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JULIUS CAESAR
A line-by-line translation

Act 1, Scene 1
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

FLAVIUS and MURELLUS enter on one side of the stage, as do a FLAVIUS and MURELLUS enter on one side of the stage. A
CARPENTER, a COBBLER, and some other commoners from the other CARPENTER, a COBBLER, and some other commoners enter
end of the stage. from the other end of the stage.

FLAVIUS FLAVIUS
Hence! Home, you idle creatures get you home! Go away! Go home, you lazy creatures. Go home! Is today a
Is this a holiday? What, know you not, holiday? Don't you know that, as working-class men, you
Being mechanical, you ought not walk shouldn’t walk around on a workday without wearing your
Upon a laboring day without the sign work clothes?
5 Of your profession? —Speak, what trade art thou?
[To CARPENTER] Tell me, what’s your profession?

CARPENTER CARPENTER
Why, sir, a carpenter. Why, I’m a carpenter, sir.

MURELLUS MURELLUS
Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? Where are your leather apron and ruler? Why are you
What dost thou with thy best apparel on? wearing your finest clothes?
—You, sir, what trade are you?
[To COBBLER] And you, sir, what’s your job?

COBBLER COBBLER
10 Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as Well, sir, compared to a skilled workman, I'm just a cobbler,
you would say, a cobbler. as you would put it.

MURELLUS MURELLUS
But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. But what’s your trade? Answer me straightforwardly.

COBBLER COBBLER
A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe I work a trade, sir, that I hope I can practice with a clear
conscience, which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad conscience. I am a mender of worn soles.
15 soles.

MURELLUS MURELLUS
What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what trade? What trade, fool? You good-for-nothing fool, what trade?

COBBLER COBBLER
Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me. Yet, if Sir, I beg you, don’t be angry. Yet, if your soles are worn out,
you be out, sir, I can mend you. I can mend you.

MURELLUS MURELLUS
What mean’st thou by that? “Mend” me, thou saucy What do you mean by that? “Mend” me, you rude man?
20 fellow?

COBBLER COBBLER
Why, sir, cobble you. Well, cobble you, sir.

FLAVIUS FLAVIUS
Thou art a cobbler, art thou? You’re a cobbler, are you?

COBBLER COBBLER
Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl. I Yes, sir, I make my living through use of an awl. I don’t
meddle with no tradesman’s matters nor women’s matters, meddle in politics or in the affairs of women. I’m just a
25 but withal I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes. surgeon for old shoes. When they’re in bad shape, I fix
When they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper them. The most noble men who have ever walked on
men as ever trod upon neat’s leather have gone upon my leather have walked on my handiwork.
handiwork.

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FLAVIUS FLAVIUS
But wherefore art not in thy shop today? But why aren’t you in your shop today? Why are you leading
30 Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? these men through the streets?

COBBLER COBBLER
Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes to get myself into Well, sir, to wear out their shoes and get myself more work.
more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see But actually, sir, we took the day off to see Caesar and
Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph. celebrate his triumph 1 . 1 Here the Cobbler refers to the
ancient Roman tradition of the
triumphal procession--a parade
usually reserved for generals who
conquered in foreign wars, though
Caesar has won a domestic victory.

MURELLUS MURELLUS
Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? Why celebrate it? What foreign lands has he conquered for
35 What tributaries follow him to Rome Rome to rule? What foreign princes are chained to his
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? chariot wheels and will earn Rome ransom money? You
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless blockheads, you unfeeling men, you worse than stupid
things, things! Oh, you with hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome! 2 Pompey was a co-ruler of Rome
O you hard hearts, you cruèl men of Rome, didn’t you know Pompey 2 ? Many a time you climbed up with Caesar and Crassus, during the
40 Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft on walls and battlements, towers and windows--yes, even First Triumvirate. Pompey and Caesar
Have you climbed up to walls and battlements, chimney tops, with your babies in your arms--and sat there became enemies, and at this point in
the play, Caesar has just defeated the
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops, all day just waiting to see great Pompey ride through the remainder of Pompey's faction after
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat streets of Rome. And when you saw his chariot, didn’t all of his murder.
The livelong day with patient expectation you shout all at once so loudly that the Tiber River shook
45 To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. from the sound echoing within its banks? And now you put
And when you saw his chariot but appear, on your finest clothes? And now you choose to celebrate a
Have you not made an universal shout holiday? And now you toss flowers in the path of the man
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks who comes in triumph having defeated Pompey’s sons? Get
To hear the replication of your sounds out of here! Run to your houses, fall on your knees, and
50 Made in her concave shores? pray to the gods to spare you from the terrible punishment
And do you now put on your best attire? that is certain to come down upon you for such ingratitude.
And do you now cull out a holiday?
And do you now strew flowers in his way
That comes in triumph over Pompey’s blood?
55 Be gone!
Run to your houses, fall upon your knees,
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
That needs must light on this ingratitude.

FLAVIUS FLAVIUS
Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault, Go, go, good countrymen. And to atone for this error in
60 Assemble all the poor men of your sort, judgment, gather together all the poor men like you. Lead
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears them to the banks of the Tiber River, and weep into the
Into the channel till the lowest stream water until it overflows.
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all.

The CARPENTER, COBBLER, and all of the commoners exit. The CARPENTER, COBBLER, and all of the commoners exit.

FLAVIUS FLAVIUS
See whether their basest metal be not moved. That should move even these coarse and unrefined men.
65 They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. They’re leaving, and feel so guilty they can’t speak. You go
Go you down that way towards the Capitol. that way towards the Capitol 3 , and I’ll go this way. 3 Flavius refers here to the
This way will I. Disrobe the images Undress any statues you see that have been decorated in Capitoline Hill, the heart of Roman
If you do find them decked with ceremonies. honor of Caesar. political life.

MURELLUS MURELLUS
May we do so? Can we do that? You know it’s the feast of Lupercal 4 . 4 The Lupercalia was an ancient
70 You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Roman purification and fertility
festival, held every year on February
15.

FLAVIUS FLAVIUS
It is no matter. Let no images It doesn’t matter. None of the statues should be decorated
Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about in honor to Caesar. I’ll make sure the commoners get off the
And drive away the vulgar from the streets. streets, and you do the same wherever you see a bunch of
So do you too, where you perceive them thick. them together. If we can pluck the feathers of Caesar’s
75 These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing growing support among the commoners now, he’ll have to
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, fly at a normal height. If we don’t, he’ll soar to such heights
Who else would soar above the view of men of power that all of us will live in fear and be his servants.
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

They exit in different directions. They exit in different directions.

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Act 1, Scene 2
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

A trumpet sounds. CAESAR enters, along with ANTONY who is dressed A trumpet sounds. CAESAR, ANTONY (who is dressed for a
for a traditional foot race, as well as CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, traditional foot race), CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS,
CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA, followed by great crowd of CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA enter, followed by
commoners, including a SOOTHSAYER. MURELLUS and FLAVIUS great crowd of commoners, including a SOOTHSAYER.
follow after. MURELLUS and FLAVIUS follow after them.

CAESAR CAESAR
Calphurnia! Calphurnia!

CASCA CASCA
Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. Hey, quiet down! Caesar speaks.

CAESAR CAESAR
Calphurnia! Calphurnia!

CALPHURNIA CALPHURNIA
Here, my lord. Here I am, my lord.

CAESAR CAESAR
5 Stand you directly in Antonius' way Stand directly in Antonius’ path as he runs the race.
When he doth run his course. —Antonius!
[To ANTONY] Antonius!

ANTONY ANTONY
Caesar, my lord. Yes, my lord Caesar?

CAESAR CAESAR
Forget not in your speed, Antonius, Antonius, while you’re running don’t forget to touch
To touch Calphurnia, for our elders say Calphurnia. As our elders say, if an infertile woman is
10 The barren, touchèd in this holy chase, touched during this holy race, she’ll escape the curse of
Shake off their sterile curse. sterility.

ANTONY ANTONY
I shall remember. I will remember. When Caesar says “do this,” it is done.
When Caesar says, “do this,” it is performed.

CAESAR CAESAR
Set on, and leave no ceremony out. Go on, then, and don’t leave out any of the proper rituals.

Music plays. Music plays.

SOOTHSAYER SOOTHSAYER
15 Caesar! Caesar!

CAESAR CAESAR
Ha! Who calls? Hey! Who’s calling me?

CASCA CASCA
Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again. Everyone, be quiet! Again, quiet!

The music stops. The music stops.

CAESAR CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me? Who is it in the crowd that’s calling me? I hear a voice that's
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, shriller than any of this music, calling out “Caesar!” Speak.
20 Cry “Caesar!” —Speak. Caesar is turned to hear. Caesar is listening.

SOOTHSAYER SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March. Beware March 15th 1 . 1 In the ancient Roman calendar,
the "ides" represented the middle of
any given month.

CAESAR CAESAR
What man is that? Who is saying that?

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BRUTUS BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. A soothsayer tells you to beware March 15th.

CAESAR CAESAR
Set him before me. Let me see his face. Bring him to me. Let me see his face.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
25 Fellow, come from the throng. Look upon Caesar. Man, step out of the crowd. Stand before Caesar.

The SOOTHSAYER approaches. The SOOTHSAYER approaches.

CAESAR CAESAR
What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again. What are you saying to me now? Say it again.

SOOTHSAYER SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March. Beware March 15th.

CAESAR CAESAR
He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass! He’s crazy. Let’s leave him. Continue on!

