I. THE FUNERAL OF JULIUS CÆSAR. [INTRODUCTION.-The passage here given forms the second scene, act iii., of Shakespeare's play of Julius Cæsar (written about 1600, and first printed in 1623). The events represented immediately follow the assassination of Cæsar. B.C. 44. Mark Antony, a friend of Cæsar, had been allowed by Brutus and Cassius, the leaders of the conspiracy, “to speak at Cæsar's funeral." Cassius had objected to granting Antony this privilege, lest his words should "move" the people; but Brutus overcame this by proposing that he should himself speak first and "show the reason of our Cæsar's death." The scene opens with the Roman populace clamoring to know this reason.] Scene The Forum in Rome. Present BRUTUS and CASSIUS and a throng of Citizens. Citizens. We will be satisfied ;* let us be satisfied. Brutus. Then follow me, and give me audience,* friends.— Cassius, go you into the other street, And part the numbers.— Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; Those that will follow Cassius, go with him ; And public reasons shall be rendered Of Cæsar's death. NOTES.-Line 1. We... satisfied: that 7. public reasons... rendered. "Public is, We are determined to receive a satisfactory explanation of the 4. part, etc., divide the multitude. reasons = reasons of a public nature; "rendered" = given. The rhythm makes the word a trisyllable. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-What is the nature of the verse in which this play (save in its prose parts) is written? Ans. It is blank verse. Define (see Def. 18).—What is the measure? Ans. The measure is pentameter, consisting of five feet of two syllables each, with the accent on the second; thusThen follow me', | and give' | me au' | dience, friends'. I. satisfied. What is the etymology of this word? (See Glossary.) 2. audience. Derivation of? What is the distinction between audience (abstract) and an audience? 2, 3. Then foliow, etc. Cassius, go, etc. grammatically considered? (See Def. 54.) 5. 'em: a contraction of what? What kind of sentences are these, The asterisk [*] in this book always indicates that the word to which it is affixed will be found in the Glossary. 5 First Citizen. I will hear Brutus speak. Second Citizen. I will hear Cassius; and compare their reasons, 10 When severally we hear them rendered. [Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes into the pulpit.] Third Citizen. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence! Brutus. Be patient till the last. * Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear; believe me for mine honor, and have 1❗ respect to mine honor, that you may believe; censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say that Brutus' love to Cæsar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Cæsar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Cæsar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Cæsar were living, and die all slaves, than that Cæsar were dead, to live all free men? As Cæsar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him: but, as 25 20 10. and compare: that is, and let us compare. [The "pulpit" here means the ele vated platform called rostrum, from which orators addressed the people.] 12. is ascended. We should now use the auxiliary has; but in Shake speare's time (as also long afterwards) the compound tenses of verbs of motion were generally formed with the auxiliary to be, and not as now with to have. 14. lovers, friends. 16. censure me: that is, judge me, form an opinion of me. Supply the ellipsis. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-10. and compare. 14-32. Romans, countrymen... reply. Is the speech of Brutus that of one who is convinced of the justice of his cause? Does it, at the same time show that he deemed that it would require an effort to convince others of it? Hence what is the tenor of the speech-argumentative or emotional? May this account for its being in prose? 14-18. Romans .judge. Show the corresponding parts in this balanced sentence. (See Def. 58, ii.) What words are effectively repeated? What synonym is used for " censure ?" 24-26. As Cæsar... him. What is the figure of speech in this sentence? See Def. 33.) What subsequent sentence has the same figure? he was ambitious,* I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman ? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. All. None, Brutus, none. 30 I have done no more Brutus. Then none have I offended. to Cæsar than you shall do to Brutus. death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated* wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced for which he suffered death. Enter ANTONY and others, with CESAR's body. Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony: who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dy- 40 ing, a place in the commonwealth; as which of you shall not? With this I depart-that, as I slew my best lover for the good 29. rude, barbarous. 35, 36. The question... enrolled = the matter of his death (as far as 37. enforced, overstated, exaggerated. insinuates that they had been deprived of their independence under the tyranny of Cæsar, but that now they should have their full rights, their "place in the commonwealth." 41. as which of you, etc. Brutus here 42. my best lover = him I loved best. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-26. ambitious. word? What is the literal meaning of this There is. The construction "there is" followed by a plural or by several subjects occurs frequently in Shakespeare, but it is not authorized by modern grammatical rule. 29-32. Who is here... offended. Suppose these three interrogatories had been united in one, would they have been as effective as they are now? Try this arrangement and compare. 30. him have I, etc. Is this the direct or the rhetorical order? (See Def. 45.) What is the result? [Give the derivation of "censure" (16); how does its Shakespearian differ from its modern meaning? Etymology of "rude" (29)? Of “extenuate” (36)?] of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death. All. Live, Brutus ! live, live! First Citizen. Bring him with triumph home unto his house. Third Citizen. Let him be Cæsar. Fourth Citizen. Shall be crowned in Brutus. Cæsar's better parts First Citizen. We'll bring him to his house with shouts and 45 50 clamors. Brutus. My countrymen, Second Citizen. First Citizen. Peace, ho! Peace, silence! Brutus speaks. 55 Brutus. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, And for my sake stay here with Antony. Do grace to Cæsar's corpse,* and grace his speech I do entreat you, not a man depart, 47. a statue, etc. Brutus (Marcus Ju nius) was reputed to be a de- 60 [Exit. thus ended kingly rule in Rome. 58. Do grace do honor. 61. not... depart: that is, let not a man depart. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-43. I have the same dagger, etc. From what does the energy of this expression arise? (See Def. 52, ii.) Suppose a general instead of a specific term had been used-thus, "As I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, so I am prepared to meet the same fate," etc.-would the expression be as energetic?-Did Brutus actually put an end to his life? Under what circumstances? (Consult Roman History.) 58. corpse. Give the derivation of this word, and explain its meaning. What was the form of the word in Shakspeare's time? (See Glossary.) What is another modern form of this word? 62. Save I alone. This is an irregular construction, since "save," whether regarded as a verb imperative (which it is in origin) or as a preposition (which it is in use), requires its object in the objective case.'-spoke, curtailed form (common in Shakespeare) for spoken. 46 'Abbott (Shakespearian Grammar, p. 81) suggests that save seems to be used for saved"- I being the nominative absolute. II. First Citizen. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. Third Citizen. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him.-Noble Antony, go up. Antony. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. [Goes up. Fourth Citizen. What does he say of Brutus ? Third Citizen. He finds himself beholding to us all. He says, for Brutus' sake, 65 Fourth Citizen. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 70 First Citizen. This Cæsar was a tyrant. Third Citizen. We're blessed that Rome is rid of him. Nay, that's certain : Third Citizen. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. Citizens. 75 Peace, ho! let us hear him. Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them, If it were so, it was a grievous fault,- 64. public chair: that is, the "pulpit," | 81. So let it be with Cæsar: that is, let or rostrum, from which Brutus had spoken. 66. beholding, beholden, obliged. his goodness be buried with him, and not made the theme of my praise. LITERARY ANALYSIS. 77. Friends, Romans, etc. In this speech, the aim of Antony (unlike that of Brutus) was to move the feelings of his audience. But it was necessary for him to do so covertly; for when he obtained permission to speak, he was, by Brutus, placed under this limitation "You shall not in your funeral speech blame us." Considering the delicacy of the task, what do you think of the speech? Give reasons for your opinion. 77. lend me your ears. What figure of speech? (See Def. 29.) Change into plain language. 78. I come to bury Cæsar, etc. 79, 80. lives... is interred. Give the derivation of inter. What figure of speech? (See Def. 18.) 80 |