mark antony speech

‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen’ Speech Analysis

Read the ‘ Friends, Romans, countrymen’  Julius Caesar monologue below with a modern English translation & analysis:

Spoken by Marc Antony, Julius Caesar, Act 3 Scene 2

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest– For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men– Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.

‘Friends, Romans, countrymen’ Monologue Translation

Friends, Romans and countrymen, please give me your close attention. I’ve come to attend Caesar’s funeral, not to praise him. I would like to say that the bad things one does live on in people’s memories; the good is often buried with their bodies. Let that be the Case with Caesar.

The noble Brutus has told you that Caesar was ambitious. If that was so it was a very serious failing, and it has had a serious consequence for him.

With Brutus and the others’ permission – for Brutus is an honourable man, and all the others are too – I have come to speak at Caesar’s funeral

He was a faithful and honest friend to me: but Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man. He brought many captive prisoners back to Rome, whose ransoms filled the treasury. Does that seem like ambition?

When the poor have cried, Caesar has wept. Ambition is supposed to be something harder than that. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honourable man.

You all saw how, on the Lupercal public holiday, I offered him a royal crown three times, which he rejected each time. Was that ambition? And yet Brutus says he was ambitious, and one sure thing is that Brutus is an honourable man.

I’m not trying to contradict the things Brutus said, but I’m here to speak about what I know.

You all loved him once, with good reason. What reason now stops you from mourning for him? Oh, what’s happened to judgment? It’s gone to wild animals and men have lost their reason. Excuse me, give me a moment. My emotions are overwhelming at the sight of Caesar’s body and I must pause till I’ve recovered.

Read Shakespeare monologues >> Read Shakespeare soliloquies >>

Watch & Listen To Marc Antony’s ‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen’ Speech

See All Julius Caesar Resources

Julius Caesar | Julius Caesar summary | Julius Caesar characters | Julius Caesar settings | Julius Caesar in modern English | Julius Caesar full text | Modern Julius Caesar ebook | Julius Caesar for kids ebooks | Julius Caesar quotes | Julius Caesar quote translations | Julius Caesar monologues | Julius Caesar soliloquies

• Pinterest 0

this quote is one of the best quote by shakespeare…………

This is a monologue but does ‘t suit for character enactment. Yet it is better than other sources if compared….but still it gives me idea of what i can imagine about mark antony

The information you have posted is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing

Leave a Reply

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• National Poetry Month
• Materials for Teachers
• Literary Seminars
• American Poets Magazine

Main navigation

• Academy of American Poets

User account menu

Find and share the perfect poems.

Page submenu block

• literary seminars
• materials for teachers
• poetry near you

Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene II [Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears]

Add to anthology.

Antony speaks at Caesar’s funeral

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I have come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interrèd with their bones. So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious. If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answered it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest (For Brutus is an honorable man; So are they all, all honorable men), Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me, But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And sure he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause. What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?— O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason!—Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.

This poem is in the public domain.

More by this poet

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun (sonnet 130).

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight

Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene I [O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth]

Antony speaks over Caesar's body

The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I [The quality of mercy is not strained]

The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown: His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

Newsletter Sign Up

• Academy of American Poets Newsletter
• Academy of American Poets Educator Newsletter
• Teach This Poem

Website navigation

Order it: mark antony's "friends, romans, countrymen".

Shakespeare & Beyond

Maurice Jones (Mark Antony), Julius Caesar , directed by Robert Richmond, Folger Theatre, 2014. Photo by Teresa Wood.

It’s often said that Shakespeare has a special appeal to audiences in Washington, DC, where the Folger Shakespeare Library is located, because of his handling of political subjects, among many other topics. Certainly, one of Shakespeare’s famous speeches from the plays is a brilliant piece of political oratory by Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, which begins “Friends, Romans, countrymen.”

Antony is a friend of Caesar, who has just been assassinated, and he speaks, with the permission of the assassins, after one of them, Brutus, has made the case for Caesar’s death. At first it seems that Antony is accepting that view and is simply praising his lost friend, but during his speech, the views of the crowd change. Later in the scene, Antony also shares Caesar’s will (above). In our quiz, can you rearrange the lines in Antony’s speech?

Order It: Mark Antony’s “Friends, Romans, countrymen”

Can you put these lines in the correct order?

Drag and drop these cards to correctly order the first few lines of Mark Antony’s famous speech.

What comes next?

Last one! How does the speech end?

Visit The Folger Shakespeare to read the rest of Julius Caesar . You can also find the full text of all of Shakespeare’s other plays and poems, expertly edited and made freely available by the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Quiz Maker – powered by Riddle

You can hear Antony’s speech at the Folger’s Listen: Julius Caesar —look for Act 3, Scene 2. The Folger and our publishing partner, Simon & Schuster Audio , hope you enjoy these excerpts from our audiobook of the play, performed by the professional actors of Folger Theatre in consultation with the editors of The Folger Shakespeare .

For some other insights into Julius Caesar , try our post on ‘Julius Caesar’ and Shakespeare’s change in the American curriculum, from rhetoric to literature or read this excerpt from Paterson Joseph’s Julius Caesar and Me: Exploring Shakespeare’s African Play .

Stay connected

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Find out what’s on, read our latest stories, and learn how you can get involved.

Mark Antony: The General Who Changed the Roman Republic

• B.A., History, Ohio University

Mark Antony, also called Marcus Antonius, was a general who served under Julius Caesar, and later became part of a three-man dictatorship that ruled Rome. While assigned to duty in Egypt, Antony fell in love with Cleopatra, leading to conflict with Caesar's successor, Octavian Augustus. Following a defeat at the Battle of Actium , Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide together.

Mark Antony Fast Facts

• Full Name:  Marcus Antonius, or Mark Antony
• Known For:  Roman general who became a politician and leader of ancient Rome, eventual lover of Cleopatra and father of her three children. He and Cleopatra died together in a suicide pact after the Battle of Actium.
• Born:  January 14, 83 B.C., in Rome
• Died: August 1, 30 B.C., in Alexandria, Egypt

Early Years

Mark Antony was born in 83 B.C. into a noble family, the gens Antonia. His father was Marcus Antonius Creticus, who was generally viewed as one of the most incompetent generals in the Roman army. He died in Crete when his son was only nine years old. Antony's mother, Julia Antonia, was distantly related to Julius Caesar . Young Antony grew up with little guidance following his father's death, and managed to rack up significant gambling debt during his teenage years. Hoping to avoid creditors, he fled to Athens, ostensibly to study philosophy.

In 57 B.C., Antony joined the military as a cavalryman under Aulus Gabinius in Syria. Gabinius and 2,000 Roman soldiers were sent to Egypt, in an attempt to restore Pharaoh Ptolemy XII to the throne after he was deposed by his daughter Berenice IV. Once Ptolemy was back in power, Gabinius and his men stayed put in Alexandria, and Rome benefited from revenues sent back from Egypt. It is believed that this is when Antony first met Cleopatra, who was one of Ptolemy's daughters .

