Brutus Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. Read more about Act 3, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: Conspirators' Motivations
Brutus Let me see, let me see — is not the leaf turned down Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. [Enter the Ghost of Caesar.] How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. Read more about Act 4, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "How ill this taper burns"
Brutus The deep of night is crept upon our talk, And nature must obey necessity, Which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say. Read more about Act 4, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "niggard"
Brutus For I can raise no money by vile means. By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection. I did send To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me. Was that done like Cassius? Should I have answered Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, Dash him to pieces! Read more about Act 4, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "I did send to you for gold"
Antony 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. Read more about Act 3, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: Religious Relics
Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "ne'er look you i' th' face"
Cassius 'Brutus' and 'Caesar' — what should be in that 'Caesar'? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name. Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well. Weigh them, it is as heavy. Conjure with 'em, 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar'. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "start a spirit"
First Murderer He's a traitor. Son Thou liest, thou shag-eared villain. Read more about Act 4, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "shag-eared"
Lady Macduff Poor bird, thou'ldst never fear the net, nor lime, The pitfall, nor the gin. Son Why should I, mother — poor birds they are not set for. Read more about Act 4, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "Poor bird"
