The Tragedy

Of

JULIUS CAESAR
By William Shakespeare

Abridged, adapted, abridged, and abridged again by Seth Panitch

Registered with WGAW

 “There is a tide in the affairs of us

Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune:

Omitted, all the voyage of our lives

Is bound in shallows and in miseries…”

In 1844, Benjamin Webster remarked on a production of The Taming of the Shrew at

the Haymarket Theatre in London, calling it A Hazardous Experiment. The stage was
bare, devoid of the spectacle which had choked off Shakespeare’s windpipe since the
Restoration. It was a return to the Globe of 1599, and a focus on the Word and the
Actor who brought it to life. The Shakespearean Stage tends to vacillate between these
two poles, and Granville Barker had to resuscitate the Experiment at the turn of the
last century. John Barton did the same in Stratford in the latter half of the 20th
Century. We in this production will pick up that very baton. It's a heavy one, but we
shall not drop it.

We are, by necessity of departmental finances, tasked with producing this play

without set, with the simplest of lighting, clothed only by whatever miracles our
costume designer can come up with.

Thank the Gods.

THE (OUR) STORY:

Julius Caesar is a four-hundred-year-old warning of what happens when we think

much, but not well. There is a natural tendency to lend our voices to the best-
intentioned ideals and elevate them into unassailable structures of near religious
perfection (consider the marbleized buildings in which we write and execute our laws,
or the textual sacraments enshrined in the mission statements of social movements).
But the perfection of these Ideals cannot hold, for it is only our human imperfections
that bear them aloft. The banners gleam in the beginning, but over time, they ripen
and rot; and when competing banners clash and neither side’s are left standing, an
Emperor rises.

In our passionate attempts to improve our lot, we have opened the door to something
far worse. And this is all birthed by a folly of our own design: with all the talk our
Roman conspirators spend on the assassination, there is little to no discussion about
what they will constructively DO once Caesar is dead. One need only look to the
volleys of vitriol on social media to see this in fine form today – everyone has a
criticism; no one a plan.
The inherent conflict between Olympian Ideals and Mortal Imperfections at the heart
of Julius Caesar rages within Brutus from the moment he takes the stage, and as we
watch his agony play out in disastrous ways, Shakespeare deftly holds the mirror up to
our times with no less poignancy than it did his. It is difficult to look away.

So, why do we?

OUR THREE BASIC ACTS:

THE ASSASSINATION: The legitimization for a murder by “honorable” people.

THE CRUEL AWAKENING: Brutus, Cassius, and the rest cling to whatever is left of
their noble purpose, for if one block of it falls, it all falls, and the assassination is
revealed to them for what it truly was- Patricide.

THE FINAL CLIMAX: Our conspirators find some honor/good in themselves and the
World, but only as they leave it. (It is fascinating how honest their morality is on the
battlefield. Only when they are removed from Politics, are they HUMAN without
attempting to be MARBLE).

THE HISTORY:

Feel free to research (and Misha will assist us here), but do not feel tethered to it, as
Shakespeare did not. Certainly, the basic shape of Plutarch is important to us: Caesar
has been a stabilizing force in the Roman Republic, but he is gaining strength with his
victories in Gaul and Hispania. There is jealousy in the Senate (and factions remain
who backed Pompey in the Civil War), and in fear Caesar might become more
powerful and upset the balance he created, he is killed. Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus
defeat the conspirators, but they do not halt there. They slaughter half the Senate, fight
and destroy each other, and ultimately Octavius assumes total power. The Republic
dies and Empire begins…

OUR TEXT:

There is a good deal of SETHSPEARE here, so do follow this script closely. I want
our story to fly – everyone knows what happens, so we have to move at a furious
pace. This means no act breaks or intermissions, so huge sections of the text had to be
excised. I have tried wherever possible to make full 10 beat lines (or 11,12, etc), but
have not always been successful, nor do I think we need to be.
I have copied my Arden cuts into this MIT version- the punctuation is FUBAR, so
please check your Arden (which mostly follows the Folio). I have also expanded
certain relationships and snuck new moments here and there, lines have been
swapped, and words have been changed for better audience comprehension. And yes,
I have even swapped Shakespeare for Suetonius with “And thou, my child,” instead of
“Et tu, Brute.” We’ll see how much we like that in November… Also, the Italics
throughout are sometimes for vocal emphasis, but mostly flags for text analysis…

And please (and forgive) expect further cuts. We are shooting for an 85 minute
production because…

OUR PRODUCTION STYLE:

We must run thin and fast. Without a full design, we will seek stylized solutions at
every turn.

THE STYLE OF PERFORMANCE: When in Rome, right? Let’s call these our…

SIX COLLUMNS
Electricity of the Discovery of the Word
Musicality of Aria
Actors as Engine
Relentless Speed
Continuity of Action
Immediacy
(Think cinematic- camera quick cuts in and out)

Constant pressure of time. Cesar about to be crowned. Rushing them all to judgment.

COMBAT AND VIOLENCE: will be developed with JaMorris Rivers in October,

once we have a handle on the full story. We will also have the honor of working with
Laurie Arizumi’s Japanese Drumming Group for music/sounds/just sounding
bloody cool. Note: The Assassination must be messy, and Caesar’s final death rattle
horrifying.

THE SEVEN: These are the physicalized thoughts, sounds, and effects of the play’s
action. It will be a collection of the actors not performing each night, as they will have
an intimate understanding of the moments we will be making more rich by their
addition. I will rely upon their artistry to create the sounds and effects that will truly
make this a haunting play. I have asked Kelley to assist us with honing our movement
once we know how these characters work within the space.
STAGING:

To match the style of our movement sequences, I will be ‘choreographing’ the staging
itself in some respects. We will be moving the characters around in arcs and counter-
movements, like the different speeds of a clock arm, constantly circling towards the
drain that will destroy them all. This will keep the audience constantly on edge, and
unable to get in front of us as we move towards the horror that lies at our climax. You
may find your bodies begin to harmonize with the staging- please do exploit that
physically in the way you move and transform within the world.

PROCESS:

I wanted the maximum number of you working on this play, and so we have two
casts: STALIN and TROSTSKY. It is a lovely opportunity for more of you to work in
large roles in this titanic play, but for it to work, there must be a constant spirit of
SHARING the role. You can only own it in partnership with the other cast, although
of course your inner life in performance is yours and yours alone. This means Stalin
might get first shot at a scene in analysis, but Trotsky will on initial staging, etc. Be
respectful and beware ego, and we will be all the stronger for it.

We will begin with four days of text analysis. This is the time for us to answer text
questions and solve verse inconsistencies. Please come “Off Scansion” or this is
wasted time. Also, if you do not know the exact meaning of every word you speak,
neither will your poor audience…

I will stage the play as specifically as I can for a rapid first pass. Due to our having
two casts, I may stage this tighter than I had initially planned to ensure we have a firm
foundation for both actors on each role.

Once we have a firm backbone, we will do two full passes of scenework. This will be
very close in work to identify the true soul of every moment in the piece. After this, I
begin walking backwards from you at an ever increasing rate, and you take the
characters from me.

With the play beginning to take life, we will add Movement and Drums in early
October (also a necessity due to my film responsibilities). It may give the play the
feeling of a Repertory work, which will ensure we do not get stale before we get an
audience.

In the middle of October, we will begin putting larger pieces together, and you will
begin to live the life of your character…
But do not spend too much of the currency of your final performance. Opening is
for Opening! You may ‘repeat’ or incorporate Panislavski techniques all the way
until tech.

We tech the last week of October (whatever that may bring) and open November 6th,
with each cast getting three performances in their major role (and three as The Seven).
I will explain my plan for the seventh performance at our first meeting.

DESIGN (Thespis Willing)

Why use 1920’s Russia and the Death of Lenin? Rather than update the play into too
modern a time period (which tends to make an audience defensive), I believe the
power vacuum after Lenin is the perfect world for us to explore the play. These were
the highest of ideals (equality, true leadership of the people by the people, etc) that
crumbled soon after the October Revolution. The bloody struggle between Stalin and
Trotsky resulted in the death of the revolution and the beginning of a dictatorship that
is still in practice today in the form of Vladimir Putin. Just as in our play, corruption
always taints those who believe themselves incorruptible.