Trumpets play. Everyone exits, except BRUTUS and CASSIUS. Trumpets play. Everyone except BRUTUS and CASSIUS
exits.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Will you go see the order of the course? Are you going to come watch the race?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
30 Not I. Not me.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
I pray you, do. Please, come and watch it.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
I am not gamesome. I do lack some part I’m not feeling festive. I lack some of Antony’s lively,
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. competitive spirit. But don’t let me stop you from doing
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires. what you want, Cassius. I’ll leave you alone.
35 I’ll leave you.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Brutus, I do observe you now of late Brutus, I’ve been watching you recently. I’ve noticed that
I have not from your eyes that gentleness you seem less friendly toward me than I’m used to. You’ve
And show of love as I was wont to have. been rough and unfriendly to me, your friend who loves
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand you.
40 Over your friend that loves you.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Cassius, Cassius, don’t be fooled. If I seem unfriendly, it’s because
Be not deceived. If I have veiled my look, my troubled looks are actually directed at myself. Lately I’ve
I turn the trouble of my countenance been overwhelmed with private thoughts and conflicting
Merely upon myself. Vexèd I am emotions, which must have affected my behavior. But my
45 Of late with passions of some difference, good friends should not be troubled—and I count you as a
Conceptions only proper to myself, good friend, Cassius. And they should not see anything
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors. more in my distant behavior than that poor Brutus--who is
But let not therefore, my good friends, be grieved— at war with himself--has forgotten to show affection to
Among which number, Cassius, be you one— others.
50 Nor construe any further my neglect
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion, Brutus, I misunderstood your feelings. And for that reason, I
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried kept to myself a number of important thoughts. Good
55 Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Brutus, tell me, can you see your face?
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself No, Cassius, because the eye can’t see itself, except in
But by reflection, by some other things. reflections on other surfaces.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
'Tis just. That’s a fact. But it’s a shame that you don’t have any
60 And it is very much lamented, Brutus, mirrors in which to view your own worthiness, Brutus. I’ve

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That you have no such mirrors as will turn heard many of the most respected Romans—with the
Your hidden worthiness into your eye exception of immortal Caesar—mention you while
That you might see your shadow . I have heard complaining of the burden of our current government, and
Where many of the best respect in Rome, wish that your eyes were working better.
65 Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus
And groaning underneath this age’s yoke,
Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, Cassius, what dangers do you want to lead me into, by
That you would have me seek into myself asking me to look inside myself for something that isn't in
70 For that which is not in me? me?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear. Be prepared to listen, good Brutus. And since you know the
And since you know you cannot see yourself best way to see yourself is by reflection, I'll act as your
So well as by reflection, I, your glass, mirror and show to you the parts of yourself of which you
Will modestly discover to yourself are unaware, without exaggerating. Don’t be suspicious of
75 That of yourself which you yet know not of. what I say, noble Brutus. If I were some frivolous fool; or
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus. made the same stale vows of friendship to every new friend
Were I a common laugher, or did use I met; or if you knew that I flatter men to their faces only to
To stale with ordinary oaths my love slander them once they're gone; or if you learn that I make
To every new protester, if you know declarations of friendship to all the mobs of people while at
80 That I do fawn on men and hug them hard a feast, then, of course, don't believe me.
And, after, scandal them, or if you know
That I profess myself in banqueting
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous.

Trumpets play, and then a shout sounds. Trumpets play, and then a shout sounds.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
What means this shouting? I do fear, the people What is the meaning of this shouting? I fear the people have
85 Choose Caesar for their king. made Caesar their king.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Ay, do you fear it? Really, do you fear that? Then I must guess that you don’t
Then must I think you would not have it so. want that to happen.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
I would not, Cassius. Yet I love him well. I don’t, Cassius, even though I love Caesar dearly. But why
But wherefore do you hold me here so long? do you keep me here so long? What is it that you want to tell
90 What is it that you would impart to me? me? If it’s for the general good of Rome, I’d do anything,
If it be aught toward the general good, even if it meant my death. May the gods grant me good
Set honor in one eye and death i' th' other, favor only so long as I love honor more than I fear death.
And I will look on both indifferently,
For let the gods so speed me as I love
95 The name of honor more than I fear death.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, I see that good quality in you, Brutus. It’s as familiar to me
As well as I do know your outward favor. as your appearance. In fact, honor is what I want to discuss
Well, honor is the subject of my story. with you. I don’t know what you and other men think of this
I cannot tell what you and other men life. But, as for me, I’d rather not live at all than stand in awe
100 Think of this life, but, for my single self, of a man no better than myself. I was born as free as Caesar.
I had as lief not be as live to be So were you. We both have eaten as well, and we can both
In awe of such a thing as I myself. endure the winter's cold as well as he. Once, on a harsh and
I was born free as Caesar. So were you. windy day, as the Tiber River swelled against its banks,
We both have fed as well, and we can both Caesar said to me, “Cassius, would you dare to jump with
105 Endure the winter’s cold as well as he. me into this rough water and swim to that distant point?”
For once upon a raw and gusty day, The moment he said that--though I was still in my clothes--I
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, jumped in and told him to follow. He did. The water roared,
Caesar said to me, “Darest thou, Cassius, now and we fought against it with all our strength, inspired to
Leap in with me into this angry flood overcome it by our competitive natures. But before we 2 The legendary Aeneas was a
110 And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word, could reach our destination, Caesar cried, “Help me, Trojan soldier who went on to found
Accoutred as I was, I plungèd in Cassius, or I'll sink!” Just like Aeneas 2 carried on his ancient Rome.
And bade him follow. So indeed he did. shoulders his elderly father Anchises from the fires of Troy, I
The torrent roared, and we did buffet it carry the tired Caesar from the waves of the Tiber. And this
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside man has now become a god, while I am a wretched creature
115 And stemming it with hearts of controversy. who must bow down if Caesar carelessly nods my way.
But ere we could arrive the point proposed, When he was in Spain, Caesar had a fever. And when he was
Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” in its grip, I noticed how he shook. It’s true, this “god” was
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, shaking! His cowardly lips lost their color, and that same
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder eye whose gaze now terrifies the world lost its gleam. Yes, I
120 The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber heard him groan. And that tongue of his that ordered the
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man Romans to listen to him and transcribe his speeches in their

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Is now become a god, and Cassius is books cried like a sick girl, “Oh, get me a drink, Titinius.”
A wretched creature and must bend his body Oh, by the gods, it amazes me that a man of such weak
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. constitution could get an advantage over the entire world
125 He had a fever when he was in Spain, and carry the prize of victory alone.
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake!
His coward lips did from their color fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
130 Did lose his luster. I did hear him groan,
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
Mark him and write his speeches in their books—
“Alas,” it cried, “give me some drink, Titinius,”
As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me
135 A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone.

A shout offstage. Trumpets play. A shout offstage. Trumpets play.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Another general shout! More shouting from the crowd! I think this applause is for
I do believe that these applauses are some new honor given to Caesar.
140 For some new honors that are heaped on Caesar.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Why, sir, he straddles the narrow world like a giant, and we
Like a Colossus, and we petty men petty men walk under his huge legs and peek out just to
Walk under his huge legs and peep about find our graves, as if we were slaves. Men can be masters of
To find ourselves dishonorable graves. their fate. Brutus, our problem is not destiny, but ourselves.
145 Men at some time are masters of their fates. “Brutus” and “Caesar"—what's special about “Caesar?”
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars Why should that name be shouted more than yours? Write
But in ourselves, that we are underlings. them together—yours looks just as good. Say them—yours
Brutus and Caesar—what should be in that “Caesar?” is just as pleasant to say. Weigh them—it’s just as heavy. Do
Why should that name be sounded more than yours? magic with them, and “Brutus” will call up a spirit just as
150 Write them together, yours is as fair a name. well as “Caesar.” Now, in the name of all the gods, I ask you
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well. what meat Caesar has eaten that has made him grow to be
Weigh them, it is as heavy. Conjure with 'em, so great? The people of our time should be ashamed! Rome 3 Here, Cassius refers to a
“Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.” has lost the ability to raise noble men! When was there an mythological flood that wiped out all
Now in the names of all the gods at once, age, since the great flood 3 , that didn’t contain more than of humanity except for one married
155 Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed one famous man? When could anyone speaking of Rome couple.
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed! say, before now, that just one man ruled the entire city?
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! Indeed, now Rome only has room for one man. Oh, you and
When went there by an age, since the great flood, I have heard our fathers say that once there was a
But it was famed with more than with one man? Brutus—your ancestor—who would have let the devil reign
160 When could they say till now, that talked of Rome, in the Roman Republic before he would allow a king.
That her wide walks encompassed but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough,
When there is in it but one only man.
Oh, you and I have heard our fathers say,
165 There was a Brutus once that would have brooked
Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
That you do love me, I am nothing jealous. I do not doubt that you love me. I’m starting to understand
What you would work me to, I have some aim. what you would like me to do. I'll tell you what I think about
170 How I have thought of this and of these times this and about what’s happening in Rome later. For the
I shall recount hereafter. For this present, moment--in the name of our friendship--I would prefer that
I would not, so with love I might entreat you, you not try to do any more persuading. I’ll think over what
Be any further moved. What you have said you’ve said; I’ll listen patiently to whatever else you have to
I will consider, what you have to say say; and I’ll find an appropriate time for us to consider and
175 I will with patience hear, and find a time make a decision about such weighty matters. Until then, my
Both meet to hear and answer such high things. noble friend, think about this: I would rather be some
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: villager than call myself a citizen of Rome during the
Brutus had rather be a villager difficult situation these times are likely to put us through.
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
180 Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
I am glad that my weak words I’m glad that my weak words have forced even this small
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. show of passion from you.

CAESAR enters with his followers, including CASCA. CAESAR enters with his followers, including CASCA.

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BRUTUS BRUTUS
The games are done and Caesar is returning. The games are finished, and Caesar is returning.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
185 As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, As they pass by, grab Casca by the sleeve. In his sour way,
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you he'll tell you if anything important happened today.
What hath proceeded worthy note today.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, I’ll do so. But look there, Cassius. Caesar's face is full of
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow, anger while everyone with him look like they’ve been
190 And all the rest look like a chidden train. scolded. Calphurnia’s face is pale, and Cicero’s eyes are
Calphurnia’s cheek is pale, and Cicero darting and angry, just as they get when senators argue
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes with him during sessions at the Capitol.
As we have seen him in the Capitol
Being crossed in conference by some senators.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
195 Casca will tell us what the matter is. Casca will tell us what's happened.

As CAESAR and ANTONY talk, BRUTUS pulls CASCA by the sleeve. As CAESAR and ANTONY talk, BRUTUS pulls CASCA by the
sleeve.

CAESAR CAESAR
Antonio. Antonio.

ANTONY ANTONY
Caesar. Caesar.

