The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

The characters

Julius Caesaro Triumphant general and political

leader of romeo Highly competent and multi-talentedo Condescending and arroganto Frequently uses 3rd person (Caesar)

instead of “I” to refer to himselfo Repeatedly ignores warnings about

his safety

Marcus Brutuso Roman senatoro Helps plan and carry out Caesar’s

assassinationo Sided with Pompey against Caesar during

the Roman civil war in 49 b.c.o Pardoned by Caesar when Caesar

defeated Pompey in 48 b.c.o Appointed governor of Cisalpine Gaul in 46

b.c.o His downfall and death are the real

tragedy of the play

Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony)o A member of the ruling triumvirate

after the assassination of Caesaro Known as Mark Antony or simply

Antonyo Cunning and pragmatic (practical)o He can wield words as effectively as

he wields weapons

Cassiuso Clever and manipulative senatoro Persuades Brutus to join the

assassination conspiracyo His motivation for conspiracy against

Caesar is jealousy

Octavius Caesar (Octavian)o Grandnephew of Julius Caesaro Member of the ruling triumvirate

after Caesar’s assassinationo Later becomes emperor of Rome as

Augustus Caesar

Cascao One of the leading conspirators

against Caesaro The first of the conspirators to stab

Caesar, plunging a dagger into his back

Other conspiratorso Trebonius, Ligarius, Decius Brutus,

Metellus, Cimber, Cinnao Of note: at least 59 conspirators

participated in the actual assassination of Caesar in 44 B.C.

Tribuneso A tribune is an officer of ancient

Rome elected by the plebeians (common people) to protect their rights

o Flavius and Marullus are Tribunes in Julius Caesar

Artemidoruso Teacher of rhetoric (study of using

language effectively and persuasively)

o Attempts to warn Caesar that Brutus, Cassius, and others have turned against him

Soothsayero Seer who warns Caesar to beware

the Ides of March (March 15th)o Not given a name by Shakespeareo Ancient texts give the seer’s name

as Spurinna

Calpurniao Julius Caesar’s wife

Portiao Brutus’s wife