THOUGHTS ON LEAD CHARACTERS:

BRUTUS:
In some ways, Brutus’ psychological blind spot echoes Othello: Loved not too wisely,
but too well. Brutus is someone who thinks much… but not well enough. As
Shakespeare is building inexorably toward Hamlet in a few years, we certainly see the
beginnings of The Dane here, down to the syntax of ‘there’s the question’ in the first
soliloquy. Just like the role of Hamlet, Brutus must find an emotive, active
rhetoric – if it is intellectualized, and not experiential, not born in struggle, it will
put our dear audience into a rapid coma.

This is a good man brought low by the same sword that fells all politicians: The
pursuit of Godlike ideals by an imperfect actor. We must also look at his ambitions,
though, for they surge beneath the cool surface. Cassius sees this and feeds upon
them, particularly Brutus’ dormant desire to be Rome’s ‘Savoir.’ It’s a noble desire,
and Brutus is ignited by its full flowering (this is why the bait of Cassius’ ‘awake,
fight, redress’ resonates so strongly within him).

Pay careful attention in developing your legitimacy for the assassination: from no
proof to absolute surety the closer you get to act. It is the seed of Patricide within you
that flourishes during that rhetorical crescendo, clouding your better judgement.
Note how measured and clear your language is. It is a mask. Brutus hides behind his
reason and Rhetoric (the Aegis of all politicians). When does your rhetoric buckle?
When does it fail you? When does the mask fall?

Track your place beside Caesar. I have adapted this further. We know from history
that Brutus may have been a blood relative- perhaps even a son. We will use this.

Brutus repeatedly turns inward to deal with conflict. This is our greatest challenge- as
written, he is a bit of a cypher. We must turn that intellectual isolation into the central
battle of the play. There is no one you feel capable of bearing your secrets at the top
of the play. You share SOME of this with Cassius, SOME of this with Portia, but you
bear this illness alone. It must be a terrifyingly lonely place. Your final farewell to
Cassius (Farewell my Sister/Brother) is indeed a climax of sorts- you DO finally see
that you had allies all about you. The tragedy is that you only see them now. Your
final words address this stunning realization- that all about you were true… even as
you were untrue to yourself. Your sight comes too late, but it does come. There is
VICTORY here.

CASSIUS:
You are The Agitator: filled with rage and anger at the status quo, determined to bring
it down, with no idea WHATSOEVER how to concretely make a better world. You
lead a chaos that leads directly to the death of the Republic and the beginning of the
Roman Empire and all its excesses.

But there is Tragedy, too. You see no plays, you do not read, nor smile - you are a
Politician through and through; that is your only identity. An empty existence always
leads to us making our jobs too important, and you succumb to this trap.
Your CAUSE becomes your LIFE. No partner or family are mentioned. Nothing but
ROME. This is the tragedy of making your political beliefs your humanity.

Caesar is right about you - you can never be happy if someone is “above” you in
stature, as it is all you have. (*See contradiction with Brutus below). Cassius only
thrives on dissension and anger- God help her in Peacetime.

The attraction to Brutus is not just because he is “clean” and will give their operation
a sheen of righteousness. Cassius is also looking for Brutus to give HER a cloak of
righteousness. There is a true admiration of him.

*Central Question- Why do you defer to Brutus in EVERY fashion once he takes
moral leadership? Is it because of your honest love/admiration for him and desire to
have that balance in your own life? There are significant military and tactical
mistakes- you KNOW this, but give o’er.

Your Climax is another victory- note you say: Farewell my LORD. You are finally at
peace that Brutus is a Lord- a Lord above YOU.

ANTONY:
Drink your water now, dear Antony - I am not letting you offstage between “Pardon
me, thou bleeding piece of earth” and “Friends, Romans…”

The core of the role is the quiet scene between you and your ‘father’s’ corpse. Even
though you prove ruthless, you are the least political of the group…. Until they kill
your mentor/Father figure. Caesar’s death is an abyss- so much so, you, a great
soldier, run home crying like a child. Only you perhaps understood the balance Caesar
lent Rome- good and bad, but Balance.

You must die upon Caesar’s body and be reborn Avenging Angel. Look how quickly
you descend into flat out murderer after you take Triumvirate power. That power is
one you may never have craved, but it clearly overwhelms you- just as Cleopatra will
overwhelm you and bring you to doom after the Triumvirate falls apart.

Note Cassius’ offer of New Dignities (perhaps greater than w/ Caesar) glances right
off you. You have become VENGEANCE, and it will eat you alive. Again, you are
not armed for this interior battle. What you ARE armed for is the Great Oration-
passion, calculation, and an actor’s real-time revelation. Just as actors must be
changed, so are you- not for the better…

Your Great Speech is the Apex of your life- and just like the conspirators, from here,
it is all downhill toward eventual destruction. ‘Mischief thou art afoot’- that was your
aim; you had no further thoughts than to bring CHAOS and VENGEANCE- you, too,
like the conspirators, had no further plans.

You are an IMPROVISOR/ OPPORTUNIST: Notice how you weep at Caesar’s body
when first you view it- this gives the actor in you an idea of how to use it in the
Pulpit. The rreat Speech must be an Improvisation from start to finish, but you must
FEEL it all- that is how you show a stark relief against Brutus’ cold Ideals.

Brutus wins their minds- you win their TEARS.

JULIUS CAESAR:
“He was a MAN, take him for all and all. I shall not look upon his like again.” The
line is Hamlet’s of his Kingly father, but this, too is our Caesar- a mixture of virtue
and folly. Deaf in one ear, the falling sickness upon him, but the only glue holding
Rome together - a Rome that stretched from London in the Northwest to Jerusalem in
the South East. He dies as 56. I am 55. He ain’t old, folks…

*We must know you, know who we are killing, or we do not know what we have
lost- that is your challenge.

“Then Fall Caesar.” You are well aware of the titanic space your death will create.
Caesar WAS Rome- all will fall into Civil War and the Republic will be lost forever.

Note you truly held the public dear. Mutiple people speak of how good you are to the
general public, you stop your train to speak to a “shrill” voice in the crowd (to you,
they sound distressed and in trouble), you listens to and respect your wife’s fears (in
ways Brutus does not) although your vaunting ego prevents you from respecting them
in the face of Decius’ plea. Most importantly, you did bring balance to Rome after the
bloody Civil War w Pompey.

You are also shrews and see into people’s hearts. You call Cassius perfectly.

We must explore the WEIGHT of your leadership upon you (“Always, I am Caesar”-
is there not exhaustion in that?)

Note your language builds in godliness the closer we get to the assassination. How
much is real, and how much is bluster? Is your tragedy having to give the people
what they are asking you to be? Again, “Always I am Caesar.”

PORTIA
“That Great Vow/ Which did incorporate us and make us One.”
You are our Dignity and our Courage- and the strongest testament of LOVE in a play
most barren to it. You demand Brutus share the assassination with you yet do nothing
to stop it or prevent him- in fact, you incorporate yourself with it. This is absolute
devotion- there is no other answer.

But you do go mad from the repercussions of this (in a similar vein to Lady Macbeth).
I wonder if Brutus’ report of your death is inaccurate- how does he know WHY you
did this? I believe it had nothing to do with Antony’s growing powers or distance
from Brutus. It is the illness you now share with your Husband… and it unmakes you.
What a horrifying Sheol you are in- caught between your love of Brutus and the Sin
you are committing. The purity of your love ultimately lands upon the only way out
that resolves each side of that equation.

Should we explore you overhearing the conspirators? And confronting them at the end
of the scene? How can we tease out this relationship to Cassius?

Note: Brutus in Shakespeare’s script has NO time to tell you of the plot- we must
create that moment, and I wish you to have it onstage, so I have taken the following
scene and given it to you.

CALPURNIA
Why are you so driven by fears? It must be a terrible loneliness to be the only one
who understands and sees the terror about Rome and your husband? This seems a
terrible burden for her to bear.

Why do you not respond to Caesar when he decides to go?