CAESAR CAESAR
[aside to ANTONY] Let me have men about me that are [To ANTONY so that only he can hear] I want the men
fat, around me to be fat, well-groomed men who sleep soundly
200 Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights. through the night. Cassius over there has a lean and hungry
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. look. He thinks too much. Men like that are dangerous.
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.

ANTONY ANTONY
[aside to CAESAR] Fear him not, Caesar. He’s not [To CAESAR so that only he can hear] Don’t be afraid of him,
dangerous. Caesar. He's not dangerous. He’s a noble Roman with an
205 He is a noble Roman and well given. honorable character.

CAESAR CAESAR
[aside to ANTONY] Would he were fatter! But I fear him [To ANTONY so that only he can hear] If only he were fatter!
not. But I’m not afraid of him. Yet, if I myself were capable of
Yet if my name were liable to fear, fear, I don’t know of any man I would avoid more than
I do not know the man I should avoid skinny Cassius. He reads a lot. He’s a skilled observer, and
210 So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much. he sees the hidden motives behind men’s actions. He
He is a great observer, and he looks doesn’t enjoy plays like you do, Antony. He never listens to
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, music. He almost never smiles. Though when he does
As thou dost, Antony . He hears no music. smile, he does it as if he’s mocking the part of himself that
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort could be inspired to smile by anything. Men like him can
215 As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit never be content as long as they know that there is
That could be moved to smile at anything. someone better and more powerful than they are. And
Such men as he be never at heart’s ease therefore they’re very dangerous. I’m telling you what
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, should be feared rather than what I fear, because, after all, I
And therefore are they very dangerous. am Caesar. Step over to my right side, because my left ear is
220 I rather tell thee what is to be feared deaf, and tell me honestly what you think of Cassius.
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.

Trumpets play. CAESAR exits with all his followers except CASCA. Trumpets play. CAESAR and all his followers except CASCA
exit.

CASCA CASCA
[to BRUTUS] [To BRUTUS] You pulled on my cloak. Do you want to speak
225 You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me? with me?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Ay, Casca. Tell us what hath chanced today Yes, Casca. Tell us what happened today that made Caesar
That Caesar looks so sad. seem so unhappy.

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CASCA CASCA
Why, you were with him, were you not? Well, weren’t you with him?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced. If I were with him, I wouldn’t be asking what happened.

CASCA CASCA
230 Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being offered Well, a crown was offered to him, and, when it was offered,
him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and he pushed it away with the back of his hand, like this—and
then the people fell a-shouting. then the people started shouting.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
What was the second noise for? What was the second noise for?

CASCA CASCA
Why, for that too. For that same thing.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
235 They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for? They shouted three times. What was the last cry for?

CASCA CASCA
Why, for that too. For the same thing.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Was the crown offered him thrice? The crown was offered to him three times?

CASCA CASCA
Ay, marry, was ’t, and he put it by thrice, every time Yes, that's right, it was. And he pushed it away three times,
gentler than other, and at every putting-by mine honest but each time more gently than the last. And each time he
240 neighbors shouted. pushed it away, my noble countrymen cheered.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Who offered him the crown? Who offered him the crown?

CASCA CASCA
Why, Antony. Antony.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. Tell us what it was like, noble Casca.

CASCA CASCA
I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it. It I'd just as soon be hanged than describe it! It was all
245 was mere foolery. I did not mark it. I saw Mark Antony foolishness. I paid no attention. I saw Mark Antony offer him
offer him a crown (yet ’twas not a crown neither, ’twas a crown—though it wasn’t a real crown, it was more like a
one of these coronets) and, as I told you, he put it by wreath—and, as I told you, Caesar refused it once.
once—but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain Although, in my opinion, he would’ve gladly taken it. Then
have had it . Then he offered it to him again, then he Antony offered it to him again, and Caesar refused it
250 put it by again—but, to my thinking, he was very loath again—though, in my opinion, he didn't want to take his
to lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the hand off it. Then Antony offered it the third time, and
third time. He put it the third time by. And still, as Caesar refused it the third time. Yet even as he refused it,
he refused it, the rabblement hooted and clapped their the masses hooted and clapped their chapped hands, and
chopp'd hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps and threw up their sweaty hats, and roared out such a load of
255 uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar stinking breath because Caesar refused the crown that it
refused the crown that it had almost choked Caesar—for nearly choked Caesar, who fainted and fell down. As for me,
he swooned and fell down at it. And for mine own part, I I didn’t dare laugh because I feared opening my lips and
durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and inhaling the stinking air.
receiving the bad air.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
260 But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon? Stop for a moment, please. What, did Caesar faint?

CASCA CASCA
He fell down in the marketplace, and foamed at mouth, He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at the mouth
and was speechless. and couldn't speak.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
'Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness. That’s very likely. He has epilepsy, the falling sickness.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
No, Caesar hath it not. But you and I No, Caesar doesn’t have it. But you and I, and honest Casca,
265 And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. we have the falling sickness.

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CASCA CASCA
I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar I don’t know what you mean by that. But I’m sure Caesar
fell down. If the tag-rag people did not clap him and fell down. If the masses didn’t clap for him or hiss at him
hiss him according as he pleased and displeased them, as based on whether he pleased or displeased them--just as
they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no true they do for actors in the theater--then I’m a liar.
270 man.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
What said he when he came unto himself? What did he say when he woke up?

CASCA CASCA
Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived the Well, before he fell down--when he realized the commoners
common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me were glad he refused the crown--he pulled open his jacket
ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut. An and offered them his throat to cut. If I were a common
275 I had been a man of any occupation, if I would not have laborer and didn't take him at his word and cut his throat,
taken him at a word, I would I might go to hell among then to hell with me. Then he fainted. When he came to, he
the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to himself said to the crowd that if he’d done or said anything wrong,
again, he said, if he had done or said anything amiss, he wanted them to know that it was caused by his sickness.
he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four women standing near me cried, “Alas, good
280 Three or four wenches where I stood cried, “Alas, good soul!” and forgave him with all their hearts. But don't pay
soul!” and forgave him with all their hearts. But any attention to them—if Caesar had stabbed their
there’s no heed to be taken of them. If Caesar had mothers, they would have said the same thing.
stabbed their mothers they would have done no less.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
And after that he came thus sad away? And after all that he came this way looking so serious?

CASCA CASCA
285 Ay. Yes.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Did Cicero say anything? Did Cicero say anything?

CASCA CASCA
Ay, he spoke Greek. Yes, he said something in Greek.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
To what effect? What did he say?

CASCA CASCA
Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne'er look you i' th' No, if I told you I understood what he was saying, I wouldn’t
290 face again. But those that understood him smiled at one be able to look you in the eye. But those who did
another and shook their heads. But, for mine own part, understand him smiled at one another and shook their
it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too. heads. But, speaking for myself, it was Greek to me. But I
Murellus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar’s have more news to tell you. Murellus and Flavius have been
images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was punished for pulling scarves off of statues of Caesar.
295 more foolery yet, if I could remember it. Goodbye. There was more foolishness, too, but I can’t
remember it.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Will you sup with me tonight, Casca? Will you have dinner with me tonight, Casca?

CASCA CASCA
No, I am promised forth. No, I have another commitment.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Will you dine with me tomorrow? Will you dine with me tomorrow?

CASCA CASCA
Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and your dinner Yes, if I’m still alive, and you’re still sane, and your dinner is
300 worth the eating. worth eating.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Good. I will expect you. Good. I’ll expect you.

CASCA CASCA
Do so. Farewell both. Do that. Farewell to both of you.

CASCA exits. CASCA exits.

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BRUTUS BRUTUS
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! What a dull man he’s become! He was so quick-witted when
He was quick mettle when he went to school. he was in school.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
305 So is he now in execution And he’s quick-witted now when it comes to carrying out
Of any bold or noble enterprise, any bold or noble enterprise, despite this show of being
However he puts on this tardy form. dull. The crudeness of his words is a kind of tasty sauce for
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, the wisdom of what he says, which makes other people
Which gives men stomach to digest his words more likely to listen to him.
310 With better appetite.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
And so it is. For this time I will leave you. That’s it exactly. For now, I’ll leave you. Tomorrow, if you’d
Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me, like to speak with me, I’ll come to your house. Or, if you
I will come home to you. Or, if you will, want, come to my house, and I’ll wait for you.
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
315 I will do so. Till then, think of the world. I’ll do that. Until then, think of what’s best for the world.

BRUTUS exits. BRUTUS exits.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I see Well, Brutus, you’re noble. Yet I see that your honorable
Thy honorable mettle may be wrought nature can be turned from its usual inclination. Therefore,
From that it is disposed. Therefore it is meet it's better for noble men to spend time only with other
That noble minds keep ever with their likes, noble men, because who is so firm that he can’t be
320 For who so firm that cannot be seduced? seduced? Caesar doesn't like me, but he loves Brutus. If I
Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus. were Brutus now and he were Cassius, I wouldn’t have let
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, him persuade me. Tonight I’ll throw a few letters through
He should not humor me. I will this night, his window—each written with different handwriting, as if
In several hands, in at his windows throw, they came from different citizens—all saying how great his
325 As if they came from several citizens, reputation is throughout all of Rome, while also hinting at
Writings all tending to the great opinion Caesar’s ambition. And after this, Caesar won't be able to
That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely sit comfortably in his power, because we’ll either overthrow
Caesar’s ambition shall be glancèd at. him, or suffer worse than we do now.
And after this let Caesar seat him sure,
330 For we will shake him, or worse days endure.

CASSIUS exits. CASSIUS exits.

Act 1, Scene 3
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

Thunder and lightning. CASCA and CICERO enter. Thunder and lightning. CASCA and CICERO enter.

CICERO CICERO
Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home? Good evening, Casca. Did you walk Caesar home? Why are
Why are you breathless? And why stare you so? you breathless? And why are you looking around like that?

CASCA CASCA
Are not you moved when all the sway of earth Aren’t you disturbed when the entire earth shakes as if it
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, were unsteady? Oh, Cicero, I’ve seen storms with gusting
5 I have seen tempests when the scolding winds winds that have split ancient oak trees. And I’ve seen the
Have rived the knotty oaks, and I have seen ocean swell, rage, and foam, as if it wanted to rise all the
Th' ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam way to the dark clouds above. But not until tonight--not
To be exalted with the threatening clouds, until now--have I ever seen a storm that drops fire. Either
But never till tonight, never till now, there is a civil war in heaven, or the world--too disrespectful
10 Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. toward the gods--angers them so much that they send
Either there is a civil strife in heaven, destruction.
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods,
Incenses them to send destruction.

