Act 3 Scene 1 Notes

QUESTION 1
Caesar (to the soothsayer) The Ides of March are come
Soothsayer-Ay Caesar, but not gone
ARTEMIDORUS - Hail Caesar! Read this schedule.
DECIUS- Trebonius doth desire you to o'er read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit
1. What does Caesar answer to the people who want him to read their suit? Who does
Caesar get annoyed with? Why?
Caesar tells Artemidorus that he will read his suit last as it is something that touches Caesar
personally. Caesar gets annoyed with Artemidorus because of his persistence in asking Caesar
to read his petition immediately.
2. What does Popilus say to Cassius? Why does Cassius get tensed? What does he
instruct Casca to do?
Popilius wishes Cassius good luck and success in his "enterprise" today. This makes Cassius
tensed as he fears their conspiracy has been discovered. He instructs Casca to be sudden in
striking Caesar and not wait any longer.
3. What makes Brutus tell Cassius to be calm?
Brutus notices that Popilius is smiling at Caesar and Caesar's face does not show any
anger or fear. This makes Brutus assure Cassius that Popilius was not talking about their
conspiracy and there is no cause for worry.
4. Who takes Antony out of the way? Why? What is Metellus Cimber's suit to Caesar?
State three instances to show Caesar's high handedness in not granting Metellus
Cimber's suit.
Trebonius takes Antony out of the way as part of the conspirators' plan. Metellus Cimber pleads
with Caesar to repeal the order banishing his brother Publius Cimber. Three instances showing
Caesar's high-handedness: 1) He says prayers and flattery will not move him 2) He spurns
anyone trying to plead for Publius Cimber like kicking a dog 3) He refuses to alter his decision
declaring himself as constant as the Northern star.
QUESTION 2
CAESAR-I could be well moved,
If I were as you,
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;
But I am constant as the.............
1. Who does Caesar compare himself to in the blanks in the extract? How does he
compare himself to the object? Mention two qualities Caesar boasts about himself.
 Caesar compares himself to the Northern star. He says like the northern star which has a fixed
and constant position in the sky, he is also fixed and constant in his decisions and qualities. The
two qualities he boasts about are being unshakable and unwavering.
2. What is the outcome of Caesar's high-handedness? Who strikes Caesar first and who
strikes him last?
Caesar's high-handedness and arrogance make the conspirators attack him. Casca strikes
Caesar first while Brutus strikes him last.
3. What are Caesar's famous words before he falls? What is the significance of his last
words?
Caesar's famous last words are "Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!". This shows his disbelief and
shock that even his dear friend Brutus has betrayed him. It highlights the deep personal betrayal
Caesar felt.
4. What is the reaction of the people when Caesar falls? How does Brutus try to appease
the people?
The people are terrified, running around and crying out as if it is doomsday. Brutus tells them
not to be frightened and to stand still, assuring them their ambition's debt is paid.
5. How does Brutus show that he has performed an honourable deed? What does it tell
us about Brutus?
Brutus asks the conspirators to wash their hands in Caesar's blood to show they have purged
rather than murdered Caesar. This shows Brutus' idealism in trying to justify the murder as a
noble deed rather than a crime.
QUESTION 3
Stoop Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood up to the elbow and besmear our swords
1. Who is the speaker? What does the speaker want the conspirators to do after this
action?
The speaker is Brutus. He wants the conspirators to walk to the marketplace waving their
bloody swords and crying "Peace, freedom and liberty!".
2. Where does Caesar lie dead? Who does Cassius want to lead?
Caesar lies dead at the base of Pompey's statue. Cassius wants Brutus to lead.
3. Who enters after the extract? Why has the person come there? What has he been
asked to do? What has that person been ordered to tell Brutus? What does Brutus have
to vouchsafe?
Antony's servant enters. He has come on Antony's request to confirm his safety from the
conspirators. The servant has been asked by Antony to kneel before Brutus. He is ordered to
tell Brutus that Antony loved Caesar but honors and loves Brutus more now. Brutus has to
assure safe passage for Antony if he comes to meet Brutus.
4. What does Brutus assure the person?
 Brutus assures Antony's servant that Antony will be safe and can depart untouched if he comes
to meet Brutus.

QUESTION 4
ANTONY -O mighty Caesar!
Dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs spoils shrunk to this little measure?
Fare thee well.

