The Ides of March are come.
The Ides of March are come.
The Ides of March are come.
the ides of march are come
Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
ay, caesar; but not gone
Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
hail, caesar
Trebonius doth desire you to o’er-read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
Trebonius does desire you to o’er-read, At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
Trebonius does desire you to o’er-read, At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
trebonius doth desire you to o’er-read, at your best leisure, this his humble suit
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit
That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.
o caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit that touches caesar nearer
What touches us ourself shall be last serv’d.
What touches us ourself shall be last serv’d.
What touches us ourself shall be last serv’d.
what touches us ourself shall be last serv’d
Delay not, Caesar. Read it instantly.
Delay not, Caesar. Read it instantly.
Delay not, Caesar. Read it instantly.
delay not, caesar
What, is the fellow mad?
What, is the fellow mad?
What, is the fellow mad?
what, is the fellow mad
Sirrah, give place.
sir, give place.
sir, give place.
sirrah, give place
What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.
Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol. Caesar enters the Capitol, the rest following. All the Senators rise.
what, urge you your petitions in the street
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
I wish your enterprise today may thrive.
i wish your enterprise today may thrive
What enterprise, Popilius?
What enterprise, Popilius?
What enterprise, Popilius?
what enterprise, popilius
Fare you well.
Fare you well.
Fare you well.
fare you well
What said Popilius Lena?
What said Popilius Lena?
What said Popilius Lena?
what said popilius lena
He wish’d today our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
He wish’d today our enterprise might thrive. I fear our purpose is discovered.
He wish’d today our enterprise might thrive. I fear our purpose is discovered.
he wish’d today our enterprise might thrive
Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.
Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.
Look how he makes to Caesar: mark him.
look how he makes to caesar: mark him
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, For I will slay myself.
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, For I will slay myself.
casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention
Cassius, be constant:
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
For look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
Cassius, be constant: Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; For look, he smiles, and Caesar does not change.
Cassius, be constant: Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; For look, he smiles, and Caesar doesn't change.
cassius, be constant: popilius lena speaks not of our purposes; for look, he smiles, and caesar doth not change
The moment when Artemidorus tries to hand Caesar his letter and Caesar says 'what touches us ourself shall be last served' is the hinge of the whole play. Caesar's principle sounds admirable — public business before personal concern. But it's wrong in this case, and it's wrong in a specific way: because the 'personal' concern IS the public concern. Artemidorus's letter isn't gossip about Caesar's private life; it's information about a political assassination that will destabilize the Republic. Caesar's magnanimous public posture and his private inability to accept that he needs protection are the same thing. The vanity of 'Caesar doesn't serve his own interests first' and the vanity of 'I am the northern star' are both faces of the same coin: he cannot believe he is vulnerable, so he cannot receive information that says he is. Every warning in this play — the Soothsayer, Calphurnia's dream, the augurers, Artemidorus — fails for the same reason: they're all asking Caesar to admit that he might be killed. And Caesar can't do that. He's too busy being Caesar.
Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus,
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus, He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
Trebonius knows his time, for look you, Brutus, He draws Mark Antony out of the way.
trebonius knows his time, for look you, brutus, he draws mark antony out of the way
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
where is metellus cimber
He is address’d; press near and second him.
He is address’d; press near and second him.
He is address’d; press near and second him.
he is address’d; press near and second him
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
Casca, you're the first that rears your hand.
casca, you are the first that rears your hand
Are we all ready? What is now amiss
That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
Are we all ready? What is now amiss That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
Are we all ready? What is now amiss That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
are we all ready
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart.
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before your seat An humble heart.
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before your seat An humble heart.
most high, most mighty, and most puissant caesar, metellus cimber throws before thy seat an humble heart
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thaw’d from the true quality
With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words,
Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning.
