How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #7
CASSIUS
Stoop then, and wash.
[They smear their hands and swords with Caesar’s blood.]
How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
BRUTUS
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey's basis lies along
No worthier than the dust!
CASSIUS
So oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be called
The men that gave their country liberty. (3.1.123-132)
The conspirators believe they'll go down in history for their act, yet they arrogantly (or naively) assume they will be remembered as heroes, not traitors. The glory of being preserved by history is enough of a lure that that's what they dwell on after the murder, second only to having liberated Rome.
Quote #8
ANTONY
Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
They that have done this deed are honorable.
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it. They are wise and honorable
And will no doubt with reasons answer you.
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is,
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man
That love my friend, and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech
To stir men's blood. I only speak right on.
I tell you that which you yourselves do know,
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths,
And bid them speak for me. (3.2.222-239)
False humility is often worse than arrogance. Antony sets himself up as an ignoble and untrustworthy character here.
Quote #9
OCTAVIUS
You may do your will,
But he's a tried and valiant soldier.
ANTONY
So is my horse, Octavius, and for that
I do appoint him store of provender.
It is a creature that I teach to fight,
To wind, to stop, to run directly on,
His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit (4.1.31-37)
Antony is shamelessly arrogant when speaking about Lepidus. He displays the same trait Caesar had: he thinks he's naturally above others, giving him freedom to do and say whatever he wants. Antony can't see his own prideful arrogance. Perhaps he doesn't see himself as arrogant, but just honest. Still, whatever bad you can say about Caesar, he's definitely earned some degree of cockiness. Antony, a little party-hearty fellow, arguably has a lot more to prove.