Julius Caesar play
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Summary
Julius Caesar is a historical drama. The story of the play is related to the Rome Empire. Julius Caesar is the popular general of the Rome Empire, after defeating pomey(great leader of Rome)in battle, Julius Caesar takes control of the entire kingdom.
Ordinary citizens of Rome are impressed by the victory of Julius Caesar, they gather to congratulate Julius Caesar on his return home, but many people of the feudal class have turned against him due to the increasing popularity and power of the Julius Caesar.
Summary of the play (Julius Caesar)
Julius Caesar story
Act I, Scene I
Julius Caesar is returning home after defeating Pompey. The Romans are gathering in the streets to greet Caesar. But Flavius and Marullus, are against Caesar. They set about disrobing Caesar's images and driving away the crowd.
Act I, scene II
Caesar passes on his way to the capitol. An old shoothsayer asks him to beware of the ideas of March (15th March). He tells Caesar that there is danger to his life. But Caesar pays no attention to his warning and say that the man is a dreamer.
Brutus and Cassius meet. Cassius is hostile to Caesar. He tells Brutus that the people of Rome wish that Brutus should do something for them. Brutus says that the fears of people will make Caesar their king. But cassius speaks more openly against Caesar.
When Brutus and cassius are talking, Caesar comes with the procession. Casca is also among the crowd of the people. They stop Casca and ask him some questions. Caska tells them that Antony presented Caesar the crown three times but Caesar refused it. Now, the two friends-Brutus and cassius part for the day. Brutus invites Cassius to come to his house to discuss the matter for future. Cassius agrees to it.
After it, Cassius thanks deeply about his future plan. He plans to throw several letters in different hand writings into the window of Brutus's house. He wants to show Brutus that Caesar is ambitious and the Romans want Brutus's help and guidance. Cassius thanks that if he is successful in his plan, he would throw Caesar out of power.
Act I, Scene III
The night is fearful. There is thunder and lightning. Casca and Cassius meet. Casca tells him that the senators are going to crown Caesar the next day. Cassius tells that Caesar is a tyrant and he, therefore, has persuaded some of the noblest Romans to end Caesar. Casca also promises to help him in his enterprise. Does Cassius persuades casca to join him in conspiracy. They also decided to meet Brutus.
Act II, Scene I
Brutus is restless. Cassius comes to him with some conspirators. He takes Brutus aside and tells him his plan to murder Caesar that day. Cassius advises Brutus that Mark Antony, the true friend of Caesar, should also be murdered. Brutus does not like it. The conspirators want to make sure that Caesar would come to the Capitol. Decius says that he will persuade Caesar to arrive there.
Portia finds her husband Brutus disturbed. She asks him the reason of his worry. She wishes to know the botheration of his heart. Brutus tells portia that he would tell her everything at the right time. Brutus finds portia a noble wife.
Act II, Scene II
Caesar is in his house. She find his wife. he finds his wife, Calphurnia restless. Caesar orders his servant to go to the priests to ask them to make sacrifice to the gods. He asks the servant to bring him the opinion of the priests.
Caesar's wife CalPhurnia is afraid. She has seen a fearful dream. She is trying to presuade Caesar to stay at home. Hence, Caesar decide to send Antony to tell the senate that he could not come. But decius comes in. He flatters Caesar. Caesar tells him about the dream seen by calphurnia. Decius interprets Calphurnia's dream as a good sign. Caesar changes his mind and decides to go to the Senate. Caesar starts for the senate. Caesar is escorted by the conspirators to the Capitol.
Act II, Scene III
Artemidorus, a teacher and admirer of Caesar decides to warn Caesar against the conspirators. He stands in a street near the Capitol. He wants to give Caesar a letter. He wants to warn Caesar to be careful of Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Cinna, trebonius and Metellus climber. He writes in his letter that all of them have formed a group against Caesar to murder him. He should be cautious of them. He intends to hand that letter to Caesar.
Act II, Scene IV
Brutus's wife, portia is very much agiatated. She is anxious to know what is happening at the capitol. She asks her servant Lucius to go to the capitol to bring her the news whether her husband Brutus looks well or not. She also asks him to bring the information of what Caesar is doing. She orders Lucius to run to the senate-house and return soon.
Act III, Scene I
Caesar is going to senate-house. Antony is with him. The conspirators are also going with Caesar. On the way, artemidorus gives his letter to Caesar but Caesar does not care to read it. He moves on and reaches the capitol. Trebonious draws Antony out of the way. The senators rise to humour Caesar. Metellus climber requests Caesar to call his brother back from exile. Brutus, Cinna and Decius support to his request. But Caesar is firm on his previous decision. He is not moved. He rejects his application. Casca stabs Caesar in the neck. The other conspirators, also step him one by one. Brutus is the last to stab Caesar. Caesar falls down and dies.
The conspirators are very happy. Men, women and children run about in fear. Cassius asks his followers to bend and Smear their hands in Caesar's blood. He tells them to follow Brutus as their leader.
Antony comes to meets Brutus and cassius. He obtains their permission to speak something for Caesar.