1. What does Antony wish for? Why does he make such a wish?
Antony wishes to be killed by the conspirators and placed next to Caesar's corpse, as he wants
to die nobly like Caesar rather than live without him.
2. What reason does Brutus give for not granting Antony's wish? How does he justify to
Antony the reason for murdering Caesar?
Brutus says they only appear bloody and cruel but their hearts are pitiful. He says they killed
Caesar out of pity for Rome's general wrongs, to drive out Caesar's ambition which would have
harmed Rome.
3. How does Brutus try to convince Antony that they have no ill will towards him? What
does Antony do to extend his hand of friendship towards the conspirators? What is
Antony's ulterior motive in doing so?
Brutus says their swords and arms have no malice towards Antony. Antony shakes hands with
the conspirators, declaring love and friendship. His ulterior motive is to avenge Caesar's death.
4. What does Antony compare Caesar and the conspirators to? How does Antony win the
confidence of the conspirators?
Antony compares Caesar to a hart (deer) hunted by many princes (the conspirators). He wins
their confidence by flattering them and pretending to make peace and be friends with Caesar's
enemies.
5. What request does Antony make? Who objects to his request? Was the person who
objected sound in his judgement of Antony?
Antony requests to speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius objects as he distrusts and fears what
Antony may say to instigate the masses. Yes, Cassius had sound judgment about Antony's
dangerous speech-making ability.

QUESTION 5
ANTONY -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
Who ever lived in tide of times.
1. Why does Antony refer to Caesar's body 'thou bleeding piece of earth? Who does he
call 'butchers'?
He refers so due to the multiple wounds making Caesar's body bleed profusely resembling the
earth. He calls the conspirators who killed Caesar "butchers".
2. When, why and how had Antony been meek and gentle with these butchers? What trait
of Antony's character do you assess by this action?
Earlier Antony had politely greeted the conspirators, praising Brutus and pretending to make
peace with them, concealing his true grief and rage. This shows Antony's cunning nature.
3. What does Antony prophesy on the wounds of Caesar? Who will roam about to take
revenge? Does Antony's prophecy come true? How?
Antony prophesies that Caesar's wounds call for revenge and curse the men who killed him,
leading to fierce civil war. Caesar's spirit will roam taking revenge with the goddess Ate. Yes,
this prophecy of revenge and civil war comes true later in the play.
4. Who enters after Antony soliloquy's? What news does the person bring?
A servant of Octavius Caesar enters. He informs that Octavius lies seven leagues from Rome
and is coming to Rome.
5. What does Antony tell the person to convey to the person who has sent him? What two
things does Antony request from the person to do at the end of the scene?
Antony tells him to go back quickly and inform Octavius that Rome is currently dangerous for
him. Antony requests the servant to help him carry Caesar's body to the marketplace. He also
wants the servant to stay back and observe Antony's speech and its effect on the masses, and
report back to Octavius.

Extra questions
1. What excuse do the conspirators use to approach Caesar at the Capitol in Act III, Scene i?
 2. How does Caesar react to them?
3. Who stabs Caesar first?
4. Who stabs Caesar last?
5. What does Caesar say as he dies? What does this mean?
6. Why is Cassius reluctant to allow Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
7. How does Brutus answer Cassius?
8. At Caesar’s funeral in Scene ii, what reasons does Brutus offer for the assassination?
9. What does the crowd say it will do for Brutus?
10. What does the crowd say about Caesar?
11. Why does the crowd let Antony speak at all?
12. To which qualities and actions of Caesar’s does Antony refer in Scene ii, lines 83-9 5?
13. What does Antony say about the assassins in lines 171-194?
14. Relate the terms of Caesar’s will, and describe the crowd’s behaviour as Antony ends his
speech
15. Why does Caesar say what he does when Brutus stabs him?
16. In Scene i, why does Brutus brush aside Cassius’s concern about allowing Antony to speak
at the funeral?
17. Which man – Brutus or Cassius – proves the better judge of Antony? Why?
18. How should the people view the conspirators and Caesar, according to Brutus’s funeral
speech?
19. How should the people view the conspirators and Caesar, according to Antony’s funeral
speech?
20. How does the meaning of the line “Brutus is an honourable man” change during Antony’s
funeral speech?
21. To what different aspects of human nature do Brutus and Antony appeal
22. Which man is the better judge of human character?
23. Who has replaced Caesar as the most powerful man in Rome by the end of Act III?
24. Has Rome gained or lost from this change of power
25. On the basis of the plebeians’ behaviour in Scenes ii and iii, describe Shakespeare’s attitude
toward democracy. Explain the validity of Shakespeare’s attitude.