Julius Caesar

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (First Folio title: The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar) is a historical play and tragedy by William Shakespeare first performed in 1599. Although the play is named Julius Caesar, Brutus speaks more than four times as many lines as the title character, and the central psychological drama of the play focuses on Brutus.

Brutus joins a conspiracy led by Cassius to murder Julius Caesar, to prevent Caesar from becoming a tyrant. Antony stirs up hostility against the conspirators. Rome becomes embroiled in civil war.

Although the title of the play is Julius Caesar, Caesar is not the central character in its action; he appears in only three scenes, and is killed at the beginning of the third act. The protagonist of the play is Marcus Brutus, and the central psychological drama is his struggle between the conflicting demands of honour, patriotism, and friendship.