EDGEFIELD SECONDARY SCHOOL
Name: _________________ (
LITERATURE
Date: ___________
JULIUS CAESAR ACT 3: TEACHER COPY
Class: __________
)
Julius Caesar Act III: Crowd Psychology and Mob Rule
1.
Caesar
Brutus
The Crowd
(Roman Citizens)
Conspirators
2.
Antony
Crowd Psychology is the study of crowd behaviour.
Crowd behaviour is heavily influenced by the loss of responsibility of the individual and the
universality of behaviour, both of which increase with the size of the crowd.
The bigger a crowd, the less responsible people feel they need to be.
3.
Definition of a Crowd vs a Mob
A Crowd is made up of random individuals gathered for no specific purpose.
A Mob is a disorderly group gathering with the intent for violence and aggression.
4.
5.
Instances of Crowd mentality in Julius Caesar:

They gather to celebrate and support Caesar’s victory (Act 1)
o ‘We make holiday to see Caesar and rejoice in his triumph’ (1.1.33-4)

They listen to Brutus’ speech after Caesar’s death. (Act 3)
o ‘Live Brutus! Live! Live!’ (3.2.48)
o They quickly forgive Brutus for killing Caesar when he offers the Crowd his life

They listen to Antony’s speech (Act 3)
o ‘Methinks there is much reason in his sayings’ (3.2.109)
o ‘Poor soul! His eyes are red as fire with weeping’ (3.2.116)
Instances of Mob rule in Julius Caesar:
 Caesar’s manipulation of the crowd during the crowning ceremony (1.2.237-250)
o He manipulates them so thoroughly Casca even says that the Mob would forgive
him even if he ‘had stabbed their mothers’ (1.2.275)

6.
Antony’s mastery of the Crowd (just like Caesar at the start of the play) is shown when he
directs them to ‘rise and mutiny’ (3.2.232) ‘revenge his death’ (3.2.247)
o Through Antony’s words and manipulation, Antony is able to direct the Mob to
attack the conspirators and revenge Caesar’s death
The Importance of the Crowd/Mob:

Under the right circumstances (Julius Caesar and Mark Antony), it is possible to influence
the Mob and lead them to act against their enemies

They are source of Power and Influence in Julius Caesar that all Politicians seek to control
Prepared by Brennan Kwa, Julius Caesar, Act 3, Crowd vs Mob (EFSS Lit 2015)
7.
Questions to Respond to:
1. What is the Importance of the Crowd in Julius Caesar?
They are the ones who determine who controls and rules Rome. Even though they may appear to
be easily manipulated, those who are able to control them, effectively controls Rome.
They are the ones who the politicians want to control. It was Caesar’s masterful manipulation of
the people in the first place that led to the conspirators’ assassination of Caesar.
2. How is the Crowd manipulated and controlled?
The crowd can be controlled by logic and rational (at least at first, as shown by Brutus) but
eventually it is through emotions and charisma that prompts them toward actions and violence.
With the right words and the right emotions manipulated, the Crowd can easily become a Mob and
be willing to do whatever a charismatic leader wishes them to do.
3. In what episodes and instances in the play are they manipulated and controlled?
Act 1 during Caesar’s refusal of the Crown
Act 3 during Antony’s vengeance against the conspirators
4. How does the analysis of the Crowd change our understanding of the play: Julius Caesar?
We realise that the Crowd is an integral part of the play. While they may not be given many lines
to speak, the constant presence of the Crowd allows us to realise that all the politicians actions
are turned toward controlling the Crowd to influence and give the politicians power and control
over them.
Who rules the Roman Mob rules Rome.