Within a few years, Antony had moved on to Gaul, where he served under Julius Caesar as a general in several campaigns, including commanding Caesar's army in the battle against the Gallic King Vercingetorix . His success as a formidable military leader led Antony into politics. Caesar sent him to Rome to act as his representative, and Antony was elected to the position of Quaestor, and later Caesar promoted him to the role of Legate.

Political Career

Julius Caesar had formed an alliance with Gnaeus Pompey Magnus and Marcus Licinius Crassus, giving rise to the First Triumvirate to rule the Roman republic together. When Crassus died, and Caesar's daughter Julia—who was Pompey's wife—passed away, the alliance effectively dissolved. In fact, a huge divide formed between Pompey and Caesar, and their supporters regularly fought each other in the streets of Rome. The Senate solved the problem by naming Pompey the sole Consul of Rome, but giving Caesar control of the military and religion, as the Pontifex Maximus.

Antony sided with Caesar, and used his position as a Tribune to veto any of Pompey's legislation that might negatively effect Caesar. The battle between Caesar and Pompey eventually came to a head, and Antony suggested that both of them get out of politics, lay down their arms, and live as private citizens. Pompey's supporters were outraged, and Antony fled for his life, finding refuge with Caesar's army on the banks of the Rubicon . When Caesar crossed the river, moving towards Rome, he appointed Antony as his second in command.

Caesar was soon appointed Dictator of Rome, and then sailed to Egypt, where he deposed Ptolemy XIII, the son of the previous pharaoh. There, he appointed Ptolemy's sister Cleopatra as ruler. While Caesar was busy running Egypt and fathering at least one child with the new queen, Antony stayed in Rome as the governor of Italy. Caesar returned to Rome in 46 B.C., with Cleopatra and their son, Caesarion, accompanying him.

When a group of senators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, assassinated Caesar on the floor of the senate, Antony escaped Rome dressed as an enslaved person—but soon returned, and managed to liberate the state treasury.

Mark Antony's Speech

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" is the famous first line of Mark Antony's speech given in a funeral oration after Caesar's death on March 15, 44 B.C. However, it's unlikely that Antony truly said it—in fact, the famous speech comes from William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar . In the speech, Antony says " I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him ," and uses emotionally charged rhetoric to turn the crowd of onlookers against the men who conspired to murder his friend.

It's likely that Shakespeare modeled this speech in his play from the writings of Appian of Alexandria, a Greek historian . Appian wrote down a summary of Antony's speech, although it was not word for word. In it, he says,

Mark Antony... had been chosen to deliver the funeral oration... and so he again pursued his tactic and spoke as follows.

"It is not right, my fellow-citizens, for the funeral oration in praise of so great a man to be delivered by me, a single individual, instead of by his whole country. The honors that all of you alike, first Senate and then People, decreed for him in admiration of his qualities when he was still alive, these I shall read aloud and regard my voice as being not mine, but yours.

By the time Antony's speech concludes in Shakespeare's play, the crowd is so worked up that they are ready to hunt down the assassins and tear them to shreds.

Mark Antony and Cleopatra

In Caesar's will, he adopted his nephew Gaius Octavius and appointed him as his heir. Antony refused to turn Caesar's fortune over to him. After months of conflict between the two men, they joined forces to avenge the murder of Caesar, and formed an alliance with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, creating the Second Triumvirate. They marched against Brutus and others who had been part of the assassination conspiracy.

Eventually, Antony was appointed as governor of the eastern provinces, and in 41 B.C., he demanded a meeting with the Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. She had escaped Rome with her son following Caesar's death; young Caesarion was recognized by Rome as the king of Egypt . The nature of Antony's relationship with Cleopatra was complex; she may have used their affair as a way to protect herself from Octavian, and Antony abandoned his duty to Rome. Regardless, she bore him three children: twins Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, and a son named Ptolemy Philadelphus.

Antony gave his children control of several Roman kingdoms after he ended his alliance with Octavian. More importantly, he acknowledged Caesarion as a legitimate heir to Caesar, putting Octavian, who was Caesar's son through adoption, in a precarious position. In addition, he flatly refused to return to Rome, and divorced his wife Octavia—sister of Octavian—to stay with Cleopatra.

In 32 B.C., the Roman Senate declared war on Cleopatra, and sent Marcus Vispania Agrippa to Egypt with his army. Following an overwhelming naval defeat at the Battle of Actium , near Greece, Antony and Cleopatra fled back to Egypt.

How Did Mark Antony Die?

Octavian and Agrippa pursued Antony and Cleopatra back to Egypt and their forces closed in on the royal palace. Mistakenly led to believe that his lover was already dead, Antony stabbed himself with his sword. Cleopatra heard the news and went to him, but he died in her arms. She was then taken prisoner by Octavian. Rather than allow herself to be paraded through the streets of Rome, she too committed suicide .

On Octavian's orders, Caesarion was assassinated, but Cleopatra's children were spared and taken back to Rome for Octavian's triumphal procession. After years of conflict, Octavian was finally the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, but would be the last Caesar. Antony had played a significant role in the change of Rome from republic to an imperial system

Although the fate of Antony and Cleopatra's sons, Alexander Helios and Ptolemy Philadelphus is unknown, their daughter, Cleopatra Selene, married King Juba II of Numidia, and became Queen of Mauritania.

• “Appian, Caesar's Funeral.”  Livius , www.livius.org/sources/content/appian/appian-caesars-funeral/.
• Bishop, Paul A.  Rome: Transition from Republic to Empire  . www.hccfl.edu/media/160883/ee1rome.pdf.
• Flisiuk, Francis. “Antony and Cleopatra: A One Sided Love Story?”  Medium , Medium, 27 Nov. 2014, medium.com/@FrancisFlisiuk/antony-and-cleopatra-a-one-sided-love-story-d6fefd73693d.
• Plutarch. “The Life of Antony.”  Plutarch • The Parallel Lives , penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Antony*.html.
• Steinmetz, George, and Werner Forman. “Inside the Decadent Love Affair of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.”  Cleopatra and Mark Antony's Decadent Love Affair , 13 Feb. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2015/10-11/antony-and-cleopatra/.

StageMilk / Monologues For Actors / Marc Antony Monologue: Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 1

Marc Antony Monologue: Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 1

We’re going to take a closer look at a brilliant Shakespeare monologue, the Marc Antony speech from Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 1. This is a dramatic Shakespeare monologue that covers grief and revenge. Let’s break it down …

Julius Caesar has returned to Rome from war victorious and is greeted with adoration by the people of Rome. Sounds pretty good for Caesar right? Well unfortunately for him not everyone is too keen on him. Cassius, Brutus and a number of other conspirators plan to kill Caesar before he can be made King in order to quash his power. When they invite Caesar to the senate, they all take turns stabbing him one by one, even Brutus. After the assassination, the lead conspirators call on Marc Antony who has since run home. They want to quash any doubts that Antony will be on their side, and they strike a deal with him. He will be loyal to them, so long as they allow him to speak at Caesar’s funeral. So we’re all mates then yes? Well yes, but also, no. Cassius is afraid of what Antony will do at the funeral, and rightly so, as we find out in this speech that takes place the moment Antony is left alone with the corpse of what was once Julius Caesar.

