Key Characters in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Play

Julius Caesar: Rome's Ambitious Leader

Julius Caesar is the leader of Rome who hopes to be crowned head of the entire Roman Empire. The entire play revolves around this event and the attempts of his close friend Antony to avenge his death and restore order to Rome.

Octavius Caesar: Julius's Heir

Octavius Caesar is Julius Caesar's heir.

Mark Antony: Loyal Friend and Avenger

Mark Antony is Julius Caesar's trusted companion. After Caesar's assassination, Antony turns the crowds against the conspirators.

Marcus Brutus: The Idealistic Conspirator

Marcus Brutus is a supposed good friend of Julius Caesar. He is an idealistic man, motivated by nobility and principles rather than by personal relationships. He agrees to the plot to assassinate his friend because he believes it is for the good of Rome.

Cassius: Mastermind of the Conspiracy

Cassius is the chief architect of the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar.

Casca: First to Strike, Easily Swayed

Casca is the first conspirator to stab Julius Caesar. Cassius manipulates Casca's simplicity and persuades him that the storm and other unnatural phenomena are omens about the fate of Rome if Caesar becomes the king.

Calphurnia: Caesar's Prophetic Wife

Calphurnia is Julius Caesar's wife, who tries to prevent him from going to the Senate because of her prophetic nightmare that foreshadows the assassination, but he does not listen to her.

Portia: Brutus's Devoted Wife

Portia is Brutus's wife.

Artemidorus: The Unheeded Warning

Artemidorus is a Greek teacher of rhetoric who tries to give Caesar a letter warning him of the conspiracy just before the assassination.

Cinna the Poet: A Tragic Victim

Cinna, the poet, is an unfortunate man who is torn to pieces by an angry mob.

Soothsayer: "Beware the Ides of March"

The Soothsayer is the prophet who foresees Caesar's assassination and warns him to "Beware the Ides of March" during the Feast of Lupercal.

Cicero: Distinguished Roman Statesman

Cicero is a distinguished barrister and politician.

Publius: Witness to Caesar's Fall

Publius is a Senator who witnesses Caesar's assassination.

Popilius Lena: A Senator

Popilius Lena is a Senator.

Trebonius: Minor Conspirator

Trebonius is one of the minor conspirators.

Cinna (Conspirator): Brutus's Recruiter

Cinna is the conspirator who advises Cassius to win Brutus.

Flavius & Marullus: Defiant Tribunes

Flavius and Marullus are Tribunes of the people who are put to death for removing scarves from Caesar's statues.

Lucilius: Brutus's Loyal Officer

Lucilius is a close friend of Brutus and an officer in his army.

Titinius: Cassius's Friend

Titinius is a friend of Cassius.

Messala: Soldier and Friend

Messala is a soldier and friend of Brutus and Cassius.

Young Cato: Brutus's Brother

Young Cato is Brutus's brother.

Volumnius: Brutus's Supporting Friend

Volumnius is a soldier and a friend of Brutus and Cassius. He helps Brutus.

Clitus: Brutus's Slave

Clitus is Brutus's slave.

Varro & Claudius: Brutus's Servants

Varro and Claudius are Brutus's servants.

Strato: Brutus's Loyal Slave

Strato is Brutus's loyal slave.

Lucius: Brutus's Servant

Lucius is Brutus's servant.

Dardanius: Brutus's Slave

Dardanius is Brutus's slave.