Exploring Shakespeare

Julius Caesar - Act 3 Scene 2

Watch as Antony (Ariyon Bakare) appeals to the crowd's emotions in order to end their support for the conspirators.

Julius Caesar - Act 3 Scene 2

Watch as Brutus (John Light) explains why conspirators murdered Caesar.

Designer interview

Find out how Stephen Brimson Lewis designed the set to emphasise the power of words in Julius Caesar.

Performance photo gallery

Caesar's murder, Brutus and Antony's powerful speeches and more key moments in Sean Holmes' 2006 production.

Rehearsal photo gallery

Join the actors behind the scenes as the cast rehearse fight scenes at the RSC studios in Stratford.

Teachers' notes [PDF 400K]

Activities for teaching Julius Caesar, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)

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We make holiday to see Caesar, and to rejoice in his triumph.

The people of Rome celebrate Caesar's victory.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

When Caesar says, 'Do this', it is performed.

Caesar (James Hayes) arrives in Rome.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.

Caesar (James Hayes) tells Antony (Ariyon Bakare) that he does not trust Cassius.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

He put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.

Casca (Joseph Alessi) tells Brutus (John Light) and Cassius (Finbar Lynch) that the people of Rome offered Caesar a crown three times but he refused it.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

But you, and I, and honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.

Cassius (Finbar Lynch) and Casca (Joseph Alessi). This photograph shows more details of Stephen Brimson Lewis' set. Clouds are projected onto a horizontal panel above the actors.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Are you not moved, when all the sway of the earth shakes like a thing unfirm?

Casca (Joseph Alessi) tells Cicero (Ewen Cummins) that the storm holds bad omens.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 3
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I have made strong proof of my constancy, giving myself a voluntary wound here, in the thigh.

Portia (Mariah Gale) proves that she can cope with what Brutus (John Light) will tell her by wounding herself.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. Do not go forth today.

Calphurnia (Golda Rosheuvel) warns Caesar (James Hayes) that she has seen bad omens in the storm.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 2
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Et tu, Brute? - Then fall Caesar!

Casca (Joseph Alessi) murders Caesar (James Hayes) with the conspirators after he has given a speech.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!

A commotion erupts after Caesar is stabbed.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Stoop, Romans, stoop, and let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood.

Brutus (John Light) suggests the conspirators cover themselves in Caesar's (John Hayes) blood and walk through Rome.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Let each man render me his bloody hand.

Antony (Ariyon Bakare) forgives the conspirators.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

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.

Brutus (John Light) speaks to the crowd suggesting that they make him the new Caesar.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Pau Ros
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

Ariyon Bakare, as Antony, on crutches with a broken leg! On screen, clever positioning could hide this but in theatre, the director needs to decide whether to replace the actor. Ariyon adapted his role until he could manage without the crutches.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Thou hast described a hot friend cooling.

Brutus (John Light) asks Lucilius (Paul Barnhill) enter with the army. Brutus asks Lucilius how he was received by Cassius.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm to sell and mart your offices for gold to underservers.

Brutus (John Light) and Cassius (Finbar Lynch) argue over Cassius letting his officers accept bribes.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05
Copyright: © RSC 2006

How 'scaped I killing, when I crossed you so? O insupportable and touching loss!

Brutus (John Light) and Cassius (Finbar Lynch) end their argument when Cassius finds out that Brutus's wife, Portia, is dead.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05

Canst thou hold up they heavy eyes awhile, and touch thy instrument a strain or two?

Brutus (John Light) asks Lucius (Craig Gazey) to play him a song before he goes to bed.

Act and Scene: Act 4 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05

Caesar, thou art revenged, even with the sword that killed thee.

Pindarus (David Rubin), a slave, helps Cassius (Finbar Lynch) kill himself when Cassius mistakenly thinks that his friend Titinius is going to be killed.

Act and Scene: Act 5 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-05