Journal #8

“Et tu, Bruté?- Then fall, Caesar” (III. i. 79).

Caesar

To Brutus

After Caesar is stabbed by Brutus, he sees it is his trusted friends and gives up and dies.

This shows how much Caesar really did love Brutus, and Antony uses this betrayal in his speech to turn the plebians against him.

“How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown!” (III. i. 115).

Cassius

To himself/ other conspirators

As they have washed their hands in Caesar’s blood he marvels at how historic this event is.

Cassius has been going after Caesar for power and glory and this proves he cannot way to be a martyr of sorts.

“What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission, And that we are contented Caesar shall Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong” (III. i. 244).

Brutus

To Cassius

Cassius is worried about Antony speaking at the funeral, but Brutus says he will speak first and tell the crowd their reasons for killing Caesar. Also he will say that Antony is speaking with their permission.

This is an error of judgment by Brutus in that he gives Antony the last word. Antony eventually uses this to turn the Plebains against them.

“Caesar’s better parts Shall be crowned in Brutus!” (III. ii. 48).

Plebian

To anyone who will listen

After Brutus’s speech the Plebians fully agree with him and want him as king.

This shows just how malleable the citizens are and how they could be dangerous for a ruler.

“Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd; And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolved If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel” (III. ii. 170).

Antony

To the crowd of plebians

Before he reads the will, Antony becomes sentimental and shows how much Caesar loved Brutus.

Plebians who we know are malleable, hear this and conclude that Caesar was wronged by Brutus, who is a traitor. 

Journal #7

Dear father,

            Today I have heard the speeches of two noble men, yet I feel one had much more sense. First, I listened to Brutus speak of his reasons for “rising against” Caesar and I was convinced he meant well. But then, Mark Antony took the spot where Brutus had stood after he had left, and gave a touching speech.

            His first reason that turned me against Brutus and his friends was how he told of Caesar brining home captives to make us rich. And that even when the poor were in trouble, Caesar felt their pain and did what he could to help. When Antony said that his “heart was in the coffin with Caesar”, I understood how deep Antony’s pain was for the loss of his- and our- friend.

            Secondly, Brutus’s main point was that Caesar was ambitious and we would all become slaves under the rule of Caesar. Yet, when Antony recalled how he had offered the crown three times to Caesar. As you know, Caesar did not accept it any of those times. So modest! So humble! Brutus’s accusation of Caesar’s ambition is clearly false after remembering this. Caesar had trusted Brutus with his life and loved him, yet Brutus betrayed him and stabbed him to death.

            Lastly, the will of Julius Caesar proved that we would all be free and happy under Caesar. He gave each of us a decent amount of money, which is extraordinarily generous. Along with this he left the walkways in his gardens for all of us to relax in.

            The conspirators are evil and have wronged Caesar, for he was a good man. Now we must seek revenge for him. Will you join us?

            Sincerely,

                        Your son

Journal #6

            To explain their reasons for killing Caesar, the group and its members each have their motives. Brutus’s main reason is that Caesar will become overcome with power, and the people shall regret the day they gave him crown.

Brutus says, “Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us” (I. ii. 173).

Cassius says that they did Caesar a favor by shortening his life; for Caesar feared death, and the quicker he died the less he would have to worry about it.

Cassius states, “Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death” (III. i. 105).

 Of course, we know that Cassius’s dream is to have power and fame in the Roman Empire when he says, “So often shall the knot of us be called “The men that gave their country liberty”” (III. i. 122).

Brutus did it out of honor; therefore his motive was justified. Yet, Cassius wanted fame and created another reason to show his intelligence to his group. Cassius did not have a reason to kill Caesar but for personal gain.

Journal #5

“Like wrath in death and envy afterwards, For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. Let us be sacrificers but not butchers, Caius” (II. i. 166).

Brutus to conspirators (Cassius, Decius, etc.)

When Cassius tells how Antony has the power to find and capture the murderers of Caesar, he suggests they kill him as well.

Brutus replies by saying it will look bad if they killed both, showing Brutus is still honorable.

“Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, They could not find a heart within the beast” (II. ii. 39).

Servant to Caesar

The results of the sacrifice that Caesar had some priests conduct are given.

This is another omen of bad things to come.

“(aside) That every “like” is not the same, O Caesar, The heart of Brutus earns to think upon” (II. ii. 129).

Brutus to himself

Once Caesar agrees to go instead of staying home, and invites his “friends” to celebrate and get ready.

This shows how Brutus still loves Caesar, yet knows he must kill him for the good of the people.

“My heart laments that virtue cannot live Out of teeth of emulation. If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live” (II. iii. 11).

Artemidorus to himself

He writes a note warning Caesar of the conspirators.

Artemidorus know he is in danger, and is trying to save Caesar.

“None that I know will be; much that I fear may chance” (II. iiii. 34).

Soothsayer to Calphurnia

When Calphurnia asks if he knows if anything bad will happen to Caesar.

This shows that is likely that Caesar is in trouble. 

Journal #4

“I do fear the people Choose Caesar for their king” (I. ii. 86)”.

Brutus to Cassius

This is before Cassius at first tries to show Brutus the cons of Caesar’s rule; but a great shout coming from the area where Caesar’s ceremony is interrupts it.

Brutus says this and shows that he does not want Caesar as king.

“He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake” (I. ii. 126).

Cassius to Brutus

This is also during the talk between Cassius and Brutus, where Cassius is explaining how “human” Caesar is.

This shaking sickness is an example of some of Caesar’s infirmities, and we later learn it is epilepsy.

“Ay, marry, was’t, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other…” (I. ii. 239).

Casca to Brutus and Cassius

Casca tells of how Caesar denied the crown three times, causing the people to shout and see his modestness.

This shows that Caesar wants the crown, yet took this opportunity to show his modesty.

“And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open The breast of heaven, I did present myself even in the aim and very flash of it” (I. iii. 53).

Cassius to Casca (indirectly to Cicero)

After Casca says how menacing the night is, and Cassius replies by showing that the Gods don’t mean to harm them.

Cassius looks fearless when he states this, increasing his good reputation with these two.

“’Tis Caesar that you mean, is it not, Cassius?” (I. iii. 82).

Casca to Cassius

This is right after Cassius explains how the horrors of the night are not meant for them.

In fact, Cassius shows that the heavens are speaking to Caesar through the storm and such.