Quote-O-Rama (part 2)

“But ’tis a common proof that lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, whereto the climber upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, he then unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend. So Caesar may” (II.i.22-28).
Spoken by: Brutus
Spoken to: Himself
Context: Brutus is pondering what might happen if Caesar becomes king
Significance: Brutus is pretty much on board with the conspirers by now, as shown by the quote

“O, let us have him, for his silver hairs will purchase us a good opinion and buy men’s voices to commend our deeds” (II.i.156-158).
Spoken by: Metellus
Spoken to: Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, and Trebonius
Context: Metellus is suggesting that they (the conspirers) invite Cicero to join the conspiracy
Significance: If Cicero joined the conspiracy, many people would think that Caesar’s assassination was the right thing to do. This is because Cicero is slightly aged, and thus has experience and know-how. If a man who knows a bit about the way stuff works wants to kill Caesar, he’s probably right.

“And for Mark Antony, think not of him, for he can do no more than Caesar’s arm when Caesar’s head is off” (II.i.188-190).
Spoken by: Brutus
Spoken to: Metellus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, and Trebonius
Context: Brutus convinces the conspirers not to kill Mark Antony
Significance: Brutus knows that when Caesar is dead, Antony will also lose power and not have the power to kill the conspirers.

“Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight. Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out, ‘Help, ho! They murder Caesar!’” (I.ii.1-3).
Spoken by: Julius Caesar
Spoken to: Himself
Context: Caesar recalls the reckless night he’s been having
Significance: Calphurnia’s dream (in which Caesar is killed) foreshadows his doom later that day.

“And so near will I be that your best friends shall wish I had been further” (II.ii.123-126).
Spoken by: Trebonius
Spoken to: Himself (aside)
Context: Caesar asks Trebonius to stay near so that Caesar will remember to talk with him later
Significance: Trebonius means that he’ll be so close to Caesar that he can kill him, which he plans on, and Caesar’s friends will wish that Trebonius hadn’t been near Caesar at all.