Brutus delivers an oration defending his actions, and for the moment, the crowd is on his side. They prove this by not attempting to flee the scene. The conspirators make clear that they committed this killing for the good of Rome, to prevent an autocrat. Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1852–1917), as Mark Anthony in 'Julius Caesar' by William Shakespeare, Charles A. Brutus reads the letters and, after much moral debate, decides to join the conspiracy, thinking that Caesar should be killed to prevent him from doing anything against the people of Rome if he were ever to be crowned. On the eve of the ides of March, the conspirators meet and reveal that they have forged letters of support from the Roman people to tempt Brutus into joining. He describes how the crowd applauded Caesar for denying the crown, and how this upset Caesar. Casca tells them that each time Caesar refused it with increasing reluctance, hoping that the crowd watching would insist that he accept the crown.

They then hear from Casca that Mark Antony has offered Caesar the crown of Rome three times. Although Brutus, friendly towards Caesar, is hesitant to kill him, he agrees that Caesar may be abusing his power. Meanwhile, Cassius attempts to convince Brutus to join his conspiracy to kill Caesar. During the feast of Lupercal, Caesar holds a victory parade and a soothsayer warns him to 'Beware the ides of March,' which he ignores. The tribunes, insulting the crowd for their change in loyalty from Pompey to Caesar, attempt to end the festivities and break up the commoners, who return the insults. The play opens with two tribunes (appointed leaders/officials of Rome) discovering the commoners of Rome celebrating Julius Caesar's triumphant return from defeating the sons of his military rival, Pompey. Other soldiers, senators, plebeians, and attendants.Poet (believed to be based on Marcus Favonios).Soothsayer – a person supposed to be able to foresee the future.

The tragedy of julius caesar book