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend, and pray, and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Caesar dost not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
I must prevent you, Cimber. These couchings and these lowly courtesies Might fire the blood of ordinary men, And turn pre-ordinance and first decree Into the law of children. Be not fond, To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood That will be thaw’d from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words, Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. your brother by decree is banished: If you do bend, and pray, and fawn for him, I spurn you like a cur out of my way. Know, Caesar do not wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied.
I must prevent you, Cimber. These couchings and these lowly courtesies Might fire the blood of ordinary men, And turn pre-ordinance and first decree Into the law of children. Be not fond, To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood That will be thaw’d from the true quality With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words, Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. your brother by decree is banished: If you do bend, and pray, and fawn for him, I spurn you like a cur out of my way. Know, Caesar don't wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied.
i must prevent thee, cimber
Is there no voice more worthy than my own,
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear
For the repealing of my banish’d brother?
Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear For the repealing of my banish’d brother?
Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear For the repealing of my banish’d brother?
is there no voice more worthy than my own, to sound more sweetly in great caesar’s ear for the repealing of my banish’d brother
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
I kiss your hand, but not in flattery, Caesar; Desiring you that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
I kiss your hand, but not in flattery, Caesar; Desiring you that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
i kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, caesar; desiring thee that publius cimber may have an immediate freedom of repeal
What, Brutus?
What, Brutus?
What, Brutus?
what, brutus
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: As low as to your foot does Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: As low as to your foot does Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
pardon, caesar; caesar, pardon: as low as to thy foot doth cassius fall, to beg enfranchisement for publius cimber
I could be well mov’d, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks,
They are all fire, and every one doth shine;
But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.
So in the world; ’tis furnish’d well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshak’d of motion: and that I am he,
Let me a little show it, even in this,
That I was constant Cimber should be banish’d,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
I could be well mov’d, if I were as you; If I could pray to move, prayers would move me: But I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks, They are all fire, and every one does shine; But there’s but one in all does hold his place. So in the world; ’tis furnish’d well with men, And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; Yet in the number I do know but one That unassailable holds on his rank, Unshak’d of motion: and that I am he, Let me a little show it, even in this, That I was constant Cimber should be banish’d, And constant do remain to keep him so.
I could be well mov’d, if I were as you; If I could pray to move, prayers would move me: But I'm constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks, They are all fire, and every one does shine; But there’s but one in all does hold his place. So in the world; ’tis furnish’d well with men, And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; Yet in the number I do know but one That unassailable holds on his rank, Unshak’d of motion: and that I'm he, Let me a little show it, even in this, That I was constant Cimber should be banish’d, And constant do remain to keep him so.
i could be well mov’d, if i were as you; if i could pray to move, prayers would move me: but i am constant as the northern star, of whose...
O Caesar,—
O Caesar,—
O Caesar,—
o caesar,—
Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
Hence! will you lift up Olympus?
Hence! will you lift up Olympus?
hence
Great Caesar,—
Great Caesar,—
Great Caesar,—
great caesar,—
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
does not Brutus bootless kneel?
doesn't Brutus bootless kneel?
doth not brutus bootless kneel
Speak, hands, for me!
Speak, hands, for me!
Speak, hands, for me!
speak, hands, for me
Antony's performance in 3-1 is Shakespeare's most sophisticated portrait of political intelligence in action. He arrives with Caesar's body literally still warm, surrounded by armed men who just killed his closest friend. He has to survive this room AND get what he needs from it. Watch how he does it: first, grief that is real but performed in a way that makes him seem harmless ('I could die here, if you want'). Then the handshaking — touching every murderer's bloody hand, which looks like cooperation but is also Antony taking account of everyone who owes him a debt of life. Then the eulogy request, slipped in as an afterthought: 'in the pulpit, as becomes a friend.' Brutus agrees before Cassius can object. Then the terms — don't blame us, speak with our permission — which are so mild that agreeing to them costs Antony nothing and concedes him the platform. Every move in this exchange is the move of someone playing three or four steps ahead. The 'dogs of war' soliloquy shows us what the whole performance was for: the funeral speech. Antony got exactly what he came for. Now he's going to use it.
