Julius Caesar. Act II Scene 1

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1 Julius Caesar Act II Scene 1

2 Act II Scene 1 Setting Brutus garden The ides of March A few hours before daybreak Brutus is unable to sleep

3 Action Brutus calls for his servant. Brutus has a soliloquy. He speaks of Caesar and his concerns. If Caesar is crowned it may change his nature.

4 Brutus has never known Caesar to abuse his power. But everyone is humble when they first take office. Compares Caesar to a serpent s egg.

5 Lucius returns and brings Brutus a letter. Letter instructs Brutus to wake up and help Rome. He has received many unsigned letters lately saying the same. The conspirators come to his door hiding their identity.

6 Conspirators are introduced and Brutus joins them. Cassius wants all to swear an oath of allegiance. Brutus is adamant that none is needed b/c the cause is enough of a bond. Noble causes don t need oaths.

7 Cassius asks if Cicero should be approached about joining. The others chime in about his being needed. Brutus says no b/c Cicero doesn t join things other men start. The question is raised about who else should be killed.

8 Cassius wants to eliminate Antony b/c he feels he would be a threat. Brutus says no b/c it would make their cause too bloody. Brutus does not feel that Antony is a threat. Cassius says he fears Antony.

9 Brutus reiterates that Antony is nothing without Caesar. Plans are made to make sure that Caesar comes to the capitol. If necessary, Decius Brutus will flatter Caesar into venturing out. Brutus wife Portia awakens and starts questioning Brutus.

10 Portia tries to get Brutus to confide in her. She tells him that if he can not trust and confide in her then she is no better than a prostitute. Caius Ligarius comes to Brutus home and is made part of the conspiracy.

11 Julius Caesar Act II Scene 2

12 Setting: Caesar s house A few hours later Caesar has spent a restless night but is preparing to go to the capitol.

13 Calpurnia has been crying out in her sleep. Calpurnia asks Caesar not to go to the capitol today. He dismisses her a silly. She tells him of the things that have taken place. Caesar is moved.

14 Caesar states that he believes in fate and he will not be a coward. Priest report on sacrifices that Caesar requested. Bad results. Caesar takes the results and interprets them in a way which is good.

15 Calpurnia begs him not to go and he agrees to have Antony make excuses for him. Decius Brutus enters and starts to work on Caesar. Caesar says he will not lie about why he won t come to the capitol. He says he is big enough to just not go.

16 Foreshadowing The use of clues by the author to prepare readers for events that will happen in the story.

17 Calpurnia s dream about Caesar s statue is foreshadowing. Decius reinterprets the dream to convince Caesar to go. Tempts Caesar by mentioning the crown. Makes Caesar see how ridiculous he will look if he stays home. Appeals to his vanity.

18 Caesar gives in and plans to go. Caesar speaks of when he is crowned. Calls the conspirators his friends and they all leave together. Brutus in an aside comments that every seeming friend is not always a friend.

19 Aside In a play a comment made by a character who is heard by the audience but not by the other characters on stage. The speaker turns to one side and speaks away from the others on stage.

20 Act II Scenes iii & iv

21 A street near the capitol Shortly after the previous scene Action Artemidorous is writing a letter of warning to Caesar In it he names the conspirators Foreshadowing: If Caesar reads this he will be saved.

22 Scene iv Setting Another Roman street Immediately after the previous scene Portia and Lucius are trying to reach Brutus

23 Portia is distraught and her directions to Lucius are incoherent. Lucius is confused. Portia is aware of the conspiracy. Soothsayer returns and indicates that he is going to attempt to warn Caesar again.

Julius Caesar: Act I Reading and Study Guide

Julius Caesar: Act I Reading and Study Guide Name Pd. I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the play. wherefore exeunt ( k s - nt, - nt ) vulgar What