Julius Caesar
Sticky Notes
Act II
Scene 1
• In Act 2, scene one, lines 10-34 Brutus has a soliloquy that
explains his affection and friendship for Caesar as well as
his desire to be rid of him for the good of Rome.
• In line 14 he creates a metaphor that compares Caesar to a
venomous snake.
• In line 21 he creates a metaphor that compares to Caesar
to someone who climbs a social ladder and then forgets
about the people who helped him.
• In this same scene lines 32-34 create a metaphor that
compares Caesar to an unhatched snake—he’s not
dangerous now, but he will be soon.
• Lines 44-58 creates a soliloquy that discusses Brutus’
power to take action against Caesar.
• Lines 61-69 creates a soliloquy that examines Brutus’
friendship with, and desire to be rid of, Caesar.
• Lines 77-85 create a soliloquy that examines the
question of whether killing Caesar is morally correct.
• Lines 79-85 create personification that gives the
conspiracy a human face.
• Lines 101-104 create imagery (words used to create
pictures) that indicates the time of day.
• Lines 191-192b is an anachronism because there were
no clocks in Ancient Rome.
Scene 2
• In Act 2, scene two, line 19 there is an example of
alliteration (using the same beginning sounds in
several words)—fierce, fiery warriors fight.
• Lines 30-31 is an example of foreshadowing as
Calphurnia says “the heavens themselves blaze forth
the death of princes,” which is what will happen to
Caesar.
• Lines 124-125 and lines 128-129 are examples of asides
(when the character speaks directly to the audience)
that remind the audience of the conspiracy.
Scene 3
• Act 2, scene 3, lines 1-14 is a soliloquy that
creates suspense by making it clear that
Caesar’s fate hinges on Artemedorius’
warning.
Scene 1 Summary
Scene one begins on the Ides of March with
Brutus considering his personal friendship with
Caesar, but also his feelings about Caesar’s
ambition to be made king of Rome and his
desire to stop that from happening. He and his
slave Lucius find the letters that have been
forged and left by the conspirators. Upon
reading these letters, Brutus feels that it is his
duty to protect the republic of Rome from
Caesar’s ambition.
Several of the conspirators come to Brutus’
house to discuss the problem of Caesar and
exactly what will be done about it. When they
decide that Caesar must be killed, Cassius wants
to swear an oath, but Brutus declines the offer
by saying that their cause is too noble to soil
with an oath. Brutus’ speech indicates that he is
trying to rationalize his friendship and personal
feelings and his desire to rid Rome of Caesar. He
seems to have some misgivings as to the
“correctness” of this decision.
Portia enters and wants to know what is
bothering Brutus. At first he refuses to tell her,
but she reasons with him by reminding him that
she is his wife and that she is trustworthy.
Eventually Brutus tells Portia that he will reveal
his plans to her in just a little bit.
Ciaus Ligarius enters Brutus’ home and
agrees to follow Brutus’ plan even though he
knows nothing about it.
Scene 2 Summary
The scene opens in Caesar’s palace. Calphurnia does not
want Caesar to go to the Senate meeting because of the
ominous condition of the previous night and the
disturbing dreams she had concerning Caesar’s safety.
She eventually talks Caesar into sending word that he will
not be in attendance, but Decius enters and re-interprets
Calphurnia’s dream into one that glorifies Caesar. He
then tells Caesar that the Senate wants to give him a
crown and that they will laugh and call him scared if he
doesn’t come to the Senate. After listening to Decius,
Caesar decides to attend the Senate meeting. Many of
the Senators walk with Caesar to the meeting.
Scene 3 Summary
Scene three is a soliloquy in which Artemidorus
reads a letter he has written to Caesar warning
him of the conspirators and their plot against
Caesar. He also discusses his plan to stand along
the road and give the letter to Caesar. He
explains that if Caesar reads it he will live, but if
not, he will die.
Scene 4 Summary
Scene four begins with Portia and Lucius at the
house of Brutus and Portia. Portia is upset to
distraction and makes several demands of Lucius
to go to the Senate to check on Brutus. She sees
the soothsayer and asks for news, but he reveals
that he has not seen Caesar and that he intends
to give him another warning about what may
occur this day.