Original Text

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever livèd in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds now do I prophesy— Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue— A curse shall light upon the limbs of men. Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy. Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war, All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.

Verse Breakdown

Bold = Stressed Unbold = Unstressed (F) = Feminine Ending

O, par don me , thou bleed ing piece of earth , That I am meek and gent le with these butch ers! (F) Thou art the ru ins of the nob lest man That ev er liv èd in the tide of times . Woe to the hand that shed this cost ly blood ! O ver thy wounds now do I pro phe sy — Which, like dumb mouths , do ope their ru by lips To beg the voice and utt erance of my tongue — A curse shall light up on the limbs of men . Do mes tic fu ry and fierce ci vil strife Shall cum ber all the parts of It al y . Blood and des truct ion shall be so in use , And dread ful ob jects so fa mi li a r , That moth ers shall but smile when they be hold Their in fants quart ered with the hands of war , All pi ty choked with cust om of fell deeds , And Cae sar’s spi rit, rang ing for re venge , With A te by his side come hot from hell , Shall in these con fines with a mon arch’s voice Cry “ Hav oc!” and let slip the dogs of war , That this foul deed shall smell a bove the earth With car rion men , groan ing for bu ri al .

Modern Translation

Oh pardon me you bleeding corpse of this earth That I am polite and calm with these murderers You are the corpse of the most noble man That ever lived, in all time I hope woe comes to the hand that shed this valuable blood Over your wounds now I see the future Which do open and weep blood like speechless mouths And beg me to speak A curse shall come down upon the people Fury and fierce civil war Shall weigh down upon this all the parts of Italy Blood and destruction will be so common And weapons so familiar That mothers will merely smile when they see Their babies chopped to pieces by the hands of war All pity will be choked out of people who are so used to horrible deeds And Caesar’s spirit hunting for revenge With Ate by his side coming fast from hell Shall in this place and with the voice of a monarch Cry “Havoc” and unleash the dogs of war This horrible deed will stink all the way up to heaven Of the bodies of the dead begging to be buried

Thought Breakdown & Analysis 

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, (Oh pardon me, you bleeding corpse of this earth) Marc Antony is apologising to Caesar’s corpse. He cares so much for him that he’s apologising to his dead body as it lies bleeding on the floor.

That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! (That I am polite and calm with these murderers!) This is what he’s apologising to Caesar for. He has remained civil and diplomatic throughout this whole event and has even come to an agreement with the conspirators/assassins. It’s also worth noting that this line is eleven beats, which throws our ears of kilter. It’s a good insight for the actor into how Antony is feeling, just in case the words didn’t quite make it clear enough. However, clear or not, the rhythm of this line really does convey the sense of despair he feels. Eleven syllable lines generally tend to have a sense of trailing off and be unfinal. Which whether we realise it or not, gives us a sense of uncertainty too.

Thou art the ruins of the noblest man (You are what remains of the most noble man.) He’s telling the body of Caesar how noble he thought he was.

That ever livèd in the tide of times. (That ever lived, throughout all time.) Antony tells Caesar that he was the noblest man that ever lived throughout all time.

Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! (I wish woe upon the person that shed this valuable blood!) Antony curses the murderers.

Over thy wounds now do I prophesy— (Over your wounds now I’m seeing the future.) Here’s our turning point in the soliloquy. Antony has mourned and grieved mostly throughout the first part of the speech and now we’re getting into the consequences of the actions.

Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips (Which like speechless mouths open their blood covered lips) He sees the wounds like a pack of mouths about to say something. But what?

To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue— (To be me to speak my voice.) The ruby lips of the wounds have opened their mouths speechless and begged Marc Antony to speak (according to him).

A curse shall light upon the limbs of men. (A curse shall come down upon the bodies of men.) This is the prophecy he saw over the wounds of Caesar.

Domestic fury and fierce civil strife (Fury and fierce civil war.)

Shall cumber all the parts of Italy. (Shall weigh down every part of Italy.) Fury, and civil war are coming for every part of Italy according to the prophecy so far.

Blood and destruction shall be so in use, (Blood and destruction will be so common.)

And dreadful objects so familiar, (And horrible weapons will be so familiar to the people of Italy.) Okay so blood, destruction and horrible objects, or weapons will be so common so familiar that… what?

That mothers shall but smile when they behold (That mother will merely smile when they see.)

Their infants quartered with the hands of war, (Their babies cut into pieces by the hands of war.) This is a long thought so let’s have a look at it. Blood destruction and weapons will be so familiar to the people of Italy that mothers will merely smile when they see their babies, their children cut to pieces, quartered by the hands of war. What a horrific, dark and grim prophecy Antony is seeing. This is how enraged, how horrified he is by what he considers to be regicide, the murder of his leader. And we’re not at the end yet.

All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, (All pity will be choked out of people with familiarity with the horrid deeds.) All of the people of Italy will have any pity, any compassion, any empathy choked out of them simply from the pure familiarity they will have with the horrific acts of war they will endure and commit.

And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, (And Caesar’s ghost hunting for revenge,)

With Ate by his side come hot from hell, (With Ate by his side coming up fast from hell) So Caesar’s ghost is on the hunt for revenge with the goddess Ate coming up fast from hell. Ate is the ancient Greek Goddess of mischief, delusion, folly and RUIN.

Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice (Will in this place with the voice of a monarch)

Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war, (Cry ‘Havoc!’ and unleash the dogs of war) So to recap, there will be blood destruction and civil war so horrific, so horrible, that the people will be unphased by it. Caesar will hunt for his revenge with the Goddess Ate and unleash the dogs of war. 

That this foul deed shall smell above the earth (This horrible deed will be smelled all the way in heaven) To cap this off Antony says this deed is so horrible that…

With carrion men, groaning for burial. (With the bodies of men, groaning for burial) This deed and what it will create, i.e the bodies of all those who will suffer and cry out to just let them die due to the consequences of these actions will be smelled in heaven, that’s just how bad this is, and will be.

Unfamiliar Language

Gentle (adj.) courteous, friendly, kind

Time (n.) past time, history

Tide (n.) course, stream, passage

Ope (v.) open

Domestic (adj.) old form: Domesticke internal, to do with home affairs, local

Cumber (v.) distress, trouble, burden

Use (n.) old form: vse usual practice, habit, custom

Quarter (v.) cut to pieces, hack, mutilate

Fell (adj.) cruel, fierce, savage

Custom (n.) old form: custome habit, usual practice, customary use

Range (v.) wander freely, roam, rove

Confine (n.) territory, region, domain

Slip, let let go, allow to leave, unleash

Havoc (n.) old form: hauocke [in fighting and hunting: calling for] total slaughter, general devastation

Carrion (adj.) lean as carrion, skeleton-like; or: putrefying

About the Author

is made up of professional actors, acting coaches and writers from around the world. This team includes Andrew, Alex, Emma, Jake, Jake, Indiana, Patrick and more. We all work together to contribute useful articles and resources for actors at all stages in their careers.