_Et tu, Brute?_—Then fall, Caesar!
_Et tu, Brute?_—Then fall, Caesar!
_Et tu, Brute?_—Then fall, Caesar!
_et tu, brute
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
liberty
Some to the common pulpits and cry out,
“Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”
Some to the common pulpits and cry out, “Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”
Some to the common pulpits and cry out, “Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”
some to the common pulpits and cry out, “liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement
People and Senators, be not affrighted.
Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid.
People and Senators, be not affrighted. Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid.
People and Senators, be not affrighted. Fly not; stand still; ambition’s debt is paid.
people and senators, be not affrighted
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
go to the pulpit, brutus
And Cassius too.
And Cassius too.
And Cassius too.
and cassius too
Where’s Publius?
Where’s Publius?
Where’s Publius?
where’s publius
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
here, quite confounded with this mutiny
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s
Should chance—
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s Should chance—
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s Should chance—
stand fast together, lest some friend of caesar’s should chance—
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer!
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer! There is no harm intended to your person, Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer! There is no harm intended to your person, Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.
talk not of standing
And leave us, Publius; lest that the people
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
And leave us, Publius; lest that the people Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
And leave us, Publius; lest that the people Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.
and leave us, publius; lest that the people rushing on us, should do your age some mischief
Do so; and let no man abide this deed
But we the doers.
Do so; and let no man abide this deed But we the doers.
Do so; and let no man abide this deed But we the doers.
do so; and let no man abide this deed but we the doers
Where’s Antony?
Where’s Antony?
Where’s Antony?
where’s antony
Fled to his house amaz’d.
Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run,
As it were doomsday.
Fled to his house amaz’d. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday.
Fled to his house amaz’d. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run, As it were doomsday.
fled to his house amaz’d
Fates, we will know your pleasures.
That we shall die, we know; ’tis but the time
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Fates, we will know your pleasures. That we shall die, we know; ’tis but the time And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Fates, we will know your pleasures. That we shall die, we know; ’tis but the time And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
fates, we will know your pleasures
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death.
why, he that cuts off twenty years of life cuts off so many years of fearing death
Grant that, and then is death a benefit:
So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridg’d
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And waving our red weapons o’er our heads,
Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
Grant that, and then is death a benefit: So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridg’d His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords: Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
Grant that, and then is death a benefit: So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridg’d His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords: Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, And waving our red weapons o’er our heads, Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
grant that, and then is death a benefit: so are we caesar’s friends, that have abridg’d his time of fearing death
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In States unborn, and accents yet unknown!
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In States unborn, and accents yet unknown!
Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In States unborn, and accents yet unknown!
stoop then, and wash
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey’s basis lies along,
No worthier than the dust!
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey’s basis lies along, No worthier than the dust!
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey’s basis lies along, No worthier than the dust!
how many times shall caesar bleed in sport, that now on pompey’s basis lies along, no worthier than the dust
The scene where Cassius asks 'how many ages hence shall this our lofty scene be acted over' and Brutus answers that 'Caesar shall bleed in sport' is one of the most self-referential moments in the Shakespeare canon. The conspirators are standing in the Globe Theatre (or its predecessor), speaking about future theatrical performances of this very moment, in a play that is being performed right now. It is dizzying if you sit with it. But there's a darker reading: Cassius says they will be called 'the men that gave their country liberty.' He believes this. He is wrong. Within two acts, both he and Brutus will be dead, their cause destroyed. The 'lofty scene' they imagine celebrating them will be performed for centuries — but not as a triumph. As a tragedy. The conspirators write their own epitaph in this moment, and they get it completely backwards.
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be call’d
The men that gave their country liberty.
So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call’d The men that gave their country liberty.
So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be call’d The men that gave their country liberty.
so oft as that shall be, so often shall the knot of us be call’d the men that gave their country liberty
What, shall we forth?
