Julius Caesar Quotes
"I fear I wrong the honorable men whose daggers have stabbed Caesar." pg. 127
Speaker: Antony Context: Antony has just mentioned Caesar's will and the plebians are begging Antony to read it Significance: he is mocking the conspirators
"The one of two bad ways you must conceit me, either a coward or a flatterer." pg.107-109
Speaker: Antony Context: Antony has just seen Caesar dead and he just gone around shaking the hands of the conspirators Significance: Antony is saying that the conspirators can either see him as a coward for not standing up to them and just agreeing with them, or a flatterer meaning that he is sucking up to them.
Know page 113 "Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war , that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men groaning for burial"
Speaker: Antony Context: Antony is alone with caesar Significance: Antony is morning Caesars death and it is significant because he is saying how he will avenge him
"But Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man." pg. 123**
Speaker: Antony Context: Antony is giving a speech after Caesar's death to the Roman's Significance: Antony is mocking Brutus by saying that Brutus says Caesar was ambitious and he is an honorable man, but Antony is saying it sarcastically. He is practically saying that the only cause for Caesar's death was Brutus' word.
"Cry home and let slip the dogs of war"
Speaker: Antony Context: Antony is talking caesars dead body Significance: this is significant because he makes it clear that he wants to declare war
"And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in the order of his funeral" pg. 111
Speaker: Antony Context: Antony wants to speak at Caesar's funeral Significance: Cassius doesn't want him to speak at Caesar's funeral because he believes it will draw lots of attention towards them whereas Brutus thinks that if Antony speaks at his funeral it will allow the romans to see that they love caesar as a person, but just not as a ruler.
"For this was the most unkindest cut of all"
Speaker: Antony Context: Convincing the people using pathos (emotions) that what the conspirators did was unjust Significance: The betrayals of your friends hurt the most
"You yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm" pg. 149
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus and Cassius are arguing Significance: This is significant because Brutus is accusing Cassius for looking for money
"Brutus had rather been a villager Than to repute himself the son of Rome" pg. 23
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus and Cassius are having a conversation and Cassius is trying to persuade him to join him and go against Caesar Significance: This is significant because if Brutus joins Cassius not only will he feel like he is betraying Caesar he is also afraid of betraying Rome. OR: Brutus would rather be nothing than to do something that will harm Rome ALSO: In this quote Brutus is speaking
"Remember March; the ides of March remember." pg. 151**
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus is having a conversation with Cassius Significance: this is important because they are talking about the ides of march which is when they killed Caesar
"He then unto the ladder turns his back," pg. 51 **
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus is talking to himself, thinking Significance: this is significant because the climbing up the ladder represents caesar gaining power, and how once he reaches the top, meaning when he is crowned, he will turn his back on the Romans. once he is crowned, he will turn his back and instead of making decisions based on what is good for the romans, he will make decisions for his personal gain.
"It useful an enforcèd ceremony" pg.147
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus is talking with Lucilus Significance: This is important because Brutus is calling out Lucius for not being a genuine friend
"People and Senators, be not affrighted. Fly not; stand still. Ambition's debt is paid." pg. 99
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus says this right after caesar dies Significance: he says this to validate Caesar's death and how it was for the good of rome.
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell." pg. 51 **
Speaker: Brutus Context: Brutus talking to himself Significance: Brutus is talking about Caesar and killing him so he doesn't become king, it's a metaphor: killing the egg before it even hatches, meaning, killing caesar before he is too powerful.
"And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood up to the elbows and besmear our swords. Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace, and, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, let's all cry 'peace, freedom, and liberty'!" pg.101
Speaker: Brutus Context: brutus says this after killing caesar Significance: doing this makes the conspirators seem like the heroes instead of the villains. If they say "peace, freedom, and liberty" then it is showing that now that Caesar's dead, Rome is free.
"Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come." pg. 77
Speaker: Caesar Context: Caesar and Calpurnia are having a conversation about death Significance: This is significant because Caesar is claiming that he does not fear death and that it is inevitable. ironic because little does he know others are plotting to kill him.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once." pg.77**
Speaker: Caesar Context: Calpurnia is trying to convince caesar to stay home because of her bad dreams Significance: when you don't take chances or try that is a form of death, but if you are a valiant then you only die once and that is your actual death Do not fear death if you are brave Caesar is not going to listen to his wife because of his ego
"Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at And after this, let Caesar seat him sure, For we will shake him, or worse days endure." pg. 33
Speaker: Cassius Context: Brutus just left and Cassius is talking to himself Significance: This is an example of loyalty vs betrayal and Cassius wants to somehow mess him up and have everyone turn against Caesar.
"I know he would not be a wolf but that he sees the Roman's are but sheep; he were no lion, were not Romans hinds" pg. 41
Speaker: Cassius Context: Casca and cassius are talking about taking down caesar Significance: Cassius explains that Caesar sees himself on a whole other level, when it comes to power and equality, and this could represent that Caesar is selfish, which may lead to him not having the Romans best interests at heart
"Brutus, I do observe you now of late. I have not from your eyes that gentleness and show of love as I was wont to have. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand over your friend that loves you." pg. 15
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is speaking to Brutus and trying to convince him to go against Caesar. Significance: Cassius is telling Brutus that he is not as loving and close to Cassius like he used to be. Cassius is trying to gain Brutus' trust and telling him to open up to him.
"I know where I will wear this dagger then; Cassius from a bondage will deliver Cassius." pg. 41
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is speaking to Casca about taking down Ceaser and how they plan to do it Significance: This is significant because the dagger will be used. Cassius is saying how he will kill himself to save himself from slavery.
"A very pleasing night to honest men" pg. 37**
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is speaking with Casca after he had just started to leave and got scared of a roman Significance: This is significant because he means "the gods are good to me" meaning that the gods approve of killing Caesar
"That you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome, except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus and groaning underneath this age's yoke, have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes." pg. 17
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is talking to Brutus and trying to convince him to go against Caesar Significance: Cassius is saying that everyone in Rome except Caesar speaks of brutus in the highest respect, but since brutus can not see himself he does not realize this. Cassius is saying that he wishes Brutus saw himself the way everyone else sees him.
"'Brutus' and 'Caesar'- what should be in that 'Caesar'? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; sound them it doth become the mouth as well; Weight them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar.' Now, in the names of all the Gods at once, upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed." pg.23
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is talking to Brutus and trying to convince him to go against caesar Significance: Cassius is saying how caesar is not more important than or more special than Brutus and that they are equals.
"Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings." pg. 21 **
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is trying to convince Brutus to kill caesar. Significance: This quote shows the theme fate vs freewill because Cassius is saying that everything in your life is not up to destiny, but instead it is up to you.
"I was born free as Caesar; so were you; we both have fed as well, and we can both endure the winter's cold as well as he." pg. 19
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is trying to get Brutus on his side against Caesar Significance: This is significant because Cassius is saying that they are caesar's equals and they have just as much power as him and that there is no reason as to why Caesar should be deemed more important than them.
"Men at some times are masters of their fate" pg. 21 **
Speaker: Cassius Context: Cassius is trying to persuade Brutus to kill Caesar Significance: It is an example of fait vs free will, Cassius is saying that destiny/fate does not determine our lives, you determine your life
"The troubled tiber chafing with her shores, Caesar said to me "dar'st thou, Cassius, now leap in with me into this angry flood and swim to yonder point?" Upon the word, accounted I was plunged in And bade him follow: so indeed he did." pg. 19
Speaker: Cassius Context: cassius is talking to brutus trying to convince him to go against caesar Significance: cassius is degrading caesar and making himself look better than him so that he can show brutus that caesar is no better than they are
"Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could But win the noble Brutus to our party" pg. 43 **
Speaker: Cinna Context: Casca, cassius and cinna are discussing how to take down caesar on the night of the storm. Significance: cinna is saying that they need brutus on their side because if they get Brutus on their side then it will validate killing Caesar because if the "noble" Brutus says Caesar should die, then they will look less suspicious
"Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets." pg. 99
Speaker: Cinna Context: The group is rejoicing after killing Caesar Significance: if the conspirators run around the streets chanting this about caesar's death, then they get to control the narrative. They get to be able to convince people that caesar was a bad person, and that killing him granted Rome freedom. This is significant because after killing Caesar they don't feel guilty they feel freedom.