You might also enjoy

Marc Antony Monologue: Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 2

Julius Caesar Monologue (Act 1, Scene 2)

Benvolio Monologue (Act 3, Scene 1)

Macbeth Monologue (Act 3 Scene 1)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Please enter an answer in digits: 6 − three =

my S hakespeare

Sign in with:

Or use e-mail:.

my J ulius C aesar

• Using myShakespeare
• Direct Links to Videos
• Animated Summary
• Quick Study
• Shakespeare's Life
• Elizabethan Theater
• Roman Republic
• Caesar's Rise to Power
• Portia's Song
• Soothsayer Song
• Cassius' Song
• Caesar's Ghost
• Scene Summary
• Videos (14)

A ct 3, S cene 2

First Plebeian

Second plebeian, third plebeian, fourth plebeian, several plebeians.

• For Teachers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar Shakescleare Translation

Julius Caesar Translation Act 3, Scene 1

A trumpet sounds. CAESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, METELLUS, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILLIUS, and PUBLIUS enter, along with a crowd that includes ARTEMIDORUS and the SOOTHSAYER .

[to the SOOTHSAYER] The ides of March are come.

[To the SOOTHSAYER] March 15th has come.

Ay, Caesar, but not gone.

Yes, Caesar, but the day is not over.

ARTEMIDORUS

[offering his letter] Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.

[Offering his letter] Hail, Caesar! Read this letter.

Everything you need for every book you read.

[offering CAESAR another paper] Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

[Offering CAESAR another paper] Trebonius would like you to read his humble request for help, when you have the time.

O Caesar, read mine first, for mine’s a suit That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.

Oh, Caesar, read mine first, for my letter actually pertains to you. Read it, great Caesar.

What touches us ourself shall be last served.

I will leave whatever pertains to me for last.

Delay not, Caesar. Read it instantly.

Don’t delay, Caesar. Read it immediately.

What, is the fellow mad?

What, is this man crazy?

[to ARTEMIDORUS] Sirrah, give place.

[To ARTEMIDORUS] Sir , stand aside.

[to ARTEMIDORUS] What, urge you your petitions in the street? Come to the Capitol.

[To ARTEMIDORUS] What? Are you trying to give Caesar your letter in the street? Do it at the Capitol.

CAESAR and the crowd with him go up to the senate house.

CAESAR and the crowd go up to the senate house.

[to CASSIUS] I wish your enterprise today may thrive.

[To CASSIUS] I hope your efforts succeed today.

What enterprise, Popillius?

What efforts, Popillius?

Fare you well.

POPILLIUS approaches CAESAR.

[to CASSIUS] What said Popillius Lena?

[To CASSIUS] What did Popillius Lena say?

[aside to BRUTUS] He wished today our enterprise might thrive. I fear our purpose is discoverèd.

[To BRUTUS so that only he can hear] He wished that our efforts would succeed today. I’m afraid our plans have been discovered.

Look how he makes to Caesar. Mark him.

Look, he’s approaching Caesar. Watch him.

Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention —Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, For I will slay myself.

Be quick, Casca, because we're afraid our plans might be stopped.  [To BRUTUS] Brutus, what will we do? If our plan is known, either Caesar or I will die, because I’ll kill myself if I can't kill him.

Cassius, be constant. Popillius Lena speaks not of our purposes. For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.

Cassius, be calm. Popillius Lena isn't telling Caesar about our plot. Look, he’s smiling, and Caesar’s expression hasn't changed.

Trebonius knows his time. For, look you, Brutus. He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

Trebonius knows what he should do. Look, Brutus, he’s guiding Mark Antony out of the way.

TREBONIUS and ANTONY exit.

Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

Where’s Metellus Cimber? He should go now to present his petition to Caesar.

He is addressed. Press near and second him.

They’re speaking to him. Move up close and second his petition.

Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

Casca, you raise your hand first.

Are we all ready? What is now amiss That Caesar and his senate must redress?

Are we all ready? What are the problems that Caesar and his senate should deal with?

[kneeling] Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat An humble heart—

[Kneeling] Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber kneels before you with a humble heart—

I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings and these lowly courtesies Might fire the blood of ordinary men And turn preordinance and first decree Into the law of children. Be not fond, To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood That will be thawed from the true quality With that which melteth fools —I mean, sweet words, Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banishèd. If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied.

I must stop you, Cimber. Your kneeling and overly humble courtesies might flatter ordinary men to turn Roman law into some kind of child's game. But don’t be so foolish as to think that you can influence Caesar to do something that is not right through the tricks that persuade fools —flattery, low bows, and pathetic dog-like fawning. Your brother was banished by decree. If you kneel and beg and flatter for him, I’ll kick you like a dog out of my way. Know that Caesar does not punish him without good reason, and will not give him what he wants without good reason.

Is there no voice more worthy than my own To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear For the repealing of my banished brother?

Is there no voice worthier than my own to sweetly ask the great Caesar to repeal the banishment of my brother?

[kneeling] I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal.

[Kneeling]   Caesar, I kiss your hand, but not in flattery, as I also want you to repeal Publius Cimber’s banishment immediately.

What, Brutus?

[kneeling] Pardon, Caesar. Caesar, pardon. As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.

[Kneeling]  Caesar, pardon Publius. Caesar, pardon him. I throw myself down at your feet to beg that Publius Cimber regain his citizenship.

I could be well moved if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks. They are all fire and every one doth shine, But there’s but one in all doth hold his place. So in the world. 'Tis furnished well with men, And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive, Yet in the number I do know but one That unassailable holds on his rank, Unshaked of motion . And that I am he Let me a little show it even in this: That I was constant Cimber should be banished, And constant do remain to keep him so.

I could be influenced if I were like you. If I could beg others to change their minds, begging would convince me, too. But I’m as steady as the northern star, whose stable and immobile quality has no equal in the sky. The skies are filled with countless stars. They are all made of fire, and every single one shines. But there's just one out of all of them that holds its central place. The world is the same way. It's full of men—and men are flesh and blood, and capable of understanding. Yet of them all, I know just one who is beyond questioning and immovable, who never shifts from his position. I am that man, and I will show you in this way: I was resolved that Cimber should be banished, and I am resolved that he should remain banished.

[kneeling] O Caesar—

[Kneeling] Oh, Caesar—

Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?

Enough! Would you try to lift up Mount Olympus ?

[kneeling] Great Caesar—

[Kneeling] Great Caesar—

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?

Why are you kneeling, when even Brutus' kneeling is in vain?

Speak, hands, for me!

Hands, speak for me!

CASCA and the other conspirators stab CAESAR. BRUTUS stabs him last.