What, shall we forth?
What, shall we forth?
what, shall we forth
Ay, every man away.
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Ay, every man away. Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
Ay, every man away. Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.
ay, every man away
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.
soft, who comes here
Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel;
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving;
Say I love Brutus and I honour him;
Say I fear’d Caesar, honour’d him, and lov’d him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolv’d
How Caesar hath deserv’d to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
So well as Brutus living; but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state,
With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving; Say I love Brutus and I honour him; Say I fear’d Caesar, honour’d him, and lov’d him. If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony May safely come to him, and be resolv’d How Caesar has deserv’d to lie in death, Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead So well as Brutus living; but will follow The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus Thorough the hazards of this untrod state, With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down; And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving; Say I love Brutus and I honour him; Say I fear’d Caesar, honour’d him, and lov’d him. If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony May safely come to him, and be resolv’d How Caesar has deserv’d to lie in death, Mark Antony shan't love Caesar dead So well as Brutus living; but will follow The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus Thorough the hazards of this untrod state, With all true faith. So says my master Antony.
thus, brutus, did my master bid me kneel; thus did mark antony bid me fall down; and, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and...
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied and, by my honour,
Depart untouch’d.
your master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied and, by my honour, Depart untouch’d.
your master is a wise and valiant Roman; I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied and, by my honour, Depart untouch’d.
thy master is a wise and valiant roman; i never thought him worse
I’ll fetch him presently.
I’ll fetch him presently.
I’ll fetch him presently.
i’ll fetch him presently
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
i know that we shall have him well to friend
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind That fears him much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind That fears him much; and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose.
i wish we may: but yet have i a mind that fears him much; and my misgiving still falls shrewdly to the purpose
But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.
But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.
But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.
but here comes antony
O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank:
If I myself, there is no hour so fit
As Caesar’s death’s hour; nor no instrument
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich
With the most noble blood of all this world.
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die.
No place will please me so, no means of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
O mighty Caesar! do you lie so low? Are all your conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? Fare you well. I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: If I myself, there is no hour so fit As Caesar’s death’s hour; nor no instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die. No place will please me so, no means of death, As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, The choice and master spirits of this age.
O mighty Caesar! do you lie so low? Are all your conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? Fare you well. I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: If I myself, there's no hour so fit As Caesar’s death’s hour; nor no instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shan't find myself so apt to die. No place will please me so, no means of death, As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, The choice and master spirits of this age.
o mighty caesar
O Antony, beg not your death of us.
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As by our hands and this our present act
You see we do; yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done.
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;
And pity to the general wrong of Rome—
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony;
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts
Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
O Antony, beg not your death of us. Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, As by our hands and this our present act You see we do; yet see you but our hands And this the bleeding business they have done. Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; And pity to the general wrong of Rome— As fire drives out fire, so pity pity— has done this deed on Caesar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony; Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
O Antony, beg not your death of us. Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, As by our hands and this our present act You see we do; yet see you but our hands And this the bleeding business they have done. Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; And pity to the general wrong of Rome— As fire drives out fire, so pity pity— has done this deed on Caesar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony; Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts Of brothers’ temper, do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
o antony, beg not your death of us
Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s
In the disposing of new dignities.
Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s In the disposing of new dignities.
Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s In the disposing of new dignities.
your voice shall be as strong as any man’s in the disposing of new dignities
Only be patient till we have appeas’d
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
Only be patient till we have appeas’d The multitude, beside themselves with fear, And then we will deliver you the cause Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, Have thus proceeded.
Only be patient till we have appeas’d The multitude, beside themselves with fear, And then we will deliver you the cause Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, Have thus proceeded.
only be patient till we have appeas’d the multitude, beside themselves with fear, and then we will deliver you the cause why i, that did love caesar when i struck...
I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand.
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand.
Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground,
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer.
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true:
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death,
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,
Most noble, in the presence of thy corse?
