Summary

With a flourish of trumpets, Caesar, Antony, the conspirators,

the soothsayer, senators, and petitioners enter. Caesar observes that
“the ides of March are come,” and the soothsayer replies that,
nevertheless, they are not yet gone. Artemidorus urges Caesar to read
his letter first, but Caesar says that a suit concerning himself should
be read last. Cassius urges Caesar to enter the Capitol rather than
receiving petitions in the street.

Popilius wishes Cassius well in his “enterprise,” prompting fears that

the conspirators have been found out. Brutus urges Cassius to stay
calm. Trebonius pulls Mark Antony out of the way,
and Decius and Metellus Cimber press close to
Caesar. Cinna tells Casca to prepare to strike first.
Caesar asks what business he and the Senate must address. Metellus
Cimber kneels before Caesar to present the case of his banished
brother, Publius Cimber. Caesar tells him that “base spaniel fawning”
will do nothing to change his mind about the situation.
Then, Brutus and Cassius kneel, too. Caesar tells them all that he is
“constant as the North Star,” and Cimber will remain banished.

The rest of the conspirators kneel, and Casca strikes first,

stabbing Caesar. As the rest of the conspirators stab him, too, Caesar
addresses Brutus—“Et tu, Bruté?”—and dies.
The conspirators proclaim liberty from tyranny as the Capitol
descends into a panic. They send Publius to reassure the people that
no harm will befall anyone else. Brutus suggests that the conspirators
bathe their hands and weapons in Caesar’s blood and walk through
the marketplace proclaiming “peace, freedom, liberty!” As they wash
themselves with blood, Cassius remarks that this “lofty scene” will be
replayed many times in the future.
Antony’s servant enters with a passionately-worded appeal, saying
that Antony will support Brutus if he is allowed to safely approach
and be given a satisfactory explanation for Caesar’s death. Brutus
readily grants this, although Cassius doesn’t entirely trust Antony.

Antony enters and is moved by the sight of Caesar’s body. He tells the
conspirators that if they intend his death as well, there’s no better
moment than now, at the site of Caesar’s death. Brutus replies that
they desire no such thing, and that if Antony could see their hearts,
he’d know that they’ve acted out of pity for Rome in general and that
they receive him with love. He adds that they will explain their
reasoning to Antony after they have appeased the fearful crowds.

Antony shakes hands with the conspirators, while apologizing

to Caesar’s spirit for making peace with his
murderers. Cassius interjects to ask whether they can rely on Antony
as a friend. Antony assures them that they can, if indeed they can
convince him that Caesar was dangerous and thus that his death was
justified. Moreover, he asks if he might speak at Caesar’s
funeral. Brutus grants this request immediately.
Cassius takes Brutus aside, warning him that he doesn’t know what
he’s doing—the people will be moved against them by Antony’s
funeral speech. Brutus replies that, by speaking first, he’ll explain the
reason for Caesar’s death and also that Antony only speaks by
permission—thus Antony’s speech will turn out to the conspirators’
advantage after all. Cassius doesn’t like this plan, but when Brutus
tells Antony that he must only praise Caesar and not blame the
conspirators, Antony agrees.

After the others leave, Antony speaks over Caesar’s corpse,

prophesying that brutal civil war will break out across Italy, urged on
by Caesar’s vengeful spirit. Then a servant of Octavius Caesar enters,
telling Antony that Octavius is on his way to Rome. Antony tells the
servant that after his funeral speech, they’ll have a better sense of the
people’s reaction, and then the servant can tell Octavius whether he
can safely enter Rome or not. They carry out Caesar’s body.
Act III : Scene 1
1. Where is the scene taking place? What is the significance of
the day? Who are present? (3)
• The scene is set in Rome, at the Capitol.
• The Ides of March,
• A crowd of people is present, including senators, conspirators,
and supporters of Caesar.
2. Was Ceasar superstitious? Why?
• Ceasar was not superstitious
• He mocked at the soothsayer saying that the ides of march had
come

