Guide to Character Development- Julius Caesar

Shakespeare reveals his characters in four ways:

1. Through what the characters say to other characters in dialogue
2. Through what the characters reveal about their thoughts through long speeches to the audience called
soliloquies
3. Through what other characters say about them
4. Through what they do, their actions
As you read the play, examine the text for what they reveal about the character and fill in the chart using your
own words. Use complete sentences in your analysis. Explain in detail the characters personality, and/or how
that influences other characters, and how you think that might impact the plot. Or, if you remember the outcome
of the play, you can write how this may foreshadow or hint at whats to come. (Just make sure you are
ANALYZING and really developing a few sentences of inferences.)
Scene
Act I,
Scene I

Act 1,
Scene 2

Act 1,
Scene 3

Brutus
What Brutus Says, does or what others
What this reveals about Brutuss character
say about him
I am not gamesome. I do lack some part/Of Knowing that later in the book, that Antony seeks
that quick spirit that is in Antony.
revenge on Brutus and the conspirators, I find this
quote significant. It shows the difference between
Brutus and Antony, and maybe this is why Antony
wins in the end and Brutus loses. That lack of
competitive spirit might have caused Brutus to not
strive as hard to win over the Roman citizens.
If it be aught toward the general good, Set
This quote expresses the general good that is in
honor in one eye and death I th other, And I Brutus and how he does not do things for himself, but
will look on both indifferently, for let the
rather for the good of the public. Cassius then flatters
gods so speed me as I love the honor more
Brutus and tells him how his actions and thoughts are
than I fear death.
so great and pure. Brutus innocence and kindness
might have led him to become more easily
manipulated by Cassius. Also, The quote foreshadows
Brutus death because he says that he cares more
about honor than he cares about death; consequently,
in the end he decides to commit suicide, since
Romans believed suicide was very honorable.
Oh he sits high in all peoples hearts, and
Brutus respectable aura in Rome is demonstrated as
that which would appear offense in us, his
Casca explains Brutus importance in their plans due
countenance, like the richest alchemy, will
to his high rank and his popularity with the citizens of
change to virtue and to worthiness.
Rome. The quote provides a simile comparing Brutus
role in the conspiracy to the richest alchemy. Like
how alchemy changes metal into gold, Brutus will
change their actions from being malevolent to being
justified. Realizing his value, the other conspirators
treat Brutus with the utmost respect and flattery. For
example, when Brutus refused Cicero into their party,
the other conspirators immediately changed their
opinions and agreed. Therefore, this quote reveals
that the conspirators are so kind to Brutus only
because of the weight he carries into the group, which
later on does affect the opinions of the Romans for a

short period of time until Mark Antony makes his

speech.
Scene
Act 1,
Scene 2

Act 1
Scene 3

Act 1,
Scene 3

Scene

Cassius
What Cassius Says, does or what others
What this reveals about Cassiuss character
say about him
He loves no plays. As thou dost, Antony, He Caesar gives us an insight into Cassius life and his
hears no music. Seldom he smiles, and
actions and why he should be feared. From Caesar, it
smiles in such a sort as if he mocked himself can be inferred that Cassius is a blunt, unhappy
and scorned his spirit that could be moved to individual who has no pastimes that he enjoys. Due to
smile at anything. Such men as he be never
his unsatisfactory status in life, this might be some of
at hearts ease whiles they behold a greater
the reasons why Cassius would want to overthrow
than themselves and therefore are they very
Caesar. Unlike Brutus who plans to murder Caesar for
dangerous.
the good of all, Cassius might want to only murder
him for selfish reasons so that he could have all the
power that he envies in Caesar. However, Antony
disagrees with Caesar and exclaims that Cassius is a
nobleman Roman and he isnt dangerous. Caesars
suspicions are confirmed later on, and he is killed.
I know where I will wear this dagger then.
This reveals Cassius tenacity as he will do anything
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
to not have to live under Caesars rule, even kill
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most
himself. Also, the quote displays how much he truly
strong.
believes what he is doing to right and how much he
fears Caesar. Also, it reinforces the idea that suicide is
noble, that the gods will reward those that were noble
enough to take their own life; hence, rewarding the
weak by making them strong. Suicide is a major
theme in Julius Caesar since many of the characters
commit this. In addition, this foreshadows Cassius
death where he does commit suicide and provides an
insight to why he would take his life, which was
because hed rather die than live with defeat. Casca
agrees with him and believes every man has the
power to free himself from slavery by committing
suicide, which Casca does as well.
I know he would not be a wolf but that he
Cassius believes the citizens of Rome are weak and
sees the Romans are but sheep. He were no
ignorant and blames them for the reason that Caesar
lion were not Romans hinds. Those that with might become king. Cassius opinion of the Roman
haste will make a mighty fire begins with it
people might have provoked him to take action
weak straws. What trash is Rome, what
against Caesar assuming most of the Romans were
rubbish and what offal, when it serves for the too blind to see behind Caesars displays. This might
base matter to illuminate so vile a thing as
also elucidate why Cassius needs Brutus with his
Caesar!
conspiracy because Cassius himself is probably not
popular with the Roman people like Brutus is, due to
Cassius disgust for the citizens of Rome. This
passage from Cassius seems to have been the final
obstacle to convincing Casca to join his cause
because Casca agrees to join afterwards.
Caesar
What Caesar Says, does or what others
What this reveals about Caesars character

