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Julius Caesar
A great Roman general and senator recently returned to Rome in triumph after a successful military campaign. While his good friend Brutus worries that Caesar may aspire to dictatorship over the Roman republic, Caesar seems to show no such inclination, declining the crown several times. Yet while Caesar may not be unduly power-hungry, he does possess his share of flaws. He is unable to separate his public life from his private life, and, seduced by the populace's increasing idealization and idolization of his image, he ignores ill omens and threats against his life, believing himself as eternal as the North Star.
Brutus
A supporter of the republic who believes strongly in a government guided by the votes of senators. While Brutus loves Caesar as a friend, he opposes the ascension of any single man to the position of dictator, and he fears that Caesar aspires to such power. Brutus's inflexible sense of honor makes it easy for Caesar's enemies to manipulate him into believing that Caesar must die in order to preserve the republic. While the other conspirators act out of envy and rivalry, only Brutus truly believes that Caesar's death will benefit Rome. Unlike Caesar, Brutus is able to separate completely his public life from his private life; by giving priority to matters of state, he epitomizes Roman virtue. Torn between his loyalty to Caesar and his allegiance to the state, Brutus becomes the tragic hero of the play.
Antony
Antony is a friend of Caesar. Antony claims allegiance to Brutus and the conspirators after Caesar's death in order to save his own life. Later, however, when speaking a funeral oration over Caesar's body, he spectacularly persuades the audience to withdraw its support of Brutus and instead condemn him as a traitor. With tears on his cheeks and Caesar's will in his hand, Antony engages masterful rhetoric to stir the crowd to revolt against the conspirators. Antony's desire to exclude Lepidus from the power that Antony and Octavius intend to share hints at his own ambitious nature.
Cassius
A talented general and longtime acquaintance of Caesar. Cassius dislikes the fact that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans. He slyly leads Brutus to believe that Caesar has become too powerful and must die; finally converting Brutus to his cause by sending him forged letters claiming that the Roman people support the death of Caesar. Impulsive and unscrupulous, Cassius harbors no illusions about the way the political world works. A shrewd opportunist, he proves successful but lacks integrity.
Octavius
Caesar's adopted son and appointed successor. Octavius, who had been traveling abroad, returns after Caesar's death; he then joins with Antony and sets off to fight Cassius and Brutus. Antony tries to control Octavius's movements, but Octavius follows his adopted father's example and emerges as the authoritative figure, paving the way for his eventual seizure of the reins of Roman government.
Casca
Casca is the most important character of the minor characters in the play. A public figure opposed to Caesar's rise to power. Casca relates to Cassius and Brutus how Antony offered the crown to Caesar three times and how each time Caesar declined it. He believes, however, that Caesar is the consummate actor, lulling the populace into believing that he has no personal ambition. Casaca is intensely superstitious. The unnatural disturbances in nature unnerve him. Casca proves worthy of the confidence and trust reposed in him. He strikes the fist blow on Caesar from back.
Calphurnia
Calphurnia is Caesar's wife. She was very much superstitious and terrified of potent; though not for herself but for her husband, Caesar. She was also a loving and a dutiful wife. Calpurnia invests great authority in omens and portents. She warns Caesar against going to the Senate on the Ides of March, since she has had terrible dreams and heard reports of many bad omens. Nevertheless, Caesar's ambition ultimately causes him to disregard her advice.
Portia
Brutus's wife; the daughter of a noble Roman Cato, who took sides against Caesar. Portia is stoic, brave and assertive. She has a strong will and determination. She was a heroic wife, who gives full support to her husband, Brutus. Portia, accustomed to being Brutus's confidante, is upset to find him so reluctant to speak his mind when she finds him troubled. Brutus later hears that Portia has killed herself out of grief that Antony and Octavius have become so powerful.
Flavius
A tribune (an official elected by the people to protect their rights). He hates Julius Caesar. Flavius condemns the plebeians for their fickleness in cheering Caesar, when once they cheered for Caesar's enemy Pompey. Flavius is punished along with Marullus for removing the decorations from Caesar's statues during Caesar's triumphal parade.
Marullus
Like Flavius, a tribune who condemns the plebeians for their fickleness in cheering Caesar, when once they cheered for Caesar's enemy Pompey. He gets angry very quickly. Murellus and Flavius are punished for removing the decorations from Caesar's statues during Caesar's triumphal parade.
Cicero
Cicero is a great orator, an intellectual and a skeptic. He is widely respected in Rome. He is dissatisfied with most of the things and people. A Roman senator renowned for his oratorical skill. Cicero speaks at Caesar's triumphal parade. He later dies at the order of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.