3. What was Artemidorus trying to do? How did Cesar

respond?
• Artemidorus, who has written a letter warning Caesar of the
conspiracy, tries to hand it to him, urging him to read it
immediately as it concerns his safety.
• However, Caesar brushes him off, prioritizing matters of the
state over personal concerns.
4. Why was Cassius worried about Popillius’ comment: I wish
your enterprise today may thrive? How did Brutus confirm
that Popillius was not aware of their conspiracy?
• When Cassius heard the comment, he wondered if Popillius was
aware of their conspiracy to murder Ceasar.
• If he was afraid, their plans might be stopped.
• When Popillius met Ceasar he was smiling
• There wasn’t any change in the expressions of Cesar
5. Plan of the conspirators before the assassination of Ceasar.
• Trebonius's task was to divert Mark Antony, Caesar’s loyal
supporter, away from the scene. By engaging Antony in
conversation and leading him away from the Capitol, Trebonius
 ensured that Antony would not be present to defend Caesar when
the attack occurred.
• The conspirators decided to use Metellus Cimber’s plea for the
repeal of his brother’s banishment as the pretext to approach
Caesar closely. Metellus was to kneel before Caesar and present
his humble request, thereby gaining Caesar’s attention and
sympathy. This act of supplication allowed the conspirators to
surround Caesar under the guise of supporting Metellus’s
petition.
• After Metellus presented his plea, other conspirators, including
Brutus and Cassius, also stepped forward to support the request,
each kneeling before Caesar and pleading on behalf of Publius
Cimber. This brought the conspirators into close physical
proximity to Caesar, creating the perfect opportunity for their
attack.
• Casca was assigned to strike the first blow. His role was crucial
as the first attacker would signal the others to join in
• At the predetermined moment, Casca struck the first blow,
signaling the other conspirators to join in. Each conspirator
stabbed Caesar, culminating in Brutus's participation, which
deeply shocked Caesar and led to his famous last words, "Et tu,
Brute?" The coordinated attack ensured that Caesar could not
defend himself or call for aid, leading to his swift assassination.
6. What was Ceasar's response to Mettallus' plea for
enfranchisement for Publius Cimber?
• These acts of kneeling and bowing might sway ordinary men
and turn established rules into mere child's play.
• Don’t think that I, Caesar, am weak enough to be influenced by
such flattery and submission. Your brother is banished by
decree.
• If you plead for him, I will kick you away like a dog. Know that
Caesar does no wrong and will not be satisfied without good
reason.
 7. How did Ceasar prove to the conspirators that he was a
constant man?
• But I am as constant as the northern star, which is fixed and
unchanging. There are countless stars in the sky, all shining, but
only one holds its place.
• Similarly, the world is filled with men, and while they are flesh
and blood and capable of understanding, I know only one who is
unshakable, and that is me.
• Let me prove it now: I was firm that Cimber should be banished,
and I remain firm in keeping him so.
• He said he was as immovable as the mount Olympus
8. What were the immediate response of the conspirators after
assassination of Ceasar?
• Cassius said: Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”
• Cinna: Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
• Brutus: Ambition’s debt is paid.
9. “We'll soon discover what the Fates want to happen to us.
We already know that we'll all die one day.” Describe the
allusion here?
The Fates were personified as three very old women who spin the
threads of human destiny. Their names were Clotho
(Spinner), Lachesis (Allotter), and Atropos (Inflexible). Clotho spun
the “thread” of human fate, Lachesis dispensed it, and Atropos cut the
thread (thus determining the individual’s moment of death).
10. Describe the opinions shared by Brutus and Cassius
about the statement: “ That we shall die, we know.”
• Cassius opined: He who shortens his own life by twenty years
also cuts off twenty years of worrying about death.
• Brutus opined: Death becomes a gift. This makes us Caesar’s
friends, since we've shortened the time he would have spent
fearing death.
11. And let’s wash our hands up to the elbows in Caesar’s
blood, and smear our swords with it. Then we’ll walk
 outside, even to the public marketplace. And, waving our
bloody swords over our heads, we'll cry, “Peace, freedom,
and liberty!” How did Cassius and Brutus glorify their act?
• Cassius predicted that this epic scene would be reenacted in
countries that were not founded yet, and among people whose
languages were not known to known to them.
• Brutus predicted that the scene of Ceasar’s assassination would
be staged and Ceasar would continue to bleed when it was
enacted for entertainment.
• Cassius opined that after watching the play, people would praise
them as men who gave their country freedom.
12. What did Antony’s servant inform Brutus?
• Antony acknowledges the qualities of both Brutus and Caesar.
He calls Brutus "noble, wise, brave, and honest," and describes
Caesar as "mighty, bold, royal, and loving." This shows
Antony's respect for both men, despite their conflicting
positions.
• Antony asks for assurance of his own safety if he comes to meet
Brutus. He wants to hear Brutus's explanation for why Caesar
deserved to be killed.
• Antony states that if Brutus can assure his safety and provide a
convincing explanation, Antony will transfer his loyalty from
the dead Caesar to the living Brutus. He is willing to follow
Brutus and support him through the tumultuous times following
Caesar's death.
13. What assurance did Brutus give to the servant?
Brutus acknowledged that Antony was a wise and brave Roman. He
was ready to explain the reason for the assassination of Ceasar. Antony
will not be harmed.
14. What was Brutus’ and Cassius’ opinion about Antony?
• Brutus said Antony was a good friend to them.
• Cassius said that he feared him and his fears normally came
true.
 15. What did Antony tell Brutus and Cassius when he met
them after the assassination of Ceasar?
Gentlemen, I don't know what your plans are, who else you intend to
kill, or who else you believe is corrupt. If I'm one of your targets,
there's no moment more fitting than this one, the hour of Caesar's
death, and no weapons more suitable than your swords, now enriched
by the noblest blood in the world. I implore you, if you have any
grievances against me, act on them now while your hands are still
stained with blood. Even if I were to live for a thousand years, I
would never find a moment when I am as ready to die as I am now.
There's no place I'd rather die than beside Caesar, and no death I'd
prefer more than being stabbed by you, the leaders of this new era.
16. What Brutus’ reply?
Oh, Antony, don't plead for us to kill you. Although we may appear
bloody and cruel to you right now—with our bloody hands and the
deed we've just done—you're only seeing our hands and the bloody
work they've carried out. You haven't seen into our hearts, which are
full of pity for Caesar. However, just as fire drives out fire, our pity
for the wrongs done to Rome overcame our pity for Caesar,
compelling us to act as we did. As for you, our swords have gentle
points that will not harm you, Mark Antony. Our arms—with the same
strength that struck Caesar—and our hearts—filled with brotherly
love—embrace you with kindness, good thoughts, and admiration.
17. What did Antony say to the corpse/spirit of Ceasar?
It is true that I loved you, Caesar. If your spirit is looking down upon
us now, would it grieve you more than your death to see your Antony
making peace and shaking the bloody hands of your enemies—most
noble enemies!—in the presence of your corpse? If I had as many
eyes as you have wounds, and they shed tears as fast as your wounds
stream blood, even that would be more fitting than joining your
enemies in friendship. Forgive me, Julius! Here is where you were
brought down, like a brave deer surrounded by hunting dogs. Here is
where you fell, and here your hunters still stand, stained and reddened
by your blood. Oh, world, you were the forest to this deer. And this
deer, oh world, was your dear. Now you lie here, so much like a deer,
stabbed by many princes!

