Julius Caesar is a history play written by William Shakespeare. The plot of the piece concerns Brutus and Cassius’ conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar and, in some way, the consequences of these actions. The play’s first act establishes Caesar’s influence and the motivations for his assassination, which lies in the extent of his influence. Cassius, who is jealous of Caesar, and Brutus express suspicion that Caesar might accept Emperor’s throne and become a tyrant.
The second act shows how Cassius manages to persuade Brutus into joining their crusade to eliminate Caesar. It is done by planting fabricated documents and visiting Brutus during the night. Their night meeting evolved into the planning of Caesar’s death; however, Brutus is disturbed by this idea (Shakespeare 1.2.127–130). This act also describes Caesar’s wife’s attempts to convince Caesar not to go to the Senate, as she has had troublesome prophetic dreams.
The third act depicts Caesar’s death, as he is stabbed by each of the accomplices in turn. At Caesar’s funeral, Brutus and Mark Antony are chosen to speak. At first, Brutus describes the conspirators’ motivation, and the public takes it well. However, when given a chance to speak, Mark Antony manages to turn the people against the conspirators and forces them to run from the city.
Acts four and five show the battle between the Republicans and the army of Mark Antony, who has joined forces with Caesar’s great-nephew and a man called Lepidus. In the fourth act, Brutus receives news of his wife’s suicide, and in the fifth act, he follows her and Cassius’ suit. After the battle is over, Antony calls Brutus the noblest man of them all and orders a proper funeral for him.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. “The Life and Death of Julius Caesar.” The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.