Politics do not cloud your mind- you are untouched by them. You only care for your
husband… and the protection of “Great Caesar.” Clearly, you understand what he
represents, but when the two clash, unlike everyone else in the play, you choose him
over Rome. It is a pity we do not see you again…

Should we? Let’s explore the moment I have marked at the end of the Oration scene.
No promises, but we should explore…

OCTAVIUS
You are a Statesman- not a Politician, and when all the other forces immolate
themselves, you will stand alone as Emperor.

You are devoid of rhetoric or decorative elegance- never a wasted word. No rashness,
no emotion, no EGO, no ambition- just patience and the innate knowledge of when
best to strike. A Military mind, not a political one.You will eat them all alive.

Note well that you allow Antony to get rid of Lepidus (a fine soldier). You do not
cross him here in the political realm but will once we are on the BATTLEFIELD-
which is YOUR domain. They will all stumble over themselves and the field will be
yours. In the final scene, your position is solidified: note you say ‘I’ will entertain
Brutus’ troops… not “we.”
 Now, on to OUR Hazardous Experiment…
ACT I

Darkness.

DRUMS/ MOVEMENT

THE SIX enter and take their positions. They WHISPER lines, phrases, words from
CASSIUS and BRUTUS. TWO ARMIES assemble. Lights up in formation. Battle of
CAESAR and POMPEY. Caesar victorious. Crowd gathers, places him on Pedestal…

SCENE I. (CUT IN ENTIRETY)

SCENE II. A public place.

Flourish. Enter CAESAR; ANTONY, for the course; CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS
BRUTUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd, a Soothsayer.
CAESAR
Calpurnia!
CASCA
Peace, ho! Caesar speaks.
CAESAR
Calpurnia!
CALPURNIA
Here, my lord.
CAESAR
Stand you directly in Antonius' way,
When he doth run his course. Antonius!
ANTONY
Caesar, my lord?
CAESAR
Forget not, in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say,
The barren, touched in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.
ANTONY
I shall remember:
When Caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd.
CAESAR
Set on; and leave no ceremony out.

DRUMS

Soothsayer
Caesar!... Caesar!
CAESAR
Ha? Who calls?
Soothsayer
Caesar - do you hear?
CAESAR
Bid every noise be still!
(SILENCE)

CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the rest,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer
Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR
What (one) is that? (nb: how you turn to Brutus)
BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
CAESAR
Set (her) before me; let me see her face.
BRUTUS
You, then, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
CAESAR
What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
Soothsayer
Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR
She is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.

DRUMS. Exeunt all except BRUTUS and CASSIUS

CASSIUS
Will you go see the order of the course?
BRUTUS
Not I.
CASSIUS
I pray you, do.
BRUTUS
(so short in speech, so inwardly turned, so quick to leave)
I am not gamesome: I do lack some part
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. (nb: jealous?)
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires;
I'll leave you.
CASSIUS
Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have not from your eyes that gentleness
And show of love as I was wont to have:
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you.
BRUTUS
Cassius, (P)
Be not deceived: if I have veil'd my look,
I turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference,
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors;
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved--
Among which number, Cassius, be you one--
Nor construe any further my neglect,
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war,
Forgets the shows of love to other men.
CASSIUS
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?

BRUTUS
No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself,
But by reflection, by some other things.
CASSIUS
'Tis just: (LOOK)
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
That you might see your shadow.
BRUTUS
(P) Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,
That you would have me seek into myself
For that which is not in me?

DRUMS, and shout

BRUTUS
What means this shouting? I do fear, the people
Choose Caesar for their king.
CASSIUS
Ay, do you fear it? (Look)
Then must I think you would not have it so.
BRUTUS
I would not, Cassius. (P, Look) Yet I love him well.
Brutus X toward Caesar. Cassius studies him (read him CLOSE as you go)…
*Brutus- just listening to this could get you killed. Your silence is eloquent. The
moment between you two is fraught with DANGER. Feel it…

CASSIUS
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you:
Buy yet this aging Caesar, aye, this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.

Shout. DRUMS.

BRUTUS
Another general shout!
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar.
CASSIUS
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
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.
Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed,
That he is grown so great? -
BRUTUS
-My Noble Cassius! (P)
What you would work me to… I have some aim:
How I have thought of this and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter; for this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further moved. (Why?)
ENTER CAESAR (arguing, blaming) and his TRAIN, CASCA at rear.
BRUTUS
Speak no more-
The games are done and Caesar is returning.
CAESAR
Antonius!
ANTONY
Caesar?
CAESAR
Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights:
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.
ANTONY
Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous;
He is a noble Roman and well given.
CAESAR
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Such men as he be never at heart's ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.

Sennet. Exeunt CAESAR and all his Train, but CASCA

CASCA (*Prose)
You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak with me?
BRUTUS
Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanced to-day,
That Caesar looks so sad.
CASCA
Why, you were with him, were you not?
BRUTUS
I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
(*See This in DS? Casca can “direct”)
CASCA
Why-- there was a crown offered him: and being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,
thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.
BRUTUS
What was the second noise for?
CASCA
Why, for that too.
CASSIUS
They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for?
CASCA
Why, for that too.
CASSIUS
Who offered him the crown?
CASCA
Why, Antony.
BRUTUS
Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. (?)
CASCA
I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it:
it was mere foolery. I saw Mark
Antony offer him a crown;--yet 'twas not a crown
neither, 'twas one of these coronets;--and, as I told
you, he put it by once: but, for all that, to my
thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he
offered it to him again; then he put it by again:
but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his
fingers off it. And then he offered it the third
time; he put it the third time by: and still as he
refused it, the rabblement hooted and clapped their
chapped hands and threw up their sweaty night-caps
and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because
‘Caesar refused the crown’ that it had almost choked
Caesar; for he swooned and fell down: and
for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of
opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
CASSIUS
But, soft, I pray you: what, did Caesar swound?
CASCA
He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at
mouth, and was speechless.
BRUTUS
'Tis very like. He hath the failing sickness.
CASSIUS
No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I,
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.
CASCA
I know not what you mean by that, but, I am sure
Caesar fell down.
BRUTUS
And after that, he came angered away? (nb: anger at embarrassment, not crown)
CASCA
Ay.
CASSIUS
Did Cicero say any thing?
CASCA
Ay, he spoke Greek.
CASSIUS
To what effect?
CASCA
Nay I cannot tell you that: but those that understood him smiled at
one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own
part… it was Greek to me.
CASSIUS
Will you sup with me to-night, Casca?
CASCA
(B- test) No, I am promised forth.
CASSIUS
Will you dine with me to-morrow?
CASCA
Ay, if I be alive… and your mind hold… and your dinner
worth the eating.
CASSIUS
Good: I will expect you.
CASCA
Do so. Farewell both.

Exit. Moment…

BRUTUS
For this time I will leave you:
To-morrow, if you please to speak with me,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
CASSIUS
I will do so: till then… think of the World.

Exit BRUTUS. Cassius- note your own struggle with the nobility you admire and your
need to use it against him- this is a struggle… but it must needs be done…

Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see,

Thy honourable metal may be wrought
From that it is disposed. I will this night,
In several hands, in at his windows throw,
As if they came from several citizens,
Writings all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name; wherein obscurely
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at:
And after this let Caesar seat him sure;
For we will shake him, or worse days endure. (you truly believe this)

Exit

SCENE III. CUT IN ENTIRETY

ACT II

SCENE I. Rome. BRUTUS's orchard.

DRUMS. Thunder and lightning. THE SIX enter, take places around moat.
*Throughout, they contribute Thunder and Text Echoes.

Enter BRUTUS, reacting to the Storm

BRUTUS
What, Lucius!
I cannot, by the progress of the storm,
Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say!
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.
When, Lucius, when? awake, I say! what, Lucius!

Enter LUCIUS

LUCIUS (*Or “Lucilius?”)

Call'd you, my lord?
BRUTUS
(adores him)
Get me a taper in my study, Lucius:
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
LUCIUS
I will, my lord.

Exit

MOVEMENT: THE SIX both lead and echo throughout, SFX effects.

BRUTUS
It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?--that;--
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him,
That at his will he may do danger with.
The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins
Remorse from power: BUT to speak truth of Caesar,
I have not known when his affections sway'd
More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof,
That lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
Scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
Then, lest he may… prevent. (P)
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell.

