Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 1 summary

What happens

1. Caesar refuses to prioritize Artemidorus’s letter, while the conspirators briefly fear that Popilius Lena knows their plan.
2. Trebonius draws Antony away, and the conspirators gather around Caesar with a petition for Publius Cimber’s return.
3. Caesar refuses the petition; Casca strikes first, Brutus strikes last, and Caesar dies.
4. The conspirators proclaim freedom and prepare to display their bloodied hands and swords in the marketplace.
5. Antony shakes their hands and gains permission to deliver a funeral speech, despite Cassius’s warning about his influence.
6. Alone, Antony predicts revenge and civil war; he then delays a servant’s return to Octavius until the crowd’s reaction becomes clear.

In this scene

What to notice

Caesar singles out Brutus at the moment of death. The line makes their personal bond central to the public killing.

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