Act 1,
Scene 2

say about him

I rather tell thee what is to be feared than
what I fear, for always I am Caesar.

Act 1,
Scene 2

He had a fever when he was in Spain, and

when the fit was on him, I did mark how he
did shake. Tis true, this god did shake! His
coward lips did from their color fly.

Act 1,
Scene 2

Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow

world like a Colossus, and we petty men
walk under his huge legs and peep about to
find ourselves dishonorable graves.

Scene
Act 1,
Scene 2

Act 1,
Scene 2

By telling Antony what should be feared, but

claiming that he doesnt fear it expresses Julius
Caesars conceitedness. It is obvious that Caesar does
fear that Cassius is plotting something to overthrow
him but he masks his anxiety by stating that since he
is Caesar he does not fear. Caesars arrogance and
egocentricity might have been some abhorrent
qualities that Cassius loathed which spurred him into
action since Cassius often sarcastically describes
Caesar as being a god and everyone else as being ants
beneath his giant feet.
Cassius tells the story of when Caesar became ill in
Spain to Brutus in order to persuade him that Caesar
should not be king. This story reveals that even
Caesar, who is like a god to the people, can be weak
and sick. Cassius believes that a man that could be so
weak should not become king. Cassius uses diction
such as coward and shake to emphasize Caesars
hidden weak side. The quote lowers the authoritative
image of Caesar to Brutus and helps convince him to
join Cassius plot.
Cassius compares Caesar to a Colossus or a statue
much bigger than life size. This shows us that the
Roman people think of Caesar of great importance
and authority and Caesar thinks of himself as higher
than everyone else as well. Also, this displays the
anger Cassius feels toward Caesar who sits in a
higher rank than he. In addition, there is fear that
Caesar will become too powerful and make everyone
into slaves. This hints that the educated citizens of
Rome know Caesar is not as kind and virtuous as he
appears to be. Cassius words create an image of
Caesars unfair stature in Rome and his disparaging
gaze of those below him which further persuades
Brutus of killing Caesar.

Antony
What Antony Says, does or what others
What this reveals about Antonys character
say about him
He loves no plays, as thou dost, Antony. He The way Caesar gives a comparison between Antony
hears no music.
and Cassius brings out Antonys personality. From
Caesar, we can conclude that Antony is outgoing and
social and someone who enjoys entertainment since
he goes to plays and that he enjoys listening to music.
These are qualities that Caesar likes which may
explain why Antony is Caesars right hand man,
simply because he is pleasing to be around.
I shall remember, When Caesar says, do
Seeing that Antony would do anything Caesar says
this, it is performed
shows his loyalty to Caesar and how good a friend he
is. Caesar values these characteristics of Antony

Act 2,
Scene 1

I think it is not meet Mark Antony, so well

beloved of Caesar, should outlive Caesar. We
shall find of him a shrewd contriver. And,
you know, his means, if he improve them,
may stretch so far as to annoy us all; which
to prevent, Let Antony and Caesar fall
together.

knowing that Antony will not turn his back on him.

Knowing Antonys love for Caesar is important
because later on in the play he avenges Caesars
death.
Cassius fearing Mark Antonys vengeance further
expands the love Antony has for Caesar and the fact
that Antony does not give up easily, contrary to
Brutus notion that Antony would simply cry and do
nothing. Also, the mention of Antonys means
offers the impression that Antony knows influential
people that would support his causes, or that he is
popular with the Romans. In addition, the quote
foreshadows Antonys revenge on the conspirators
after the death of Caesar which proves Cassius fears.