Have been trying to again synthesize info that Shakespeare gives us on his characters to help clarify them and events (as our Willie has chosen to present them) for myself. Any additions in {}'s are mine for clarification. Have added my own interps in places and have attempted to include interps from our group. Please feel free to challenge, correct or further clarify anything that I've said. Am reacting to what I've read and interpreted in this play - and not outside stuff. I have a very thick skin and have absolutely NO problems with interps of Shakespeare's words that are other than mine. Want yours too to help me understand this play better too! Onward, Macduff - oops! but that's another one! (laughing)

Shakespeare's Caesar

We can infer that he is in some position of local or national political & military power.

Common folk like him and make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph (I,i,33), which is not explained or clarified by our author

and is disliked by the tribunes Marullus and Flavius, who were loyal to Caesar's predecessor Pompey (I,i,35-78) [Sidenote: There is irony in the actions of these two in Scene i ! Dictionary says that a tribune (was) the unofficial defender of the rights of the individual, which these two guys are not!]

has slain his opponents' sons. And do you now strew flowers in his way that comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?(l. 54-55)

is childless, superstitious and blames wife Calpurnia for this state. [Stand you directly in Antonius way when he doth run his course....for our elders say the barren, touched in this holy chase, shake off their sterile curse.(I,ii,5 -11)]

is conscious of cries from the crowd & politely asks for soothsayer to be brought before him. "Beware the ides of March" - BUT chooses to ignore the warning "He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass" (l.28)

had a boyish playful side - challenge to Cassius to swim across Tiber in armor (that male one-upmanship thing in action)

wasn't a good swimmer, had to be rescued by Cassius from the river suffered from a fever in Spain

is deaf in his left ear. He says to Antony "Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf." (220) Think there's a little inside joke that Elizabethan's would have gotten. So, Caesar couldn't hear from his left ear, the side of the threatening, unlucky, inauspicious, fraudulent, evil. He wants to hear Antony in his right ear - the side of honesty, & good stuff. (We saw him ignore/brush off the ominous warnings already of the soothsayer!)

offered crown three times by Antony after Lupercalia race (240) according to conspirator Casca's testimony - not anyone else's (Casca does have an agenda here) - Caesar was sad & angry, "loath to lay his fingers off it" with having to refuse the offer of the crown. (241-259)

has epilepsy "the falling sickness"(260); grand mal seizure after his third refusal again, acc. to Casca - before the seizure, Casca says that Caesar "perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown, he plucked me ope{n} his doublet and offered them his throat to cut." ? to show that he didn't want to live with their ungratefulness???? (269-272) Was this true or just Casca stirring the pot? His comment that the crowd "forgave him with all their hearts. But there's no heed to be taken of them. If Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less." ((278-280) Casca seems to have a tendency to exaggerate too, like his good bud Cassius - and to manufacture his own truth too? Casca also implies that Caesar or someone loyal to him have killed off opposition. "I could tell you more news too. Marullus and Flavius for pulling scarves off Caesar's images are put to silence."(290-291)

Shakespeare's Cassius

enjoys sports; wants Brutus to join him in watching the races

Paranoid or a ploy? Claims to feel estranged from Brutus/ not as trusted as he once was. 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.(I,ii, 36-40)

flatters and lies as he begins his seduction of Brutus to his side/plot Can you see your face {see yourself}? No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself but by reflection, by some other things.....you have no such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness to your eye, that you might see your shadow. {see your reputation as others see you}.....I have heard where many of the best respect{ed folks} in Rome (Except immortal Caesar), speaking of Brutus and groaning underneath this ages yoke {does he mean Caesar again?!} have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes. (56-67)

tries to deflect Brutus suspicions. Offers to be Brutus mirror/ glass to show Brutus his worth(70-75), says Brutus shouldn't be jealous (suspicious) of him, that he's not a common buffoon, a kiss-up or a drunk who blabs everything (ll.75-83)

gloms onto Brutus slip about fearing Caesar as king and presses his suit. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so.(86-87)

"claims" honor matters to him too. "I cannot tell what you and other men think of this life, but for my single self, I had as lief {gladly, willingly} not be as live to be in awe of such a thing as myself." (98-102) - BUT DOES NOT connect this anecdote to any issue of "Honor"! His retelling of the swimming story is petty and a smear campaign!

enjoyed a free, well-fed and challenging life - as did Brutus & Caesar. Equates the three men (l04-105)

testosterone kicked in & accepts Caesar's dare to swim the Tiber in his armor! "...accoutered as I was, I plunged in and bade him follow." DUH!??!! {and where was Cassius' brain power? What idiot jumps into a river in armor to swim} and then he challenges Caesar to do the same!!! Caesar doesn't order Cassius to do this! Cassius takes the bait and jumps first!!!!

NOT a modest man! He compares himself to great Trojan hero Aeneas bearing his father Anchises on his back as they escaped burning Troy to his rescue of Caesar from drowning! Gimme a break!!!

blames Caesar for his own lack of sense in this "drowning" story, then nastily makes fun of Julius' weakness during a time of illness ..."this god did shake. His coward lips did from their color fly" etc. He calls Caesar names without providing specific evidence to support his claims! {why did he think Julius was a coward? because he was ill?} - & implies that these "weaknesses" of Caesar disqualify him as a ruler. (120-137)

has a tendency to hyperbole! "Why, man, he {Caesar} doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves." (141-144) Cassius sure does hate Caesar - but we still don't know specifically why - except for possible inference that he's jealous of Julius' successes and popularity. And isn't this Colossus image just a bit disgusting? If "we petty men" look up - what's there to see but a gigundo bum & other paraphenalia overhead! NOT too pleasant a picture obliterating views of the sky! ! ! Guess this is old Willie having some fun with us again.

tries to use the "well-that's-life it's fate" lines to excuse his own failure to succeed as Caesar did. "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings" (146-147)

ignores/forgets his country's own history - tries to inflammatorily slant the truth "When went there by an age since the great Flood but it was famed with more than with one man? When could they say (till now) that talked of Rome that her wide walls encompassed but one man?"(158-159) - So quickly Cassius forgets Tarquin Gracchus, Marius, Sulla, Cinna, Crassus, Pompey & Cicero - who kind of did their own things in Rome prior to Caesar's arrival on the scene.

