Julius Caesar

Also known as: Caesar / Ghost of Caesar · Family: Roman · Role: leader · First appears: Julius Caesar · Act I, Scene I

At Rome, Julius Caesar’s triumph over Pompey the Great prompts a public holiday, while Flavius and Marullus move to strip Caesar’s images and trophies from the streets and are later silenced. Mark Antony serves him and offers him a crown three times, which Caesar refuses; Caesar loves Marcus Brutus, regards Caius Cassius as dangerous, and faces opposition from Casca, Cinna, Decius Brutus, Trebonius, and Metellus Cimber. He is also married to Calphurnia, has summoned Octavius Caesar to Rome, and maintains a patron’s relationship with Decius Brutus, Publius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius.

On the day the Senate plans to crown him, Caesar first agrees to remain home at Calphurnia’s urging, but Decius Brutus persuades him to go to the Capitol. There, Caesar refuses Metellus Cimber’s plea to end Publius Cimber’s banishment and does not act on Artemidorus’ warning. The conspirators attack him; Casca strikes first, several others follow, and Marcus Brutus delivers the final blow.

After Caesar’s death, Cinna proclaims liberty, while Marcus Brutus and Mark Antony address the Roman people. Mark Antony reveals Caesar’s gifts of money, walks, arbors, and orchards to Rome, turning the citizens against the conspirators. Octavius Caesar continues the fight to avenge Caesar’s assassination; at Philippi, Caesar appears as the Ghost of Caesar to Marcus Brutus, and Caius Cassius dies by the sword that killed him.