"Truly my name is Cinna" pg. 137
Speaker: Cinna the poet Context: The plebians are their way to get revenge Significance: This is significant because the plebeians are blood thirsty and killed an innocent poet just because they believed it was the Cinna that killed Caesar.
"In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall press For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance." pg. 81
Speaker: Decius Context: decius is trying to convince caesar to come to the capitol while calphurnia is trying to convince caesar to stay home Significance: decius is manipulating caesar by turning calphurnia's dream about something bad happening to caesar into a story about caesar's greatness.
"I can o'ersway him, for he loves to hear That unicorns may be betrayed with trees, and bears with glasses, elephants with holes, lions with toils, and men with flatterers." pg. 63**
Speaker: Decius Context: the conspirators are scheming for Caesar's death and decius is saying that he can get Caesar to the capitol. Significance: decius is saying that he can manipulate caesar into coming to the capitol because he knows what caesar likes to hear.
"We'll burn the house of Brutus" pg. 131
Speaker: First Plebeian Context: Antony has finished his speeches about Caesar's death Significance: This is significant because this is when everyone finds out who killed Caesar and they want revenge
"O, let us have him, for his silver hairs Will purchase us a good opinion And by men's voices to commend our deeds." pg 59**
Speaker: Metellus Context: Metellus and the conspirators are talking about whether or not they should include cicero in their plan. Significance: This is significant because cicero can be used to the group's advantage since he is old and powerful which makes their reputation better. It validates the killing of Caesar because it makes it seem like it was not a murder out of cold blood, but rather a murder for the people of Rome.
"Is it accepted I should know no secrets That appertian to you? Am I yourself, But as I were, in sort or limitation" pg. 69**
Speaker: Portia Context: Portia comes to Brutus with concerns in regards to their marriage Significance: Brutus is not telling her his secrets about Caesar, and she is asking to know. Because of these secrets she feels as if he looks down upon her/ degraded.
"Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife." pg.69**
Speaker: Portia Context: Portia is speaking to brutus about how he should tell her his secrets Significance: Brutus does not treat portia like she is his partner because he does not tell her things and does not treat her like she is his equal.
"I have a man's mind but a woman's might" pg. 85
Speaker: Portia Context: Portia is talking to lucius Significance: portia is saying that she may be a woman, but she is just as smart and worthy as a man
"Let's be sacrificers, but not butchers." pg. 61**
Speaker: brutus Context: Brutus and the conspirators are discussing whether they should kill Antony or not. Significance: brutus is saying that there is no need to kill antony because he is not a part of brutus. And he is saying that they should be sacrificers, meaning that they should be doing this because they absolutely have to, rather than butchers, meaning that they should not kill unless they must. They are honorable men and are only doing it because it seems as if it is the only option.
"No, not an oath. If not the face of men, the sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse-if these motives be weak, break off betimes, and every man hence to his idle bed." pg. 57
Speaker: brutus Context: brutus and all of the conspirators are meeting Significance:
"And, to speak the truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed more than his reason." pg. 51
Speaker: brutus Context: brutus is thinking to himself Significance: Brutus is saying that he does not know when Caesar's personal desires are stronger than his ability to do what is right for rome.
"And that we are contented Caesar shall have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong." pg. 111**
Speaker: brutus Context: brutus says this aside to cassius Significance: if Caesar has all the true rites and lawful ceremonies, then it will make it seem like the conspirators killed him because he was a threat to Rome, and not because of personal grudges. It shows that they respected caesar as a person, but just not as a ruler. And that they feared that if he got too powerful he would put himself before rome.
"Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more." pg. 117
Speaker: brutus Context: brutus' speech after caesar's death Significance: he is saying that he did not do this for personal reasons, but instead did this for the benefit of Rome
"Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself! Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress! 'Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake.'" pg. 53
Speaker: brutus reading the letters Context: brutus is reading the letters that were thrown at his window Significance: brutus needs to wake up and see the situation
"Let me have men about me that are fat, sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous." pg. 25 bottom
Speaker: caesar Context: antony and caesar are talking Significance: fat men are pleased, happy and comfortable with their position, therefore they are not a threat to caesar. Cassius having a lean and hungry look means that he is eager for more, and he is not comfortable in his position, therefore making him a threat to Caesar.
"The gods do this in shame of cowardice. Caesar should be a beast without a heart. If he should stay at home today for fear. No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he." pg. 77
Speaker: caesar Context: caesar says this while calphurnia is trying to convince him to stay home Significance: caesar is saying that he is not a coward and he is saying that "danger" is nothing compared to him
"When they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished." pg. 75
Speaker: caesar Context: calphurnia is trying to convince caesar to stay home because she had bad dreams about what is going to happen Significance: caesar has a big ego
"Ay, marry was't, and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting-by, mine honest neighbors shouted." pg. 27
Speaker: casca Context: casca is telling brutus and cassius about how antony offered caesar the crown three times, and caesar denied it every time Significance: caesar turning it down makes him look humble and not power-hungry
"Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings him home? What tributaries follow him to Rome to grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!" pg. 9
Speaker: casca Context: casca says this while he is talking to brutus and cassius Significance: this is significant because marullus and flavius were against caesar and they were put to death because of it, which threatens other people to not go against caesar or the same thing will happen to them.
"Against the capitol i met a lion, who glazed upon me and went surly by without annoying me" pg. 35
Speaker: casca Context: he is talking to the cobbler and carpenter Significance: Marullus is angry with the cobbler and carpenter for leaving work and attending the parade because they would attend the parades for when Pompey would come back victorious and now they are attending a parade that is celebrating Pompey's defeat.
"Against the capitol i met a lion, who glazed upon me and went surly by without annoying me" pg. 35
Speaker: casca Context: he is talking to the cobbler and carpenter Significance: Marullus is angry with the cobbler and carpenter for leaving work and attending the parade because they would attend the parades for when Pompey would come back victorious and now they are attending a parade that is celebrating Pompey's defeat. Marullus and
"Against the capitol i met a lion, who glazed upon me and went surly by without annoying me" pg. 35
Speaker: casca Context: he is talking to the cobbler and carpenter Significance: caesar turning it down makes him look humble and not power-hu
"But when I tell him he hates flatterers, he says he does, being then most flattered." pg. 65**
Speaker: decius Context: decius is talking to the conspirators about how he can get caesar to the capitol Significance: this is showing how caesar is "above being flattered" and how decius can say this to caesar and manipulate caesar into coming to work. When Decius tells caesar he hates flatterers, caesar is the most content
"To tell thee thou shalt see me at philippi" pg.173**
Speaker: ghost of caesar Context: the ghost of Caesar is talking to brutus while he is in his tent trying to go to sleep. Significance: the ghost of caesar is saying that he will see brutus again at philippi because that is where brutus will die, and caesar will be avenged, and saying that even though caesar died that everyone else won't just live a happy life, they will die soon
"Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all. For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart, and, in his mantle muffling up his face..." pg. 129**
Speaker:Antony context: Antony says this in his speech Significance: antony is saying that Caesar died of a broken heart because of Brutus' betrayal. Theme betrayal vs. loyalty
"It must be his death. And for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there's the question." pg. 49**
speaker: Brutus Context: brutus is thinking to himself Significance: Brutus is saying that he has no personal reason to kill caesar, but he feels like he has to for the good of Rome because if caesar is crowned he will change. Caesar may become selfish and make decisions for his own personal benefit rather than Rome's. -Brutus is not completely for killing him, but thinks it might be the only option considering how huge Caesar's ego is and how it will be even bigger once crowned as king
"Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords in our own proper entrails." pg. 197**
speaker: brutus Context: this is after brutus finds titinius and cassius dead Significant: even though caesar is dead, his spirit continues to be mighty and impact their lives
