JULIUS CAESAR
ACT 3
SCENE 1
NOTE: This Scene Forms The Crisis Of The Play.
Antony Prophesies Bloodshed And Civil War.
CAESAR
[To the SOOTHSAYER] March 15th(ides of march) has come.
SOOTHSAYER
Yes, Caesar, but the day is not over.
ARTEMIDORUS
[Offering his letter] Hail, Caesar! Read this letter.
DECIUS
[Offering CAESAR another paper] Trebonius would like you to read his humble
request for help, when you have time.
ARTEMIDORUS
Oh, Caesar, read mine first, for my letter is personally important to you. Read it,
great Caesar.
CAESAR
I will leave whatever is personally important to me for the last.
ARTEMIDORUS
Don’t delay, Caesar. Read it immediately.
CAESAR
What, is this man crazy?
PUBLIUS
[To ARTEMIDORUS] Sir, stand aside.
CASSIUS
[To ARTEMIDORUS] What? Are you trying to give Caesar your letter in the
street? Do it at the Capitol.
CAESAR and the crowd go up to the senate house.
POPILLIUS
[To CASSIUS] I hope your plan succeeds today.
CASSIUS
What plan, Popillius?
POPILLIUS
Good luck.
POPILLIUS approaches CAESAR.
, BRUTUS
[To CASSIUS] What did Popillius Lena say?
CASSIUS
[To BRUTUS so that only he can hear] He wished that our plan would succeed
today. I’m afraid our motive has been discovered.
BRUTUS
Look, he’s approaching Caesar. Watch him.
CASSIUS
Be quick, Casca, because we're afraid our plans might be stopped.
[To BRUTUS] Brutus, what will we do? If our motive is known, either Caesar or I
will die, because I’ll kill myself if I can't kill him.
BRUTUS
Cassius, be calm. Popillius Lena isn't telling Caesar about our plot. Look, he’s
smiling, and Caesar’s expression hasn't changed.
CASSIUS
Trebonius knows what he should do. Look, Brutus, he’s guiding Mark Antony out
of the way.
TREBONIUS and ANTONY exit.
DECIUS
Where’s Metellus Cimber? He should go now to present his petition to Caesar.
BRUTUS
he is ready. Move up close and support his petition.
CINNA
Casca, you raise your hand first to stab Caesar.
CAESAR
Are we all ready? What are the problems that Caesar and his senate should deal
with?
METELLUS
[Kneeling] Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber
kneels before you with a humble heart—
CAESAR
I must stop you, Cimber. Your kneeling and over humbleness might flatter
ordinary men to turn Roman law into some kind of child's game. But don’t be so
foolish to think that you can influence Caesar to do something that is not right
through the tricks of flattery, low bows, and pathetic dog-like fawning that can
only persuade fools. Your brother was banished by law. If you kneel and beg for
him, I’ll kick you like a dog out of my way. Know that I did not punish him
without a reason, and will not repeal his banishment.
METELLUS
ACT 3
SCENE 1
NOTE: This Scene Forms The Crisis Of The Play.
Antony Prophesies Bloodshed And Civil War.
CAESAR
[To the SOOTHSAYER] March 15th(ides of march) has come.
SOOTHSAYER
Yes, Caesar, but the day is not over.
ARTEMIDORUS
[Offering his letter] Hail, Caesar! Read this letter.
DECIUS
[Offering CAESAR another paper] Trebonius would like you to read his humble
request for help, when you have time.
ARTEMIDORUS
Oh, Caesar, read mine first, for my letter is personally important to you. Read it,
great Caesar.
CAESAR
I will leave whatever is personally important to me for the last.
ARTEMIDORUS
Don’t delay, Caesar. Read it immediately.
CAESAR
What, is this man crazy?
PUBLIUS
[To ARTEMIDORUS] Sir, stand aside.
CASSIUS
[To ARTEMIDORUS] What? Are you trying to give Caesar your letter in the
street? Do it at the Capitol.
CAESAR and the crowd go up to the senate house.
POPILLIUS
[To CASSIUS] I hope your plan succeeds today.
CASSIUS
What plan, Popillius?
POPILLIUS
Good luck.
POPILLIUS approaches CAESAR.
, BRUTUS
[To CASSIUS] What did Popillius Lena say?
CASSIUS
[To BRUTUS so that only he can hear] He wished that our plan would succeed
today. I’m afraid our motive has been discovered.
BRUTUS
Look, he’s approaching Caesar. Watch him.
CASSIUS
Be quick, Casca, because we're afraid our plans might be stopped.
[To BRUTUS] Brutus, what will we do? If our motive is known, either Caesar or I
will die, because I’ll kill myself if I can't kill him.
BRUTUS
Cassius, be calm. Popillius Lena isn't telling Caesar about our plot. Look, he’s
smiling, and Caesar’s expression hasn't changed.
CASSIUS
Trebonius knows what he should do. Look, Brutus, he’s guiding Mark Antony out
of the way.
TREBONIUS and ANTONY exit.
DECIUS
Where’s Metellus Cimber? He should go now to present his petition to Caesar.
BRUTUS
he is ready. Move up close and support his petition.
CINNA
Casca, you raise your hand first to stab Caesar.
CAESAR
Are we all ready? What are the problems that Caesar and his senate should deal
with?
METELLUS
[Kneeling] Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber
kneels before you with a humble heart—
CAESAR
I must stop you, Cimber. Your kneeling and over humbleness might flatter
ordinary men to turn Roman law into some kind of child's game. But don’t be so
foolish to think that you can influence Caesar to do something that is not right
through the tricks of flattery, low bows, and pathetic dog-like fawning that can
only persuade fools. Your brother was banished by law. If you kneel and beg for
him, I’ll kick you like a dog out of my way. Know that I did not punish him
without a reason, and will not repeal his banishment.
METELLUS
