Julius Caesar: Act 3, Scene 3
Enter CINNA the poet,
and after him the PLEBIANS.
after him: i.e., moments later. The Plebians are not chasing Cinna; they just happen upon him.
CINNA
1 I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar,
1. to-night: last night.
2 And things unlucky charge my fantasy:
2. things . . . fantasy: dark forebodings fill my imagination.
3 I have no will to wander forth of doors,
3. will: wish, inclination. forth of doors: out of doors.
4 Yet something leads me forth. First Plebeian
5 What is your name? Second Plebeian
6 Whither are you going? Third Plebeian
7 Where do you dwell? Fourth Plebeian
8 Are you a married man or a bachelor? Second Plebeian
9 Answer every man directly.
9. directly: straightforwardly.
First Plebeian
10 Ay, and briefly. Fourth Plebeian
11 Ay, and wisely. Third Plebeian
12 Ay, and truly, you were best.
12. you were best: i.e., you'd better, or else.
CINNA
13 What is my name? Whither am I going? Where 14 do I dwell? Am I a married man or a bachelor? 15 Then, to answer every man directly and briefly, 16 wisely and truly: wisely I say, I am a bachelor.
16. wisely I say, I am a bachelor: I believe Cinna is making a small joke, the point of which is that it is very wise to be a bachelor.
. Second Plebeian
17 That's as much as to say, they are fools that 18 marry: you'll bear me a bang for that, I fear.
18. bear me a bang: get a beating from me.
19 Proceed directly.
19. Proceed directly: i.e., Go on with your answers to our questions, and do it without any jokes, etc.
CINNA
20 Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral.
20. Directly: right now and by the shortest route. Cinna the poet doesn't seem to be able to stop playing with words.
First Plebeian
21 As a friend or an enemy? CINNA
22 As a friend. Second Plebeian
23 That matter is answered directly. Fourth Plebeian
24 For your dwelling,—briefly.
24. For your dwelling: i.e., answer the question about where you dwell.
CINNA
25 Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. Third Plebeian
26 Your name, sir, truly. CINNA
27 Truly, my name is Cinna.
"Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator"
First Plebeian
28 Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
CINNA
29 I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. Fourth Plebeian
30 Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for 31 his bad verses. CINNA
32 I am not Cinna the conspirator. Fourth Plebeian
33 It is no matter, his name's Cinna; pluck but
34 his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
33-34. pluck . . . going: just rip his name out of his heart and send him on his way.
Third Plebeian
35 Tear him, tear him! Come, brands ho! 36 fire-brands: to Brutus', to Cassius'; burn all: 37 some to Decius' house, and some to Casca's; 38 some to Ligarius': away, go! Exeunt all the Plebeians
[dragging off Cinna].