Romans, Countrymen and Lovers! Hear Me For My Cause, is the first line of a speech by Brutas in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Marcus Brutus uses his status as an honorable man to make the audience listen to him. By saying, “Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear ((3.2.14–15) he demands their attention and expects them to see his view of the events.
Related Post: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: Speech by Marc Antony
Speech by Brutus, Julius Caesar, Act 3 Scene 2
Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me
for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor
that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom,
and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear
friend of Caesar’s, to him I say, that Brutus’ love
to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend
demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my
answer: Not that I lov’d Caesar less, but that I lov’d
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all
freemen? As Caesar lov’d me, I weep for him; as he
was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I
honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.
There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor
for his valor; and death for his ambition. Who is
here so base that would be a bondman? If any,
speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude
that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him
have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not
love his country? If any, speak, for him have I
offended. I pause for a reply.
‘Romans, countrymen and lovers’ Translation
Romans countrymen and friends, listen to what I have to say and be silent so that you can hear. Trust me for my honour and show respect so that you will follow what I say. Judge me according to your wisdom and use your understanding so that you will be able to judge better. If there is anyone in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s, to whom I say that Brutus’ love for Caesar was no less than his.
If then that dear friend demands to know why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer—not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more. Would you rather Caesar were living, and all die slaves than that Caesar were dead and all live as free men? As Caesar loved me, I wept for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoiced at it; as he was brave, I honored him; but as he was ambitious, I killed him. There are tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Is there anyone here so lacking in pride that we want to be slaves?
If there is, speak, because it’s him I have offended. Who is here so low that he doesn’t want to be a Roman? If any, speak, for it’s him I have offended. Who is here so vile that he does not love his country? If any, speak, for him, I have offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you would do to Brutus. The things that Caesar died for are recorded in the Capitol. His glory, for which he was renowned, is not understated; nor are his offences exaggerated, for which he suffered death
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, although he had no hand in Caesar’s death, will receive the benefit of his dying—a place in the commonwealth, as which of you won’t? With this, I leave you: that as I slew my best friend for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death.
Julius Caesar Quotes by William Shakespeare
01. Beware the Ides of March.
(Soothsayer, Act 1 Scene 2)
02. Men at some time are masters of their fates.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
(Cassius, Act 1 Scene 2)
03. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look:
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous
(Caesar, Act 1 Scene 2)
04. But, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.
(Casca, Act 1 Scene 2)
05. Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods.
(Brutus, Act 2 Scene 1)
06. When beggars die there are no comets seen:
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
(Calphurnia,Act 2, Scene 2)
07. Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
(Caesar, Act 2 Scene 2)
08. Et tu, Brute?—Then fall, Caesar.
(Caesar, Act 3, Scene 1)
09. Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
(Antony, Act 3 Scene 1)
10. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
(Brutus, Act 3 Scene 2)
11. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.
(Antony, Act 3, Scene 2)
12. This was the most unkindest cut of all.
(Antony, Act 3 Scene 2)
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog post may contain other affiliate links as well by which I earn commissions at no extra cost to you.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your article seem to be running off
the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something
to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Cheers
Good day! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up
for the great info you’ve got right here on this post. I
am coming back to your website for more soon.
Hi colleagues, how is all, and what you would like to say on the topic
of this piece of writing, in my view its genuinely amazing for me.
We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
can you offer guest writers to write content available for you?
I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write with regards
to here. Again, awesome web log!