Re-enter LUCIUS with SCROLL (scared by what finds)

LUCIUS
The taper burneth in your study, sir.
Searching the window for a light, I found
This paper, thus seal'd up; and, I am sure,
It did not lie there when I went to bed.

Gives him the letter

BRUTUS
Get you to bed again; it is not day.
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March?
LUCIUS
I know not, sir.
BRUTUS
Look in the calendar, and bring me word.
LUCIUS
I will, sir.

Exit

BRUTUS
Opens the letter and reads: (THE SIX speak letter)
'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake,(awake) and see thyself.
(Shall Rome) Shall Rome stand under one man's awe?
Speak, strike, redress!’
Brutus, thou sleep'st…

Awake, Awake-
Awake!
… And see Thyself.

Re-enter LUCIUS

LUCIUS
Sir, March is wasted fourteen days.

BRUTUS
'Tis good…

KNOCKS (6)

Go to the gate; somebody knocks.

Exit LUCIUS

Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,

I have not slept.
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream:
The Genius and the mortal instruments
Are then in council; and the state of man,
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.

Re-enter LUCIUS

LUCIUS
Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door,
Who doth desire to see you.
BRUTUS
Is he alone?
LUCIUS
No, sir, there are moe with him.
BRUTUS
Do you know them?
LUCIUS
No, sir; the night is pluck'd about their ears,
And half their faces buried in their cloaks.
BRUTUS
(P- here it comes…) Let 'em enter.

Exit LUCIUS

They are the Faction. O conspiracy, (they are YOU, Brutus; what you are joining)
Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
When evils are most free? O, then by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To mask thy monstrous visage?

Enter the conspirators, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS BRUTUS (?), CINNA,

METELLUS CIMBER, and TREBONIUS.

Brutus disturbed by the sight. Approaches Trebonius and pulls down his guise.

CASSIUS
This is Trebonius.
BRUTUS
(P, Decide) He is welcome hither.
DB reveals himself.
CASSIUS
This, Decius Brutus.
BRUTUS
He is welcome too.
The rest unmask.
CASSIUS
This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber.
BRUTUS
(P- his troops) You are all welcome.
Give me your hands all over, one by one.
CASSIUS
And let us swear our resolution.
BRUTUS (finding himself in taking control of this)
No, not an ‘oath:’
What need we any spur but our own cause,
To prick us to redress? What other bond
Than honesty to honesty engaged,
Swear priests and cowards but do not stain
The even virtue of our enterprise,
To think that or our cause or our performance
Did need an oath-
CASSIUS
(**You give o’er and change subject- WHY? You continually do this from here until
your death. Is this your true admiration of him- or your insecurity of yourself?Do you
give o’er to gain more of his spirit within you?)
Then what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?
CASCA
Let us not leave him out.
CINNA
No, by no means.
DECIUS BRUTUS (disappointed)
Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar?
CASSIUS
Decius, well urged: I think it is not meet,
Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar. Let them fall together.
BRUTUS
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar:
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit,
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas,
Alas…
Caesar must bleed for it.

Clock strikes (THE SIX)

BRUTUS
Peace! count the clock.
CASSIUS
The clock hath stricken three.
TREBONIUS
'Tis time to part.
CASSIUS
But it is doubtful yet,
Whether Caesar will come forth to-day, or no;
For he is superstitious grown of late.
DECIUS BRUTUS
Never fear that: if he be so resolved,
I can o'ersway him.
CASSIUS
Nay, we will all of us go there to fetch him.
BRUTUS
(securing the pact) By the eighth hour: and at the very stroke.
And so good morrow to you every one.

Exeunt all but BRUTUS

Enter PORTIA (*moment with Cassius?)

PORTIA
Brutus, / my lord!
BRUTUS
Portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?
It is not for your health thus to commit
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
PORTIA
Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus,
Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper,
You suddenly arose, and walk'd about,
Musing and sighing, with your arms across,
And when I ask'd you what the matter was,
You stared upon me with ungentle looks;
Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not,
But, with an angry wafture of your hand,
Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did.
This will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
As if it so prevail on your condition,
I shall not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
BRUTUS
I am not well in health, and that is all.
PORTIA
Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus;
You have some sick offence within your mind,
Which, by the right and virtue of my place,
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees,
I charm you, by my once-commended beauty,
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one,
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half,
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night
Have had to resort to you: for here have been
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces
Even from darkness.
BRUTUS
Kneel not, gentle Portia.
PORTIA
I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you? Am I yourself
But, as it were, in sort or limitation,
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.
BRUTUS (finally, the emotion breaks through, the dam breaks)
You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart.
PORTIA
If this were true, then should I know this secret.
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em!

THE SIX: CLOCK strikes FOUR

BRUTUS (pressure of the dawn approaching)

Hark, hark! The time: Portia, go in awhile;
And by and by thy bosom shall partake
The secrets of my heart. (Moment)
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
All the charactery of my sad brows:
(She will not leave)
Leave me with haste!

PORTIA
Nor will I not. Nor cannot.
Now, what’s to do?

BRUTUS
(P) A piece of work that will make sick ones whole.
PORTIA (she understands)
(P) But are not some whole that we must make sick?
BRUTUS
That must we also. What it is, my Portia…
I shall unfold to thee…

DRUMS- PORTIA’S HEARTBEAT

Brutus whispers to Portia. The SIX make whispering sounds.
DRUMS build to climax- STOP.
Portia Knows All.
BRUTUS exits.

MOVEMENT:
THE SIX move in on Portia, whispering snippets of the last scene, overwhelming her.
Her madness begins. She flees…

DRUMS: Thunder and lightning.

ENTER CAESAR. THE SIX exit, disturbing Caesar (MOVEMENT). Directly into:

SCENE II. CAESAR's house.

CAESAR (her nightmares have terrified you- because she is terrified)

Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within?

Enter a Servant

Servant
My lord?
CAESAR
Go bid the priests do present sacrifice
And bring me their opinions of success.
Servant
I will, my lord.

Exit. Enter CALPURNIA

CALPURNIA
What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house to-day.
CAESAR
Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
CALPURNIA
Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
O Caesar! these things are beyond all use,
And I do fear them.
CAESAR
What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
CALPURNIA
When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
CAESAR
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.

Re-enter Servant
What say the priests?
Servant
They would not have you to stir forth to-day. (CAL)
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast. (CAL)
CAESAR
The gods do this in shame of cowardice:
Caesar should be a beast without a heart,
If he should stay at home to-day for fear.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he:
We are two lions litter'd in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible:
And Caesar shall go forth.
CALPURNIA
Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear
That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house:
And he shall say you are not well to-day:
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.
CAESAR
Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
And, for thy humour, I will stay at home.

Enter DECIUS BRUTUS (?), *Came Early- not with others

Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

DECIUS BRUTUS
Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.
CAESAR
And you are come in very happy time,
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.
CALPURNIA
Say he is sick.
CAESAR
Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
DECIUS BRUTUS
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.
CAESAR
The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction, (?)
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt to-night she saw my statue,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.
DECIUS BRUTUS
This dream is all amiss interpreted!
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood!
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
CAESAR
And this way have you well expounded it. (Cal)
DECIUS BRUTUS
I have:
And know it now: the senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
CAESAR (that one stings)
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

*Calpurnia moment (drop his robe and leave?). Enter PUBLIUS, BRUTUS,
LIGARIUS, METELLUS, CASCA, TREBONIUS, and CINNA

And look where Brutus now is come to fetch me.

BRUTUS
Good morrow, Caesar.
CAESAR
Dear my Brutus, are you yet stirr'd so early?
What is 't o'clock?
BRUTUS (coldly)
Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
CAESAR
(Odd response from Brutus- he is different)
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

Enter ANTONY (why up early?)

See! Antony, that revels long o' nights,

Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.
ANTONY
So to most noble Caesar.
CAESAR
Bid them prepare within:
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius!
I have an hour's talk in store for you;
Remember that you call on me to-day:
Be near me, that I may remember you.
TREBONIUS
Caesar, I will. (To Brutus with cutthroat gesture)
And so near will I be,
That his best friends shall wish I had been further.
Trebonius laughs, and joins Caesar, leaving Brutus alone.
CAESAR
Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
BRUTUS
[Aside] That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!

