Plot

A quick overview of what happens in the plot of Julius Caesar.

  • The citizens of Rome gather to celebrate Julius Caesar’s triumphant return from war.

    Did You Know? Julius Caesar

    Shakespeare probably first learned about the story of Julius Caesar from a history book he read in school. It was called 'Lives of the Great Romans' by Plutarch.

  • Cassius and Brutus are senators. They feel that Caesar is becoming too powerful and too much like a king. Cassius talks to Brutus about overthrowing Caesar.

  • Cassius and his fellow conspirators visit Brutus to discuss their plot to murder Caesar at the Senate. Brutus’ wife, Portia, is worried and begs Brutus to tell her what's happening but he refuses.

  • Caesar’s wife, Calphurnia, warns Caesar to stay indoors as she has dreamt about his death but Caesar is persuaded to go to the Senate by one of the conspirators.

  • Caesar is stabbed to death by the conspirators on the steps of the senate. Brutus delivers the final wound.

  • Antony, who was friends with Caesar, shakes hands with the conspirators. When he is left alone, Antony curses the murderers and talks of revenge.

    Did you know? Antony

    Mark Antony features in another of Shakespeare’s plays, called Antony and Cleopatra. This play takes place years after Julius Caesar finishes and tells the story of his love for the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, and their tragic end.

  • Brutus and Antony speak to the crowd at Caesar’s funeral. At first the crowd support Brutus but when Antony shows them Caesar’s wounds and reads his will, the crowd turn against Brutus and the conspirators flee the city. 

  • Brutus and Cassius gather an army to fight against Antony. They argue before the fight and Brutus sees a vision of Caesar’s ghost.  

  • Brutus is hopeful in battle but Cassius hears a mistaken report that his own troops are losing and kills himself. When his army is defeated, Brutus refuses to be captured and also kills himself.

  • Antony wins the battle and praises Brutus’ honour. Antony returns to rule Rome, with Caesar's great-nephew Octavius.

Teacher Notes

The following activity is a great way to introduce the story of Julius Caesar to a group of students who are getting to know the play.

The story in Twenty Minutes (2017)

The activity can be found on page 3 and takes approximately 40 minutes.

You can also print the ten lines on this page and ask students to work in pairs to arrange them in the order they take place in the play.