summary of Julius Caesar
Answers
*****
SUMMARY OF JULIUS CAESAR-
Caesar after he returns from being victorious, is considered as an ambitious man by Senate members. This leads to them believing that Caesar would bring destruction to Rome .The Senate members plan and succeed in killing Caesar and initially do gain the support of people but due to Mark Antony's clever speech the crowd turns against the conspirators . A civil war breaks Rome . Eventually, people of Rome kill the conspirators and Brutus kills himself.
**********************************************
HOPE HELPS:)
The Romans are preparing to welcome Julius Caesar, who is returning home after achieving a victory over the followers of Pompey. The people are rejoicing and are in holiday mood. The Tribunes do not feel that the people should feel happy. They are opposed to Caesar whom they consider to be a dictator.
The scene takes place at Caesar’s house. Caesar is scheduled to go to the Senate where he is going to be crowned.
Caesar says that there has been a great commotion in the earth and in the sky tonight. Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife has cried thrice in her sleep. She has dreamt that Caesar has been murdered.
Calpurnia requests Caesar not to go out of the house today. But Caesar tries to console her that the troubles will disappear as they see Caesar’s face. His wife is still adamant. She argues as she has been scared by what she has seen in the dream.
A lioness has delivered a baby in the streets. Graves have opened up and thrown their dead bodies out.
Terrible warriors have been fighting in the sky. Blood has fallen upon the Capitol. Horses have neighed and dead men have been heard groaning.
At these words, Caesar only remarks that cowards die many times before their death, but the brave die only once. Caesar is firm like a pole star. Meanwhile, Decius Brutus comes to fetch Caesar to the Senate. Caesar refused to go out but Decius wants to know the reason.
Caesar tells him about Calpurnia’s dream. Decius cleverly twists the interpretation of this dream to his advantage and calls it auspicious. He says that Romans bathing their hand is Caesar’s blood can be the sign of prosperity. Thus, his blood shall turn out to be a thing of great respect. Being impressed by Decius’ interpretation Caesar decides to go to the Senate House. Cassius has personal grudge against Caesar and organises the conspiracy against Caesar.
Cassius begins to flatter Brutus with the intention of having his moral support for the conspiracy since Decius is the dearest friend of Caesar. Cassius cleverly puts into his mind the fear that Rome is in danger of losing its freedom as a Republic. At the Senate House, the conspirators present to him a petition on behalf of Cimber who has been banished by Caesar. When Caesar turns down their request, they stab him and kill him. Seeing Brutus, Caesar is shocked and says, “Et-tu-Brute”.
The conspirators shout, ‘Liberty, freedom and enfranchisement’. But Mark Antony is extremely shocked to see Caesar stabbed. He asks the conspirators to kill him as well, but Brutus says that they can’t kill him as they have killed Caesar in the larger interest of Rome.
Mark Antony senses the situation at once and begins to flatter them. He proposes for peace and begs to be pardoned by Caesar’s dead body in doing so. He seeks permission from Brutus to produce Caesar’s body at the market place and perform the last rites later. Brutus consents but Cassius asks Brutus not to oblige him. Brutus gives permission only after he justifies Caesar’s murder.
Brutus goes to the pulpit to explain the murder. He tells the crowd that Caesar has been put to death because of his ambition to become the king of Rome. After Brutus finishes his address, Antony is given an opportunity to speak.
Antony, being one of the followers of Caesar exposes the claim of the conspirators. He incites the mob to mutiny. He also shows them Caesar’s will in which Caesar has generously gifted money to every Roman citizen. The people rise up in revolt against the conspirators, burn their houses, Cassius and Brutus are defeated in a battle. Both commit suicide.