Summary:
Chapter by chapter litature analysis of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
Act 1, Scene 1
The opening scene serves to indicate the feelings of Romans towards Caesar. While Caesar is popular with the crowd, he has enemies among the official classes. The tribunes are on the patrician side - the side that supported Pompey and are hostile to the faction which is in favour of retaining Caesar in his place as Dictator of Rome. The tribunes, Flavius and Marullus ask the commoners why they were not at work. A cobbler answers their questions in riddles. The cobbler says that the crowd is out to welcome Caesar back to Rome. Marullus accuses them of forgetting their hero, Pompey. Flavius and Marullus leave to clamp down on any celebrations.
Act 1, Scene 2
Caesar and his followers appear for the feast of Lupercal. Anthony was dressed to take part in the run. Caesar urges his childless wife, Calphurnia, to stand in Anthony's way. Caesar is warned of the ides of March. Cassius accuses Brutus of becoming unfriendly towards him, but Brutus says he merely has something on his mind. Cassius wishes Brutus could see himself as others see him. Cassius recalls Caesar floundering in the Tiber and later being struck down by fever in Spain. Cassius is amazed that someone as weak as Caesar should be regarded so highly. Brutus fears Caesar has been awarded more honours. Cassius urges Brutus to consider himself Caesar's equal. Cassius reminds Brutus of his ancestor's treatment of royalty. Brutus promises to think over what has been said. Caesar and his party return from the Lupercalia. Caesar tells Anthony that if he were a man who knew fear, then Cassius would frighten him for he is not to be trusted. He asks for Anthony views. Brutus and Cassius begin questioning Casca. Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Caesar refused the offer of the crown three times. When the crowd showed their approval of this, Caesar fell down in a faint. Before Caesar fell he had offered the crowd his throat to cut. When he recovered he left. Flavius and Marullus were executed. After Casca had left, Brutus and Cassius discuss him. They arrange to meet the following day. Cassius has a plan to convince Brutus of his popularity. In this scene, Shakespeare puts to effective dramatic use the following incidents from history - the history of Lupercalia, the warning of the soothsayer, the interview between Cassius and Brutus, Caesar's description of "that spare Cassius", Caesar's refusal of the crown.
Act 1, Scene 3
It is the night of the feast of Lupercal, the night before the ides of March. Casca interprets strange events as bad omens. Cicero warns against misinterpretation. To Casca's horror, Cassius has been challenging the elements to do their worst. Cassius mocks Casca's fears. He sees the storm as a welcome warning to the people of Rome. Casca says the Senate intend to make Caesar king; Cassius respond by saying that suicide will be a way out for him. Casca agrees with Cassius' condemnation of Caesar, and declare he will do as much as anyone to put things right. Cassius informs him that he has organised a conspiracy. Cinna enters and suggests that Brutus would give credibility to the conspiracy. Cassius gives him letters to deliver for Brutus to find. In this scene Shakespeare makes the storm a setting for the conspiracy. The convulsion in the physical world is harmonised with that in the moral.
Act 2, Scene 1
The scene consists of four parts: (i) the soliloquy in which Brutus persuades himself into the conviction that the murder of Caesar is a moral necessity; (ii) the meeting of the conspirators in which the final details of the conspiracy are settled; (iii) the conversation between Brutus and his wife, Portia; (iv) the interview in which Brutus enlists Cauis Ligarius in the ranks of the conspirators. Brutus decides Caesar must die because he fears Caesar's ambitions. Brutus is given one of the letters which Cassius has composed. The letter reinforces Brutus' intentions. Cassius and the others arrive. Brutus is introduced to the conspirators. Brutus joins the conspiracy but he will not take an oath. He says that it is unnecessary for Romans. Brutus is alone in thinking that Cicero should not be approached to join the conspiracy, but the others readily agree. Brutus disagrees with Cassius who thinks that Anthony should die as well as Caesar. Brutus says that Anthony will be no danger to them. Cassius is much less sure. They all agree that Anthony shall live. Cassius worries that Caesar might stay at home. Decius says that he can persuade Caesar to attend the Senate. They all arrange to meet at Caesar's house. Brutus' wife, Portia, is worried by his behaviour. He says that he is unwell. Portia demands to know what is troubling her husband. She begs him to tell her the truth. Portia wounded herself to prove her loyalty to Brutus. This scene reveals Brutus' tenderness and lovableness. His sympathetic treatment of his servant, Lucius, and his concern for Portia bring out these two aspects of his character. It is no easy for him to resist the appeal of his wife to share with her his worries and secrets. She maintains that it is her right and privilege to know. Though he does not yield, her conversation with him leaves an impression of complete confidence and equality between husband and wife.
