Why are you breathless? And why stare you so? Cicero runs into Casca on the street that night. Casca's a little shaken up. Though he's seen his fair share of bad nights, he says the sky dropping hot fire is definitely a first.
Casca thinks maybe there's a civil war in heaven, or maybe the gods are raining down fury because the world has displeased them. CASCA A common slave you know him well by sight 15 Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Like twenty torches joined; and yet his hand, Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched. This would all be crazy talk except that Casca's seen worse than bad weather tonight. A slave boy's hand was lit on fire by a torch, and yet it didn't burn. Then there was a surly lion at the Capitol.
Also a bunch of women were terrified by a vision they swore they saw of men walking the streets covered in flames. Casca reports the strangest thing of all: a nighttime bird was in the market, during the daytime! Since it doesn't get any crazier than that, it's clear all these things are bad omens. Seriously, a nighttime bird.
But men may construe things after their fashion, Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. Cicero thinks they should hold off on crazy interpretations of the flaming men, lions, and various insomniac birds. He says people basically interpret things to mean whatever they want them to mean. After confirming that Caesar will be at the Capitol tomorrow, Cicero leaves. It is the part of men to fear and tremble When the most mighty gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
Casca then runs into Cassius, who has been presenting himself to the heavens to be struck by lightning. Once inside the Capitol, the conspirators…. Cinna the poet is attacked and killed by the Roman mob because his name is the same as that of….
Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius meet to condemn to death those who may oppose them. Brutus and Cassius each feel wronged by the other. They prepare to withdraw from the view of their armies to….
They grow angry with each other but are quickly reconciled, and Brutus…. The opposing armies confront each other at Philippi. Before the battle, Brutus and Cassius exchange insults with Antony and Octavius…. Cassius, mistakenly believing that the battle has been lost and that Titinius has been taken captive, orders Pindarus to kill…. Lucilius calls attention to himself and away from Brutus by announcing himself…. Brutus begs four of his followers to assist him in his suicide.
Brutus, although he has decided to be one of the conspirators, knows that what they plan is wrong. But being a man of his word, he is committed to the plan. After a brief, whispered discussion with Cassius, Brutus takes on the leadership of the group, and when Cassius calls on the group to swear to continue as they have planned, Brutus stops them, and begins by a sort of negative persuasion to fix their resolve and establish himself as leader.
If their motives are not strong enough, an oath will not help them to accomplish the deed. Only cowards and deceivers would swear, and to swear would be to taint what they do. This is how Brutus convinces his men. He creates a void, takes away what Cassius says, and then fills it with his own voice.
By stripping away the words of an oath and by replacing that oath with images of valiant Romans, their very blood carrying strength, nobility, and constancy, Brutus inspires his men and establishes himself as their leader. Caesar, therefore, is not alone in his ambition. This image of nobility disappears rather abruptly as the conspirators return to the details of the plan.
What about Cicero? Should they try to get him on their side? He carries a lot of weight. Perhaps he'd be useful.
Maybe they could claim him as the author of what they do and spread some of the responsibility around. Brutus points out that Cicero is too much his own man and will not follow anyone, and so he is excluded. Next, they must decide what to do about Mark Antony.
He is a powerful and dangerous foe, but Brutus is doubtful, not wanting to murder for the sake of killing and even regretting that Caesar's blood must be shed.
Why all these things change from their ordinance ,. To monstrous quality — why, you shall find. That heaven hath infused them with these spirits. To make them instruments of fear and warning. Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man. Most like this dreadful night,. That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars.
As doth the lion in the Capitol —. A man no mightier than thyself or me. In personal action, yet prodigious grown. And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. Is it not, Cassius? Let it be who it is. For Romans now. Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors,. But — woe the while!
And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits. Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow. Mean to establish Caesar as a king,. And he shall wear his crown by sea and land,. In every place save here in Italy. I know where I will wear this dagger then;. Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;. Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,. Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,. Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;.
But life, being weary of these worldly bars ,. Never lacks power to dismiss itself. If I know this, know all the world besides,. That part of tyranny that I do bear. I can shake off at pleasure. So can I. So every bondman in his own hand bears. The power to cancel his captivity. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf,. But that he sees the Romans are but sheep. He were no lion were not Romans hinds.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire. Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome,. What rubbish and what offal, when it serves. For the base matter to illuminate. So vile a thing as Caesar!
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