Act 3 Highlights

1. Act 3 Highlights Also review your class notes!!

2. Act 3 Scene 1 • Artemidorus tries to warn Caesar with a letter but Caesar says he will only read something that has to do with himself last and therefore does not read it when he is also handed a petition from Decius • The conspirators briefly fear their plot is disovered • Metellus pleads for his brother’s return from exile to Caesar but Caesar will not budge on his decision saying he is as constant as the northern star

3. Scene 1 continued • The conspirators kill Caesar – Casca stabs him first and Brutus stabs him last • The conspirators cry “freedom” and bathe their hands in Caesar’s blood to show the Romans their accomplishment • Antony’s servants asks if it is safe for Antony to come and Brutus says yes • Brutus is certain Antony will be on their side but Cassius is not so sure • After begging that they kill him alongside Caesar, Antony says he will call them friends only if they prove to him that Caesar was dangerous

4. Scene 1 continued • Antony asks to take Caesar’s body to the funeral and to speak at the funeral • Cassius advises Brutus that it is not a good idea but Brutus decides to let Antony do so provided that Antony • A. does not blame the conspirators for Caesar’s death • B. Says that he speaks at the funeral with the conspirator’s permission • Antony’s Solilquy: “Dog’s of War” • Antony reveals his true feelings about Caesar’s death • Antony vows revenge for Caesar’s death and predicts and bloody civil war will occur

5. Act 3 Scene 1 continued • Antony tells Octavius’s servant to give word to Octavius not to enter the city until he says it is safe but then decides to have the servant stay with him until after his funeral speech to report back to Octavius about the situation in Rome

6. Act 3 scene 2: Caesar’s Funeral • Brutus speaks to the crowd during a monologue and tell them Caesar was ambitious, the once violent crowd settles down and agrees that Caesar would have been a tyrant • Antony speaks to the crowd using Caesar’s body as a prop. He is very emotional and calls Brutus and the conspirators “honorable men” but clearly does not mean it. He has anger in his voice and argues that Caesar was not ambitious but a great man • Antony tells them that Caesar left the plebeians money and land in his will

7. Act 3 scene 2 continued • Antony wins over the crowd and insights them to rage and mutiny • They leave the platform with destructive intentions towards the conspirators • After his speech, Antony speaks to Octavius’ servant who reports that Brutus and Cassius have fled Rome • Octavius is waiting in Rome to speak with Antony

8. Act 3 scene 3 • On the streets of Rome after Caesar’s funeral, Cinna the Poet is mistaken for Cinna the conspirator. The plebeians ask him personal questions but all they care about is that his name is Cinna so they beat him to death.

9. Terms to know • Turning point • Dialogue • Soliloquy • Climax • Dramatic irony • Aside • Monologue • Dramatic structure • Verbal Irony • Foil