Julius Caesar

by: William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 3

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter CINNA THE POET, and after him the PLEBEIANS
CINNA THE POET enters, followed by PLEBEIANS.

CINNA THE POET

I dreamt tonight that I did feast with Caesar,
And things unlucky charge my fantasy.
I have no will to wander forth of doors,
Yet something leads me forth.

CINNA THE POET

I dreamed last night that I feasted with Caesar, and unlucky signs overwhelmed my imagination. I have no desire to go outside, yet something leads me there.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

5What is your name?

FIRST PLEBEIAN

What’s your name?

SECOND PLEBEIAN

Whither are you going?

SECOND PLEBEIAN

Where are you going?

THIRD PLEBEIAN

Where do you dwell?

THIRD PLEBEIAN

Where do you live?

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

Are you a married man or a bachelor?

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

Are you a married man or a bachelor?

SECOND PLEBEIAN

Answer every man directly.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

Answer all of us, now.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

10Ay, and briefly.

FIRST PLEBEIAN

Yes, and be brief.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

Ay, and wisely.

FOURTH PLEBEIAN

Yes, and be wise.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

Ay, and truly, you were best.

THIRD PLEBEIAN

Yes, and be truthful, if you know what’s good for you.

CINNA THE POET

What is my name? Whither am I going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, wisely and truly—wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

CINNA THE POET

What’s my name? Where am I going? Where do I live? Am I a married man or a bachelor? Then, to answer every man briefly, wisely, and truthfully—wisely I say, I am a bachelor.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

That’s as much as to say they are fools that marry. You’ll bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed, directly.

SECOND PLEBEIAN

You imply that married men are fools. You’ll get a blow from me for that, I think. Go on with what you were saying—right this instant.

CINNA THE POET

Directly, I am going to Caesar’s funeral.

CINNA THE POET

Right this instant, I’m going to Caesar’s funeral.
Read the Summary of Act III, scenes ii–iii

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