Octavius Caesar, the nephew of Caesar is coming to Rome. His servant comes to Antony. Antony asks him to wait. He will first talk to the people.
Act III, Scene II
Brutus delivers a speech. He tells the mob that he has murdered Julius Caesar because Caesar was ambitious. He tells the mob that he loved Caesar but he loves Rome more. The mob feels convinced that Caesar's murder is justified.
Then Antony comes with the dead body of Caesar. He delivers a very impressive speech. He tries to convince the Romans that Caesar was not ambitious. He tells the mob that Caesar did not keep anything for himself. Caesar used to weep when the poor suffered. Antony tells the mob that he had presented Caesar the crown thrice during the festival of Lupercalia, but Caesar did not accept the crown. Then he reads the will of Caesar. Thus, he wins the sympathy of the people for Caesar and turns their mind against the conspirators. The mob is furious and starts a mutiny against the conspirators.
Meanwhile, a messenger from Octavius Caesar comes and tells Antony that Octavius has come in Rome and Lepidus is also with him. Antony goes to meet them. He tells them that he has turned the tables in his own favour. At the same time Brutus and cassius run out of the gates of Rome.
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Act III, Scene III
The mob is furious. It moves forward. Cinna, a favourite poet of Caesar meets the mob. The mob suspects him to be a conspirator. The poor poet is unnecessarily killed. The persons in the mob move forward and start burning houses. They want to burn Brutus's house. They want to find out Cassius.
Act IV, Scene I
Antony, Octavius, Caesar, and Lepidus form a group to punish the conspirators. They prepare a list of those person who were conspiring against Caesar. Lepidus is asked to bring the will of Caesar. In absence of Lepidus, Octavius speaks of the bravely of Lepidus, while Antony calls him a worthless fellow. They also talk about the serious and important things. They prepare a plan against their enemies.
Act IV, Scene II
Brutus rises and army. He camps near Sardis. The soldiers are busy in their duties. Pindarus, the servant of Cassius comes to Brutus. He tells him that his master, Cassius is approaching. Brutus greets Pindarus.
Lucilius, the friend of Brutus tells him that Cassius received him without any usual mark of friendship. He says to Brutus that he has wronged him. Brutus is polite. He asks Cassius not to quarrel and have faith in him. Cassius goes inside the camp with Brutus. They talk about their differences. Lucilius watches outside the camp.
Act IV, Scene III
A quarrel takes place between Brutus and Cassius. Cassius says that Brutus has done him injustice. Brutus says that Cassius himself has done so. He charges him with hoarding money by foul means. Hearing it, Cassius losses his temper. Brutus tells him that he loves Cassius but he hates his faults. They quarrel. After sometime Brutus tell him that Portia swallowed fire and died. Now their differences are patched up. They discuss that they should March on to philippi.
At night, Brutus is reading. It is very late. All of a sudden, The ghost of Caesar appears before Brutus). The ghost tells Brutus that he would meet him again at Philippi. The ghost disappears.
Act V, Scene I
Octavius tells Antony that the armies of Brutus and Cassius are approaching. He asks Antony to be ready. Antony replies that he knows well the intention of the enemies and their show will not affect them.
Brutus and cassius are also talking together about the struggle. Cassius asks Brutus to consider the result of the battle. He says that if they lost the battle, it is their last meeting. Brutus also tells him that he also does not know whether they would meet again or not. Hence let them bid final farewell.
Act V, Scene sII
Brutus orders that the army of Octavius should be attacked. He tells messala that Octavius is not well prepared. Their sudden attack would crush them.
Act V, Scene III
The leaders of the opposing armies meet. The battle takes place. Brutus attacks Octavius and defeats him. But Cassius is defeated by Antony. Cassius is asked by his faithful servant Pindarus to run away. Cassius is sad and he tells Pindarus that his last time has come. He asks to Pindarus to stab him. Pindarus stabs Cassius. At the time of his death, Cassius Utters, "Caesar! thou art avenged, even with the sword that killed thee."
Titinius (the friend of Cassius) comes and finds Cassius dead. He is is overwhelmed with grief and stabs himself. Brutus comes to know about the death of Cassius. He is sad. He decides to fight again.
Act V, Scene IV
There is fighting again. In the battle, Brutus and his men are defeated. Young Cato fights and is killed. Brutus flees. Lucilius is captured by the soldiers of Antony. He tries he tries to save Brutus by pretending to be Brutus. When he is presented before Antony, he is recognised by him. Antony tells his men that he is Lucilius and not Brutus. Meanwhile, Brutus escapes. Antony orders for the search of Brutus.
Act V, Scene V
Brutus and his men are badly defeated. He has no hope of victory. Brutus feels that his end is near. He does not like to be caught by his enemies. Therefore, he asks his friend Volumnius to stab him. But he does not agree to it. Now Brutus asks his servant Strato to hold his (Brutus) sword. Strato, unwillingly holds it. Brutus runs upon his sword and kills himself.
At the death of Brutus, Antony praises him that he was the noblest of all the Romans. Octavius pays Brutus due ragard. He promises and honorable burial for him according to his high status.
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