After the others leave, Antony prophesies that brutal civil war will break out, prompted by Caesar’s vengeful spirit, and he begins to plot with Caesar’s nephew and heir, Octavius Caesar.Īt Caesar’s funeral, Brutus appeals to the people’s reason, arguing that it was necessary to kill Caesar for the sake of Rome. Antony comes in, ostensibly makes peace with the conspirators, and gains Brutus’s permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral, despite Cassius’s suspicions. Caesar dies after saying, “You, too, Brutus?” The conspirators dip their hands and weapons in Caesar’s blood as a sign of Rome’s newfound “liberty” from tyranny. They use this opportunity to stab Caesar to death in turn. Inside the Capitol, the conspirators kneel before Caesar, presenting the case of Metellus Cimber’s brother’s banishment. When conspirator Decius arrives, he confirms Caesar’s decision by reinterpreting Calpurnia’s bloody dream in a favorable light and telling Caesar he’ll be crowned by the Senate that day.Īt the Senate, the crowds are chaotic, with various attempts either to warn Caesar or encourage the conspirators. In spite of this warning and a fearful augury, Caesar, needing to project invulnerability, determines to go anyway. His wife, Calpurnia, has dreamed of Caesar’s murder and begs him to stay home from the Capitol that day. She says that as his wife and Cato’s daughter, she’s stronger than most women in fact, she’s wounded herself in the thigh to demonstrate her trustworthiness. After the conspirators part ways, Brutus’s wife, Portia, begs Brutus to tell her what’s going on. Brutus continues to be motivated more by principle than by ambition, emerging as a leader of the plot-he rejects the inclusion of Cicero and the assassination of Antony, who’s close to Caesar. Then Cassius arrives with the other conspirators. He reads an anonymous letter urging him to “redress” unspoken injustices against Rome. Cassius persuades Casca that the omens are signs of Caesar’s imminent tyranny, winning him over to the conspiracy.īrutus, who hasn’t slept since Cassius spoke to him of the conspiracy, talks himself into believing that assassinating Caesar is the best thing to do for Rome. Later, the streets of Rome are filled with fearful omens like meteors, earthquakes, lions, and owls. Brutus and Cassius agree to talk later Cassius plots to leave Brutus fake letters denouncing Caesar’s ambition. After the Lupercal race, Casca informs them that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, and Caesar refused it each time, although he thinks that Caesar looked increasingly reluctant to say no with each refusal. Brutus admits that although he loves Caesar, he doesn’t want Caesar to become king, and he desires the good of Rome above all else. Meanwhile, Cassius tries to persuade Brutus that Caesar is dangerously ambitious. During the festivities, a soothsayer warns Caesar to “Beware the ides of March”-an omen Caesar quickly dismisses. It’s also the feast of Lupercal, an annual Roman holiday. Janet Alexander Griffin-Artistic Producerīarbara A.The play opens with Julius Caesar’s triumphal entry into Rome after defeating his rival, Pompey. Michael Witmore-Director, Folger Shakespeare Library Music performed by Rebecca Sheir, vocals Doug Wilson, trumpet and Eric Shimelonis, strings, piano, and percussion. Creative TeamĮric Shimelonis-Sound Design and Music CompositionĪdam Stamper at Omega Recording Studios-Recording and Engineering Cassius, alone at the end of the scene, expresses his surprise that Brutus, who is one of Caesar’s favorites, is willing to conspire against Caesar and decides to take immediate advantage of this willingness.Īll other parts were played by members of the company. After Brutus and Cassius talk with Casca about Mark Antony’s public offer of the crown to Caesar, Brutus agrees to continue his conversation with Cassius the next day. Cassius urges Brutus to oppose Caesar for fear that Caesar may become king. When Caesar and others exit, Cassius and Brutus remain behind. The Folger Shakespeare Julius Caesar audiobook is available on a wide variety of audiobook platforms.Ī soothsayer advises Caesar that the fifteenth of March will be a dangerous day for him. This production was performed by the professional actors of Folger Theatre, in consultation with the editors of The Folger Shakespeare. The Folger Shakespeare Library and our publishing partner, Simon & Schuster Audio, hope you enjoy these excerpts from our audio performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
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