The citizens demand answers regarding Caesar’s death. Brutus makes a speech explaining that although he valued Caesar as a friend, it was appropriate to kill him for his ambition, and that he did so with the good of Rome in mind. He challenges the crowd, saying that anyone who loves his freedom must stand with Brutus. Mark Antony enters with Caesar’s body. The crowd clamors for Brutus, and Brutus tells them to listen to Mark Antony. The plebeians are reluctant to listen to Mark Antony at all, claiming that Caesar was a tyrant.
Antony addresses them, appearing at first to praise the conspirators. His speech gradually inspires doubt about the conspirators through his praise of Caesar, particularly after he shows the crowd Caesar’s wounded body and reads Caesar’s will, which bequeaths money to each citizen and makes some of Caesar’s private lands into public parks. The crowd begins to cry for revenge on the conspirators, and Mark Antony pretends to dissuade them, but they run off to attack the conspirators anyway. A messenger from Octavius arrives and says that Octavius and Lepidus are waiting for Antony at Caesar’s house. Antony goes to meet them.
Interview: Brutus
Interview: Antony
Interview: Plebian
