The play opens in a street of Rome. It introduces, in a remarkable manner, a group of excited citizens friendly to Julius Caesar on the one side, and two Tribunes, Flavius and Marullus, hostile to him on the other. It shows the popularity of Caesar with the roman mob and the jealousy of the official classes. The people have gathered in the streets of Rome to see Caesar pass in triumph on his return from Spain. But the tribunes rebuke the people for their rejoicements. The people disperse at the rebuke of the Tribunes.
Soon Caesar enters with Antony, Caliphurnia, Decius, Cicero, Portia and Brutus. As Caesar passes by, a soothsayer asks him to beware of the Ides of March. But Caesar, consumed by his pride, dismisses him away. Cassius fears that Caesar might become a tyrant and made them their slave. He attempts to over sway Brutus who is a close friend of Caesar against him. He told some stories to prove that Caesar is not worth of becoming a king. Cassius successfully stirs Brutus to his side. Later, Cassius in different handwriting of Romans, threw letters into the house of Brutus requesting him to make Rome free of Caesar indirectly.
Casca who has seen many bad omens and superstitious scenes, tells Cicero all about them. As Cicero leaves the scene, Cassius enters and persuades Casca to believe that these omens represent the growing tyranny of Caesar. Casca and Cinna joined the conspiracy against Caesar. All three of them agreed that they should persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy as he is loved by all Romans and their wicked deed will be hidden by the presence of Brutus.
It is past mid night. Brutus has not been able to sleep. He is thinking that what to do with Caesar, a great friend, whose growing power is a threat to the welfare and liberty of the Romans. His conscience puts an end to his mental conflict by suggesting the death of Caesar. Also, he reads a fake letter in which his countrymen request him to save them from the tyranny of Caesar.
In the meantime, the conspirators with half their faces buried in their clocks, enter Brutus's house to hold a final meeting with him to join them in the conspiracy. Brutus was mentally prepared to join the conspiracy, he soon joined them. It is decided to kill only Caesar. Decius takes upon the job of bringing Julius Caesar to the Capitol. When Brutus is left alone, his wife Portia shows great concern in his anxiety and asks the reason for his look of discomfort.
Calpurnia, Caesar's wife has had terrible dreams requests her husband Caesar not to go to the Senate that day. Caesar at first makes fun of her unfounded fears about his life, but finally he agrees to the stay back. Descius, one of the conspirators successfully swayed Caesar by his flattery to make him come to the senate the same day.
It is the Ides of March. Caesar goes to the Senate The soothsayer warns him. Even Artemidorous presented a letter telling the plot of this conspiracy, but Caesar does not give heed to his letter. As previously arranged among the conspirators Mettelus Cimber presents a petition for recall of his brother from banishment. Caesar refuse to change the order. The other conspirators also fail to get the order revoked. All the conspirators close in upon him. Then Casca followed by other conspirators including Brutus, stab Caesar with their knives. When Caesar see that he is being stabbed by his beloved friend Brutus he cries "Et to Brute" (You too Brutus). Then Caesar dies and the conspirators rejoice at his death.
Antony who had not been present at the murder of Caesar begs the conspirators to kill him also. Brutus assures him that they have no evil designs against him. He even allows Antony to speak in Caesar's funeral. Cassius does not approve this act of Brutus. Antony cunningly masks his feelings towards the conspirators who for him are nothing short of butchers. Brutus goes to the market place and addresses the people justify the murder of Caesar.
Then Antony goes to the pulpit to make Caesar's funeral speech. A seasoned orator as he is, Antony applies all the tricks of the trade to turn the people against the conspirators. He makes repeated use of the word "honourable" for Brutus so as to reduce him into mere mockery. He talks about Caesar's will and asks people to make a ring around Caesar's dead body so that he may show them the face of the great Caesar who made the will. He lifts the mantle from the Caesar's dead body and draws their attention to the wounds made by the conspirators . The people shout for the death of the traitors who have done such a foul deed. They went to put on fire the house of the traitors. They even killed Cinna the poet as he has the same name that of one of the conspirators.
Antony, Octavius and Lepidus from the triumvirate. They make a list of the conspirators to be killed. Though Caesar was the dead the influence of his spirit could be understood.
Brutus and Cassius have a quarrel because their natures are as different as their motives. Cassius accuses Brutus of insulting him by noting Lucius Pella for taking bribes from the Sardians. Brutus charges Cassius also of simmilar corruption. After mutual explanaton, they are reconciled. Brutus then learns the death of his wife Portia.
In the meantime, Titinus and Messala join Brutus and Cassius. Brutus and Cassius discuss their plan of operations against Antony and Octavius. When Brutus is left alone, the ghost of Caesar appears before him and warns him that it will appear again at Philippi.
The rival forces meet at Philippi. Antony and Octavius hold parleys with Brutus and Cassius. They indulge in terrible condemnation. Brutus and Cassius think of commiting suicide if they are defeated.
Brutus gives orders in the battlefield. His wing seems to be victorious. Cassius hear shouts of joy and mistakes them for the voices of the enemies. He orders his servant Pindarus to kill him.
Cato is quickly killed, and Lucillius, a man pretending to be Brutus, is soon captured and handed over to Antony. Antony recognizes him and tells his soldiers to search for Brutus.
Brutus is now almost defeated, begs several of his soldiers to kill him. They all refuse and finally Brutus get a man named Strato to hold a sword for him. Like Cassius , he runs onto the sword and kills himself.
Antony and Octavius arrive and see Brutus dead upon the ground. Antony remarks "This was the noblest Roman of them all." Octavius unemotionally throughout the carnage merely ends the play with the lines, "So call the field to rest, let's away/ To part the glories of this happy day".
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