In the play, Julius Caesar, Caesar's best friend, Brutus, must make a choice. His friend Caesar, or the fate of Rome.

Brutus, friend and Roman patriot, must make a decision whether to allow his friend Caesar to tyrannically lead Rome, which needs a just ruler? Or assassinate him and go against his emotions and the Roman way?

The beginning of the play places Julius Caesar entering Rome on the Feast of Lupercal as a hero beloved by his people. He is triumphant over the Gauls, then over the army of Pompeii.

Some senators see this reaction as a threat to Rome and what makes things look worse is Mark Antony, who has attempted three times to crown him the emperor of Rome. Cassius is one of those senator's who fears Caesar's ambition. However, the popularity that Julius Caesar enjoys makes any plot against him particularly difficult so Cassius approaches Marcus Brutus, a well-respected senator. Brutus ponders his course of action, realizing that the conspiracy may have to include the assassination of his beloved friend. Eventually, with the incessant prodding of Cassius and others, Brutus comes to believe that such an act as necessary for a greater good. What is best for Rome is the death of Julius Caesar.

Brutus talks the conspirators out of murdering Mark Antony along with him.

Caesar, warned by an oracle as well as his wife, Calphurnia, goes ahead and walks back to the Senate where Caesar is stabbed to death by Brutus, and his cohorts.

Mark Antony makes a deal with the conspirators, and asks to accompany Caesar's body and deliver a eulogy at Caesar's funeral. Brutus agrees, and at the funeral delivers an emotional tale, explaining the reasons for Caesar's assassination. However,Antony then follows with the famous "Friends, Romans, and countrymen," soliloquy, and thus moves the crowd who had supported the conspirators.

Antony then plots with Octavius (the dead Julius Caesar's nephew) to exterminate the conspirators, as well as other potential enemies. Brutus and Cassius eventually find out and raise armies against them and in a final battle, Brutus begins to succeed against Octavius and his followers until Cassius falls on his own sword. Faced by both Antony and Octavius, Brutus is defeated, and Brutus takes his own life instead of being captured. Antony is the one who discovers Brutus's body, and in a lamentation calls Brutus the "noblest of them all."