seeing the body
O Caesar!
And bid me say to you by word of mouth-
O Caesar!
Thy heart is big, get thee
Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes,
Seeing those
Began to water. Is thy master coming?
Thy heart is big, get thee
Is thy master coming?
Passion I see is catching from mine eyes,
Seeing those Beads of sorrow stand in thine,
Began to water. Is thy Master comming?
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
league, in Roman times was close to 1-1/2 miles, in Elizabethan times double that at 3 miles. Who knows which Shakespeare was referring to here. It was a distance of either 10-1/2 miles, or 21 miles, or something else (it gets hazy).
Does it really matter? Not to us.KAS
Here
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this
Into the market-place: there shall I
In my oration, how the people
The cruel
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Exeunt with Caesar's body
Yet stay awhile,
thou shalt not back till I have borne this
Lend me your hand.
Exeunt with Caesar's body
And tell him what hath chanc'd:
Heere is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octauius yet,
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay a-while,
Thou shalt not backe, till I haue borne this course
Into the Market place: There shall I try
In my Oration, how the People take
The cruell issue of these bloody men,
According to the which, thou shalt discourse
To yong Octauius, of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Exeunt.
Act III. Scene II. The Forum. Brutus and Antony speak to the people of Rome. Antony wins.
Mark Antony follows Brutus:
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
But gradually Antony turns the crowd against the killing of Caesar, against Brutus, and against the other conspirators who did it. And the crowd roars:
Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
Let not a traitor live
Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens
We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied.
We will be satisfied. Let us be satisfied.
Enter Brutus and goes into the Pulpit, and Cassius, with the
Plebeians.
Then follow me, and give me
Cassius, go you into the other street
And part the numbers.
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be
Then follow me and give me
Cassius go you into the other streete,
And part the Numbers:
Those that will heare me speake, let 'em stay heere;
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him,
And publike Reasons shall be rendred
Of Caesars death.
I will hear Brutus speak.
I will hear Brutus speak.
I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons,
When
Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the pulpit
I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons,
when
Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the pulpit
When seuerally we heare them rendred.
The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
The noble Brutus is ascended: silence!
Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
you may believe:
awake your senses, that you
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
20Caesar'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
30fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so
Who is here so
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.
Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and
Believe me
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
I pause for a reply.
Romans, Countrey-men, and Louers, heare mee for my
cause, and be silent, that you may heare. Beleeue me for
mine Honor, and haue respect to mine Honor, that you
may beleeue. Censure me in your Wisedom, and awake
your Senses, that you may the better Iudge. If there bee
any in this Assembly, any deere Friend of Caesars, to him
I say, that Brutus loue to Caesar, was no lesse then his. If
then, that Friend demand, why Brutus rose against Caesar,
this is my answer: Not that I lou'd Caesar lesse, but
that I lou'd Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were liuing,
and dye all Slaues; then that Caesar were dead, to
liue all Free-men? As Caesar lou'd mee, I weepe for him;
as he was Fortunate, I reioyce at it; as he was Valiant, I
honour him: But, as he was Ambitious, I slew him. There
is Teares, for his Loue: Ioy, for his Fortune: Honor, for
his Valour: and Death, for his Ambition. Who is heere
so base, that would be a Bondman? If any, speak, for him
haue I offended. Who is heere so rude, that would not
be a Roman? If any, speak, for him haue I offended. Who
is heere so vile, that will not loue his Countrey? If any,
speake, for him haue I offended. I pause for a Reply.
None Brutus, none.
None Brutus, none.
Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The
his death is
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
good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself,
when it shall please my country to need my death.
Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The
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
more to Caesar, then you shall do to Brutus. The Question
of his death, is inroll'd in the Capitoll: his Glory not
extenuated, wherein he was worthy; nor his offences enforc'd,
for which he suffered death.
Enter Mark Antony, with Caesars body.
Heere comes his Body, mourn'd by Marke Antony, who
though he had no hand in his death, shall receiue the benefit
of his dying, a place in the Co[m]monwealth, as which
of you shall not. With this I depart, that as I slewe my
best Louer for the good of Rome, I haue the same Dagger
for my selfe, when it shall please my Country to need
my death.