CICERO CICERO
Why, saw you anything more wonderful? Why, did you see anything else that made it seem like it
came from the gods?

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CASCA CASCA
15 A common slave—you know him well by sight— A common slave—you’d recognize him—held up his left
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn hand, which flamed and burned with the strength of twenty
Like twenty torches joined, and yet his hand, torches. And yet his hand did not feel the fire and was not
Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched. scorched. In addition—I haven't sheathed my sword since
Besides—I ha' not since put up my sword— seeing this—across from the Capitol I saw a lion who stared
20 Against the Capitol I met a lion, at me and then walked by without harming me. And there
Who glaz'd upon me and went surly by, were a hundred frightened women all clustered together,
Without annoying me. And there were drawn who swore they saw men covered in fire walk up and down
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, the streets. And yesterday the owl sat hooting and shrieking
Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw in the marketplace at noon. When all these strange things
25 Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. happen at the same time, men should not say, “Here are
And yesterday the bird of night did sit the reasons why this is happening; it's all natural and
Even at noon-day upon the marketplace, normal.” I believe these are omens regarding what will
Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies happen in the place where they occur, right here in Rome.
Do so conjointly meet, let not men say,
30 “These are their reasons; they are natural.”
For I believe they are portentous things
Unto the climate that they point upon.

CICERO CICERO
Indeed, it is a strange-disposèd time. Yes, these are strange times. But men often interpret things
But men may construe things after their fashion, for their own purposes, and misunderstand the actual
35 Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. Comes meaning of the things themselves. Is Caesar coming to the
Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow? Capitol tomorrow?

CASCA CASCA
He doth, for he did bid Antonius He is. He told Antonius to tell you he’d be there tomorrow.
Send word to you he would be there tomorrow.

CICERO CICERO
Good night then, Casca. This disturbèd sky Good night then, Casca. This angry weather isn’t something
40 Is not to walk in. to walk around in.

CASCA CASCA
Farewell, Cicero. Farewell, Cicero

CICERO exits. CICERO exits.

CASSIUS enters. CASSIUS enters.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Who’s there? Who’s there?

CASCA CASCA
A Roman. A Roman.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Casca, by your voice. Casca, I recognize your voice.

CASCA CASCA
45 Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this! Your ear is good. Cassius, what a night this is!

CASSIUS CASSIUS
A very pleasing night to honest men. It’s a very pleasing night to honest men.

CASCA CASCA
Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Who’s ever seen the heavens seem so threatening as this?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Those that have known the earth so full of faults. Those who have known how bad things are here on earth. I
For my part, I have walked about the streets, have walked around the streets, exposing myself to the
50 Submitting me unto the perilous night, perilous night, with my jacket unbuttoned like this, baring
And, thus unbracèd, Casca, as you see, my chest to the thunderbolt, as you see, Casca. When the
Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone. forked blue lightning seemed to break open the sky, I put
And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open myself right where I thought it would hit.
The breast of heaven, I did present myself
55 Even in the aim and very flash of it.

CASCA CASCA
But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? But why would you tempt the heavens that way? Men are
It is the part of men to fear and tremble supposed to be afraid and tremble when the mightiest gods
When the most mighty gods by tokens send send such dreadful signs to warn and shock us.

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Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
60 You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life You are dull, Casca. And you lack the sparks of liveliness
That should be in a Roman you do want, that a Roman should have—or else you just don’t show
Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, them. You look pale, you stare, and you give yourself over to
And put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder fear and wonder at the strange uproar in the heavens. But if
To see the strange impatience of the heavens. you think about the true cause of all these fires, all these
65 But if you would consider the true cause floating ghosts; or the reason why birds and animals are
Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, acting differently from how they normally behave; why old
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind, men, fools, and children make prophecies; why all these
Why old men fool and children calculate, things have transformed from their natural qualities and
Why all these things change from their ordinance become monstrous, then you’d see that heaven put such
70 Their natures and preformèd faculties evil spirits in them so as to give a terrifying warning of an
To monstrous quality— why, you shall find unnatural government that is coming. Right now, Casca, I
That heaven hath infused them with these spirits could name a man who’s just like this dreadful night. He
To make them instruments of fear and warning thunders, shoots lightning, opens up graves, and roars just
Unto some monstrous state. like the lion in the Capitol. He is a man no mightier in his
75 Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man abilities than you or me. Yet he has grown as tremendous
Most like this dreadful night, and frightening as tonight’s shocking sights.
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
As doth the lion in the Capitol—
A man no mightier than thyself or me
80 In personal action, yet prodigious grown,
And fearful as these strange eruptions are.

CASCA CASCA
'Tis Caesar that you mean. Is it not, Cassius? It’s Caesar you’re talking about. Isn’t it, Cassius?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Let it be who it is. For Romans now Don’t worry about who it is. Romans today may have the
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors, same strong bodies as our ancestors. But—curse this
85 But—woe the while!—our fathers' minds are dead, time!—we don’t have the will of our fathers. It's like we have
And we are governed with our mothers' spirits. inherited only the spirits of our mothers 1 instead. Our 1 In ancient Roman society, women
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. willingness to be enslaved shows that we are weak, like were seen as weak. On the other
women. hand, men in ancient Roman families
had the power of life and death over
their relatives.

CASCA CASCA
Indeed, they say the senators tomorrow Indeed, they say that the senators plan to make Caesar a
Mean to establish Caesar as a king, king tomorrow. And he’ll wear his crown at sea and on land
90 And he shall wear his crown by sea and land everywhere except here in Italy.
In every place save here in Italy.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
I know where I will wear this dagger then. I know where I’ll wear this dagger if that happens. I’ll free
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. myself from slavery by killing myself. Oh, you gods, through
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong. suicide you make weak become strong. Through suicide,
95 Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat. you gods, you can defeat tyrants. No stony tower, no brass
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, walls, no airless dungeon, no iron chains can imprison a
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron strong spirit. Though held by such prisons, life never loses
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit. the power to destroy itself. I know--and may all the world
But life, being weary of these worldly bars, know--that I can overthrow the tyranny I currently suffer I
100 Never lacks power to dismiss itself. whenever I want by killing myself.
If I know this, know all the world besides,
That part of tyranny that I do bear
I can shake off at pleasure.

Thunder sounds again. Thunder sounds again.

CASCA CASCA
So can I. So can I. Every imprisoned man holds in his own hand the
105 So every bondman in his own hand bears ability to escape his captivity.
The power to cancel his captivity.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? So then how can Caesar have become a tyrant? Poor man! I
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf know he wouldn’t be a wolf if he didn't see that the Romans
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep. were such sheep. He would not be a lion if the Romans
110 He were no lion were not Romans hinds. weren’t deer. Someone who wants to make a big fire
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire quickly starts with little twigs. Rome is trash--just rubbish
Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome, and garbage to be burned--when it allows itself to light up
What rubbish and what offal, when it serves the ambitions of a thing as worthless as Caesar. But, oh,
For the base matter to illuminate grief! What have you made me say? I might be saying this to
115

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So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief, someone who wants to be a slave, and then I'll have to face
Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this the consequences of my words. But I’m armed, and danger
Before a willing bondman. Then I know is unimportant to me.
My answer must be made. But I am armed,
And dangers are to me indifferent.

CASCA CASCA
120 You speak to Casca, and to such a man You’re speaking to Casca, not some smirking tattletale. Take
That is no fleering telltale. Hold, my hand. my hand. If you’re forming a faction that will right all of
Be factious for redress of all these griefs, these wrongs, I’ll go just as far as the one of you who will go
And I will set this foot of mine as far the farthest.
As who goes farthest.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
125 There’s a bargain made. You’ve got a deal. Now you should know, Casca, that I’ve
Now know you, Casca, I have moved already already persuaded some of the noblest Romans to join me
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans in an effort that is at once honorable and dangerous. And I
To undergo with me an enterprise know that by now they’re waiting for me in the lobby of
Of honorable-dangerous consequence. Pompey’s theater, because no one is out walking in the
130 And I do know by this they stay for me streets right now. And the sky is as bloody, fiery, and
In Pompey’s porch. For now, this fearful night, terrible as the work we are planning to do.
There is no stir or walking in the streets,
And the complexion of the element
In favor’s like the work we have in hand,
135 Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.

CINNA enters. CINNA enters.

CASCA CASCA
Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Hide for a bit—someone is rushing toward us.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
'Tis Cinna. I do know him by his gait. It’s Cinna. I recognize him by the way he walks. He is a
He is a friend. —Cinna, where haste you so? friend.

[To CINNA] Cinna, where are you rushing to?

CINNA CINNA
To find out you. Who’s that? Metellus Cimber? To find you. Who’s that? Metellus Cimber?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
140 No, it is Casca, one incorporate No, it’s Casca, who is an ally in our efforts. Are the others
To our attempts. Am I not stayed for, Cinna? waiting for me, Cinna?

CINNA CINNA
I am glad on ’t. What a fearful night is this! I’m glad to hear it. What a frightening night this is! There are
There’s two or three of us have seen strange sights. two or three of us who have seen strange sights.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Am I not stayed for? Tell me. Are the others waiting for me? Tell me.

CINNA CINNA
145 Yes, you are. Yes, they are. Oh, Cassius, if you could just persuade noble
O Cassius, if you could Brutus to join us—
But win the noble Brutus to our party—

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, Don’t worry. Good Cinna, take this paper and put it in the
And look you lay it in the praetor’s chair judge’s chair where Brutus sits so he will find it. And throw
150 Where Brutus may but find it. And throw this this one in through his window. Attach this one with wax to
In at his window. Set this up with wax the statue of Brutus’ ancestor, Old Brutus. When all this is
Upon old Brutus' statue. All this done, done, return to the lobby of Pompey’s theater, where you
Repair to Pompey’s porch, where you shall find us. will find us. Are Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?