Exeunt.

SCENE III. A street near the Capitol. (Moved to 3.1)

SCENE IV. Another part of the same street, before the house of BRUTUS.

MOVEMENT: Enter PORTIA and THE SIX, hounding her.

PORTIA
Lucius! Lucius I say!
LUCIUS runs on. The SIX to positions. Low Whisper throughout.
I prithee, man, run to the senate-house;
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone:
Why dost thou stay?
LUCIUS
To know my errand, madam.
PORTIA
I would have had thee there, and here again,
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there.
O constancy, be strong upon my side,
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue!
Art thou here yet?
LUCIUS
Madam, what should I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing else?
And so return to you, and nothing else?
PORTIA
Yes, bring me word then, if thy lord look well,
For he went sickly forth: and take good note
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him.
(Loud whispers) Hark, now- what noise is that?
LUCIUS
I hear none, madam.
PORTIA
Prithee, listen well;
I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray,
And the wind brings it from the Capitol.
LUCIUS
Sooth, madam, I hear nothing.

PORTIA
I must go in. Ay me, my heart rebels
Against my sagging spirit! O my Brutus:
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!
(SIX: Shhh!)
Sure, the boy heard me: Brutus hath a suit
That Caesar will not grant. O, I grow faint.
(Lucius to her, but she protests)
(SIX set up US)
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord;
Say I am merry: come to me again,
And bring me word what he doth say to thee.

DRUMS/ MOVEMENT. Portia turns upstage and is swallowed in THE SIX. Exit.

ACT III

SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above.

DRUMS FADE OUT. Enter ARTEMIDORUS, reading a paper. SOOTHSAYER enters

separately.
ARTEMIDORUS
'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius;
come not near Casca.
There is but one mind in all, and it is
bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal,
look about you!’
(Notices Soothsayer overhearing him)
If he reads this, Then Caesar, he mayst live;
If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive.
DRUMS. Flourish. Enter CAESAR, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS BRUTUS,
METELLUS CIMBER, TREBONIUS, CINNA, ANTONY, LEPIDUS, POPILIUS,
PUBLIUS. and THE SIX (assume positions for the kill)
CAESAR (Halts DRUMS)
[To the Soothsayer] The ides of March are come.
Soothsayer
(Looks to Artemidorous) Ay, Caesar; but not gone.
ARTEMIDORUS
Hail, Caesar! read this schedule.
DECIUS BRUTUS
(Jump in) Trebonius doth desire you to o'erread,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.
ARTEMIDORUS
O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar.
CAESAR
What touches us ourself shall be last served. (Must say this- aware he’s that close to
Emperor) (X’s away)
ARTEMIDORUS
Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly.
PUBLIUS
Sirrah, give place.
CASSIUS
What, urge you your petitions in the street?
Come to the Capitol.

CAESAR goes up to the Senate-House, the rest following

POPILIUS
I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive.
CASSIUS
What enterprise, Popilius?
POPILIUS
Fare you well.

Advances to CAESAR
BRUTUS
What said Popilius Lena?
CASSIUS
He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
BRUTUS
Look, how he makes to Caesar; mark him.
CASSIUS
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention.
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known,
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back,
For I will slay myself.
BRUTUS
Cassius, be constant:
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes;
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.
CASSIUS
Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, Brutus.
He draws Mark Antony out of the way.

Exeunt ANTONY and TREBONIUS

DECIUS BRUTUS
Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.
BRUTUS
He is address'd: press near and second him.
CINNA
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
CAESAR
Are we all ready? What is now amiss
That Caesar and his senate must redress?
METELLUS CIMBER
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
A humble heart,--

Kneeling
CAESAR
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Caesar doth not Wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied.
METELLUS CIMBER (gathering them)
Is there no voice more worthy than my own
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear?

DRUMS, THE SIX (low hum builds to screams in murder)

BRUTUS
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
CAESAR
What? Brutus?
CASSIUS
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
CAESAR
I could be well moved, if I were as you:
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament!
CINNA
O Caesar,--
CAESAR
Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
DECIUS BRUTUS
Great Caesar,--
CAESAR
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
CASCA
Speak, hands for me!

MOVEMENT/ DRUMS. CASCA first, then the other Conspirators stab CAESAR.
Down stairs to center stage → Brutus. NOTE: No ‘knives.’ Long silk ribbons of RED.

CAESAR
And you, my son?
(BRUTUS STABS)
Then fall, Caesar. (not just me, the World)

Dies in Brutus’ arms, slides down his body to his feet.

SIX, DRUMS SILENT

Brutus looks out, unsure of what he has done. Conspirators- several reactions. The
SIX stand, and LEAVE Brutus.

CINNA
Liberty. Freedom. Tyranny is dead.
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
CASSIUS
Some to the common pulpits, and cry out
'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!'
CROWD flees.
BRUTUS
People and senators, be not affrighted;
Fly not; stand stiff: ambition's debt is paid.
CASCA
(wake him up- he’s frozen) Go to the pulpit, Brutus.
BRUTUS
Where's Publius?
CINNA
Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
METELLUS CIMBER
Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar's
Should chance--
BRUTUS
Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer;
There is no harm intended to your person,
Nor to no Roman else: Go tell them, Publius.
Publius backs up, runs, screaming out MURDER!

Re-enter TREBONIUS

CASSIUS
Where is Antony? (first reaction- General’s brain)
TREBONIUS
Fled to his house amazed:
Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run
As it were doomsday.
All quick look to Brutus for direction.
BRUTUS
Fates, we will know your pleasures:
That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time
And drawing days out, that men stand upon.
Stoop, you Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords:
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Let's all cry 'Peace, freedom and liberty!'
CASSIUS
Stoop, then, and wash. For many ages hence
And often shall the knot of us be call'd
The ones that gave their country liberty. (Giddy at realization- hadn’t thought this far)
DECIUS BRUTUS
What, shall we forth? (terrifying thought- now we have to learn the consequences)
CASSIUS
Ay, every man away:
Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

Enter a Servant. All go for their DAGGERS.

BRUTUS
Soft! who comes here? A friend of Antony's.
Servant (kneels- not how REHEARSED this is- by Antony)
Thus, Brutus, did my master bade me say:
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him, and be resolved
How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
So well as Brutus living.
BRUTUS (a grave mistake of Ego)
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I never thought him worse.
Tell him, so please him come unto this place,
He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour,
Depart untouch'd.
(note: you NEVER tell him, nor give concrete reasons to the Crowd)
(also: Look at your rush to include Antony, to exolain and also show your supremacy-
this speaks to your being competing sons to Caesar)
Servant
I'll fetch him presently.

Exit

BRUTUS
I know that we shall have him well to friend.
CASSIUS
I wish we may: but yet have I a mind
That fears him much; and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. (still, you give o’er- WHY? This is a major mistake)
BRUTUS
But here comes Antony.

Re-enter ANTONY (note: you fled home, but then returned- why? You enter this room
of death to Kill or Die)

Welcome, Mark Antony.

ANTONY
O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
No place shall please me so as here by Caesar.
BRUTUS
O Antony, beg not your death of us.
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands and this our present act,
You see we do, yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done:
Our hearts you see not. And for your own part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.
CASSIUS
Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In the disposing of new dignities. (Tries same approach but fails)
BRUTUS
Only be patient till we have appeased
The multitude, beside themselves with fear,
And then we will deliver you the cause,
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,
Have thus proceeded.
ANTONY
I doubt not of your wisdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand: (???)
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;
Now, Decius Brutus, yours: now yours, Metellus;
Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;
Friends am I with you all and love you all,
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
BRUTUS
Or else were this a savage spectacle:
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, (*as I am)
You should be satisfied.
ANTONY
That's all I seek: (IDEA comes NOW)
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the market-place;
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.
BRUTUS
You shall, Mark Antony.
CASSIUS
Brutus, a word with you.
(Aside to BRUTUS)
You know not what you do: do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral.
BRUTUS
By your pardon;
I will myself into the pulpit first,
And show the reason of our Caesar's death.
CASSIUS
I know not what may fall. I like it not.
MOMENT. Brutus moves forward. Cassius allows it.
BRUTUS
Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar.
ANTONY
Be it so. I do desire no more.
BRUTUS
Prepare the body then, and follow us.

