Vocabulary in Julius Caesar

A specific day in the Roman calendar: the 15th of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th of all other months. In this play it marks the fatal date of Caesar's assassination.

A mirror. Cassius uses the word to say he will reflect Brutus's own hidden qualities back to him, as a mirror shows a person their face.

Without exaggeration or flattery; plainly and honestly. Here it suggests Cassius will reveal the truth about Brutus without embellishment.

To reveal or uncover something hidden, not to find something new. In this older usage it means to show or expose what was previously unseen.

People of low rank or power who are subordinate to someone greater. Cassius uses the word to shame Brutus into feeling that accepting Caesar's dominance makes them lesser men.

To kick away or reject with contempt. Brutus says he has no personal reason to push Caesar aside or treat him with scorn.

The common good or the public interest as a whole, as opposed to any private or personal motive. Brutus means his only reason to act is for the benefit of all Rome.

The first impulse or inner suggestion to do something; the moment an idea first stirs in the mind before any action is taken.

The period of time between two events or states. Here it refers to the agonizing gap between deciding to do something terrible and actually doing it.

A terrifying hallucination or phantom vision, something that feels nightmarishly unreal. Brutus compares the mental torment of plotting murder to being trapped in such a vision.

Brave and courageous, especially in the face of danger or death. Caesar uses it to contrast cowards, who suffer fear of death repeatedly, with those who face it without flinching.

Absolutely fixed, unwavering, and unchanging in purpose or position. Caesar uses it to declare that he cannot be moved or persuaded once he has made a decision.

The sky or heavens, especially as seen from earth with all its stars. Caesar uses it to say no other star in the entire sky is as steady as the northern star.

Latin for 'And you, Brutus?' — Caesar's dying words expressing shock and betrayal that even his trusted friend Brutus has joined in stabbing him.

Fellow citizens of the same nation or state. Antony uses it as a term of solidarity to draw the Roman crowd toward him before he speaks.

Of little worth or importance; not deserving of serious consideration. Antony uses it to dismiss Lepidus as a trivial, insignificant man.

Lacking merit or worth; not deserving of honor or high position. Antony pairs it with 'slight' to emphasize that Lepidus has no qualities that justify his power.

Suitable or fitting for a particular purpose. In this archaic usage, Antony means Lepidus is only good enough to be used as a messenger.

Became mad or lost her mind; 'distract' here is an older form meaning mentally deranged or driven out of one's senses by grief.

Killed herself by swallowing burning hot coals. It is the reported manner of Portia's suicide, chosen because she had no access to a weapon.

A supernatural ghost or demon associated with a person's doom. Caesar's ghost uses the term to identify itself as the dark force that will bring about Brutus's destruction.

Having received payback or retribution for a wrong suffered. The dying Cassius means that Caesar's death has now been repaid by Cassius being killed with the same sword.

Out and moving freely through the world, not confined to one place. Here it means Caesar's spirit is roaming the battlefield and influencing events from beyond death.

One's very own; belonging specifically to oneself. In this archaic sense it intensifies 'our own,' meaning the soldiers are destroying their own bodies with their own hands.

The internal organs of the body, especially the intestines. Used here to create a visceral image of soldiers being turned by Caesar's spirit to kill themselves.