Summary:
Imagine living Shakespeare's Julius Caesar as a carpenter of the time, watching events unflod and relating them in your own words.
Yesterday I was told that Caesar was coming back from a victory. Although it was against Pompey's sons, I think he should be crowned king. Today I went to town with a bunch of my friends, and we decorated Caesar's statue. Two soldiers came and tore down the decorations, saying that because Caesar killed the sons of the greatest general, we shouldn't be "worshipping" him. They asked me what my profession was, and I, of course, told him the truth. "Why, sir, a carpenter," were my exact words. They then forced us to go back to work.
Soon after my last entry, I went to see a race. I noticed during the race that Caesar's wife was standing in the middle of the track, obviously so Antony would touch her and win the race to end the curse of being barren. I also notice Cassius and Brutus off talking secretly. After the race was over Antony offered Caesar the crown twice, and he refused both times.
There is an extremely odd storm in our midst. There are balls of fire falling from the sky, hitting people, and them not burning. There are fierce animals running the streets, and not attacking anyone. I also see Casca and Cassius talking down below my window. I hear very faint words every now and then. By what I hear, it seems like Caesar is going to be offered the crown again tomorrow, and they are going to kill him.
A friend of mine, the cobbler, was out marveling about the storm, and he noticed a large crowd in Brutus' garden. He said that he overheard them talking about killing Caesar because he would be too much of a threat as a tyrannical king. He also overheard them saying that he might not go to the Senate, where we believe they plan to kill him, because he's growing suspicious. After everyone left, Cobbler came running to me to tell me. We decided not to tell anyone.
I have heard that Caesar's wife, Calpurnia, has had a nightmare. She doesn't want Caesar to go to the Senate because of omens she and others have seen. She begged Caesar not to go, but to send Antony instead. She had dreamed that the statue of Caesar spouted blood and many Romans came and bathed their hands in it. Decius, who had arrived to take Caesar to the Senate, tells him that it means Caesar's blood will revive Rome. Once Caesar is crowned, many Romans will come to seek advice and wisdom from Caesar. He then tells them that the Senate plans to offer the crown to him today and that he must be there to receive it. Unfortunately for those who know the real reason Decius wants him to go, Caesar decided to go. I also heard that Artemidorus has a letter warning Caesar of Brutus and that he is going to give it to him as he passes.
Lucius, a friend of mine that works for Brutus has told me that Portia is worried about something Brutus is going to do. She even went as far as asking the Soothsayer if he knew where Caesar was, and the Soothsayer said he didn't, but he had to find him before he goes to the Senate.
Caesar is dead. We were all there to see him crowned king. Artemidorus even tried to warn Caesar. He wouldn't listen like we thought he would. His last words were to Brutus. "And you too, Brutus"" Antony is actually going to converse with Brutus and the others on why they did it. Who cares why they did it? Just kill them. They deserve to die. I am going to get together people to take revenge on them. When Antony comes back, I hope he tries to convince us to take revenge on them. I heard that Octavius Caesar, Julius' nephew, is coming. I hope he waits until everyone has decided to take revenge on them for the death of Caesar.
Soon after Caesar's funeral
Brutus has just spoken to us at Caesar's funeral, only because some people still had respect for him. He was still trying to convince us that he had a good cause for killing Caesar. Most of the people agree with him. At least until Antony came. He convinced us that Brutus was lying by reading us Caesar's will. He hesitated for a second, but then read that he was going to give every citizen 75 dracmas. He had also left us his orchards and gardens. Soon after, Octavius arrived. We also later learned that Brutus and Cassius fled the city and hid. After that, as we were burning the body, a poet came and said something about dreaming he was eating dinner with Caesar. He said his name was Cinna, so we killed him because that was the name of one of the murderers.
This is the complete article, containing 828 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