Pulls the ancestor trick to sway Brutus. There was a Brutus once that would have brooked {permitted} the eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a king. (165-167) (Folgers says Lucius Junius Brutus, claimed by Brutus as an ancestor, according to legend opposed Tarquin, last of the ancient kings of Rome) So, since our Brutus ancestor fought against having a king rule Rome - Brutus should follow family tradition and do the same. Yeah, right! My friend or sisters going to go bungy jumping - so I'm going to do so too??? Not in this lifetime!

is distrusted by Caesar. Not for only thinking too much, but for not sleeping - for plotting during the night, for not living a balanced life with any joy in it, for being obsessed with others and what he doesn't have that they do! YES!!! Ginny's green-eyed monster thrives in this guy! He reads much, he is a great observer, and he looks quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays as thou dost, Antony; he hears no music. Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort {of way} as if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit that could be moved to smile at anything. Such men as he be never at hearts ease whiles they behold a greater than themselves, and therefore are they very dangerous.(208-217)

feels he can manipulate the much-respected Brutus. "Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet I see thy honorable mettle may be wrought from that it is disposed.....For who so firm cannot be seduced."(313-317)

knows Caesar finds him hard to tolerate as much as Caesar loves & respects Brutus. "Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus." (318)

plans to send a bunch of phony letters (via Cinna) to Brutus from several citizens to convince Brutus that Romans admire him more than Caesar.

claims to be not frightened by the pretty scary omens of that night. This man has no sense!!!

challenges fate by baring his bosom to the thunder-stone; and when the cross blue lightning seemed to open the breast of heave, I did present myself even in the aim and very flash of it. Does this guy have a death wish or is he so whacked out that he feels that he's impervious to any harm?

calls Casca a scaredy cat for not being afraid! "You look pale and gaze, and put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder to see the strange impatience of the heavens; But if you would consider the true cause why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts etc....."(63-75) believes that all of the omens the "...heaven hath infused them with these spirits to make them instruments of fear and warning unto some monstrous state." He goes even further and continues slinging the generic (not specific) mud at Caesar!!! "Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man most like this dreadful night that thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars as doth the lion in the Capitol; A man no mightier than thyself or me in personal action, yet prodigious grown and fearful, as these strange eruptions are."

learns from Casca that Senate plans to crown Caesar the next day & is ready with his dagger to prevent this (90-105)

has a hard, hard hate on for Caesar, but has never really given us any specific evidence for his loathing

plans to meet with Casca, Cinna, Metellus Cimber Decius Brutus and Trebonius at Pompey's Porch to work on plans.

Shakespeare's Brutus

is married. His wife Portia is with the company in the opening of this scene like Cassius, not clear about his rank or position

is at Caesar's side and in his company in beginning of scene ii.

Answers Caesar's Q about identity of soothsayer (I,ii,22)

not athletic & doesn't enjoy athletic events, isn't a gambler "I am not gamesome. I do lack some part of that quick spirit that is in Antony." (32-33)

is preoccupied with something that's bothering him BUT doesn't tell Cassius what this is!

claims he does consider Cassius a friend. "Cassius, be not deceived....I turn the trouble of my countenance merely upon myself. Vexed I am of late with passions of some difference, conceptions only proper to myself....let not therefore my good friends be grieved (among which number, Cassius, be you one)....that poor Brutus, with himself is at war, forgets the shows of love to other men." (41-53)

admits that he doesn't see himself as others see him (57-58)

is suspicious of Cassius and recognizes his flattery "Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me?" (68-70)

slips up & admits his concern. "I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king."(84 &-85)

admits he does love Caesar, but doesn't want him as king. (88-89)

sees himself as a logical/fair man who values "honor more than I fear death."(95)

knows what Cassius is up to (168-169), but asks Cassius to not press him further. Claims he will consider Cassius' points & will talk later.

claims he fears what future political conditions (? under Caesar?) may bring. Brutus had rather be a villager than to repute {consider, believe} himself a son of Rome under these hard conditions as this time is like to lay upon us.

notices the change in the mood of Caesars entourage. The angry spot doth glow on Caesars brow, and all the rest look like a chidden train. Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero looks with such ferret and fiery eyes as we have seen him in the Capitol being crossed in conference by some senators. (190-195)

Shakespeare's Antony

athletically inclined. Runs the Lupercalia races. Has Caesars ear and trust (I,ii,220)

offered Caesar the crown three times before the crowd of Roman citizens

knows that Caesar distrusts Cassius

Shakespeare's Casca

reports his take on events following Lupercalia races.

is an ally of Cassius

is reportedly of "quick mettle" (quick witted) when went to school with the guys & Cassius

says that he is now so in execution of any job given to him

relates strange & unnatural events of that evening, sees them as foreboding omens and agrees to join Cassius' conspiracy.(I,iii)