Et tu, Bruté? —Then fall, Caesar. [dies]

And you too, Brutus?  [To himself] Then die, Caesar. [He dies]

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run and shout it out in the streets.

Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, “Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”

Some of us should go to the public platforms, and cry out, “Liberty, freedom, and full citizenship to all!”

Confusion. Some citizens and senators exit.

People and senators, be not affrighted. Fly not. Stand still. Ambition’s debt is paid.

People and Senators, don’t be afraid. Don’t leave. Stay here. Caesar alone had to die for his ambition.

Go to the pulpit, Brutus.

Go to the platform, Brutus.

And Cassius too.

Where’s Publius?

Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.

Here, shocked by this rebellion.

Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar’s Should chance—

Stand close together, in case some friend of Caesar tries—

Talk not of standing. —Publius, good cheer. There is no harm intended to your person, Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.

Don’t talk about standing together. [To PUBLIUS] Publius, cheer up. We don’t mean any harm to you, or to any other Roman. Tell the people this, Publius.

And leave us, Publius, lest that the people, Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief.

And leave us, Publius, in case the people should rush at us and harm you.

Do so. And let no man abide this deed But we the doers.

Leave us. Let no man suffer the consequences of deed except we who did it.

PUBLIUS exits.

TREBONIUS enters.

Where is Antony?

Where’s Antony?

Fled to his house amazed. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run As it were doomsday.

He ran to his house, stunned. Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run around as if it were doomsday.

Fates, we will know your pleasures. That we shall die, we know. 'Tis but the time, And drawing days out, that men stand upon.

We'll soon discover what the Fates want to happen to us. We already know that we'll all die one day. It's just a matter of when. Men try to control that by prolonging the time they have left to live as long as possible.

Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

Why, he who shortens his own life by twenty years also cuts off twenty years of worrying about death.

Grant that, and then is death a benefit. So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridged His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, 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!”

If you look at it that way, then death becomes a gift. This makes us Caesar’s friends, since we've shortened the time he would have spent fearing death. Kneel, Romans, kneel. And let’s wash our hands up to the elbows in Caesar’s blood, and smear our swords with it. Then we’ll walk outside, even to the public marketplace. And, waving our bloody swords over our heads, we'll cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”

Stoop, then, and wash.

Kneel, then, and wash.

The conspirators smear their hands and swords with CAESAR’s blood.

How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown!

How many years from now will this epic scene be reenacted in countries that don’t yet exist, and in languages not yet known?!

How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey’s basis lies along No worthier than the dust!

How many times will Caesar bleed in plays about this moment, just as he now lies beneath Pompey’s statue as worthless as dust?!

So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be called “The men that gave their country liberty.”

And every time that the play is shown, the group of us will be acclaimed as "the men who gave their country liberty."

What, shall we forth?

Well, should we go out?

Ay, every man away. Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

Yes, every man should go. Brutus will lead the way, and we’ll follow him with the boldest and best hearts of Rome.

ANTONY'S SERVANT enters.

Soft! Who comes here? A friend of Antony’s.

Wait! Who’s coming? A friend of Antony’s.

ANTONY'S SERVANT

[kneeling] Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel. [falls prostrate] Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down, And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest. Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. Say I love Brutus, and I honor him. Say I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him. If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony May safely come to him and be resolved How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death, Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead So well as Brutus living , but will follow The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus Thorough the hazards of this untrod state With all true faith. So says my master Antony.

[Kneeling]  Brutus, my master told me to kneel just like this. [He lays down with his head down to the floor] And like this. He told me to prostrate myself, and, being on the ground like this, he told me to say: “Brutus is noble, wise, brave, and honest. Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. Antony loves Brutus and honors him. Antony feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him. If Brutus will promise that Antony would be safe to come to him and hear and explanation why Caesar deserved to be killed, Mark Antony will not love dead Caesar as much as living Brutus. And he will follow noble Brutus through the hard times of this unprecedented state of affairs.” So says my master, Antony.

Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman. I never thought him worse. Tell him, so please him come unto this place, He shall be satisfied and, by my honor, Depart untouched.

Your master is a wise and brave Roman. I never thought otherwise. Tell him that if he wants to come here, he'll get a full explanation, and he’ll leave unharmed. I swear it on my honor.

[rising] I’ll fetch him presently.

[Standing up] I’ll get him now.

ANTONY'S SERVANT exits.

I know that we shall have him well to friend.

I know that we'll soon have Antony as a good friend to us.

I wish we may. But yet have I a mind That fears him much, and my misgiving still Falls shrewdly to the purpose.

I hope we do. But still, I fear him greatly, and my misgivings usually end up coming painfully true.

ANTONY enters.

But here comes Antony.—Welcome, Mark Antony.

But here comes Antony. [To ANTONY] Welcome, Mark Antony.

O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. —I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank. If I myself, there is no hour so fit As Caesar’s death’s hour, nor no instrument Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich With the most noble blood of all this world. I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die. No place will please me so, no mean of death, As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, The choice and master spirits of this age.

[To CAESAR's body] Oh, mighty Caesar! Do you lie so low? Are all of your conquests, glories, triumphs, and successes now shrunk to such little value? Farewell.  [To the conspirators] Gentlemen, I don’t know what you plan to do; who else you must kill; who else you think is corrupt. If it’s me, there’s no time as fitting as this hour of Caesar’s death, and no weapons even half as worthy as your swords— which have been made rich by being covered in the noblest blood in the whole world. I beg you, if you have a grudge against me, do what you want to do right now while your stained hands still smell of blood. Even if were I to live a thousand years, I would never find another moment when I would be as ready to die as I am now. There’s no place I’d rather die than next to Caesar, and no manner of death I'd prefer than being stabbed by you, the leaders of this new era.

O Antony, beg not your death of us. Though now we must appear bloody and cruel— As by our hands and this our present act You see we do —yet see you but our hands And this the bleeding business they have done. Our hearts you see not. They are pitiful. And pity to the general wrong of Rome— As fire drives out fire, so pity pity— Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony. Our arms in strength of malice and our hearts Of brothers' temper do receive you in With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.

Oh, Antony, don’t beg us to kill you. Though we must seem to be bloody and cruel right now to you—with our bloody hands and what we've just done —you’re only seeing our hands and the bloody work they've done. You have not seen into our hearts. They are full of pity for Caesar. But, just as fire drives out fire, our pity for the wrongs committed against Rome overcame our pity for Caesar and made us do what we did to Caesar. As for you, our swords have soft points that will not harm you, Mark Antony. Our arms—with the same strength they had in striking Caesar—and our hearts—filled with brotherly love—embrace you with kind love, good thoughts, and admiration.

Your voice shall be as strong as any man’s In the disposing of new dignities.

Your influence will be as strong as anyone’s in the selection of new government officials.

Only be patient till we have appeased The multitude, beside themselves with fear, And then we will deliver you the cause, Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, Have thus proceeded.

Just be patient until we’ve calmed the masses, who are beside themselves with fear. And then we’ll explain to you why I—who loved Caesar even while I stabbed him—have done this.

