Julius Caesar (2017)

Plot synopsis

Commoners celebrate Caesar’s victory over Pompey and are reprimanded by tribunes. Elsewhere, a soothsayer warns Caesar to beware the Ides of March; Cassius and Brutus discuss their fears of Caesar’s growing power; Caesar confides to Antony his distrust of Cassius; and Casca describes the spectacle of Antony thrice offering Caesar a crown (and he thrice refusing it).

Rome is beset by unnatural phenomena as Cassius, Casca and others solidify their resistance to Caesar. Brutus concludes death is the only way to prevent Caesar from becoming a tyrant. His wife, Portia, rebukes him for excluding her from his heavy thoughts. The conspirators arrive and plan to kill Caesar at the Capitol the next day.

Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, has ominous dreams and implores Caesar to stay home. He initially agrees but then changes his mind. On his way to the Capitol, Caesar again ignores the soothsayer’s warning. The conspirators stab Caesar and proclaim liberty and freedom from tyranny. Brutus promises Antony safety and justification for killing Caesar. Antony makes shows of friendship, but when alone, he swears vengeance.

Brutus appears before the people to explain that he loved Caesar but killed him for the good of Rome. The people cheer him. Antony follows, grieving the loss of his beloved friend, and whips the crowd into a frenzy against the conspirators. The enraged mob rushes off to avenge Caesar’s death.

Rome is plunged into civil war; Antony and Octavius (Caesar’s adopted heir) oppose Brutus’ and Cassius’ forces. Brutus and Cassius quarrel over honor; they reconcile and Brutus reveals that Portia has killed herself. They receive new information about enemy troop movements and prepare their armies to march separately to Philippi. Alone, Brutus is haunted by Caesar’s ghost, who promises he’ll return at Philippi.

Confusion and misinformation soon overtake the battle at Philippi. When the dust settles, neither Brutus nor Cassius has survived the day. Antony and Octavius emerge victorious and praise Brutus as “the Noblest Roman of them all.”

—Heidi Schmidt, dramaturg