Julius Caesar Sticky Notes Act III

Scene 1 In Act 3, scene one, lines 6-8 there is an example of dramatic irony (when the audience is aware of events that the characters are not) because we know that reading Artemidorus’ letter could save Caesar’s life, but he has no way of knowing that. In line 8 Caesar is characterized as being overly proud, but also concerned with the public’s perception of him. In lines 19-22, Cassius is characterized as being emotional instead of rational when he gives in to panic at the idea that the conspiracy may be discovered. In Caesar’s speech on lines 58-73, Caesar uses a simile to compare himself to the North Star.

In lines 128-142 Brutus reveals a flaw in his character In lines 128-142 Brutus reveals a flaw in his character. He is too trusting of Antony to accept his motives for killing Caesar and reveals himself to be extraordinarily idealistic. Line 158 contains an example of imagery when Antony says “Now, whilst your purpled hands to reek and smoke,” Lines 204-210 have an example of a metaphor when Antony compares Caesar to a defenseless animal being killed in cold blood by hunters. Lines 254-275 are a soliloquy in which Antony makes it clear that he is furious and willing to make Rome and its citizens suffer to see that the conspirators are punished. This soliloquy contains many examples of imagery (curse, fury, fierce, infants quartered with the hands of war, this foul deed, groaning for burial).

Scene 2 Act 3, scene 2, lines 12-44 is an example of prose and Brutus’ speech is reasonable and unemotional. In lines 71-105, Antony’s speech is in blank verse and in this speech he pretends to support Brutus while actually raising doubts about his character. In lines 172-177 he uses personification to compare Caesar’s wounds to Brutus’ neighbor who answered a knock on the door. Lines 206-226 contain verbal irony (making statements contrary to what is meant.) when he says that he doesn’t want to stir the crowd to mutiny, but that is exactly what he means to do. Line 221 has alliteration when he says “for I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth.” Lines 221-222 is an example of a metaphor that compares Caesar’s stab wounds to mouths that can speak of the treachery of Brutus and the other conspirators.

Scene 3 Act III scene 3 contains dark comic relief with the murder of Cinna the poet as a result of having shared a name with one of the conspirators by using self-mocking wit. This scene illustrates the theme of the breakdown of social order. The horrible murder of Cinna the poet is symbolic of Rome’s fall into moral chaos and it’s loss of unity and integrity. Scene 3 also foreshadows the downfall of the conspirators.

Scene 1 Summary Scene one opens with Caesar and the Senators making their way to the Capitol. Both the Soothsayer and Artemidorus attempt to intervene in Caesar’s behalf, but Caesar ignores them and attends to the issues of the Senators. While Caesar is explaining to the Senators that he will not grant a pardon to end the exile of Publius Cimber, Casca is the first to stab Caesar. The other conspirators then begin to stab him until the last of the conspirators, Brutus, gives him the final blow. Caesar is shocked at the betrayal of Brutus since they were good friends.

Brutus and the conspirators discuss how noble the murder was in that it freed Caesar from having to fear death (because he is now dead). They dip their swords and hands into the blood of Caesar to parade around Rome.

In the meantime, Antony has returned to the Capitol after the death of Caesar. He asks first to be killed right there with Caesar, but is assured that the conspirators mean him no harm. After a disagreement between Cassius and Brutus, Antony is granted permission my Brutus to speak at Caesar’s funeral as long as he does not blame the conspirators, speaks well of Caesar, and says he does so with their permission. Cassius did NOT think this was a good idea! At the end of the scene Antony speaks in a soliloquy that promises retribution for the death of Caesar and destruction of all of the conspirators.

Scene 2 Summary Scene two begins with Brutus explaining in very rational terms why the conspirators have killed Caesar. By the end of his speech, the commoners believe that the assassination was necessary and are somewhat hostile to Antony. Antony makes an impassioned speech in which he admits that Brutus and the conspirators gave him permission to speak and continues to call them “honorable men” until the term “honorable” becomes verbal irony. He gives several examples of how kind and UN-ambitious Caesar was, then finishes each example with “but these are honorable men.” He showed the Caesar’s wounds and pointed out which each of the conspirators must have inflicted upon the body, and then told them that Caesar willed each of them 75 drachmas. By the end of scene two, the Roman commoners have become enraged to the point of violence against the conspirators.

Scene 3 Summary Scene three is supposed to be a slightly comical scene. Cinna the poet is confronted by a mob of commoners, and is dragged away and presumably killed simply because he has the same name as one of the conspirators. Though this is a grisly and somewhat disturbing scene, Caesar’s use of language makes it clear that it is supposed to provide comedic relief.