Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare
A group of Roman senators led by Brutus and Cassius plot to assassinate the aspiring tyrant Julius Caesar to save the Republic. The aftermath leads to civil war as Mark Antony rouses the Roman mob against the conspirators. The play is a political thriller that examines the ethics of assassination the power of rhetoric and the tragic flaw of idealism. It is famous for the Friends Romans Countrymen speech and its exploration of honor versus pragmatism.
Brutus: A noble and idealistic man who joins the conspiracy because of his sincere love for the Republic. Mark Antony: A loyal friend to Caesar and a master manipulator of public emotion through rhetoric. Cassius: The pragmatic and envious mastermind behind the conspiracy against Caesar’s growing power.
First Performance: 1599, at Globe Theatre, London
Great success; noted for its large-scale battle scenes and powerful oratorical debates.
Original Actors: Unknown