I am friends with you all and love you all, on one condition—that
you will give me the reasons how and why Caesar was dangerous.
What was Brutus’ reply for this request of Antony?
They have valid reasons. The reasons would satisfy even Ceasar’s
son.
17. What request did Antony make to Brutus immediately
after this? How did Brutus and Cassius respond to the
request?
• He should be allowed to take the body of Ceasar to the
marketplace and stand on the pulpit to speak during the funeral
ceremony of Ceasar.
• Brutus allowed him to do so.
• Cassius asked Brutus not to let Antony speak during the funeral
ceremony. He believed that the words of Antony would stir the
feelings of people.
18. What was Brutus plan when he allowed Antony to
speak at the funeral of Ceasar?
He would address the people and explain the reason for the
assassination of Ceasar. He would announce that Antony spoke with
their permission. He would tell the people that Ceasar should be
honoured with the usual and lawful ceremonies.
19. What instruction did Brutus give to Mark Antony
when he was allowed to speak at the funeral of Ceasar?
He shouldn’t blame them at the funeral. But he was allowed to say all
the good about Ceasar. He should inform the people that he spoke
with the permission of Brutus and his friends. He would use the same
pulpit which Brutus would use and would speak after Brutus.
 20. What did Antony say when he took the body of Ceasar
for the funeral?
Oh, pardon me, you bleeding corpse, for being quiet and friendly with
these butchers! You are the remains of the noblest man that ever lived.
May disaster strike the hand that shed this priceless blood. Over your
wounds—which, like speechless mouths, open their red lips as if to
beg me to speak—I predict that a curse will come down on us. Anger
between brothers and fierce civil war will burden all of Italy. Blood
and destruction will be so common and dreadful events so familiar,
that mothers will just smile when they watch their babies cut to pieces
by the hands of war. The sheer volume of evil deeds will choke
people’s compassion. And Caesar’s ghost—searching for revenge
with Atë by his side—will rush up from hell and cry in the voice of a
king, “Havoc!” His ghost will unleash the dogs of war, so that this
foul murder will cover the earth with men’s corpses, begging to be
buried.
21. Who comes at the end of Act III, Scene I? Why has he
come?
• Servant of Octavius Ceasar. He has come to inform Antony that
he received Ceasar’s letter and was coming to Rome.
22. What instruction did Antony give to Octavious’
servant?
Get back to Octavius and inform him about Ceasar’s assassination.
Rome is not safe for him at present. Asked him to stay until he
finished the funeral oration. After the funeral oration, Antony could
make out how the people think about cruel deed. Based on how
peopled responded, he could report back to Octavious about the state
of things.