Discussion Topic

Cinna's proclamation of liberty and freedom following Caesar's death

Summary:

Following Caesar's death, Cinna proclaims liberty and freedom, signifying the conspirators' belief that they have liberated Rome from tyranny. This declaration underscores their justification for the assassination, portraying it as a necessary act to restore the Republic and protect Roman values against Caesar's perceived ambition for absolute power.

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What does Cinna want to proclaim in the streets after Caesar's death in Act 3 of Julius Caesar?

Straight after Caesar has died, there's a bit of a problem - it becomes immediately clear that no-one has really thought about exactly what to do next. Cinna is the first to speak, and what he tells everyone to do is to go running out into the streets and shout out "Liberty" and "Freedom".

CINNA:
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

Cassius backs him up, but telling some people to go into the common pulpits: the normal speaking places for addressing the public and cry out "Liberty", "Freedom", but also "Enfranchisement" - freedom from slavery.

CASSIUS:
Some to the common pulpits and cry out
“Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”

Brutus then buts in, and tells everyone to stand still - clearly he wants to be in charge of what happens next:

BRUTUS:
People, and senators, be not affrighted,
Fly not, stand still; ambition's debt...

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is paid.

But the answer to your question? Cinna wants to proclaim liberty, freedom and the fact that Caesar's tyranny is dead.

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Why does Cinna proclaim, "Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead" after Caesar's death?

These words occurs in in Act III, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's great play, Julius Caesar.

The meaning of the words, "Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!" are due to the belief that Julius Caesar was aiming for kingship. 

A bit of historical context is important here. In 509 BC the Romans started a Republic by expelling the last king, Tarquinius Superbus. The Romans created a system of checks and balances, so that there would never be a king again. Power was diffused among Roman magistrates, and these magistrates were always collegial. 

When Caesar grew in power, some believed that he took on too much power. For example, he was not only pontifex maximus (the highest priest), but also consul (Rome's highest position), and dictator for life. The last title was supposed to be used only for times of emergency and given up after the time had passed. So, the very fact that Caesar was dictator for life was shunned. 

In light of these points, the conspirators really believed, even Brutus, that Caesar was leaving the Republic and starting something akin to a tyranny. So, when the conspirators killed him, they thought they were really fighting for freedom. 

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The reason that Cinna says this (in Act III, Scene 1) is that he is giving the conspirators' major argument for why they thought it was necessary to kill Caesar.

The conspirators had decided that Caesar had been gaining too much power.  They thought he was too popular among the people and they thought the people were going to make Caesar the king.  If Caesar became king, the conspirators thought, Rome would not be a free republic as it had been.

So by saying this, Cinna is trying to justify what they have done -- he is claiming that they have saved Rome's freedom and liberty and have killed a tyrant.

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