Exeunt all but ANTONY. As you allow your fury out, it congeals into VENGEANCE.

ANTONY
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,--
DRUMS- BEAT of WAR begins.

(ANTONY: Conjure this like a spell. Feel it coursing through you, giving you strength.
For images, look at two, both from Branagh’s HENRY V: The quiet rumbling storm of
“Tennis Balls,” vs the Cannonfire of “How yet resolves the governor of the town. We
will look at both approaches. My fear with the loud version is that we leave no
surprises from you at the end of the Oration…)

A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;

Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so in use
And dreadful objects so familiar
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.

DRUMS OUT. Enter a Servant

You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?

Servant
I do, Mark Antony.
ANTONY
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome. (?)
Servant
He did receive his letters;
And bid me say to you by word of mouth--
O Caesar!--

Seeing the body. Antony pulls him away- no weakness before Caesar.

ANTONY
Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep.
(Business) Is thy master coming?
Servant
He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome.
ANTONY
Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced:
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; (Really? Or are you consolidating power?)
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile…
(Looks back). Lend me your hand.

MOVEMENT: Exeunt with CAESAR's body vs SET ON PYRE w/ Mantle and Sheet

SCENE II. The Forum.

Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS VOM, and a throng of Citizens below. Cassius places a
BLOCK for Brutus. He stands upon the “Pulpit.” Speak to the whole AB
Citizens
We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied…. (etc…)
BRUTUS
(nb: Prose. An impossible challenge- there is NO PROOF. This should be a struggle)
Romans, countrymen, and lovers!!! Hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear.
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!
(CHEERS, responses from here on)
Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, or 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 honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I
slew him. 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.
All
None, Brutus, none!
BRUTUS
Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus.

Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR's body (OR RISE MIDSTAGE)

There is his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who,

though he had no hand in his death, shall receive
the benefit of his dying, a place in the
commonwealth; as which of you shall not?!
All
Live, Brutus! live, live!
Brutus descends and is Mobbed. Cassius thrown aside.
First Citizen
Bring him with triumph home unto his house.
Second Citizen
Give him a statue with his ancestors.
Third Citizen
Let him be Caesar.
Fourth Citizen
Caesar's better parts
Shall be crown'd in Brutus.
First Citizen
We'll bring him to his house
With shouts and clamours.
BRUTUS
My countrymen,--
Second Citizen
Peace, silence! Brutus speaks.
First Citizen
Peace!
BRUTUS
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
(X to M.A.) And, for my sake, stay here with Antony:
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar's glories; which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow'd to make.
(exit, prevented)
I do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

Exit

First Citizen
Stay. And let us hear Mark Antony.
Third Citizen
Let him go up into the public chair;
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.
ANTONY
For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.

Goes up into the pulpit and SITS. Note: Use whole AB audience throughout. This must
be an Improvisation from start to finish, but you must FEEL it all- that is how you
show your difference to Brutus. Brutus wins their minds- you win their TEARS.

Fourth Citizen
What does he say of Brutus?
Third Citizen
He says, for Brutus' sake,
He finds himself beholding to us all.
Fourth Citizen
'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here!
First Citizen
This Caesar was a tyrant. (All cheer)
Third Citizen
Nay, that's certain:
We are blest that Rome is rid of him.
Second Citizen
Peace! let us hear what Antony can say.
ANTONY
You gentle Romans,--
Citizens
Peace! let us hear him.
ANTONY
(nb: Verse- ennoble them. Start quiet and slow. Struggle with the battle within- the
battle you want THEM to fight: Honorable or Murderer).
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.
/Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest--
For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men--
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.
(at Body)/He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
/He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honourable man.
/I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
/You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
First Citizen
Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
Second Citizen
If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Caesar has had great wrong.
Third Citizen
Has he, masters?
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
Fourth Citizen
Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
ANTONY
(Hears them- X to them, and work the crowd)
O masters, if I were disposed to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honourable men.
/But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament--
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read--
Fourth Citizen
We'll hear the will: read it, Mark Antony.
All
The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will.
ANTONY (x up stairs)
Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.
Fourth Citizen
Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony;
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
ANTONY
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it:
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.
Fourth Citizen
They were traitors: honourable men!
All
Traitors! Murderers! The will! Read the will!
ANTONY
You will compel me, then, to read the will?
(HUGE CHEER)
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar,
And let me show you him that made the will.
Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?
Several Citizens
Come down!
Second Citizen
Descend.
Third Citizen
You shall have leave.

ANTONY comes down (nb: you STILL do not read will)

Fourth Citizen
A ring; stand round.
First Citizen
Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.
Second Citizen
Room for Antony, most noble Antony.
ANTONY
Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off.
Several Citizens
Stand back; room; bear back.
ANTONY
If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
(Raises it) You all do know this mantle: I remember
The first time ever Caesar put it on:
That day he overcame the Nervii.
(Show them- they touch like a Holy Relic- make this a God-like sacrifice)
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through:
See what a rent the envious Casca made:
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,
As rushing out of doors, to be resolved
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's Angel.
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him.
This… was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart.
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen.
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.
O, now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dint of pity: these are gracious drops.
Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold
Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here, (pull shroud)
Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors!
First Citizen
O piteous spectacle!
Second Citizen
O noble Caesar!
Third Citizen
O woful day!
Fourth Citizen
O traitors, villains!
First Citizen
O most bloody sight!
Second Citizen
We will be revenged.
All
Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
Let not a traitor live!
ANTONY
Stay, countrymen.
First Citizen
Peace there! hear the noble Antony.
Second Citizen
We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him!
ANTONY (Now, release the hounds)
Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
They that have done this deed are honourable
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts:
I am no orator, as Brutus is;
(Rise above the corpse, helped up by Citizens)
But were I Brutus,
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny!!!
All (Exiting)
We'll mutiny.
First Citizen
We'll burn the house of Brutus.
Third Citizen
Away, then! come, seek the conspirators.
ANTONY (Now, POUNCE! Nb: YOU must be as taken as them)
Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.
All
Peace, ho! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony!
ANTONY
Why, friends, you go to do you know not what:
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?
You have forgot the WILL I told you of.
All
Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the will.
ANTONY
Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.
To every Roman citizen he gives,
To every several one… seventy-five drachmas!
They help him off and crowd the body, crying over it.
Second Citizen
Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.
Third Citizen
O royal Caesar!
ANTONY
Hear me with patience.
All
Peace, Peace!
ANTONY
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbours and new-planted orchards,
To walk abroad, to recreate yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! when comes such another?
First Citizen
Never, never. Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.
Take up the body.
Second Citizen
Go fetch fire.
Third Citizen
Pluck down benches.
Fourth Citizen
Pluck down forms, windows, any thing.

Exeunt Citizens with the body

ANTONY
Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt!

DRUMS! Potential moment with Calpurnia? Or will this slow our pace?

Exeunt

SCENE III. A street.

Enter CINNA the poet, and after him, the Citizens

First Citizen
What is your name?
Second Citizen
Whither are you going?
CINNA THE POET
I am going to Caesar's funeral.
First Citizen
As a friend or an enemy?
CINNA THE POET
As a friend.
Third Citizen
Your name then, sir.
CINNA THE POET
Cinna. My name is Cinna.
First Citizen
Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
CINNA THE POET
I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.
Fourth Citizen
(P) Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.
CINNA THE POET
I am not Cinna the conspirator.
Fourth Citizen
It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but his
name out of his heart, and turn him going.
Third Citizen
Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! fire-brands:
to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: some to Decius', some to Casca's, away, go!

DRUMS! Exeunt

ACT IV

SCENE I. A house in Rome.

ANTONY, OCTAVIUS, and LEPIDUS, seated at a table. How quickly Antony kills –
he is unprepared for this power and uses it like a blowtorch- still acting from
vengeance and not statesmanship. Octavius- bide your time…
ANTONY
These many, then, shall die; their names are prick'd.
OCTAVIUS
Your brother too must die; consent you, Lepidus?
LEPIDUS
I do consent--
OCTAVIUS
Prick him down, Antony.
LEPIDUS
Upon condition Publius shall not live,
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony.
ANTONY
He shall not live.
But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house;
Fetch the will hither (?), and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies. (And so it begins. Again)
LEPIDUS
What, shall I find you here?
ANTONY
Or here, or at the Capitol.

