Pride

Pride

1. CAESAR Such men as he be never at heart's ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, And therefore are they very dangerous. I rather tell thee what is to be feared Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.

   • Caesar is unashamed of his arrogance.  He doesn't see his condescension as arrogance; instead it's a quality he has earned by proving himself a powerful man.

2. CASCA But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the part of men to fear and tremble When the most mighty gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 

   • CASCA But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens? It is the part of men to fear and tremble When the most mighty gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 

3. Caesar should be a beast without a heart, If he should stay at home today for fear. No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well That Caesar is more dangerous than he.

   • ever notice the way Julius Caesar talked about himself in third person.

4. CASSIUS Stoop then, and wash.  [They smear their hands and swords with Caesar’s blood.]                                     How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown! BRUTUS How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along No worthier than the dust! CASSIUS So oft as that shall be, So often shall the knot of us be called The men that gave their country liberty

   • The conspirators believe they'll go down in history for their act, yet they arrogantly (or naively) assume they will be remembered as heroes, not traitors

5. ANTONY Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honorable. What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it. They are wise and honorable And will no doubt with reasons answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts. I am no orator, as Brutus is, But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man That love my friend, and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him. For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech To stir men's blood. I only speak right on. I tell you that which you yourselves do know, Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me. (

   • False humility is often worse than arrogance.  Antony sets himself up as an ignoble and untrustworthy character here.