Act 1 Scene 1
There is a funny scene between a cobbler and Marullus on Feb. 15. Marullus is mad because the cobbler is not dressed to his social standing. The cobbler is going to see the return of Caesar from his conquest. Flavius and Marullus disapprove of the people’s admiration of Caesar.
Act 1 Scene 2
A soothsayer tells Caesar to beware the ides of March. There is a footrace. Brutus acts distant, so Cassius asks what is wrong. They talk about Caesar. Cassius tells Brutus of a time when Caesar was a coward. We learn that Caesar likes the theater and that he does not fear Cassius. Casca tells Brutus that Caesar declined a crown that was offered to him by Antony. Cassius plots against Caesar. He wants to bring him to power and then expose his ambitions.
Act 1 Scene 3
Casca marvels at the power of the weather. He recounts previous strange omens and deduces that they presage imminent events. Cicero dismisses Casca’s prediction as pure speculation. Cassius drops hints throughout the discussion that Caesar is getting too powerful. Casca tells Cassius that the senate plans to crown Caesar. They then launch into criticism against Caesar. Cinna then enters, and Cassius announces that he plans to turn Brutus against Caesar. Cassius tells Cinna to sent forged letters to Brutus which portray Caesar as hated by the populace.
Act 2 Scene 1
Brutus ponders aloud about whether to kill Caesar or not. He reasons that he should stifle Caesar’s power before he grows to become too powerful by comparing Caesar in his present state to “a serpent’s egg.” He then reads a letter that Lucius found, which accuses Brutus of neglecting to promote the welfare of Rome. The conspirators (Cassius, Cinna, Casca, Metellus, Cimber, and Trebonius) enter the room. They form a pact but leave Cicero out of it due to the fact that he is faithful to Caesar. Cassius and Brutus decide to spare Antony. Portia wants to talk with Brutus, but he postpones as someone knocks on the door. Ligarius comes to visit Brutus, knowing that he is in machinations. Brutus says that his motives are just and then includes Ligarius in the plan.
Act 2 Scene 2
Calpurnia has bad dreams about Caesar’s death. They debate for some time, and Caesar is convinced to stay at home and send Antony in his stead. Brutus comes later and convinces Caesar that the day was critical to his power. Caesar is swayed and leaves with Brutus.
Act 2 Scene 3
Artemidorus tries to warn Caesar by writing a letter and waits in the street along Caesar’s route.
Act 2 Scene 4
Portia sends Lucius to observe and report on the Senate. The Soothsayer comes to the house and greets Portia. Portia learns that the soothsayer intends to intercept Caesar to warn him.
Act 3 Scene 1
Caesar encounters the Soothsayer and Artemidorus, but he dismisses them as insane. He is then accosted by Metellus, who begs Publius be released. Caesar denies his request. Cassius and Brutus kneel to beg him as well. Caesar proclaims himself “as constant as the northern star” and refuses again. Casca comes and pleads, but Caesar still says no. Casca then stabs Caesar in the back. The final stab was delivered by Brutus. Caesar says “Et tu Brutus?” and falls to the ground, dead. The conspirators bathe in Caesar’s blood. Antony arrives at the scene and is mortified, yet he shakes the hands of the conspirators because he trusts them (or so he says). He then requests to eulogize Caesar. They accept. Antony then “talks” with Caesar’s spirit and apologizes. Antony tells Octavius’ servant to warn Octavius.
Act 3 Scene 2
Brutus makes his case for killing Caesar at the funeral. Then, Antony subtly turns the crowd against the conspirators in his eulogy. Antony brings out Caesar’s will. He uncovers Caesar’s desecrated body to the plebeians. Finally, he reads Caesar’s will, which left a sum of land to every Roman citizen. The citizens then wreak havoc on the city and drive Brutus and Cassius out of Rome.
Act 3 Scene 3
Cinna the poet is assailed by an enraged group that associates his name with that of a conspirator. Though they know he is not a conspirator, they reason that he must be killed because of bad poetry. They then proceed to beat him to death.
Act 4 Scene 1
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus meet. They agree that Lepidus’ brother can be killed as long as the same is done to Antony’s cousin. Octavius and Antony then mock Lepidus. Finally, the two discuss Brutus and Cassius. Since Brutus and Cassius are amassing armies, Octavius and Antony make plans to confront them.
Act 4 Scene 2
Lucillius bears a message to Brutus saying that Cassius is angry at him. Brutus and Cassius meet in a tent where they trade recriminations until Cassius tells Brutus to kill him. At that point, Brutus tells Cassius that he is irritable because Portia committed suicide. A poet tries to reconcile the two, but they band together to eject the poet. They argue some more, and they decide to confront Octavius and Antony before they come to them. Brutus is left in the tent with Lucius. Brutus dreams that Caesar’s ghost comes and tells him that they will meet at Philippi, where the battle is slated to occur.
Act 5 Scene 1
Octavius and Antony argue over which side of the field they will take. A parley starts, and insults are thrown both ways. Cassius and Brutus discuss suicide. Brutus says that he will not commit suicide, but will not be dragged through Rome’s streets.
Act 5 Scene 2
The battle starts and Brutus decides to start attacking aggressively.
Act 5 Scene 3
Brutus and Cassius begin to lose the battle. Cassius asks Pindarus for euthanasia. Pindarus complies by running him through with Cassius’s sword. Titinius sees Cassius’s body and commits suicide as well. Brutus orders the bodies away and speculates that Caesar is getting his revenge.
Act 5 Scene 4
Brutus prepares for battle again, and sends Lucillius dressed as him to the enemy. The Romans capture him, but they realize that he is not Brutus.
Act 5 Scene 5
Brutus tells the army to flee while he stays behind. He then asks a random soldier to hold his sword. Brutus then commits suicide. The Romans find Brutus’ body. Antony proclaims that Brutus was the most noble Roman because of his dedication to his morals.