Exit LEPIDUS. Antony makes as if Lepidus is next.

OCTAVIUS
You may do your will;
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
ANTONY
So is my horse, Octavius.
Do not talk of him but as a property.
(Octavius relents) But now, Octavius,
Listen great things:--Brutus and Cassius
Are levying powers: we must straight make head:
Therefore let our alliance be combined,
And open perils surest answered.
OCTAVIUS
Let us do so: for we are at the stake,
And bay'd about with many enemies;
(Direct accusation) And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear,
Millions of mischiefs.

MOMENT. Exeunt
SCENE II. Camp near Sardis. Before BRUTUS's tent.

DRUMS. Enter BRUTUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers;

Enter CASSIUS and his powers, FACING OFF.

CASSIUS
Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
BRUTUS
Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies?
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
CASSIUS
Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs;
And when you do them--
BRUTUS
Cassius, be content.
Speak your griefs softly: I do know you well.
Before the eyes of both our armies here,
Which should perceive nothing but love from us,
Let us not wrangle: bid them move away;
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,
And I will give you audience.
CASSIUS
Pindarus,
Bid our commanders lead their charges off
A little from this ground.
BRUTUS
Lucious, do you the like; and let no man
Come to our tent till we have done our conference.
Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.

DRUMS. Exeunt (Circle up and into Tent as others set up)

SCENE III. Brutus's tent.

Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. Brutus- you cannot give an inch, or the facade of your
great lie crumbles and leaves you a Murderer. You are also seeking death- baiting
Cassius- your heart yearns to join Portia. Balance those polar pulls upon you.
CASSIUS
That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this:
You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes;
Wherein my letters, praying on his side,
Were slighted off.
BRUTUS
You wronged yourself to write in such a case.
CASSIUS
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offence should bear his comment.
BRUTUS
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm;
CASSIUS
I an itching palm!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
BRUTUS
The name of Cassius honours this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
CASSIUS
Chastisement!
BRUTUS
Remember March, the ides of March remember:
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? (first use of first name)
And shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes,
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
For so much trash as may be grasped thus?
CASSIUS
Brutus, bay not me; (P)
I'll not endure it: I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions.
BRUTUS
Go to; you are not, Cassius.
CASSIUS
I am.
BRUTUS
I say you are not.
CASSIUS
Urge me no more, I shall forget myself;
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further.
BRUTUS
Away, slight man!
CASSIUS
When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me.
BRUTUS
Peace, peace, you durst not so have tempted him.
CASSIUS
I durst not!
BRUTUS
No.
CASSIUS
What, durst not tempt him!
BRUTUS
For your life you durst not!
CASSIUS
Do not presume too much upon my love;
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
BRUTUS
You have done that you should be sorry for.
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold to pay my legions,
Which you denied me! (You would take dirty money yourself, then?)
CASSIUS
I denied you not.
BRUTUS
You did.
CASSIUS
I did not: he was but a fool that brought
My answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart:
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
BRUTUS
I do not, till you practise them on me.
CASSIUS
You love me not.
BRUTUS
I do not like your faults.
CASSIUS
A friendly eye could never see such faults.
BRUTUS
A flatterer's would not, though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus.
CASSIUS
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,
For Cassius is aweary of the world;
Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; (Must be REAL- Key to top of play)
All his faults observed! There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; (Biz)
If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth;
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know,
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.
BRUTUS
Sheathe your dagger. (P)
Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;
Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire;
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark,
And straight is cold again.
CASSIUS
Hath Cassius lived
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him?
BRUTUS
When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too.
CASSIUS
Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.
BRUTUS
And my heart too.
Poet
[Within] Let me go in to see the generals! (Verse)

Enter Poet, followed by TITINIUS, and LUCIUS

Poet
There is some grudge between 'em; 'tis not meet
They be alone.

LUCIUS
You shall not come to them.
Poet
Nothing but death shall stay me.
CASSIUS
How now! What's the matter?
Poet
For shame, you generals! what do you mean?
(Preps Speech) Love, and be friends, as two such men should be;
For I have seen more years, I'm sure… than…?
CASSIUS
‘Ye?’
Poet
Yes! ‘Ye.’ (points) Both of ‘Ye.’
CASSIUS
Ha, ha! how ex’lent doth this poet rhyme!
BRUTUS
Get you hence, ‘poet;’ prying fellow, hence! (?)
CASSIUS
Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.
BRUTUS
I'll bear his humour, when he knows his time!
(X away)

CASSIUS
(P) Away, away, be gone.

Exit Poet, TITINIUS. Lucius checks with Cassius, who dismisses him.

CASSIUS
I did not think you could have been so angry.
BRUTUS
Portia is dead.
CASSIUS
(P) Ha! Portia!
BRUTUS
She is dead.
CASSIUS
How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so?
O insupportable and touching loss!
Upon what sickness?
BRUTUS (let this build- but you are inventing this; you know why she did this)
Impatient of my absence,
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong she fell distract,
And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire.
CASSIUS
And died so?
BRUTUS
E’en so.
CASSIUS
O y’mmortal gods!
BRUTUS
Speak no more of her.

Re-enter LUCIUS, TITINIUS, with MESSALA

BRUTUS
Come in, Titinius! Welcome, good Messala.
CASSIUS
Portia, art thou gone?
BRUTUS
No more, I pray you.
Messala, We have here received letters,
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition toward Philippi.
MESSALA
Myself have letters of the selfsame ‘tenor.’
BRUTUS
With what addition?
MESSALA
That by proscription and bills of outlawry,
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus,
Have put to death an hundred senators.
BRUTUS
(share with Cassius)
Ours speak of seventy senators that died.
MESSALA
One Hundred Dead.
BRUTUS
Well, to our work alive. What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently?
Note: WORST time emotionally for Brutus to be making decisions. Cassius- why do
you give o’er? Your prescription is precisely what they should be doing. Earliest
precents of doctrine states 3:1 minimum for offensive breakthrough. YOU are the
senior general, not Brutus. Brutus- why do you rush so rashly into battle?
CASSIUS
I do not think it good.
BRUTUS
Your reason?
CASSIUS
This it is:
'Tis better that the enemy seek us:
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers,
Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defense, and nimbleness.
BRUTUS
Good reasons must, of force, give place to better-
CASSIUS
Hear me, good brother.
BRUTUS
Under your pardon.
Our legions are at full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day;
We at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of us,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of our life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
CASSIUS
(You are signing your death warrant. This is why you assume the worst on the hill)
(P) Then, with your will, go on.
We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
BRUTUS
(Thank you)
There is no more to say.
CASSIUS
No more. Good night.
BRUTUS
Farewell, good Messala:
Farewell, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius.
Farewell, and good repose.
(This is Goodbye. Cassius finds the beauty in “Lord,” and Brutus in “Sister.”)
CASSIUS
Good night, my lord.
BRUTUS
Good night, good brother (sister).
Exeunt all but BRUTUS. Brutus follows them UV.

MOVEMENT/ DRUMS/ LIGHTS: GHOST OF CAESAR AND THE SIX file in from
USC to position. They create one terrifying Specter.

How ill the candle burns! Ha! who comes here?

I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me. Art thou any thing?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,
That makest my blood cold and my hair to stare?
Speak to me what thou art.
GHOST (and 6)
Thy evil spirit, Brutus.
BRUTUS
Why comest thou?
GHOST (and 6)
To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.
BRUTUS
Well; then I shall see thee again?
GHOST (and 6)
(x in)
Ay, (ay, ay) at Philippi.
BRUTUS
(x in, accept challenge)
Well.
I shall see thee at Philippi, then.

DRUMS (note: Higher in Battle, Lower in Scenes, but all the way through War)

Brutus and JC separate as Octavius and Antony take stage from opposite two points.
CAESAR AND THE SIX take positions for the WAR in moat (SFX, Battle Cries,
Brutus’ heartbeat.)

ACT V

SCENE I. The plains of Philippi.

