Julius Caesar is very much a warrior and he thinks that he is above every one else and that he is more than an ordinary man. As a result he is very arrogant and takes very little notice of the people around him. As far as he is concerned, they are meaningless and not worth his time. He believes he is honourable but really is not. In a way he wants to be trusted and to be a trusted leader of the Roman people but he is very unwilling to do anything to gain trust. Ordinary people have a great deal of respect for Caesar and probably believe that he would be a good, powerful leader who has Roman’s troubles at heart.
Caesar probably believes those things as well but he is ruthless and he craves power. He also believes that everybody likes him and that is why he’s surprised when the conspirators approach him. Then he realises that they have seen through his façade and see that he is really an arrogant power-crazy man. Mark Antony is a very honourable soldier who is loyal to anyone in power. He was a great friend to Caesar and thought very highly of him. He is extremely angry at Caesar’s death. He is a very cunning man as can be seen in the second part of the scene and he is able to manipulate people.
He cared a lot for Caesar and as a result he grieved a lot when Caesar was killed. Because he was very close to Caesar he wants revenge and, although he can hide it, has a lot of hatred for the conspirators who killed Caesar. At first it seemed that he was so upset that Caesar had died that he would wish to die also. However, later he seems to decide that revenging his death would be a better way. He knows the conspirators only as other Romans, he does not know them as friends and knows very little about them.
As a result he may not know about Cassius’ cunning mind that has already discovered Mark Antony’s plan for revenge. Cassius is very crafty and tactful. He sees through most people to what they are truly like. He is also very good at manipulating people, much like Mark Antony. He is a friend to Brutus but he took advantage of that friendship to make sure he killed Caesar. He despised Caesar and people like him. He believes in a truly democratic government for Rome whereas Caesar wanted one leader – him.
Cassius saw that Caesar was hungry for power and would not stop until he got it and Cassius refused to let that happen. He is very loyal to Rome and very determined. He saw that Caesar had his weaknesses and he took advantage of them and he will probably do the same with Mark Antony. He can see that Mark Antony is not being sincere when talking to Brutus and he can see that Mark Antony does not indeed place his loyalty with the conspirators but is in fact determined for revenge. He can also see that Mark Antony does not plan all saying all good things about the conspirators at Caesar’s funeral.
It is unlikely that Cassius can see that Brutus will die because he believes that now Caesar is dead, everything will return to normal and everything will be all right. Brutus is very loyal to Rome and his friendship with Cassius. Right from the beginning he liked Caesar and in a way he probably regrets killing him. Unfortunately, Brutus is very easily manipulated and Cassius sees that and makes use of it but Brutus does not realise that Cassius is taking advantage of him. He also does not appear to see Mark Antony’s plans and ignores Cassius’ warnings.
He therefore, allows Mark Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus has a strong, good character and is a very morally correct person. However he has far too much trust in everyone and fails to understand that not everyone has good ideas at heart. He also does not realise that people could try to deceive and take advantage of him. As far as he can see, Mark Antony is an honourable warrior who will now place his loyalty in the conspirators without question and will do whatever they want. He refuses to listen to Cassius when he warns Brutus of the true character behind Mark Antony’s skin.
At the beginning of the scene the atmosphere is light. Caesar is his usual arrogant self and he is only mildly irritated at the people petitioning in the street. As the scene develops a bit of tension arises when Cassius starts to worry that they have been discovered. For a short time, Brutus seems to manage to squash these fears in Cassius. When Caesar starts talking he is very arrogant and uninterested. He does not look at the people he is talking to as he is above them in his own mind. He therefore looks as he is addressing no one in particular as to him, no one else matters.
Tension rises towards the end of Caesar’s last speech as the conspirators start to surround him. When Cinna shouts out Caesar then starts to get worried and he is surprised. When he dies there is a short time of sadness as he falls to the floor with little surprise. Then the atmosphere lightens considerably when the conspirators address the crowd. The atmosphere darkens a bit then as Publius is told that he must not be held accountable for what they have done. Then the atmosphere dies slightly when Cassius states that although Caesar is dead, there is still evil in the world that is not dead.
When Mark Antony arrives there is slight tension because Cassius can be seen to be certain that Mark Antony will not do as he says he will whereas Brutus believes that he will. Then when Mark Antony begins his soliloquy the atmosphere darkens a lot as Mark Antony’s true intentions are discovered. For the assassination, the lights should darken towards the end of Caesar’s last speech as the conspirators surround him. Then there should be some dramatic music until after the conspirators stab him, Casca being the first.
Then there is silence when it is unsure whether Brutus will kill him and then a finale when Brutus stabs Caesar. There should then be some very cheerful celebration music when the conspirators cry about in the streets that Caesar is dead. The music will stop for the next part. When Mark Antony’s soliloquy begins everything will be dark except one spotlight on Mark Antony and music starting quietly and then when he has finished speaking it is brought to a loud finish. Then all will go dark for the beginning of the next scene.
