Act+III+--+Scene+i+(to+line+162)



Overview:  The Conspirators are planning to kill Caesar, but Artemidorus is carrying a letter warning Caesar about the plot and to watch out for certain people. Unfortunately Artemidorus looses his chance to give Caesar the letter because he brushes he brushes Artemidorus off. The other senators pretend to be petitioning for the return of Metellus’ brother who has been banished. Caesar says that that he will not let the brother back. As the senators are kneeling, begging for the return of the brother, they all get up and stab Caesar, killing him. Later, Antony sends his servant to inform Brutus that he will be loyal to the conspirators.  Literary Analysis The significance of the conspirators killing Caesar is great. After his death, and the play progresses, Brutus and the other conspirators are questioned weather or not it was a good thing to do. The conspirators did not really think it through. They thought that after they killed Caesar, everyone would rejoice, but they thought wrong. The people were disgusted by the brutal murder of their leader. Later in the play, when Brutus and Antony give their speeches, Brutus went first and claimed that he loved Caesar, but loved Rome more, therefor having a legitimate reason to kill Caesar. The towns people agreed with him, but when Antony spoke, he said that the conspirators were wrong in killing Caesar and, having the last word, the people sided with him. Although Caesar is dead, the act of his murder is the source of many conflicts throughout the play. 

Significant Quotes: -//"Et tu, Bru// //té? - Then fall, Caesar."// Julius Caesar, Line 85 -//"Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death."// Casca, Lines 133-114 -//"But I am constant as the Northern Star, Of whose true fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament."// Julius Caesar, Lines 66-68. -//"Stoop, Romans, stoop, And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood Up to the elbows and besmear our swords. Then walk we we forth, even to the marketplace, And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, Let's all cry'Peace, freedom, and liberty!'"// Brutus, Lines 117-122. -//"Ambition's debt is paid."// Brutus, Line 91

Discussion Questions:  1. Do you believe in strength in numbers? How does that apply to this scene? 2. What if Caesar's pride had not taken over? Would the conspirators have taken his life that day?

Main Characters: Julius Caesar: Leader of Rome, killed by the conspirators Cassius: Conspirator Brutus: Caesar's friend, Conspirator Casca: Conspirator, first to stab Caesar Cinna: Conspirator Antony: Decides to be loyal to the conspirators (to save his life) Later, he goes back on his word   