ARGUMENT Act I. reveals the conspiracy brewing against Cæsar. Scene i. Friendly plebeians, on the one side, rejoicing in his triumph, are dispersed by unfriendly tribunes, on the other side, jealous lest he attain extraordinary power through the favor of the people. Scene ii. introduces the characters in significant action. Cæsar seeks Antony's help by the touch, during the Lupercal games, that was superstitiously supposed to make his wife bear him an heir, and hears a soothsayer bid him beware the Ides of March. Cassius spurs Brutus to lead the conspiracy against Cæsar. Brutus, though loath as a friend, is ready as a republican to consider it. Caska reports how Antony has just been offering the crown to Cæsar, with applause of the rabble. The three disaffected men part, agreeing to meet again, Cassius resolving privately to secure Brutus by throwing scrolls in his window purporting to be from Romans calling on him to lead them against Cæsar's ambition. Scene iii. During that night, full of prodigies that menace Cæsar, according to Cassius, Caska's allegiance is gained, and the group of conspirators meet. Act II. joins Brutus and his influence in the conspiracy. Scene i. Brutus finds the scrolls, is won over, and the conspirators meet with him. They agree to stab Cæsar at the Capitol the next morning, and to spare Antony at Brutus's will, although Cassius fears him. Brutus's wife remonstrates with him for his lack of confidence in her, and he trusts her. Scenes ii.-iii. Cæsar's wife urges him to yield to her ominous dreams and stay away from the Capitol. Decius enters, interprets the dreams as propitious, and decides him to go. Artemidorus and the soothsayers seek to warn him against danger. Act III. shows the assassination, and the action of the people. Scenes i.-iii. Cæsar disregards the warnings and is surrounded in the Capitol by the conspirators, who stab him in turn, Brutus last, when he cries, Et tu Brute!' and falls at the foot of Pompey's statue. Antony asks safeguard, and Brutus, against the advice of Cassius, yields it and permits him to speak at Cæsar's funeral after his own speech. He soothes the people; but Antony rouses them to mutiny; they fire the houses of the conspirators, and make them fly the city. So maddened is the mob that it tears to pieces an innocent poet who bears the same name as a conspirator. tus. Act IV. Cæsar's party and Brutus's make war. Scenes i.-iii. Antony, young Cæsar, and Lepidus agree upon their proscription lists, and join forces against BruSmarting under news of his wife's suicide, Brutus quarrels with Cassius, and although they become reconciled, he overbears his more cautious counsel, and they prepare for immediate battle on the morrow. Brutus is visited by Cæsar's ghost that night. Act V. The spirit of Cæsar triumphs. Scenes i.-v. The generals hold a parley before the battle at Philippi. Brutus begins the attack hastily against Octavius, with success, but leaves Cassius to be surrounded by Antony's forces. Cassius runs on his own sword. Brutus rallies for a last attack, but meets defeat and falls on his own sword. |