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies.
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay’d, brave hart;
Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand,
Sign’d in thy spoil, and crimson’d in thy lethe.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart;
And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee.
How like a deer strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand. First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand. Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say? My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love you, Caesar, O, ’tis true: If then your spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve you dearer than your death, To see your Antony making his peace, Shaking the bloody fingers of your foes, Most noble, in the presence of your corse? Had I as many eyes as you hast wounds, Weeping as fast as they stream forth your blood, It would become me better than to close In terms of friendship with yours enemies. Pardon me, Julius! Here wast you bay’d, brave hart; Here did you fall; and here your hunters stand, Sign’d in your spoil, and crimson’d in your lethe. O world, you wast the forest to this hart; And this indeed, O world, the heart of you. How like a deer strucken by many princes, do you here lie!
I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand. First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand. Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours; Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say? My credit now stands on such slippery ground, That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, Either a coward or a flatterer. That I did love you, Caesar, O, ’tis true: If then your spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve you dearer than your death, To see your Antony making his peace, Shaking the bloody fingers of your foes, Most noble, in the presence of your corse? Had I as many eyes as you hast wounds, Weeping as fast as they stream forth your blood, It would become me better than to close In terms of friendship with yours enemies. Pardon me, Julius! Here wast you bay’d, brave hart; Here did you fall; and here your hunters stand, Sign’d in your spoil, and crimson’d in your lethe. O world, you wast the forest to this hart; And this indeed, O world, the heart of you. How like a deer strucken by many princes, do you here lie!
i doubt not of your wisdom
Mark Antony,—
Mark Antony,—
Mark Antony,—
mark antony,—
Pardon me, Caius Cassius:
The enemies of Caesar shall say this;
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Caesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
Pardon me, Caius Cassius: The enemies of Caesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
pardon me, caius cassius: the enemies of caesar shall say this; then, in a friend, it is cold modesty
I blame you not for praising Caesar so;
But what compact mean you to have with us?
Will you be prick’d in number of our friends,
Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
I blame you not for praising Caesar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick’d in number of our friends, Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
I blame you not for praising Caesar so; But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be prick’d in number of our friends, Or shall we on, and not depend on you?
i blame you not for praising caesar so; but what compact mean you to have with us
Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed
Sway’d from the point, by looking down on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all, and love you all,
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why, and wherein, Caesar was dangerous.
Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed Sway’d from the point, by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all, Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons Why, and wherein, Caesar was dangerous.
Therefore I took your hands; but was indeed Sway’d from the point, by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all, Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons Why, and wherein, Caesar was dangerous.
therefore i took your hands; but was indeed sway’d from the point, by looking down on caesar
Antony's soliloquy is one of the great turning-point speeches in Shakespeare, and its most vivid image — 'cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war' — is doing more work than it first appears. 'Havoc' was a specific military command in medieval and Elizabethan warfare: once the order was given, soldiers were released from all rules of engagement. No quarter, no mercy, no prisoners. The 'dogs' were soldiers — or possibly the trained war dogs some armies actually used. Antony is saying that Caesar's spirit, with Até (the goddess of blind ruin) beside it, will give this command — and once given, it cannot be recalled. The rest of the play proves him right. Civil war follows; the proscriptions of Act 4 show exactly how complete the breakdown of Roman civil order becomes. The 'dogs of war' that Antony predicts are Octavius and himself, as much as they are the legions of the Triumvirate. Antony ends by becoming exactly what he predicts.
Or else were this a savage spectacle.
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.
Or else were this a savage spectacle. Our reasons are so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, You should be satisfied.
Or else were this a savage spectacle. Our reasons are so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, You should be satisfied.
or else were this a savage spectacle
That’s all I seek,
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
That’s all I seek, And am moreover suitor that I may Produce his body to the market-place; And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral.
