Brutus continues to be motivated more by principle than by ambition, emerging as a leader of the plot-he rejects the inclusion of Cicero and the assassination of Antony, who’s close to Caesar. Then Cassius arrives with the other conspirators. He reads an anonymous letter urging him to “redress” unspoken injustices against Rome. Cassius persuades Casca that the omens are signs of Caesar’s imminent tyranny, winning him over to the conspiracy.īrutus, who hasn’t slept since Cassius spoke to him of the conspiracy, talks himself into believing that assassinating Caesar is the best thing to do for Rome. Later, the streets of Rome are filled with fearful omens like meteors, earthquakes, lions, and owls. Brutus and Cassius agree to talk later Cassius plots to leave Brutus fake letters denouncing Caesar’s ambition. After the Lupercal race, Casca informs them that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, and Caesar refused it each time, although he thinks that Caesar looked increasingly reluctant to say no with each refusal. Brutus admits that although he loves Caesar, he doesn’t want Caesar to become king, and he desires the good of Rome above all else. Meanwhile, Cassius tries to persuade Brutus that Caesar is dangerously ambitious.

During the festivities, a soothsayer warns Caesar to “Beware the ides of March”-an omen Caesar quickly dismisses. It’s also the feast of Lupercal, an annual Roman holiday. The play opens with Julius Caesar’s triumphal entry into Rome after defeating his rival, Pompey.

William shakespeare book julius caesar