Julius Caesar: Plot Summary (AQA GCSE English Literature): Revision Note
Exam code: 8702
To prepare for your exam question on Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, it is best to have a thorough knowledge of the plot. While the exam question does not require you to simply recount the events in the play, it does require you to use your knowledge of the plot to form a structural analysis, which means you should consider how themes and characters develop (or not) through to the play’s end.
Overview of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is an historical tragedy written by William Shakespeare in 1599. Typical for Shakespearean tragedy, the play explores themes of power, ambition, and deception.
The plot follows a tragic hero, Brutus, a politician loyal to the republic of Rome. As in any tragedy, Brutus faces a dilemma and must make a crucial decision that will alter his fate. Brutus’ fatal flaw, or hamartia, is his naïve idealism. While his intentions (to save Rome and remain free) are noble, he is easily manipulated into siding with Cassius and the other conspirators to betray and assassinate Caesar.
The political plotting within the play exposes the paranoia in the Roman senate. Audiences witness senators and generals mistrusting each other, fearful of tyranny, and creating further chaos by causing civil war. Powerful speeches undermine competitors and conspirators, and are used to garner support from the people.
Arguably, Cassius is the play’s villain as he manipulates and deceives the tragic hero, Brutus. Warnings given by supernatural forces and wives are ignored. Caesar is murdered, as predicted, on the “ides of March”, and the conspirators face the consequences of their treachery. Brutus faces inevitable guilt and suffering for his hubris (opens in a new tab) and poor judgment; he is visited by Caesar’s ghost, and he begins to realise he may have contributed to Rome’s fall.
Antony proves to be a dangerous adversary as he deceives Brutus and plans brutal vengeance on behalf of Caesar. In the denouement (opens in a new tab), Cassius and Brutus die (by their own hands) as Antony and Caesar’s heir, Octavius, take control of Rome. The play’s ending leaves audiences ironically dubious about Rome’s future, thus implying a cycle of suspicion towards ambition and leadership.
Julius Caesar: Act-by-act plot summary
Act 1
In the streets, Romans celebrate Caesar’s victorious return from defeating Pompey’s sons
However, tribunes Flavius and Marullus warn the crowds not to make Caesar too powerful, as they fear he will “soar above the view of men” and enslave Rome
As Caesar arrives with his wife Calpurnia, he is warned by a soothsayer to be wary of the “ides of March”, which he brushes off
Cassius discusses Caesar’s ambition with Brutus, suggesting his potential to become a tyrant
Meanwhile, Caesar relates his suspicions to Antony about Cassius’ own hunger for power, suggesting he has a “hungry” look and should not be underestimated
Later, Casca reports on Caesar, describing how he refused to take the crown when it was offered, but Casca is not convinced this was done with sincerity
Cassius tells the audience that Brutus will be swayed, despite his honourable nature
Act 2
In the rising action (opens in a new tab), in his orchard, Brutus deliberates on Cassius’ plans:
He decides that he has nothing against Caesar but wants the best for Rome
The conspirators meet with Brutus and discuss assassinating Caesar and possibly Antony:
Brutus advises them this will be too “bloody”, and will make them seem like “butchers”, not honourable Romans
Portia expresses her worries about her husband and begs Brutus to confide in her:
She says he has some “sick offence” in his mind, and she fears the worst
In Scene 2, at Caesar’s house, Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife, has a dream that foresees the disruption of order:
In her dream, she sees Caesar’s statue pouring blood
She also recounts prophecies which appear to show a civil war, describing “Fierce fiery warriors” and a “lioness” who “whelped” (gave birth) in the street
Examiner Tips and Tricks
It’s useful to remember that examiners reward the use of quotes as references that evidence your argument. This means that the exam does not test your ability to remember strings of quotations but, rather, wants you to support a clear interpretation of the theme or character in the question. Remember, the term “references” in the exam mark scheme is not limited to quotations. You can also refer to key scenes and events.
An example of a precise textual reference used to support a point would be: “In Act I, Scene I, Shakespeare immediately presents discontent in Rome when tribune Flavius takes down decorations designed to welcome Caesar, and sternly tells the crowds not to so easily glorify him.”
Act 3
In the climax (opens in a new tab) of the play, in front of the “Capitol”, the soothsayer declares, “The ides of March are come”
Artemidorus tries to give Caesar an important letter, which is ignored
Brutus approaches, and he and Casca (with other conspirators) stab Caesar:
Cinna and Cassius declare the city has been liberated and is now free
Antony makes peace with Cassius and Brutus but later, alone, he tells the audience that Caesar will be avenged with violence and war
In Scene 2, citizens gather to hear the reasons for Caesar’s assassination:
Brutus convinces the people that they they are no longer “slaves”, but Antony’s speech, as predicted by Cassius, undermines Brutus
Angry crowds, stirred up by Antony, take to the streets to punish the conspirators:
A poet called Cinna is attacked for bearing the same name as a conspirator
Act 4
In Act 4, the falling action (opens in a new tab), Antony, as temporary ruler of Rome, forms a coalition with Caesar’s heir Octavius and senator Lepidus
In Brutus’ tent, Brutus and Cassius argue: Brutus rebukes Cassius for corruption, and Cassius accuses Brutus of being too self-righteous:
Audiences learn that Portia has killed herself
That night, Caesar's ghost appears to Brutus, describing himself as “thy evil spirit”
Act 5
In Scene 1, Antony and Octavius disagree over military tactics
Brutus and Cassius arrive with their armies, and they insult Antony
On their march to battle Cassius sees omens : ravens, crows, and kites which look down at them like they are “sickly prey”
On the battlefield, Cassius hears, wrongly, that his army is defeated and asks his servant to kill him
In the final scene, Brutus accepts defeat and, dishonoured, asks his men to kill him:
When they refuse, he stabs himself
Antony speaks with Octavius, and they offer Brutus the honourable burial of a soldier
Sources
https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare-learning-zone/julius-caesar (opens in a new tab)
“Julius Caesar: Entire Play.” Shakespeare (MIT), https://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/full.html (opens in a new tab). Accessed 31 July 2025
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