Act 2, Scene 2
Caesar's wife, Calphurnia, has had a restless night and she urges him to stay at home. Despite this, Caesar says he will go to the Senate. But Caesar gives in and agrees to stay at home. But later Decius interprets Calphurnia's dream to Caesar's satisfaction and says that the Senate is going to crown him and he changes his mind. In this scene we do not see the same tenderness and the same intimacy of emotional relationship between Caesar and Calphurnia as we notice between Brutus and Portia.
Act 2, Scene 3
Artemidorus reads out a warning message which he means to give out to Caesar.
Act 2, Scene 4
Portia is tortured by anxiety and despatches Lucius to the Senate House. Portia meets the soothsayer and what he says increases her fears as he predicts danger for Caesar. The scene tells us that Brutus has evidently told Portia about the conspiracy and that she is a state of nervous apprehension about the outcome, not because she is particularly interested in the political aspect of the case but she treasures her husband's safety than anything else.
Act 3, Scene 1
Caesar ignores two warnings and Cassius fears the plot has been discovered. The conspirators panic. Caesar ignores pleas on behalf of Publius Cimber and is killed by the conspirators. Conspirators exult over their achievement. The assassins moralise. Brutus consents to receive Anthony. Anthony shakes hands with the conspirators and pretend to be their friends. They give conditions for Anthony's funeral speech. Once he is alone with the body, Anthony reveals his true feelings. The servant of Octavius arrives. With the murder of Caesar, the action reaches its climax.
Act 3, Scene 2
- The demand of the citizens for an explanation.
- Speech of Brutus.
- Reaction to the speech of Brutus.
- Enthusiastic response of citizens continues.
- Anthony strikes a note of pity for Caesar.
- The citizens clamour for a will.
- Anthony works their minds to a frenzy.
- Anthony sneers at the conspirators.
- Citizens ready to mutiny.
- Arrival of Octavius and the flight of Cassius and Brutus.
The highlights of this scene are the speeches of Brutus and Anthony. Brutus speaks in a studied and balanced style. He logically argues why Caesar was killed. Mark Anthony's speech is a masterpiece of oratory. Anthony's main aim is to win the citizens over to his side.
Act 3, Scene 3
In the citizens' anger, the crowd meets Cinna, the poet. They question him. When they learn that the poet has the same name as the conspirators they drag him away to murder him. The episode in this scene has no bearing on the progress of the action, but serves to illustrate how much Anthony has inflamed the citizen.
Act 4, Scene 1
- Conference of the triumvirs
- Anthony's contempt for Lepidus
- The question of confronting the conspirators
The scene tells us that a triumvirate with Anthony, Octavius Caesar and Lepidus sharing power has come into existence.
Act 4, Scene 2
- Brutus suspects the sincerity of Cassius
- The rift between Brutus and Cassius becomes clear.
The scene takes us away from Rome to Brutus' camp in a place near Sardis. The scene introduces us to the rift between Brutus and Cassius.
Act 4, Scene 3
- The grievances of Cassius and his threat
- Cassius' anger and desperation and the reconciliation
- The entry and the exit of the poet
- Instruction to the commanders
- The death of Portia
- The news of arrival of Octavius and Anthony's forces
- Brutus overrides Cassius and they decide to meet the enemy at Philippi
- Brutus with Lucius
- Caesar's ghost appears
- Brutus regains courage and sends message to Cassius
This scene further stresses the difference in temperament and outlook between Brutus and Cassius, the two main protagonists.
Act 5, Scene 1
- Arrival of the Republican army at Philippi
- Plan of the liberation army
- Cassius is in despair
- The everlasting farewell
Shakespeare has made use of the following details in the scene: the conversation of Cassius with Messala regarding the omens of the 'two mighty eagles' and of the 'ravens, crows, and kites' and the allusions of Cato and his self-inflicted death.
Act 5, Scene 2
The scene clearly indicates that the battle has begun and is in progress. The scene also gives us the impression that Brutus acts in haste.
Act 5, Scene 3
- Liberation forces in disarray
- Cassius misunderstands and is stabbed on request
- Pindarus flees
- Titinius' tribute to Cassius and his error
- Titinius kills himself
- Brutus fights and his tribute to Cassius
The scene tells us about the declining fortunes of Brutus and Cassius at the battle of Philippi. Cassius suffers defeat at the hands of Anthony. Though Brutus has defeated Octavius, no advantage is derived from this as Cassius, who has been misinformed, has ended his life.
Act 5, Scene 4
*Cato is slain and Lucilius is captured
This scene records two incidents in the progress of the battle of Philippi: young Cato dies fighting; Lucilius, who is taken prisoner, misleads the soldiers saying that he is Brutus.
Act 5, Scene 5
- Brutus weeps and commits suicide
- Anthony, Octavius and the others arrive
- Anthony's tribute to Brutus and the end of the war
The scene highlights the death of Brutus. Brutus, like Cassius before his suicide, loses all hope. He knows that his hour has come, for the ghost of Caesar has appeared to him twice. He is ready to end his life.
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