3. Why Is Lucius Unable to Recognize the Men Who Accompany Cassius?
Julius Caesar Act II
READING CHECK
1. When the play opens, it is February 15, the feast of Lupercal. How much time has passed, when the second act begins?
A month has gone by. It is the eve of the ides of March.
2. Who is responsible for the anonymous letters that Brutus has been receiving?
Cassius.
3. Why is Lucius unable to recognize the men who accompany Cassius?
They have their hats pulled down over their ears and their cloaks pulled up around their faces.
4. Why do the conspirators wish to have Cicero join them?
He is noble and well respected; as a result, Romans would look more favorably upon the assassination of Caesar.
5. Which one of the conspirators is confident that he can get Caesar to the Capitol?
Decius knows that he can flatter Caesar.
6. What do the auguers find when they examine the animal they have killed as a sacrifice?
They find that the animal had no heart.
7. What has Calpurnia dreamed?
She dreamed that Caesar's statue was spouting blood and that Romans were bathing their hands in it.
8. According to Decius, what is the Senate planning to present to Caesar?
They will offer him the crown.
9. Who knows of the conspiracy and plans to warn Caesar?
Artemidorus.
10. What message does Portia send to Brutus at the Senate House?
She sends word that she is merry.
FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION
1. As Brutus begins his soliloquy in Scene 1, it is clear he has already decided that Caesar must die. a. What reasons does he give for his decision?
Brutus says he is joining the conspiracy for the general good; that Caesar wants to be king, which would give him powers he may abuse; that once Caesar is king, he will ignore the problems of the Roman people; that once Caesar's "characteristics" are augmented, it can be predicted that he will abuse his power.
b. From what you have seen of Caesar, are they good reasons? Tell why or why not.
Students' opinions of Brutus' reasoning will vary. In effect, the question asks them to give an opinion about whether the possibility that Caesar may become a tyrant justifies his murder. At this point, you may wish to discuss if the end justifies the means-an ethical problem that continues to confound, and one of the themes of the play. (There is no specific text for this.)
2. Lucius is the only important character in the play whom Shakespeare did not find in Plutarch's Lives. a. What function does Lucius serve in Scene 1?
In Scene 1, Lucius acts as servant and messenger. He brings Brutus the letter Cassius has sent, announces the date (line 59), and describes the furtive appearance of the conspirators. Brutus treats Lucius kindly, which brings out an aspect of his character not yet seen.
b. Watch for Lucius again in Act Four, and see if you can decide why Shakespeare put him in the play. (Lucius is the link between Brutus' joining the conspiracy and Portia’s learning about his participation in it. Lucius is used to emphasize the human dimensions of Brutus. Brutus is kind to Lucius, who is also a link to Portia herself.)
3a. Why does Brutus believe there is no need for the conspirators to swear an oath?
See Scene 1, lines 124-140. He claims that they need no oath if their motives are strong. He believes the conspirators "bear fire enough" to change the way other Romans think, that they need no bond other than their words, their honor as Romans, and their honesty. Their enterprise is too noble to need an oath.
b. What does this suggest about his character?
It suggests that Brutus is the trusting, honorable, and idealistic person he has seemed to be. He assumes the other conspirators hold the ideals he holds.
4a. In Scene 1, what two changes does Brutus make in the plans of the conspirators?
He does not want to approach Cicero as an ally because he feels Cicero will not follow a plan begun by others, and he does not want to kill Antony along with Caesar, claiming that Antony will be impotent once Caesar is dead. He also recoils from the idea that they might be "butchers" rather than "sacrificers."
b. Are his reasons noble and high-minded?
They seem to be. Line 166 certainly favors nobility.
Are they realistic and practical? Explain.
They seem to be. In favor of practicality see lines 151-152,162-164, and 177-180.
5. Portia appears at the end of Scene 1 right after the conspirators leave. What does the scene reveal about the characters of Brutus and Portia and about their relationship?
They seem similar in temperament and character: loving, gentle, noble, courageous. They seem to have a respectful relationship. Brutus, however, does not wish to tell Portia about the conspiracy; he promises to do so finally, but Ligarius' entrance interrupts their conversation.
6. Brutus follows a philosophy called Stoicism.
Stoics believe that individuals should lead lives of virtue, reason, and duty, mastering all emotions and submitting to fate.
a. So far in the play, how does Brutus show his Stoicism?
In making the decision to join the conspirators, Brutus uses reason rather than emotion. His idealism and patriotism and intelligence have led him to the conclusion that it is his duty to join them, and he has "mastered" his personal feelings for Caesar.
b. How does Portia show she is a Stoic?
Portia appeals to Brutus with reason: she does not threaten or make a scene. Her bearing of a self-inflicted wound reveals mastery of her body (her pain).
7a. In Scene 2, what impression do you get of Caesar?
He seems both strong and weak, both confident and indecisive. He shows a certain greatness and courage in refusing to yield to fear or to lie to the Senate.
b. What strengths does he show?
See lines 32-37, He shows strength in the famous speech about cowardice and valor. Caesar is strong enough to face death without flinching.
What weaknesses?
Caesar is open to the flattery of Decius (who says the Senate is going to offer him a crown). He has been extremely indecisive about whether or not to go to the Senate, another sign of weakness, though not so ruinous as his desire for the crown.
8. Scene 2 focuses on the question of whether or not Caesar will attend the Senate. a. How does Shakespeare build suspense?