Enter OCTAVIUS meeting ANTONY, and their armies

OCTAVIUS
Now, Antony, our hopes are answered:
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions;
It proves not so: their battles are at hand.

Enter a Messenger. ARMIES OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS in formation behind.

Messenger
Prepare you, generals:
The enemy comes on in gallant show;
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,
And something to be done immediately.

ARMIES OF ANTONY AND OCTAVIUS INTO FORMATION. Conflict between

A/O for which flank to take. It should get messy/physically aggressive.
ANTONY
Octavius, lead your battle softly on,
Upon the left hand of the even field.
OCTAVIUS
Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
ANTONY
Why do you cross me in this exigent?
OCTAVIUS
I do not cross you. But I will do so.

LIGHTS/ DRUMS RISE for BATTLE

SCENE II. The same. The field of battle.

MOVEMENT: BATTLE #1. NB: These battles are short- 30 secs and chase.

Battle commences immediately after Octavius’ line. No quarter, then Cassius’ Legion
retreats from Antony as Brutus pushes Octavius back, leaving Brutus in control of
space.

BRUTUS
Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give order
Unto the legions on the other side.
DRUMS/ SIX: LOUD EXPLOSION

Let them set on at once; for I perceive

But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.

Exeunt.

SCENE III. Another part of the field.

MOVEMENT: BATTLE #2.

Another force attacks Brutus. They push them back and chase off. (One dead?)
Cassius’ forces enter, fleeing, Cassius and Tinitius screaming for them to hold.
CASSIUS
O, stay! Titinius, look, our forces fly!
Myself to mine own have turned enemy!

TITINIUS
(spots this on another hill)
O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early; (once again, poor strategic decision)
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.

Enter PINDARUS

PINDARUS
Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.
CASSIUS
This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius;
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?
TITINIUS
They are, my lord.
CASSIUS
Titinius, if thou lovest me, (edge her off as you give order)
Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him,
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops,
And here again; that I may rest assured
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.

Exit ULV

CASSIUS
Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill;
(Order while moving UP R Vom) Regard Titinius well,
And tell me what thou see’est about the field.

PINDARUS ascends the hill (URV)

This day I breathed first: time is come round,

And where I did begin, there shall I end;
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news?
PINDARUS
[Above] O my lord!
CASSIUS
What news?
PINDARUS
[Above] Titinius is enclosed round about
With horsemen that make to her on the spur;
Yet she spurs on. Now they are almost on her.
She’s caught! Now some dismount. O, she does too.
She's ta'en.

Shout (THE SIX)

And, hark! they shout for joy.

CASSIUS
Come down, behold no more.
O, coward that I am, to live so long,
To see my dear friend ta'en before my face!

MOVEMENT: Cassius turns as CAESAR RISES from DSC. SFX sounds from SIX
through death. Cassius sees Caesar.

PINDARUS descends
CASSIUS
Come hither, Pindarus:
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner;
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath;
Now be a free(man): and with this good sword,
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom.
Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts;
And, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,
Guide thou the sword.

CAESAR/ PINDARUS stabs him (Ribbon?). Cassius falls, crawls to Caesar’s feet.

Caesar, thou art revenged,

Even with the sword that kill'd thee.

Dies. CAESAR takes place as another body on the field. (OR CIRCLES THE FIELD
UNTIL FINAL CONFRONTATION)

PINDARUS
So I am free; yet would not so have been,
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius…

BATLE SFX. Exit as… Re-enter TITINIUS with MESSALA (loud chatter)

MESSALA
Our fortunes change, Titinius; for Octavius
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,
As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
TITINIUS
These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
MESSALA
Where did you leave him?
TITINIUS
All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his cor’prl, on this hill.
MESSALA
Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
TITINIUS
He lies not like the living. O my heart!
MESSALA
Is not that he?
TITINIUS
No, this was he, Messala,
But Cassius is no more.
MESSALA
Bring him (her), Titinius, whilst I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into unwilling ears.
TITINIUS
Hie you, Messala.

Exit MESSALA

Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?

Did I not meet thy friends? and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing!
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow;
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace,
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.
By your leave, gods:--this is a Roman's part
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart.

Kills himself SIMULTANEOULY with:

DRUMS/ SFX: Alarum. Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, CATO, STRATO,

VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS

BRUTUS
Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
MESSALA
Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it.
BRUTUS
Titinius' face is upward.
CATO
He is slain.
BRUTUS
O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords
In our own proper entrails.

SFX Low alarums.

BRUTUS
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
It is impossible that ever Rome
Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay.
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
(build to last defiance)
(P) Lucius, come;
And come, young Cato; set our battles on.
'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight!!!

Opposing armies enter under this so we transition directly into:

SCENE IV. Another part of the field.

MOVEMENT: BATTLE #2.

Another force attacks Brutus. Brutus retreats. Lucius diversion by feigning to be him.
LUCIUS
I am Brutus! Marcus Brutus, I.
Know me for Brutus!
First Soldier
Yield then, or thou diest.
LUCIUS
Only I yield to die.
1st Soldier moves in to kill…
Second Soldier
We must not! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
First Soldier
(?) I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.

Enter ANTONY

Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.

ANTONY
(throws them aside- wanted him alive)
Where is he?
LUCIUS
Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough:
If you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
ANTONY
This is not Brutus.
(they move to harm)
Nay, keep this one safe;
Give him all kindness: I had rather have
Such ones my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead;
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent (note- YOU have to come to HIM)
How every thing is chanced.

Exeunt

WAR DRUMS OUT

SCENE V. Another part of the field.

Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, STRATO, and VOLUMNIUS (these should be the

other conspirators?). Others set “ROCK”- will be pedestal at end. Must be enough
for Octavius and one or two of THE SIX.
BRUTUS
Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
STRATO
Statilius (show'd the torch-light), but, my lord,
He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
BRUTUS
Slain is the word;
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Strato.
Whispers. Strato backs away.

STRATO
What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
BRUTUS
Peace then! no words.
STRATO
I'll rather kill myself.
BRUTUS
Hark thee, Dardanius.

Dardanius has overheard and backs away, too.

DARDANIUS
How shall I do such a deed?
Brutus is near desperation, now. Goes to Voulmnius.
BRUTUS
Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
VOLUMNIUS
What says my lord?
BRUTUS
Why, this, Volumnius:
The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me
Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
(CAESAR RISES)
Then last night… now here in Philippi fields:
I know my hour is come.
MOVEMENT: CAESAR begins to circle, growing ever closer until final moment…

VOLUMNIUS
Not so, my lord.
BRUTUS
Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit:

THE SIX: SOUNDS BEGIN, build toward death.

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it.
VOLUMNIUS
That's not an office for a friend, my lord.

THE SIX: sounds, still

STRATO
Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
BRUTUS
Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
Farewell to thee, my Countrymen, farewell…
(seeing them, realizes)
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no one but they were true to me.

THE SIX: Alarum. Cry, 'Fly, fly, fly!'

STRATO
Fly, my lord, fly.
BRUTUS
Hence; I will follow.

(They pause- they know it’s a lie)

I prithee; Go.

They all leave. CAESAR has finally arrived. They stand face to face.
Hold then my sword, while I do run upon it.
(Runs on his sword)
Caesar, now be still:
I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.

Dies in Caesar’s arms, they fall together to the field. THE SIX beat out Brutus’ heart
until all is silent….

DRUMS. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA, LUCIUS, and the army

OCTAVIUS
What man is that?
LUCIUS
My Lord. You can but make a fire of him;
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no one else hath honour by his death.
OCTAVIUS (taking ‘stage’ and consolidating force- The Politican)
(x to him) So Brutus should be found.
All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.

Antony tries to take stage- already competing for spoils.

ANTONY
This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man!'

MOVEMENT: Octavius crowds in and Antony gives way during speech. CROWD
begins to take KNEE to Octavius on at a time. THE SIX begin whispering (as at top,
but end in “Must be…”), but the whispering builds, louder and louder as they encircle
him and possess him, becoming one with him by his last line…
OCTAVIUS
According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably.
So call the field to rest; and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day!

SPOTLIGHT on ANTONY (and SIX)

ANTONY
It must be by his Death.
BLACKOUT. DRUMS, BOWS