I doubt not of your wisdom. Let each man render me his bloody hand. [shakes hands with the conspirators] First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you. —Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand. —Now, Decius Brutus, yours. —Now yours, Metellus. —Yours, Cinna. —And, my valiant Casca, yours. —Though last, not last in love, yours, good Trebonius. —Gentlemen all, alas, what shall I say? My credit now stands on such slippery ground That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, Either a coward or a flatterer —That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true. If then thy spirit look upon us now, Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death To see thy Antony making his peace, Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes— Most noble!—in the presence of thy corse? Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, It would become me better than to close In terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bayed, brave hart; Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, Signed in thy spoil, and crimsoned in thy lethe. O world, thou wast the forest to this hart, And this indeed, O world, the heart of thee. How like a deer, strucken by many princes, Dost thou here lie!

I don’t doubt your wisdom. May each of you give me his bloody hand. [He shakes hands with the conspirators]   [To BRUTUS] First, Marcus Brutus, I will shake your hand. [To CASSIUS] Next, Caius Cassius, I take your hand.   [To DECIUS] Now, Decius Brutus, yours.  [To METELLUS] Now yours, Metellus.  [To CINNA] Yours, Cinna.  [To CASCA] And, my valiant Casca, yours.  [To TREBONIUS] Though I shake your hand last, I do not love you the least, good Trebonius.  [To the conspirators] All of you gentlemen, alas, what can I say? Now that we’ve shaken hands, my credibility stands on such slippery ground that you must think me either a coward or a flatterer.  [To CAESAR's body] It is true that I loved you, Caesar. If your spirit is looking down upon us now, would it grieve you more than even your death to see your Antony making peace , and shaking the bloody hands of your enemies—most noble enemies!—in the presence of your corpse? If I had as many eyes as you have wounds, and they wept tears as fast as your wounds stream blood, even that would be more becoming than joining your enemies in friendship. Forgive me, Julius! Here is where you were brought down, like a brave deer surrounded by hunting dogs. Here is where you fell, and here your hunters still stand, stained and reddened by your blood. Oh, world, you were the forest to this deer. And this deer, oh world, was your dear. Now you lie here, so much like a deer, stabbed by many princes!

Mark Antony—

Pardon me, Caius Cassius. The enemies of Caesar shall say this; Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.

Pardon me, Caius Cassius. Even the enemies of Caesar would say the same. So, when said by a friend, it’s just a plain unemotional truth.

I blame you not for praising Caesar so. But what compact mean you to have with us? Will you be pricked in number of our friends? Or shall we on, and not depend on you?

I don’t blame you for praising Caesar as you do. But what agreement do you plan to make with us? Will you be marked down as one of our friends, or should we move on without depending on you?

Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all and love you all Upon this hope: that you shall give me reasons Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.

Because I wanted to be your friend, I shook your hands. But, indeed, I was distracted when I looked down at Caesar. I am friends with you all and love you all, on one condition—that you will give me the reasons how and why Caesar was dangerous.

Or else were this a savage spectacle! Our reasons are so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, You should be satisfied.

If we couldn't, killing him would have been just some savage act! Antony, our reasons are so well thought-out that even if you were Caesar’s son, you would be satisfied by them.

That’s all I seek. And am moreover suitor that I may Produce his body to the marketplace, And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, Speak in the order of his funeral.

That’s all I ask—and would also ask the favor that I be allowed to bring his body to the marketplace and stand on the platform and speak during his funeral ceremony, as a friend ought to do.

You shall, Mark Antony.

You may, Mark Antony.

Brutus, a word with you . [aside to BRUTUS] You know not what you do. Do not consent That Antony speak in his funeral. Know you how much the people may be moved By that which he will utter?

Brutus, may I speak with you?  [To BRUTUS so that only he can hear] You don’t know what you’re doing. Don’t agree to let Antony speak at his funeral. Do you know how much the people could be stirred up by what he says?

[aside to CASSIUS] By your pardon. I will myself into the pulpit first, And show the reason of our Caesar’s death. What Antony shall speak, I will protest, He speaks by leave and by permission, And that we are contented Caesar shall Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

[To CASSIUS so that only he can hear] If you'll agree, I myself will stand on the platform first and explain the reason for Caesar’s death.  I will announce that Antony speaks with our permission, and I will say that we believe Caesar should be honored with all the usual and lawful ceremonies. It will help us more than it will do us harm.

[aside to BRUTUS] I know not what may fall. I like it not.

[To BRUTUS so that only he can hear] Anything could happen. I don’t like this.

Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar’s body. You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, And say you do ’t by our permission. Else shall you not have any hand at all About his funeral. And you shall speak In the same pulpit whereto I am going, After my speech is ended.

Mark Antony, here, take Caesar’s body. You will not blame us in your funeral speech, but will say all the good you can think of about Caesar. And you will also say that you do all this with our permission. Otherwise, you won't take any part in his funeral. And you’ll speak on the same platform that I do, after I've finished my own speech.

Be it so. I do desire no more.

So be it. I want nothing more than that.

Prepare the body then, and follow us.

Prepare the body, then, and follow us.

Everyone exits except ANTONY.

Everyone except ANTONY exits.

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever livèd in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds now do I prophesy— Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue— A curse shall light upon the limbs of men. Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy. Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war, All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.

Oh, pardon me, you bleeding corpse, for being quiet and friendly with these butchers! You are the remains of the noblest man that ever lived. May disaster strike the hand that shed this priceless blood. Over your wounds—which, like speechless mouths, open their red lips as if to beg me to speak —I predict that a curse will come down on us. Anger between brothers and fierce civil war will burden all of Italy. Blood and destruction will be so common and dreadful events so familiar, that mothers will just smile when they watch their babies cut to pieces by the hands of war. The sheer volume of evil deeds will choke people’s compassion. And Caesar’s ghost—searching for revenge with Atë by his side —will rush up from hell and cry in the voice of a king, “Havoc!” His ghost will unleash the dogs of war, so that this foul murder will cover the earth with men’s corpses, begging to be buried.

OCTAVIUS' SERVANT enters.

You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?

You serve Octavius Caesar, right?

OCTAVIUS' SERVANT

I do, Mark Antony.

Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.

Caesar wrote to him that he should come to Rome.

He did receive his letters and is coming. And bid me say to you by word of mouth— [sees CAESAR’s body] O Caesar!—

He received Caesar’s letters and is coming. He told me to say to you personally— [Seeing CAESAR's body] Oh, Caesar!—

Thy heart is big. Get thee apart and weep. Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes, Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, Began to water. Is thy master coming?

Your heart swells with sadness. Go find some privacy and weep. I see that grief is contagious. Seeing the tears of sorrow in your eyes makes my eyes begin to water. Is your master coming?

He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.

He is resting tonight within twenty miles of Rome.