He pits Calpurnia against Decius; Calpurnia is determined to keep Caesar at home and Decius must get him to the Senate.
b. What feelings do you have as you watch Caesar try to make up his mind?
As we watch Caesar try to make up his mind here, we hope that he will decide not to go. At the same time, we know that he will go, for the play is based on history, and we know that Caesar actually did die on the Ides of March. This use of dramatic irony creates a sense of tension and horror in the audience. (There is no specific text for this.)
9. Both Portia and Calpurnia try to exert influence on their husbands. a. How do their methods differ?
Portia appeals to Brutus' reason; Calpurnia appeals to Caesar's emotions. Calpurnia is superstitious; Portia is rational.
b. How does Caesar's treatment of Calpurnia differ from Brutus' treatment of Portia?
Brutus treats Portia with respect. Caesar treats Calpurnia like a weak, nervous person whom he both dominates and humors.
10. Reread lines 58-107 in Scene 2. To what aspects of Caesar's personality is Decius appealing as he tries to persuade him to go to the Senate?
Decius appeals to Caesar's vanity and ambition in interpreting Calpurnia's dream positively and especially in telling Caesar that the Senate plans to offer him a crown that day. He plays on Caesar's vanity by telling him that the Senate will laugh at him when they hear that he is controlled by his wife's whims.
11. Lines 32-37 in Scene 2 contain one of the most famous speeches in all of Shakespeare's work. a. Explain what Caesar means in this speech.
Caesar says that cowards keep anticipating and fearing death, so they experience the fear of the dying many times. But brave people do not anticipate death; they only die once, when it actually happens. Caesar says that he finds it strange that people fear death, since all must die, and since we have very little control over when death will come.
b. Why is this speech ironic to the audience?
We know that Caesar will soon die. He also, at this moment, does have the power to control events and not go to the Senate. He can prevent his death if he chooses certain actions. (There is no specific text for this.)
12. How does Scene 3 add to the suspense of the play?
There is now a possibility that the conspiracy might fail. Although Caesar has had a number of warnings so far in the play, Artemidorus' letter is the first to name specific enemies. If Artemidorus succeeds in getting Caesar to read his letter, then Caesar can escape death.
13a. In Scene 4, why does Portia send Brutus the message that she is merry?
Students' interpretations may vary. By her message that she is merry, Portia might intend to convey to Brutus that she approves of the act he is about to commit.
b. Describe her actual state of mind in this scene and tell how you know what it is.
In reality, she is distraught and nervous. She makes Lucius confused about his errand; she hears noises when the boy hears none; she wants to speak about the conspiracy (lines 6-9) but is unable to; she suddenly feels faint (line 42); she bewails her weakness - her feelings. (lines 38-39).
14a. Why do you think Shakespeare has the soothsayer reappear in Scene 4?
The soothsayer's reappearance is a reminder of all the warnings Caesar has had about the dangers to his life. In recalling him to the stage, Shakespeare reminds the audience that in the very first act, the soothsayer warned Caesar to beware the Ides of March. The soothsayer's reappearance increases the tension here, for he is setting out to warn Caesar once more, but it may be too late. The warners (Artemidorus and the soothsayer) converge upon Caesar at the same time that the conspirators move to kill him.
b. In line 29 He says that Caesar is his own enemy. How is this so?
In deciding to go to the Senate, Caesar is acting out of less than admirable motives. He could have chosen not to go. He has refused to heed all warnings that his life is in danger.
______For Your Information______
LITERARY ELEMENTS
Dramatic Structure: Suspense and Action
Answers will vary, of course. We might wonder: How will Caesar be killed? How will Caesar react, especially when he sees Brutus in the group? How will the crowd react? How will the conspirators feel after the murder? How will Calpuruia react?
The following people have changed their minds. The citizens had supported Pompey; they now support Caesar. Brutus had doubts about the conspiracy; he decides that it is a goad cause and joins the conspirators. Caesar had decided not to go to the Senate; he is influenced by Decius' flattery and chooses to go. Cassius had wanted to kill Antony; he listens to Brutus' arguments and changes his plan. Cassius and Casca had wanted to include Cicero in the conspiracy; they decide against it.
Imagery
The moral problem is whether the honorable end (ridding Rome of a potential tyrant) justifies the bloody and brutal means (assassination). Caesar has been a great soldier and leader. Will he became a tyrant?
sleep: in Scene 1, line 46, it means "unconscious, unaware";
in line 62, it means "rested easily";
in line 252, it means "slumber."
sickness: in Scene 1, line 261, it means "physically ill";
in line 268, it means "distressing";
in line 316, it means "in despair";
in line 328, it means "dead,"
fire: in Scene 1, line 110, it means "sunrise";
in line 120, it means "strong feelings";
in line 332, it means "excited, stimulated";
in Scene 2, line 19, it means "spirited, ardent."
Notice that these images also reflect the action and theme of the play:
· Caesar "sleeps" - he is unaware of the conspiracy and unaware of the hatred aroused by his ambition. The conspirators are embarked on an action that will not permit them to "rest easily" or even to "slumber."
· Caesar has a bodily "sickness" (epilepsy) as well as a moral "sickness" (ambition). These images of sickness also support the moral decay of the times. The result of the murder will be "despair" (Portia) and "death" (the conspirators).
· “Fire” can both create and destroy–here, the fire of passion destroys the conspiracy well as Caesar.
* All's Well That Ends Well