CINNA CINNA
155 All but Metellus Cimber, and he’s gone Everyone but Metellus Cimber, and he’s gone to look for you
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, at your house. Well, I’ll get going, and do what you've asked
And so bestow these papers as you bade me. me to do with these papers.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
That done, repair to Pompey’s theatre. When you’re done, return to Pompey’s theater.

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CINNA exits. CINNA exits.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day Come on, Casca. Before the daylight comes, you and I will
160 See Brutus at his house. Three parts of him go see Brutus at his house. He is already three-quarters on
Is ours already, and the man entire our side, and this next meeting will bring him to us
Upon the next encounter yields him ours. completely.

CASCA CASCA
Oh, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, Oh, he is loved and admired by the people. Just like an
And that which would appear offense in us, alchemist who transforms lead into gold, Brutus’ natural
165 His countenance, like richest alchemy, nobility would make actions look virtuous and good that
Will change to virtue and to worthiness. would look bad if we did them alone.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Him and his worth and our great need of him You’re completely right about both Brutus’ nobility and our
You have right well conceited. Let us go, need for him. Let’s go, because it’s already after midnight,
For it is after midnight, and ere day and before it’s day we must wake him and make sure he’s
170 We will awake him and be sure of him. with us.

They exit. They exit.

Act 2, Scene 1
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

BRUTUS enters in his orchard. BRUTUS enters in his orchard.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
What, Lucius, ho!— Hello, Lucius, where are you? I can’t tell by the position of
I cannot by the progress of the stars the stars how near it is to dawn. Lucius, where are you? I
Give guess how near to day . —Lucius, I say!— wish I had the weakness of sleeping too deeply. Come,
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.— Lucius, come! Wake up, I say! Lucius!
5 When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!

LUCIUS enters. LUCIUS enters.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
Called you, my lord? You called, my lord?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. Put a candle in my study, Lucius. When it’s lit, come here
When it is lighted, come and call me here. and get me.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
I will, my lord. I will, my lord.

LUCIUS exits. LUCIUS exits.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
10 It must be by his death, and for my part Killing Caesar is the only way. As for me, I have no personal
I know no personal cause to spurn at him reason to harm him other than the common good of the
But for the general. He would be crowned. people. He wants to be crowned king. The question is, how
How that might change his nature, there’s the question. might being king change him? Just as sunny days cause
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder poisonous snakes to come outside, bad things can come
15 And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, from what looks good—and so we must step carefully. If we
And then I grant we put a sting in him crown him king, then--I admit--we’d be giving him a power
That at his will he may do danger with. that he could use to do evil things, if he wanted. The abuse
Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins of power comes when power gets separated from
Remorse from power. And, to speak truth of Caesar, compassion. And, to be honest about Caesar, I’ve never
20 I have not known when his affections swayed seen his emotions get the better of his reason. But it's a
More than his reason. But ’tis a common proof basic truth that an ambitious young man uses humility as a
That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, tool to move up the ladder. And then, when he gets to the
Whereto the climber upward turns his face. top rung, he turns his back on those beneath him and
But when he once attains the upmost round, shoots for the skies, while scorning what he did to get to the
25 He then unto the ladder turns his back, top. Caesar might do the same. Therefore, because he
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees might, we must stop him. And since our argument has
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. nothing to do with who he is right now, I must think of it
Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel this way: if he got more power, his character as it is now

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Will bear no color for the thing he is, would be transformed into the extreme one I've described.
30 Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented, Therefore, we should think of him as a serpent’s
Would run to these and these extremities. egg—which, once it's hatched, grows dangerous, just as all
And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg— serpents do. So we must kill him while he’s still in the shell.
Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous—
And kill him in the shell.

LUCIUS enters. LUCIUS enters.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
35 The taper burneth in your closet, sir. The candle is lit in your study, sir. While I was searching on
Searching the window for a flint, I found the window sill for a flint, I found this paper, sealed up like
This paper, thus sealed up, and I am sure this. And I’m sure it wasn’t lying there when I went to bed.
It did not lie there when I went to bed. [He gives BRUTUS the letter]
[gives him a letter]

BRUTUS BRUTUS
40 Get you to bed again. It is not day. Go back to bed again. It’s not daytime yet. Boy ,isn’t
Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March? tomorrow March 15th?

LUCIUS LUCIUS
I know not, sir. I don’t know, sir.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Look in the calendar and bring me word. Check the calendar and let me know.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
I will, sir. I will, sir.

LUCIUS exits. LUCIUS exits.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
45 The exhalations whizzing in the air The meteors 1 whizzing in the sky give so much light that I 1 In the ancient world, and even up
Give so much light that I may read by them. can read by them. [He opens the letter and reads] “Brutus, through Shakespeare's own time,
[opens the letter and reads] you’re sleeping. Wake up and see yourself for who you are. meteors were thought to be omens.
“Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself. Will Rome … et cetera. Speak, strike, right the wrongs!”
Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!” “Brutus, you’re sleeping. Wake up.” I’ve come upon many
50 “Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake.” other encouragements like these, left in places where I
Such instigations have been often dropped would find them. “Is Rome going to … et cetera.” And so I
2 Known as Tarquin the Proud, this
Where I have took them up. must complete the thought. Will Rome stand in awe of one
king was famous for his cruelty. After
—“Shall Rome, etc.” Thus must I piece it out: single man? Really, Rome? My ancestors drove Tarquin 2 his expulsion from Rome, the Republic
“Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe?” What, Rome? from the streets of Rome when he was pronounced a king. was founded.
55 My ancestors did from the streets of Rome “Speak, strike, right the wrongs!” Is this letter asking me to
The Tarquin drive when he was called a king. speak and strike? Oh, Rome, I promise you, if a strike would
—“Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreated result in the restoration of the Republic, then I would give
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise, you everything you're asking for from my very own hands!
If the redress will follow, thou receivest
60 Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!

LUCIUS enters. LUCIUS enters.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. Sir, fifteen days of March have passed.

A knock sounds offstage. A knock sounds offstage.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
'Tis good. Go to the gate. Somebody knocks. That’s good. Go to the gate. Somebody’s knocking.

LUCIUS exits. LUCIUS exits.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I haven’t slept since Cassius began to turn me against
I have not slept. Caesar. The time spent waiting between the moment when
65 Between the acting of a dreadful thing you decide to do something great and terrible, and the
And the first motion, all the interim is instant when you actually do it, feels unreal or like an awful
Like a phantasma or a hideous dream. dream. The man who waits becomes like a little kingdom, in
The genius and the mortal instruments which the unconscious and the body join together in a
Are then in council, and the state of man, conspiracy to overthrow the conscious mind.
70 Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.

LUCIUS enters. LUCIUS enters.

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LUCIUS LUCIUS
Sir, ’tis your brother Cassius at the door, Sir, it’s your brother-in-law Cassius at the door. He wants to
Who doth desire to see you. see you.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Is he alone? Is he alone?

LUCIUS LUCIUS
75 No, sir, there are more with him. No, sir. There are others with him.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Do you know them? Do you know them?

LUCIUS LUCIUS
No, sir. Their hats are plucked about their ears, No, sir. Their hats are pulled down over their ears and their
And half their faces buried in their cloaks, faces are half-hidden behind their cloaks, so I can’t make
That by no means I may discover them out any features to identify them.
80 By any mark of favor.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Let 'em enter. Let them come in.

LUCIUS exits. LUCIUS exits.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
They are the faction. O conspiracy, It’s the faction that wants to kill Caesar. Oh, conspiracy, are
Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night you ashamed to show your face even at night, when evil
When evils are most free? O, then by day things are most at liberty? If so, when it’s day, where are
85 Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough you going to find a cave dark enough to hide your
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy. monstrous face? No, don’t bother to find a cave, conspiracy.
Hide it in smiles and affability. Instead, hide your true face behind smiles and friendliness.
For if thou path, thy native semblance on, If you went ahead and exposed your true face, hell itself
Not Erebus itself were dim enough wouldn’t be dark enough to keep you from being found and
90 To hide thee from prevention. stopped.

The conspirators enter: CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS, The conspirators--CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA,
and TREBONIUS. METELLUS, and TREBONIUS--enter.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
I think we are too bold upon your rest. I think we may be interrupting your sleep. Good morning,
Good morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you? Brutus. Are we bothering you?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
I have been up this hour, awake all night. I was up. I’ve been awake all night. Do I know these men
Know I these men that come along with you? who’ve come with you?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
95 Yes, every man of them, and no man here Yes, every one of them. And every one of them admires you,
But honors you, and every one doth wish and wishes you had as high an opinion of yourself as every
You had but that opinion of yourself noble Roman has of you. This is Trebonius.
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
100 He is welcome hither. He’s welcome here.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
This, Decius Brutus. This is Decius Brutus.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
He is welcome too. He’s welcome too.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
This, Casca. This, Cinna. And this, Metellus Cimber. This is Casca. This is Cinna. And this is Metellus Cimber.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
They are all welcome. They are all welcome. What nagging worries have stopped
105 What watchful cares do interpose themselves you from sleeping tonight?
Betwixt your eyes and night?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Shall I entreat a word? May I have a private word with you?

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BRUTUS and CASSIUS step aside and whisper together. BRUTUS and CASSIUS step aside and whisper together.

DECIUS DECIUS
Here lies the east. Doth not the day break here? Here’s the east. Is that the break of day I see?

CASCA CASCA
No. No.

CINNA CINNA
110 O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon gray lines Oh, pardon me, sir, it is. Those gray lines that adorn the
That fret the clouds are messengers of day. clouds are the messengers of coming dawn.