Post back with speed, and tell him what hath chanced. Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, No Rome of safety for Octavius yet. Hie hence, and tell him so.—Yet, stay awhile. Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse Into the marketplace. There shall I try, In my oration, how the people take The cruèl issue of these bloody men. According to the which, thou shalt discourse To young Octavius of the state of things. Lend me your hand.

Ride quickly back to him, and tell him what has happened. This is now a Rome in mourning, a dangerous Rome. A Rome that is not safe for Octavius yet. Get going and tell him so. No, actually, stay a while. You shouldn't go back until I’ve carried the corpse into the marketplace. There I’ll figure out, through my speech, what the people think of the cruel deeds of these bloody men. Based on how the people respond, you’ll report back to young Octavius about the state of things. Help me with the body.

They exit with CAESAR’s body.

More to Explore

Return to the "Julius Caesar" menu

Program code and database © 2003-2024 George Mason University . All texts are in the public domain and can be used freely for any purpose. Privacy policy

• Classics-Based Writing Resource / E2-Resources

Mark Antony’s Funeral Oration for Julius Caesar Text

by Janice Campbell · Published December 28, 2012 · Updated February 5, 2021

Julius Caesar , Act 3, Scene II by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Mark Anthony. Commons member Amadscientist created the file from the book by William Smith, Abel Hendy Jones Greenidge, Andrew Dickson White, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it.

Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest– For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men– Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man.

He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man.

You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know.

You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.

… But yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there. And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters, if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men: I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet, ’tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament— Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read— And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy Unto their issue. … Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it; It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men; And, being men, bearing the will of Caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad: ‘Tis good you know not that you are his heirs; For, if you should, O, what would come of it! … Will you be patient? will you stay awhile? I have o’ershot myself to tell you of it: I fear I wrong the honourable men Whose daggers have stabb’d Caesar; I do fear it. … You will compel me, then, to read the will? Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, And let me show you him that made the will. Shall I descend? and will you give me leave? … If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Caesar put it on; ‘Twas on a summer’s evening, in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii: Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made: Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb’d; And as he pluck’d his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar follow’d it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolved If Brutus so unkindly knock’d, or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel: 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 vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey’s statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourish’d over us. O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel The dint of pity: these are gracious drops. Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr’d, as you see, with traitors. … Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it: they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: I am no orator, as Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him: For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men’s blood: I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue In every wound of Caesar that should move The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny. … Why, friends, you go to do you know not what: Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not: I must tell you then: You have forgot the will I told you of. … Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal. To every Roman citizen he gives, To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. … Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, His private arbours and new-planted orchards, On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, And to your heirs for ever, common pleasures, To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?

Be sure watch a video version of this speech , with the interruptions and reactions of the crowd, here on the EIL site.

Share this:

• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Tags: cbw eil julius caesar mark antony rhetoric shakespeare

• Next story  Evening Solace by Charlotte Brontë
• Previous story  Mr Flood’s Party by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Download our printable newsletter!

Here’s the Everyday Educator — our annual newsletter handout. It has book lists and helpful articles about homeschooling topics. We’d rather be sharing it in person, but for now, you can download the Everyday Educator here.  I hope you enjoy it!

New Articles

• F. Scott Fitzgerald Biography
• Walt Whitman Biography
• Calendar of Sonnets by Helen Hunt Jackson
• Alexander Pope Biography
• Virginia Woolf Biography

Join us on Facebook!

Visit our other sites!

• Doing What Matters — Janice Campbell’s blog on education, entrepreneurship, and soul care
• Everyday Education — Janice Campbell’s Homeschool Website

Excellence in Literature Links

• E1 Context Resources
• E2 Context Resources
• E3 Context Resources
• E4 Context Resources
• E5 Context Resources
• Privacy Policy
• Teachers and Evaluators for Excellence in Literature
• Bookstore / Catalog

Excellence in Literature Awards

Resources by Category

• Study Guide Link Index
• E1: Intro to Lit category archive
• E2: Lit and Comp category archive
• E3: American Lit category archive
• English 4: British Literature category archive
• E5: World Lit category archive
• Audio / Video
• Children’s Literature
• Classics-Based Writing Resource
• Short Stories
• Writer’s Handbook
• Link Updates and News

New Resources

• Prayer for Deliverance from the Pestilence
• Eveline by James Joyce
• Poetry by the Month
• Edith Wharton Biography
• It’s Time to Rediscover the Power of Poetry, by Ellen Condict
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

Manchester United’s Antony goads Coventry fans with ear-cupping celebration

Brazilian criticised after appearing to revel in heartbreak of second-tier club who fought back from 3-0 down against Premier League side

Manchester United forward Antony was branded a Championship player after goading Coventry City fans despite being humiliated in the FA Cup semi-final .

The Brazilian came on as a second-half substitute at Wembley when United were 3-0 up and was part of their dramatic collapse that saw their second-tier opponents score three goals in 24 minutes to force extra-time.

Coventry also thought they had snatched a winner when Victor Torp found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside and United reached the final through a penalty shoot-out victory.

There was barely any celebration from United fans after their performance although Antony was seen cupping his ears at Coventry players and fans after Rasmus Hojlund scored the final United penalty.

“But that’s him. That’s him as a player. He needs to worry about his own job instead of Coventry because some of his performances this season show he could be playing in the Championship next season,” said former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Five Live.

“So instead of doing that to the Coventry fans, start producing on the pitch when Manchester United need you. These Coventry City fans were outstanding and stayed there, Manchester United have gone through and it was half empty.”

We don't make it easy for ourselves 😅🔴 pic.twitter.com/4V6h2oFQG5 — United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) April 21, 2024

Antony has started two of the last 14 matches for United and the £82 million signing was suspended by the club earlier this season as he faced allegations of domestic abuse. Since returning to the squad he has scored two goals, both in the FA Cup against Newport and Liverpool.

“My confidence is back through hard work,” he said on a recent interview on MUTV. “This despite having gone through a lot, I’ve been through some very difficult moments. Today, I’m turning things around and have been for quite a while now. Importantly, I continue working regardless of the situation.”

• Manchester United FC,
• Coventry City FC,
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon

Middle East latest: No concern expressed from Israel about UNRWA employees since 2011, review finds

An independent report commissioned after Israel alleged 12 UNRWA employees took part in the Hamas attacks has found Israel had not expressed concerns about anyone on the agency staff lists it gets annually for more than a decade.

Monday 22 April 2024 20:26, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• No concerns expressed from Israel about UNRWA employees since 2011, report finds
• Rockets 'fired from Iraq towards US military base in Syria'
• Israeli intelligence head resigns over 7 October failings
• Dominic Waghorn: Reckoning in Israel after massive intelligence and military failure
• The big picture : What you need to know about the conflict in the Middle East right now
• Live reporting by Andy Hayes

By Alistair Bunkall , Middle East correspondent

It's taken 199 days for the first senior Israeli to resign over the Hamas attacks on 7 October.

Major General Aharon Haliva, Israel's military intelligence chief, said that under his command, the division "did not live up to the task we were entrusted with".

