Act III, scene i was the scene where Caesar was assassinated by the members of the senate and his friends.
Near the start of the scene, Artemidorus asks Caesar to come aside and listen to his plea to bring back Caesar's brother from banishment. Caesar refuses stating that public matters come before personal ones and he is "as constant as the Northern Star" (60). Caesar means to say that he is unwavering in his decision, just as the north star never waivers from its position; however we can also take it to mean the Caesar sees himself as infallible, as a god, and that he can do no wrong. The sanctity of his decision goes beyond his wants, but to a higher place.
Soon after this, Caesar is murdered by some of those closest to him, including Brutus. Caesar's last words, "Et tu, Brute?" or "You too, Brutus?" shows that Caesar's idea of his own infallibility were quite wrong.
After the murder, Cassius says that all will rejoice because now peace can come and there will be liberty and freedom. Cassius is quite wrong, because following Caesar's death civil strife breaks out through Rome. Antony goes on to some military success before he looses an Naval battle and later commits suicide with his love, Cleopatra. The Roman Republic falls and is taken over by the Roman Empire. Many historians argue that the assassination of Caesar was a major catalyst for the decline of the Republic.
The senators believe that they were doing Rome a favor by killing Caesar, and that happiness and peace would flow their way. However, there was no real planning for life after Caesar's death, and so the government was vacant for some time. This failure to plan was the conspirators hubris, in that they believed a smooth transition would occur into the next seat of power; but their arrogance can be blamed for the fall of Rome.
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