Rich – Sophomore English - Staff Web Server

Act II: Scene I – Brutus sends him servant Lucius to light the lamp in his study. Alone in his garden, he
realizes that the only way to control Caesar is to kill him. Although Brutus has no personal reason to kill his
friend, Brutus realizes Caesar’s nature might change for the worst if he were to become king. He believes the
only way to prevent Caesar from becoming a tyrannical king is to kill him before he can be crowned.
After lighting a lamp, Lucius returns with Cassius’ letter for Brutus. Lucius cannot recall putting the letter in
window. Brutus takes the letter and asks Lucius to check the calendar to see if tomorrow is the Ides of March.
The storm is so bright that Brutus reads the letter that urges him to wake up and redress the wrongs of Rome.
Cassius, along with Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius, come to see Brutus. After Cassius
takes Brutus aside, Cassius asks all to take an oath. Brutus argues that they need no secret oath for their cause
is just.
As the group considers others that they might enlist for support, Brutus argues against including them. Cicero
will not join anything that he did not begin. Cassius urges the conspirators to kill Antony also, but Brutus
argues to leave Antony out because the plot will seem too bloody.
Cassius points out that Caesar has become more suspicious lately and may not come to the Senate. They all
agree to accompany Caesar, whom the believe will not be able to refuse all of them. At dawn, they leave;
Brutus warns the conspirators not to let their faces betray the plan.
Portia, Brutus’ wife, comes to ask what is troubling him. He has not slept, talked, or eaten since the day
before. Brutus tries to pass it all off with a simple “I’m not well.” Portia knows that if he weren’t well he
would seek help. She knows that something he is thinking about is the trouble and, as his wife, he needs to
share it with her. He promises to tell her soon. Caius Ligarius, who has risen from his sick bed to join Brutus
and the others, arrives.
Act II: Scene ii – Meanwhile, the storm continues and disrupts Caesar’s house as well. During the night,
Caesar’s wife Calphurnia has called out in a dream that Caesar has been murdered. Caesar sends a servant to
make a sacrifice and let him know if the priests feel it is successful in appeasing the gods.
Caesar, who has always faced his fears, is determined to go to the Senate today. Calphurnia urges Caesar to
stay home because of evil omens she and others have seen. A lioness gave birth in the streets; graves have
come open, the strange storm has dropped fire, blood has dripped from the Capitol. Caesar, however, points
out that fate cannot be avoided. Calphurnia begs Caesar to send Antony to the Senate in his place.
When Decius comes for Caesar, Caesar tells Decius to inform the senators that he will not come today.
Although Calpurnia urges Decius to say her husband is ill, Caesar insists that he owes the Senate no
explanation but explains privately that Calphurnia wishes him to stay home because of her dream. In the
dream Caesar’s statue spouted blood and many Romans came and bathed their hands in it. Decius offers a
flattering interpretation: Caesar’s blood will revive Rome. Once Caesar is crowned, many Romans will come
to seek advice and wisdom from Caesar. Decius then tells Caesar that the Senate indeed plans to offer the
crown to him today and that he must be there to receive it. Caesar decides to go with the others when they
come for him.
Act II: Scene iii – Outside Caesar’s house, Artemidorus reads a letter warning Caesar about Brutus and vows
to give it to Caesar as he passes.
Act II: Scene iv – Outside Brutus’ house, Portia is worried about Brutus because she knows of his plans. She
asks Lucius to run to the Senate and check on Brutus. She thinks she hears noises but Lucius hears none. As
the Soothsayer passes, Portia asks if he has seen Caesar yet. The Soothsayer says no, but that he has to see
Caesar before he goes to the Senate. The Soothsayer leaves to find Caesar elsewhere because the narrowness
of the street in front of Brutus’s house could cause the crowds to crush him.
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