The argument that has kept military heads in post - one made by generals, intelligence chiefs and even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - is that judgement should be suspended while the war against Hamas is being fought. 

There is cold logic in that, but almost seven months in, and with no conclusion in sight, judgement day is nearing and more Israelis are demanding accountability for the failure of their leaders.

General Haliva isn't the only IDF commander to express regret - he is the first to fall on his sword, though.

Others have hinted they will, when the time is right. 

If they conclude that standing down is the honourable thing to do, then pressure will grow on Mr Netanyahu. 

He remains the one leader yet to acknowledge blame. 

It is unsustainable - although the prime minister's position is reasonably stable for now.

Tonight, Israelis are sitting down to a Jewish festival - Passover - with 132 people still being held hostage in Gaza and the defeat of Hamas looking increasingly unlikely. 

Major General Haliva's resignation will not bring Mr Netanyahu down, but it might be the first brick to come out of the wall. 

EU foreign ministers have agreed in principle to increase sanctions against Iran, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said.

It follows Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel on 13 April. 

There are already multiple European Union sanctions programmes against Iran.

These are for proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human rights abuses, and supplying drones to Russia.

Several EU countries, however, have been calling for more sanctions regarding drones to cover missiles and transfers to proxy forces such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

"We have reached a political agreement in order to enlarge and expand the existing drone (sanctions) regime in order to cover missiles and their potential ... transfer to Russia," Mr Borrell told reporters following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. 

Israel said that 99% of the objects launched towards it were shot down. 

More resignations are possible after the head of Israeli military intelligence stood down earlier today, our  international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn  has said.

Major General Aharon Haliva admitted he failed to foresee and prevent the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October.

Asked whether there could be more resignations, Waghorn said: "I think so, potentially."

It is worth remembering that a "number of IDF commanders and intelligence chiefs have admitted responsibility and declared mea culpas in the wake of 7 October", he added.

Mr Haliva had written "quite a long resignation letter saying the burden of what he has to bear after 7 October is something that will live with him all his life".

Waghorn added that there is a "reckoning" as Israel tries to work out what happened on 7 October, which was a "massive intelligence and military failure".

"There will be a commission of inquiry and investigation," Waghorn said.  

"It's the beginning of what will be a long and I think very painful process for Israel as it comes to terms with the failures that led to the worst loss of Jewish life since World War Two."

Israel did not express concerns about anyone on the UNRWA staff lists it received annually since 2011, an independent review has found.

The report was commissioned after Israel alleged that a dozen employees of the United Nations agency helping Palestinian refugees took part in the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October.

A number of countries, including the UK, froze donations to UNRWA as a result.

Some of those nations - and the EU - have since restored funding, but the UK has not.

The 48-page report said UNRWA has "robust" procedures to uphold the UN's principle of neutrality.

However, it said there were serious gaps in implementation, including staff publicly expressing political views, textbooks with "problematic content", and staff unions disrupting operations.

The report, led by French former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, said that between 2017 and 2022, allegations of neutrality being breached at UNRWA ranged annually from 7 to 55. 

Between January 2022 and February 2024, UN investigators received 151 allegations - most of them related to social media posts "made public by external sources", the report added.

It said UNRWA shares lists of staff with host countries for its 32,000 staff, including about 13,000 in Gaza. 

It added that Israeli officials never expressed concerns and informed panel members they did not consider the list to be a "screening or vetting process", but rather a procedure to register diplomats. 

The Israeli foreign ministry told the panel that until March 2024, staff lists did not include Palestinian identification numbers, the report said. 

Apparently based on those numbers, "Israel made public claims that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations", the panel said. 

It added: "However, Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of this."

Multiple countries supported Israel as it defended itself against Iran's unprecedented attack on 13 April. 

Our  Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall explains the "surprising, informal collaboration" that has emerged in the region in this video...

US forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in two separate rocket and drone attacks in less than 24 hours, Reuters news agency reports, citing security sources and US officials.

At least one armed drone was launched at the Ain al Asad air base hosting US troops in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, a US official said.

That attack followed five rockets fired from Iraq yesterday towards US forces at a base in Rumalyn, northeastern Syria, according to US and Iraqi officials.

Referring to the rocket attack, Iraqi armed faction Kata'ib Hezbollah earlier denied it had resumed attacks on US forces after a three-month pause.

No casualties have been reported from the drone attacks.

On Saturday, a huge explosion at a military base in Iraq killed a member of an Iraqi security force that includes Iran-backed groups.

The force’s commander said it was an attack, while the army said it is investigating and there were no warplanes in the sky at the time.

The US denied involvement.

Mental illness could manifest among Palestinians in Gaza years from now, a UN expert has warned.

Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN special rapporteur on the right to health, warned it is "really important" to start considering the conflict's impact on the long-term wellbeing of Palestinians in Gaza.

"Of course, we see the physical injury, and because it's physical, one can appreciate the severity of it," she said.

"But acute mental distress that will then turn into anxiety and other kinds of mental illnesses later on in life is really, really important to start thinking intentionally about."

Ms Mofokeng said she is concerned about the risk of water and airborne diseases, and the lack of medical supplies, reproductive and mental health services in the territory.

"The health system in Gaza has been completely obliterated, and the right to health has been decimated at every level," she added.

Israeli troops have launched a surprise raid in the eastern part of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Reuters is reporting.

Israel pulled its troops out of southern Gaza earlier this month, but their apparent return has caused residents to flee once more, the news agency added.

"They were too frightened," 42-year-old Ahmed Rezik said from a school where he is sheltering in the western part of Khan Younis.

"This morning many families who had left here in the past two weeks to go back home to Abassan came back," he told Reuters via a messaging app. 

"They said tanks pushed in the eastern area of the town under heavy fire, and they had to run for their lives."  

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities said more bodies had been recovered from mass graves on the site of the city's main hospital, abandoned by Israeli troops (11.33 post).

Further south, there are reports of fresh air strikes in Rafah, where more than half the enclave's 2.3 million people have sought shelter.

A wave of Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gazan city of Rafah compounded a devastating weekend for residents, say Palestinians.

Among the victims were 17 children, all part of the same extended family.

One woman said: "These children were sleeping, what did they do? What was their fault?"

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military will "increase the political and military pressure on Hamas in the coming days".

Our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn reports...

Israel is yet to provide supporting evidence for its claim a significant number of UNRWA staff were members of terrorist organisations, according to a new UN report.

A review of the UN agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), led by French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, has found the group has robust frameworks to ensure compliance with humanitarian neutrality principles, though issues persist.

This review was launched after Israel alleged 12 UNRWA staff had taken part in the Hamas attacks on 7 October on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.

A UN oversight body is looking into those allegations in a separate investigation.

Reuters news agency reports it has reviewed a copy of the final report, which is set to be released later today.

Israel had made public claims based on an UNRWA staff list provided to it in March that "a significant number" of the group's staff were "members of terrorist organisations", the report states.

"However, Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of this," it adds.

Several countries, including the UK, froze donations to the group following Israel's allegations.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free