Julius Caesar
the titular character. When the play starts, he is the only man capable of giving orders and ensuring they are carried out. Caesar fails to understand the many signs indicating a plot against him and is killed by a conspiracy led by Cassius and Brutus. His ghost haunts the remainder of the play, and his name is invoked by both Cassius and Brutus before they commit suicide in the final act.
Calpurnia
the wife of Caesar. She has a dream in which she sees a statue of Caesar bleeding from multiple wounds, and begs him to stay at home the day he is killed. Caesar ignores her and goes to the Senate House anyway.
Marcus Brutus
a noble Roman opposed to Caesar. He is an idealist who upholds honor above everything else. Brutus only agrees to kill Caesar after becoming convinced that it is necessary for the Roman Republic. He dies on the battlefield by impaling himself on his own sword.
Portia
the wife of Brutus. She proves her courage and strength by stabbing her thigh with a dagger in order to force Brutus to tell her about the plot to kill Caesar. She kills herself by swallowing hot coals from the fire after Mark Antony and Octavius assume power in Rome.
Lucius
a servant to Brutus.
Caius Cassius
a man opposed to Caesar. He assembles the conspirators and is the man who convinces Brutus to kill Caesar. He commits suicide at the battle of Philippi after falsely thinking his army has been defeated.
Casca
a man opposed to Caesar.
Trebonius
a man opposed to Caesar.
Decius Brutus
a man opposed to Caesar. He misinterprets Calpurnia's dream in order to convince Caesar to go to the Senate House on the ides of March.
Metellus Cimber
a man opposed to Caesar.
Cinna
a man opposed to Caesar.
Caius Ligarius
a man opposed to Caesar.
Mark Antony
a ruler of Rome after Caesar's death. Antony is Caesar's friend from the beginning and he gives a rousing speech to the masses which causes riots in Rome. Brutus and Cassius are chased out of the city in the ensuing chaos, and Antony forms the second triumvirate with Octavius and Lepidus.
Octavius Caesar
a ruler of Rome after Caesar's death. Octavius is a young general who joins the second triumvirate. He and Antony fight against Brutus and Cassius; he historically becomes the future emperor of Rome.
Lepidus
a ruler of Rome after Caesar's death.
Flavius
a tribune of the people. He is removed from office after derobing the statues of Caesar.
Murellus
a tribune of the people. He is removed from office after derobing the statues of Caesar.
Cicero
a senator. He tells Casca that men construe omens the way they want to. He is later killed by Antony and Octavius when they purge the Senate.
Publius
a senator.
Popillius Laena
a senator.
A Soothsayer
a man who tells Caesar to beware the ides of March (March 15) but who is ignored.
Artemidorus
a man who tries to give Caesar a letter in which he describes the plot against him. Caesar ignores his letter.
Cinna the Poet
a poet who is beaten and possibly killed because he has the same name as one of the conspirators.
Pindarus
the bondsman to Cassius.
Titinius
an officer in Cassius' army. He kills himself when he finds Cassius dead on the battlefield.
Lucillius
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Messala
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Varrus
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Claudio
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Young Cato
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Strato
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Volumnius
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Dardanius
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
Clitus
an officer and soldier in Brutus' army.
A Poet
a man who bursts into Brutus' tent and tries to warn the army that Brutus and Cassius are angry with each other. Brutus orders him to be taken away.
The Ghost of Caesar
a ghost of Julius Caesar who speaks to Brutus at Sardis.
Plebeians
Commoners