CASCA CASCA
You shall confess that you are both deceived. You’ll both soon admit that you are mistaken. [He points his
[points his sword] sword] Here, where I point my sword, the sun rises--way
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises, over toward the south, since it’s still so early in the year.
115 Which is a great way growing on the south, Two months from now, the light of dawn will break a good
Weighing the youthful season of the year. deal further to the north. Due east is where the Capitol
Some two months hence up higher toward the north stands, right there.
He first presents his fire, and the high east
Stands, as the Capitol, directly here.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
120 [comes forward with CASSIUS] [Coming forward with CASSIUS] Give me your hands, all of
Give me your hands all over, one by one. you, one by one. [He shakes their hands]
[shakes their hands]

CASSIUS CASSIUS
And let us swear our resolution. Now we should swear to our resolve.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
No, not an oath. If not the face of men, No, no swearing. If the unhappy faces of the men around us,
125 The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse— the suffering of our own souls, and the corruption of our
If these be motives weak, break off betimes, current time aren’t motivation enough, then we should
And every man hence to his idle bed. break it off now and each one of us of us go back and rest in
So let high-sighted tyranny range on bed. Then we’ll just let the ambitious tyrant rule and kill
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these— each one of us when the whim takes him. But if these
130 As I am sure they do—bear fire enough reasons are powerful enough—and I’m sure they are—to
To kindle cowards and to steel with valor spark cowards to act and to strengthen with courage the
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, failing spirits of our women, then, countrymen, what else
W hat need we any spur but our own cause do we need other than our cause to spur us to make things
To prick us to redress? What other bond right? What bond do we need other than being Romans
135 Than secret Romans that have spoke the word who have given their word to act and not back down? And
And will not palter? And what other oath what oath do we need other than that we have all said to
Than honesty to honesty engaged, each other honestly that either we will make this happen or
That this shall be, or we will fall for it? die trying? Swearing is for priests and cowards and cautious
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, men; for people who are old and feeble; and for those weak
140 Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls people who like to be mistreated. Oaths are only necessary
That welcome wrongs. Unto bad causes swear for men you wouldn’t trust, who are engaged in causes that
Such creatures as men doubt. But do not stain are bad. Don’t stain our justified efforts or the indomitable
The even virtue of our enterprise, core of our spirits by thinking that either our cause or
Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits, performance requires an oath, when every drop of blood in
145 To think that or our cause or our performance every noble Roman would be nothing more than bastard’s
Did need an oath, when every drop of blood blood if he broke the smallest part of any promise he had
That every Roman bears—and nobly bears— made.
Is guilty of a several bastardy
If he do break the smallest particle
150 Of any promise that hath passed from him.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him? But what about Cicero? Should we get a sense of his
I think he will stand very strong with us. thoughts? I think he will strongly support us.

CASCA CASCA
Let us not leave him out. Let’s not leave him out.

CINNA CINNA
No, by no means. No, by no means.

METELLUS METELLUS
155 O, let us have him, for his silver hairs Yes, we should bring him in. His age and renown will ensure
Will purchase us a good opinion that people see us in a good light and speak in praise of our
And buy men’s voices to commend our deeds. actions. It will be said that that Cicero’s good judgment

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It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands. directed our plans. Our relative youth and recklessness will
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, be obscured by his sober seriousness.
160 But all be buried in his gravity.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
O, name him not. Let us not break with him, No, don’t bring him up. We shouldn’t speak with him,
For he will never follow anything because he’ll never follow anything that other men have
That other men begin. started.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Then leave him out. Then leave him out.

CASCA CASCA
165 Indeed he is not fit. Indeed, he’s not a good fit for this.

DECIUS DECIUS
Shall no man else be touched but only Caesar? Should Caesar be the only one we target?

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet Good point, Decius. I think it would be a bad idea to allow
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, Mark Antony to outlive Caesar, since Caesar loves Antony so
Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him dearly. We’ll find that he is a cunning schemer. And, as you
170 A shrewd contriver. And, you know, his means, know, if he took advantage of his wealth and reputation, he
If he improve them, may well stretch so far could hurt us all. To prevent this, let Antony die along with
As to annoy us all; which to prevent, Caesar.
Let Antony and Caesar fall together.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, Caius Cassius, it will seem too bloody if we cut off Caesar’s
175 To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, head and then also hack off his arms and legs—because
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards, Mark Antony is just one of Caesar’s arms. We want to be
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. sacrificers of Caesar out of necessity, not butchers who are
Let us be sacrificers but not butchers, Caius. just out for blood. We are standing up against Caesar’s
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, spirit, what he stands for, and there’s no blood in that. Oh, if
180 And in the spirit of men there is no blood. only we could overcome Caesar’s spirit without having to
Oh, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit cut up Caesar himself! But, sadly, our only option is to kill
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, Caesar. Noble friends, let’s kill him boldly--but not with
Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends, anger. Let’s carve him up like a dish fit for the gods, not
Let’s kill him boldly but not wrathfully. hack him up like a carcass fit for dogs. Like subtle masters
185 Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, do, let’s make our bodies--as our servants--act in obedience
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds. to the anger in our hearts. And then, afterward, we will
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, seem to disapprove of our bodies’ bloody deeds. This will
Stir up their servants to an act of rage make our actions seem necessary and not driven by envy,
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make ensuring that commoners will see us as surgeons instead of
190 Our purpose necessary and not envious, murderers. As for Mark Antony—don’t think about him. He'll
Which so appearing to the common eyes, be able to do nothing more as Caesar's right-hand man
We shall be called purgers, not murderers. once Caesar’s head is cut off.
And for Mark Antony, think not of him,
For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm
195 When Caesar’s head is off.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Yet I fear him. But I still fear Antony, because of the depth of his love for
For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar— Caesar—

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him. Alas, good Cassius, don’t think about him. If Antony loves
If he love Caesar, all that he can do Caesar, then he can only hurt himself—by falling into
200 Is to himself: take thought and die for Caesar. despair and dying for Caesar. And he’s not likely to do even
And that were much he should, for he is given that, because he enjoys sports, excitement, and parties too
To sports, to wildness and much company. much.

TREBONIUS TREBONIUS
There is no fear in him. Let him not die, There’s nothing to fear from him. Let him not die. He’ll live
For he will live and laugh at this hereafter. and laugh at this later on.

A clock strikes. A clock strikes.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
205 Peace! Count the clock. Quiet! Count the chimes of the clock.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
The clock hath stricken three. The clock struck three.

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TREBONIUS TREBONIUS
'Tis time to part. It’s time for us to go.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
But it is doubtful yet But it's still not certain that Caesar will leave his house
Whether Caesar will come forth today or no. today. He’s become superstitious lately--a total shift from
210 For he is superstitious grown of late, the opinions he used to hold about fortune-tellers, dream
Quite from the main opinion he held once interpreters, and rites meant to tell the future. It might be
Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies. that these strange omens, the unusual terror of this night,
It may be, these apparent prodigies, and the advice of his fortune-tellers will stop him from
The unaccustomed terror of this night, coming to the Capitol today.
215 And the persuasion of his augurers
May hold him from the Capitol today.

DECIUS DECIUS
Never fear that. If he be so resolved, Don’t worry about that. If that's what he's planning, I can
I can o'ersway him. For he loves to hear persuade him otherwise. He loves to hear me tell him how
That unicorns may be betrayed with trees, unicorns can be captured with trickery around trees, bears
220 And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, with glasses, elephants in holes, and lions with nets--just as
Lions with toils, and men with flatterers. men can be tricked by flatterers. When I tell him he hates
But when I tell him he hates flatterers, flatterers, he agrees--even though that is the instant when
He says he does, being then most flatterèd. I’m flattering him the most. Let me work on him. I can
Let me work. shape his mood in the right direction, and I’ll bring him to
225 For I can give his humor the true bent, the Capitol.
And I will bring him to the Capitol.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. No, we’ll all go there to bring him.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
By the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost? By eight o'clock. Is that the latest we can do it?

CINNA CINNA
Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. Let’s make that the latest, but be sure not to arrive any
later.

METELLUS METELLUS
230 Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard , Caius Ligarius doesn’t like Caesar, who berated him for
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey. saying nice things about Pompey. I’m surprised that none
I wonder none of you have thought of him. of you thought about including him.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Now, good Metellus, go along by him. Good Metellus, go to see him. He likes me very much, as I’ve
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons. always been good to him. Send him here and I’ll persuade
235 Send him but hither and I’ll fashion him. him.

CASSIUS CASSIUS
The morning comes upon ’s. We’ll leave you, Brutus. The morning comes. We’ll leave you, Brutus. And friends, go
—And, friends, disperse yourselves. But all remember your separate ways. But all of you: remember what you’ve
What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans. said and prove yourselves to be true Romans.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily. Good gentlemen, look happy and well-rested. Let's not
240 Let not our looks put on our purposes, allow our faces betray our plans. Instead, let's carry
But bear it as our Roman actors do, ourselves as our Roman actors do--with bright spirits and
With untired spirits and formal constancy. calm faces. And so, good morning to every one of you.
And so good morrow to you every one.

Everyone exits except BRUTUS. Everyone except BRUTUS exits.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Boy! Lucius!—Fast asleep? It is no matter. Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? No matter. Enjoy the sweet nectar
245 Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber. of sleep. You don’t suffer from the phantoms or fantasies
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies, which the cares of the world bring to all men. That’s why
Which busy care draws in the brains of men. you sleep so soundly.
Therefore thou sleep’st so sound.

PORTIA enters. PORTIA enters.

PORTIA PORTIA
Brutus, my lord. Brutus, my lord.

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BRUTUS BRUTUS
250 Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you now? Portia, why are you here? Why have you woken up so early?
It is not for your health thus to commit It's not good for your health to expose your weak body to
Your weak condition to the raw, cold morning. the raw, cold morning.

PORTIA PORTIA
Nor for yours neither. Y' have ungently, Brutus, It's not good for yours, either. You rudely snuck out of our
Stole from my bed. And yesternight, at supper, bed, Brutus. And last night, at dinner, you suddenly got up
255 You suddenly arose and walked about, and paced around with your arms crossed, worrying and
Musing and sighing, with your arms across, sighing. And when I asked you what was wrong, you stared
And when I asked you what the matter was, at me with a rude look. I repeated my question, and you
You stared upon me with ungentle looks. scratched your head and stamped your foot impatiently. I
I urged you further, then you scratched your head insisted, but you did not answer. Instead, with an angry
260 And too impatiently stamped with your foot. wave of your hand, you signaled that I should leave you
Yet I insisted; yet you answered not, alone. So I did, because I didn't want to further strengthen
But with an angry wafture of your hand your anger, which was already inflamed. Yet I hoped that it
Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did, was just the result of a bad mood, which can from time to
Fearing to strengthen that impatience time affect anyone. Your bad mood won’t let you eat or talk
265 Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal or sleep. If it could affect your appearance as much as it has
Hoping it was but an effect of humor, affected the way you are acting, I wouldn’t even recognize
Which sometime hath his hour with every man. you, Brutus. My dear lord, tell me about what is making you
It will not let you eat nor talk nor sleep, upset.
And could it work so much upon your shape
270 As it hath much prevailed on your condition,
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
I am not well in health, and that is all. I’m not feeling well, that’s all.

