The conspirators in Act 3 fear that their conspiracy has
been detected. So, they try to hasten the plot and get close to Caesar. The way they do
this is by asking for Caesar's clemency on an exile. First, Metellus goes to Caesar and
asks for the return of his brother, Publius Cimber, to Rome. Metellus
asks:
"Is
there no voice more worthy than my own To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear For
the repealing of my banish'd
brother?"
Caesar refuses,
because Cimber has been exiled for lawful reasons. At this point, the same plea is
reiterated, but this time also by Brutus and Cassius, and the scene is even more
serious, as they both kneel as if to beg Caesar. Caesar is still unyielding. Brutus
says:
"I kiss
thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar; Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may Have an
immediate freedom of
repeal."
Cassius
says:
"Pardon,
Caesar; Caesar, pardon: As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, To beg enfranchisement
for Publius Cimber."
At this
point Cinna also kneels and asks for Caesar's favor in the matter. Caesar refuses again.
To make the scene even more powerful and ominous, Decius and Ligairus also kneel. It is
at this point that first blood is drawn by Casca.
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