Cinna - The Conspirator
Cinna is one of the main conspirators and docs important duties concerning the conspiracy. He is considered responsible and loyal to Cassius. He proves himself to be worthy of his confidence. He sends anonymous letters to Brutus to influence him. He is also a close friend and trusted supporter of Cassius. Cinna was also a strong republican. He was the most hated among the conspirators by the roman mob.
Cinna - The poet
He appeared only in one scene. He has no role except to bring out the foolish fury of the Roman mob. He also creates some humor, and thus gives a breathing space between two very serious and important scenes. He has to die by the hand of the furious roman mob because he bears the name of one of the conspirators.
Popilius Lena
Popilius Lena is a senator and a friend of Caesaer's. The conspirators think he may have discovered and disclosed their plan to Caesar.
Lepidus
The third member of Antony and Octavius's coalition. He is a triumvir. He is seen to be active only once. He lacks worldly wisdoms. Though Antony has a low opinion of Lepidus, Octavius trusts his loyalty and praises him as a tried and valiant soldier.
Ligarius
Although a sick man, Ligarus is strong in mind . He is devoted to to Brutus. His grudge against Caesar is the result of a rebuke received from the latter for speaking well of Pompey. He has fiery enthusiasm.
Decius
A member of the conspiracy and a cunning flatterer. Decius convinces Caesar that Calpurnia misinterpreted her dreams and that, in fact, no danger awaits him at the Senate. Decius leads Caesar right into the hands of the conspirators.
Artemidorus
A teacher of rhetoric, Artemidoruos helps in increasing the dramatic tension. He tries to save Caesar with the help of a petition,notifing him of a danger , but fails. He is a well wisher of Julius Caesar.
Publius
Publius is an old senator and does not play any important role in the conspiracy and in the drama. He is perhaps not completely one with the conspirators in their hatred towards Julius Caesar.
Metellus Cimber
Metellus Cimber is one of the prominent conspirators. He is given the task of starting the action on the day of murder of Julius Caesar. He pleads to Caesar with a very humble manner for repealing of banishment of his brother. After the murder of Caesar he advices the other conspirators to remain close to each other so that the friend of Caesar can not hurt them.
Trebonius
He is one of the conspirators. In the play he draws aside Antony when he was entering the senate. Cassius also praises him for his work on the day of the murder.
Messala
Messala is a friend to Brutus and Cassius. He was in the charge of one the war likest legions. But after being defeated , he joined the forces of Octavius. Thus he is a freelancing soldier.
Volumnius
He is an old friend of Brutus and fights on the side of the conspirators. He has a high sense of friendship. He refuses to help Brutus in committing suicide after his defeat.
Young Cato
He is a friend of Brutus and was son of Marcus Cato, who was a stoic.
Strato
A servant of Brutus, he follows his master's stoic philosophy and he requires very little coaxing to agree to hold a sword while Brutus runs on it. He has to much self respect to accept employment with Ocatavius until Messala recommends him.
Lucius
A servant of Brutus, he brings out the gentler side of his master's nature. He makes a deep impression of with his sweetness and gentleness towards his master, Brutus. He is a very dutiful, thoughtful and careful person.
Lucilius
He is Brutus's friend . He tries to protect Brutus by personating himself as Brutus. He bribes the soldiers to kill him. Lucilius remains very friendly and faithful till his death.
Titanium
He is devoted to Cassius. He does not care for his personal safety and goes out to ascertain whether a squadron of horsemen in the distance were friend or enemies. When he returns, he finds Cassius dead. Then he kills himself with Cassius's sword. He cannot bear to live without his friend.
Pindarus
Pindarus was a slave of Cassius and was taken as a prisoner at Parthia. He has to follow his master like a dog. He even had to promise that he will obey what his master said. When Cassis heard then Titinius has been captured by the enemy, he thinks everything is lost. So, he called Pindarus to kill him and be a free man and Pindarus do so.
Varro, Claudius, Clitus, Dardanius
They are servants of Brutus. They are very loyal and faithful to Brutus.
Soothsayer
The Soothsayer in the play seems to be a lover of Caesar. He warns Caesar of the approaching danger, but he was unsuccessful in saving Caesar's life.
The Roman Citizens
The commoners as shown by Shakespeare as being a mean-spirited crown. They are well moved by this or that way. They are frickle, irrational, and posses a very little spirit of freedom. Their sympathies are easily moved.
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