PORTIA PORTIA
Brutus is wise, and were he not in health, No. Since you’re wise, if you were feeling sick, you’d do the
275 He would embrace the means to come by it. right thing to make yourself better.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. And that’s what I’m doing. Good Portia, go to bed.

PORTIA PORTIA
Is Brutus sick? And is it physical Are you sick? And is it good for your health to walk outside
To walk unbracèd and suck up the humors with an open jacket and breathe in the dampness of the
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, morning? Really, Brutus? You’re not feeling well, but you
280 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, sneak out of your warm bed, letting the humid and dirty air
To dare the vile contagion of the night make you even sicker? No, my Brutus. You have some
And tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd air sickness within your mind. According to my rights as your
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus. wife, I deserve to know about it. [He kneels] On my knees, I
You have some sick offense within your mind, beg--by my once-praised beauty, by all your vows of love,
285 Which by the right and virtue of my place and by that great marriage vow which brought the two of us
I ought to know of. together and made us into one person--that you reveal it to
[kneels] And upon my knees me. As I am one-half of yourself, tell me why you’re
I charm you, by my once-commended beauty, unhappy and what men felt the need to visit you tonight.
By all your vows of love and that great vow For there were six or seven men who came, and who hid
290 Which did incorporate and make us one their faces even in the darkness.
That you unfold to me, your self, your half,
Why you are heavy, and what men tonight
Have had to resort to you. For here have been
Some six or seven who did hide their faces
295 Even from darkness.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Kneel not, gentle Portia. Don’t kneel, noble Portia.

PORTIA PORTIA
[rising] I should not need if you were gentle, Brutus. [Standing up] I wouldn’t need to kneel if you were acting
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, nobly, Brutus. Tell me, Brutus, don’t the bonds of our
Is it excepted I should know no secrets marriage mean that I am supposed to know all the secrets
300 That appertain to you? Am I yourself that concern you? Am I part of you only in a limited
But, as it were, in sort or limitation, sense—getting to eat meals with you, sleep with you, and
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, talk to you sometimes? Do I exist only on the borders of
And talk to you sometimes? your happiness? If it’s only that, then I’m your whore, not
Dwell I but in the suburbs your wife.
305 Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.

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BRUTUS BRUTUS
You are my true and honorable wife, You’re my true and honorable wife, as precious to me as the
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops blood that runs through my sad heart.
That visit my sad heart.

PORTIA PORTIA
310 If this were true, then should I know this secret. If that were true, then I’d know your secret. I admit that I’m
I grant I am a woman, but withal just a woman. But, even so, I’m the woman that Lord Brutus
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife. took for his wife. I admit that I’m just a woman. But, even
I grant I am a woman, but withal so, I'm a woman with a noble reputation, and Cato’s 3 3 Cato was a statesman famous for
A woman well-reputed, Cato’s daughter. daughter. Do you think I’m no stronger than the rest of my his oratory and adherence to Stoic
315 Think you I am no stronger than my sex, sex, having such a father and such a husband? Tell me your philosophy, not to be confused with
Being so fathered and so husbanded? secrets. I won’t tell them to anyone else. I’ve proved my his son, also named Cato, who
appears later in the play.
Tell me your counsels. I will not disclose 'em. trustworthiness by giving myself a voluntary wound here in
I have made strong proof of my constancy, my thigh. If I can bear that pain, can't I bear my husband’s
Giving myself a voluntary wound secrets?
320 Here in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience,
And not my husband’s secrets?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
O ye gods, Oh, gods, make me worthy of this noble wife!
Render me worthy of this noble wife!

A knock sounds offstage. A knock sounds offstage.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Hark, hark! One knocks. Portia, go in awhile. Listen, listen! Someone knocks. Portia, go inside for a while,
325 And by and by thy bosom shall partake and soon you’ll know the secrets of my heart. I’ll explain all
The secrets of my heart. my plans to you, and all the reasons behind the sad
All my engagements I will construe to thee, expression on my face. Leave me quickly.
All the charactery of my sad brows.
Leave me with haste.

PORTIA exits. PORTIA exits.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
330 Lucius, who’s that knocking? Lucius, who’s that knocking?

LUCIUS and LIGARIUS enter. Ligarius wears a handkerchief wrapped LUCIUS and LIGARIUS enter. LIGARIUS wears a handkerchief
around his head. wrapped around his head.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
He is a sick man that would speak with you. Here’s a sick man who’d like to speak with you.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. — Caius Ligarius, whom Metellus spoke of.
Boy, stand aside. —Caius Ligarius, how?
[To LUCIUS] Boy, stand aside.

[TO LIGARIUS] Caius Ligarius, what is going on?

LIGARIUS LIGARIUS
Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. Please accept this greeting of “good morning” from a sick
man.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
335 O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, Oh, what a time you’ve chosen to get ill, brave Caius! I wish
To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick! you were not sick!

LIGARIUS LIGARIUS
I am not sick if Brutus have in hand Brutus, I’m not sick if you have something for me to do--
Any exploit worthy the name of honor. something that is worthy of being called honorable.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, Ligarius, I do have just such a thing for you to do, if you are
340 Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. feeling well enough to hear about it.

LIGARIUS LIGARIUS
[removes his kerchief] [He takes off his handkerchief] By all the gods that Romans
By all the gods that Romans bow before, worship, I now throw away my sickness! Soul of Rome!
I here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome, Brave son of honorable ancestors! Like an exorcist, you
Brave son derived from honorable loins, have raised up my dead spirit. Now just tell me what to do,
345 Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up

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My mortifièd spirit. Now bid me run, and I will take on the impossible task, and succeed. What is
And I will strive with things impossible, there to do?
Yea, get the better of them. What’s to do?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
A piece of work that will make sick men whole. A bit of work that will make sick men healthy.

LIGARIUS LIGARIUS
350 But are not some whole that we must make sick? But aren’t there some healthy men whom we’ll have to
make sick?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
That must we also. What it is, my Caius, We must also do that. My dear Caius, I’ll explain what we
I shall unfold to thee as we are going have to do as we walk toward the one to whom it must be
To whom it must be done. done.

LIGARIUS LIGARIUS
Set on your foot, Start walking, and I’ll follow you, with my heart newly full of
355 And with a heart new-fired I follow you, fire. I don’t know what we will be doing, but it is enough
To do I know not what. But it sufficeth that Brutus leads me.
That Brutus leads me on.

Thunder sounds. Thunder sounds.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Follow me, then. Follow me, then.

They exit. They all exit.

Act 2, Scene 2
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

Thunder and lightning. CAESAR enters, wearing a nightgown. Thunder and lightning. CAESAR enters, wearing a
nightgown.

CAESAR CAESAR
Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight. Neither the sky nor the earth have been at peace tonight.
Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out, Three times Calphurnia cried out in her sleep, “Help, help!
“Help, ho! They murder Caesar!” —Who’s within? They’re murdering Caesar!” [He hears a noise] Who’s there?

A SERVANT enters. A SERVANT enters.

SERVANT SERVANT
My lord. My lord?

CAESAR CAESAR
5 Go bid the priests do present sacrifice Go tell the priests to sacrifice an animal to the gods, and
And bring me their opinions of success. bring me their interpretation of the results.

SERVANT SERVANT
I will, my lord. I will, my lord.

The SERVANT exits. The SERVANT exits.

CALPHURNIA enters. CALPHURNIA enters.

CALPHURNIA CALPHURNIA
What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth? What is this, Caesar? Do you think you’re going to go
You shall not stir out of your house today. outside? You’re not leaving this house today.

CAESAR CAESAR
10 Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me I will go out. The things that threaten me have never seen
Ne'er looked but on my back. When they shall see anything but my back. When they see Caesar's face, they
The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd. will disappear.

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CALPHURNIA CALPHURNIA
Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, Caesar, I never paid attention to omens, but now they
Yet now they fright me. There is one within, frighten me. One of our servants told me that--in addition
15 Besides the things that we have heard and seen, to the things that we have heard and seen--the night-
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. watchmen have also seen horrid things. A lioness gave birth
A lioness hath whelpèd in the streets, in the streets, and graves opened wide and let out their
And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead. dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the clouds in ranks and
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds squadrons--the usual military formations--until blood
20 In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, drizzled down from the sky onto the Capitol. The noise of
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol. battle clashed in the air, and horses neighed, and dying
The noise of battle hurtled in the air. men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed in the
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond all normal
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. experience, and I fear them.
25 O Caesar! These things are beyond all use,
And I do fear them.

CAESAR CAESAR
What can be avoided Who can avoid what the gods want to happen? Still, Caesar
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? will go out. These omens have to do with the world in
Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions general as much as they have to do with Caesar.
30 Are to the world in general as to Caesar.

CALPHURNIA CALPHURNIA
When beggars die there are no comets seen. When beggars die, no comets appear in the sky. The
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of heavens only light up to announce the deaths of princes.
princes.

CAESAR CAESAR
Cowards die many times before their deaths. Cowards die many times before their deaths. The brave
35 The valiant never taste of death but once. only die once. Of all the incredible things I’ve ever heard
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, about, man's fear of death is the strangest. Death--which
It seems to me most strange that men should fear, can’t be avoided--will come when it wishes to come.
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.

The SERVANT enters. The SERVANT enters.

CAESAR CAESAR
40 What say the augurers? What do the priests say?

SERVANT SERVANT
They would not have you to stir forth today. They don’t want you to go out today. When they pulled out
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, the insides of the holy sacrifice, they found no heart within
They could not find a heart within the beast. the animal.