That’s all I seek, And am moreover suitor that I may Produce his body to the market-place; And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral.
that’s all i seek, and am moreover suitor that i may produce his body to the market-place; and in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in the order of...
You shall, Mark Antony.
You shall, Mark Antony.
You shall, Mark Antony.
you shall, mark antony
Brutus, a word with you.
Brutus, a word with you.
Brutus, a word with you.
brutus, a word with you
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar’s death.
What Antony shall speak, I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission;
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies.
It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Caesar’s death. What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission; And that we are contented Caesar shall Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Caesar’s death. What Antony shall speak, I will protest He speaks by leave and by permission; And that we're contented Caesar shall Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong.
i will myself into the pulpit first, and show the reason of our caesar’s death
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do’t by our permission;
Else shall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral. And you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going,
After my speech is ended.
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, And say you do’t by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all About his funeral. And you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I am going, After my speech is ended.
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body. You shan't in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, And say you do’t by our permission; Else shall you not have any hand at all About his funeral. And you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I'm going, After my speech is ended.
mark antony, here, take you caesar’s body
Be it so;
I do desire no more.
Be it so; I do desire no more.
Be it so; I do desire no more.
be it so; i do desire no more
Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
Prepare the body, then, and follow us.
prepare the body, then, and follow us
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,
Which, like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so in use,
And dreadful objects so familiar,
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quartered with the hands of war;
All pity chok’d with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from Hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.
O, pardon me, you bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers. you are the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over your wounds now do I prophesy, Which, like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue, A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war; All pity chok’d with custom of fell deeds: And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from Hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.
O, pardon me, you bleeding piece of earth, That I'm meek and gentle with these butchers. you're the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over your wounds now do I prophesy, Which, like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue, A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war; All pity chok’d with custom of fell deeds: And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from Hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.
o, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that i am meek and gentle with these butchers
I do, Mark Antony.
I do, Mark Antony.
I do, Mark Antony.
i do, mark antony
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.
caesar did write for him to come to rome
He did receive his letters, and is coming,
And bid me say to you by word of mouth,—
He did receive his letters, and is coming, And bid me say to you by word of mouth,—
He did receive his letters, and is coming, And bid me say to you by word of mouth,—
he did receive his letters, and is coming, and bid me say to you by word of mouth,—
Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes,
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,
Began to water. Is thy master coming?
your heart is big, get you apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in yours, Began to water. Is your master coming?
your heart is big, get you apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in yours, Began to water. Is your master coming?
thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.
he lies tonight within seven leagues of rome
Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc’d.
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet.
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile;
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse
Into the market-place: there shall I try,
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men;
According to the which thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things.
Lend me your hand.
Post back with speed, and tell him what has chanc’d. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet. Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile; you shall not back till I have borne this corse Into the market-place: there shall I try, In my oration, how the people take The cruel issue of these bloody men; According to the which you shall discourse To young Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand.
Post back with speed, and tell him what has chanc’d. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet. Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile; you shan't back till I have borne this corse Into the market-place: there shall I try, In my oration, how the people take The cruel issue of these bloody men; According to the which you shall discourse To young Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand.
post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanc’d
The Reckoning
The assassination is the exact center of the play, and everything about it is wrong: the arguments are wrong, the execution is wrong, and the aftermath is catastrophically wrong. Brutus, who refused to kill Antony for being dangerous, now agrees to let Antony speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius sees the disaster coming and is overruled again. Antony, alone with the body, tears off the mask of cooperation and speaks his truest grief — and his deadliest intentions. The audience knows that the conspiracy has just lost the war it started.
If this happened today…
A group of executives force out their CEO in a board room coup. It goes exactly as planned — clean, bloodless, professional. Afterward, the CEO's closest ally shakes every hand in the room, tells them he understands and supports them, and asks only one thing: to give the eulogy at the all-hands. They agree, because he's asked nicely and seems cooperative. Then he goes back to his office, closes the door, and starts making calls. The all-hands is going to be a very different kind of event.