CAESAR CAESAR
The gods do this in shame of cowardice. The gods do this to teach me to be ashamed of my
45 Caesar should be a beast without a heart cowardice. They’re saying I would be an animal without a
If he should stay at home today for fear. heart if I stayed home today out of fear. So, Caesar won’t
No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well stay home, then. Danger knows very well that Caesar is
That Caesar is more dangerous than he. more dangerous than he is. Danger and I are two lions born
We are two lions littered in one day, from the same mother on the same day, and I’m the older
50 And I the elder and more terrible. and fiercer one. Caesar will go out.
And Caesar shall go forth.

CALPHURNIA CALPHURNIA
Alas, my lord, Alas, my lord, your arrogance is overwhelming your
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. wisdom. Don’t go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps
Do not go forth today. Call it my fear you inside, and not your own. We’ll send Mark Antony to the
55 That keeps you in the house, and not your own. Senate, and he’ll say that you’re not feeling well today. [She
We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, kneels] Here on my knees, let me convince you.
And he shall say you are not well today.
[kneels] Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.

CAESAR CAESAR
Mark Antony shall say I am not well, Mark Antony will say I’m not well, and I will stay at home for
60 And for thy humor I will stay at home. your sake.

CALPHURNIA stands. CALPHURNIA stands up.

DECIUS enters. DECIUS enters.

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CAESAR CAESAR
Here’s Decius Brutus. He shall tell them so. Here’s Decius Brutus. He’ll tell them that I'll stay home.

DECIUS DECIUS
Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar. Hail, Caesar! Good morning, noble Caesar. I’ve come to
I come to fetch you to the senate house. escort you to the Senate.

CAESAR CAESAR
And you are come in very happy time And you’ve come at just the right time, so you can carry my
65 To bear my greeting to the senators greetings to the senators and tell them I won’t come today.
And tell them that I will not come today. It would be false to say that I can't--and even more false to
“Cannot” is false, and that I dare not, falser. say I don't dare to come. I simply won’t come today. Tell
I will not come today. Tell them so, Decius. them that, Decius.

CALPHURNIA CALPHURNIA
Say he is sick. Say he’s sick.

CAESAR CAESAR
70 Shall Caesar send a lie? Would Caesar send a lie? Have I been so victorious in battle,
Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far but am now afraid to tell the truth to some old men?
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth? Decius, go Decius, go tell them that Caesar won’t come.
tell them Caesar will not come.

DECIUS DECIUS
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, Most mighty Caesar, tell me some reason, so I won’t be
75 Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so. laughed at when I tell them.

CAESAR CAESAR
The cause is in my will. I will not come. The reason is that's what I want to do. I’m not coming.
That is enough to satisfy the senate. That’s enough to satisfy the senators. But because I like
But for your private satisfaction, you, I'll tell you for your personal satisfaction. My wife
Because I love you, I will let you know. Calphurnia has asked me to stay home. She dreamed last
80 Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home. night that she saw a statue of me, that was streaming pure
She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, blood, like a fountain with a hundred spouts. And many
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, happy Romans came smiling and washed their hands in it.
Did run pure blood. And many lusty Romans Calphurnia thinks the dreams are warnings and omens of
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it. approaching evil, and she begged me on her knees to stay
85 And these does she apply for warnings and portents home today.
And evils imminent, and on her knee
Hath begged that I will stay at home today.

DECIUS DECIUS
This dream is all amiss interpreted. This dream has been interpreted all wrong. It was a
It was a vision fair and fortunate. wonderful, lucky vision. Your statue spouting fountains of
90 Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, blood, in which so many smiling Romans bathed, means
In which so many smiling Romans bathed, that you will give great Rome the blood that will keep it
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck alive. And it means that great men will beg you to give your
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press blood to them as signs of your approval. This is what
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. Calphurnia’s dream means.
95 This by Calphurnia’s dream is signified.

CAESAR CAESAR
And this way have you well expounded it. This is a very good interpretation.

DECIUS DECIUS
I have, when you have heard what I can say. I will have interpreted it well, after you have heard the rest
And know it now: the senate have concluded of what I have to say. The Senate has decided to give
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. mighty Caesar a crown today. If you send them word that
100 If you shall send them word you will not come, you won’t come, they may change their minds. Also,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock someone’s likely to joke, “Postpone the Senate until some
Apt to be rendered for someone to say, other time, when Caesar’s wife has had better dreams.” If
“Break up the senate till another time you hide yourself, won’t they whisper, “See, Caesar is
When Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.” afraid?” Excuse me, Caesar. My love and high hopes for your
105 If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, advancement makes me tell you this. My manners are less
“Lo, Caesar is afraid?” powerful than my love for you.
Pardon me, Caesar. For my dear, dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
And reason to my love is liable.

CAESAR CAESAR
110 How foolish do your fears seem now, Calphurnia! How foolish your fears seem now, Calphurnia! I’m ashamed
I am ashamèd I did yield to them. that I gave in to them. Give me my robe. I’m going.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

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BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, CINNA, and BRUTUS, LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, CINNA,
PUBLIUS enter. and PUBLIUS enter.

CAESAR CAESAR
And look, where Publius is come to fetch me. And look, here’s Publius, coming to get me.

PUBLIUS PUBLIUS
Good morrow, Caesar. Good morning, Caesar.

CAESAR CAESAR
115 Welcome, Publius. [To PUBLIUS] Welcome, Publius.
—What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?
—Good morrow, Casca. —Caius Ligarius, [To BRUTUS] What, Brutus? Are you awake this early too?
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean. [To CASCA] Good morning, Casca.
120 —What is ’t o'clock?
[To LIGARIUS] Caius Ligarius, I was never your enemy as
much as the disease that has made you so thin. What time
is it?

BRUTUS BRUTUS
Caesar, ’tis strucken eight. Caesar, the clock has struck eight.

CAESAR CAESAR
I thank you for your pains and courtesy. I thank you for your trouble and courtesy.

ANTONY enters. ANTONY enters.

CAESAR CAESAR
See, Antony, that revels long a-nights, Even Antony--who parties all night long--is awake.
Is notwithstanding up. —Good morrow, Antony.
[To ANTONY] Good morning, Antony.

ANTONY ANTONY
125 So to most noble Caesar. The same to you, most noble Caesar.

CAESAR CAESAR
Bid them prepare within. Tell them to set up the other room for guests. It's my fault
I am to blame to be thus waited for. you all must wait for me.
—Now, Cinna. —Now, Metellus. —What, Trebonius,
I have an hour’s talk in store for you. [To CINNA] Now, Cinna.
130 Remember that you call on me today.
Be near me, that I may remember you. [To METELLUS] Now, Metellus.

[To TREBONIUS] Well, Trebonius, I need an hour to discuss

something with you. Remember to come see me today. Stay
near me so I’ll remember.

TREBONIUS TREBONIUS
Caesar, I will. [aside] And so near will I be Caesar, I will.
That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
[To himself] I’ll be so near that your best friends will wish I’d
been further away.

CAESAR CAESAR
Good friends, go in and taste some wine with me. Good friends, come in and have some wine with me. And
135 And we, like friends, will straightway go together. we will leave together right after that, like friends.

BRUTUS BRUTUS
[aside] That every “like” is not the same, O Caesar, [To himself] Oh Caesar, that we are only “like” friends
The heart of Brutus earns to think upon. makes my heart grieve when I think of it.

All exit. They all exit.

Act 2, Scene 3
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

ARTEMIDORUS enters, reading a letter. ARTEMIDORUS enters, reading a letter.

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ARTEMIDORUS ARTEMIDORUS
[reads aloud] [Reading aloud from the letter]
“Caesar, beware of Brutus. Take heed of Cassius. Come “Caesar, beware of Brutus. Pay attention to Cassius. Stay
not near Casca. Have an eye to Cinna. Trust not away from Casca. Keep an eye on Cinna. Don’t trust
Trebonius. Mark well Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus Trebonius. Take note of Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus
5 loves thee not. Thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There doesn’t love you. You’ve wronged Caius Ligarius. All these
is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against men share just one thought, and it’s aimed against Caesar.
Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you. If you are not immortal, look around you. A sense of
Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend security makes you vulnerable to conspiracy. May the
thee! mighty gods protect you!
10 Thy lover, Your friend,
Artemidorus” Artemidorus.”
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,
And as a suitor will I give him this. I'll stand here until Caesar passes by, and I’ll give him this as
15 My heart laments that virtue cannot live if I'm asking for a favor. My heart is sad that good men
Out of the teeth of emulation. aren’t safe from the bite of bitter jealousy. Caesar, if you
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live. read this, you will live. If not, the Fates are on the side of the
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. traitors.

He exits. He exits.

Act 2, Scene 4
Shakespeare Shakescleare Translation

PORTIA and LUCIUS enter. PORTIA and LUCIUS enter.

PORTIA PORTIA
I prithee, boy, run to the senate house. Boy, I beg you to run to the Senate House. Don’t stand there
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. to respond—get going. Why are you still here?
Why dost thou stay?

LUCIUS LUCIUS
To know my errand, madam. To find out what I'm supposed to do, madam.

PORTIA PORTIA
5 I would have had thee there and here again I want you there and back again before I can even tell you
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. what you should do there.
—O constancy, be strong upon my side,
Set a huge mountain ’tween my heart and tongue! [To herself] Oh, willpower, support me so that I do not say
I have a man’s mind but a woman’s might. what I know in my heart! I have a man’s mind, but only a
10 How hard it is for women to keep counsel! woman’s strength. How hard it is for women to keep
—Art thou here yet? secrets!

[To LUCIUS] Are you still here?

LUCIUS LUCIUS
Madam, what should I do? Madam, what should I do? Run to the Capitol and nothing
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? else? And then return to you, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?

PORTIA PORTIA
15 Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, Yes, boy: bring me news of whether your master looks well,
For he went sickly forth. And take good note because he looked sick when he left. And pay attention to
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. what Caesar does and who is standing close to him. Listen,
Hark, boy! What noise is that? boy! What’s that noise?

LUCIUS LUCIUS
I hear none, madam. I hear nothing, madam.

PORTIA PORTIA
20 Prithee, listen well. I beg you, listen well. I heard a clamor like some kind of
I heard a bustling rumor like a fray, brawl. It seemed to come on the wind from the Capitol.
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.

LUCIUS LUCIUS
Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. Truly, madam, I don’t hear anything.

The SOOTHSAYER enters. The SOOTHSAYER enters.

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