THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
ACT II
Scene 1
1. Summarize the conflict that Brutus describes in his soliloquy.
Brutus has no personal reasons to dislike Caesar. However,
Brutus fears that if crowned king, Caesar will abuse his
power and Rome and its people will suffer. He must decide
whether to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar.
2. Identify the conclusion of Brutus’ extended metaphor. Explain this
conclusion.
“Would run to these and these extremities; And therefore think him
as a serpent’s egg, Which hatch’d, would as his kind grow
mischievous, And kill him in the shell.
Like an unhatched snake, he is not dangerous now but he
will become dangerous.
3. Why are the appeals that Cassius makes in the letters to Brutus effective?
Cassius plays on Brutus’ sense of civic duty and his pride
in his ancestors’ accomplishments. He has effectively
recognized Brutus’ motivation.
4. What does Brutus’ response to his decision indicate about his character?
He takes his responsibility seriously; he is not coldhearted but
emotional.
5. Reread Lucius’ description of the scene when he describes the men at the
door. What mood is created by this image?
Frightening and mysterious
6. Point out the personification that Brutus uses when he welcomes the visitors.
Describe the personification.
He personifies “Conspiracy”. He speaks to it and describes it as if
it has a human face.
7. What does this personification indicate about his attitude toward the
undertaking?
He despises its deceptive nature; he says it is too ugly to see the
light of day and therefore must hide itself at night.
8. Why does Shakespeare include the discussion about the sun rising?
He needed a way to indicate the time of day to the audience
since the Elizabethans did not have the technology to
present it onstage.
9. What is the point of Brutus’ speech when he talks about an oath of loyalty?
He says that the idea of the conspirators’ taking an oath of loyalty
insults the conspirators’ lofty motive: to do what is best for Rome.
10. Why does Metellus want to include Cicero in the conspiracy?
People will trust his wisdom and good judgment because he is older.
11. Explain the reasons Cassius gives for killing Mark Antony.
He says Antony is close to Caesar, he is a clever politician, and
he may use his intelligence to hurt the conspirators.
12. Brutus’ gives a description of Mark Antony. What does this say about
Antony’s character?
He is not serious but devotes himself to sports and socializing.
13. Summarize the conspirators plan.
They will all go get Caesar and take him to the Capitol no
later than eight o’clock.
14. Describe and interpret Brutus’ mood as he says good-bye to the men.
He acts cheerful and optimistic, probably the opposite
of his true feelings.
15. What does the reader learn about Brutus from his speeches to Lucius and to
Portia?
He seems kind and gentle. His words to Lucius indicate he’s worried
while those to Portia are loving.
16. Portia gives a detailed description of Brutus’ actions when he got out of bed
earlier. What emotions do the gestures and expressions indicate?
Worry, stress, preoccupation, impatience
17. What can the reader tell about Portia and her feelings for Brutus? Why is
her statement “You have some sick offense within your mind” especially
meaningful?
She seems devoted to Brutus. She is intuitive in realizing something
is bothering him and is worried about him; her description of his
“offense” describes his situation accurately. She is stubborn and
persistent
in asking him to confide in her.
18. How do Portia’s pleas make Brutus feel?
He feels guilty and undeserving of such a good and understanding
wife.
19. Define Brutus’ conflict after Portia exits.
His conflict is whether or not to tell his wife of the assassination
plot, but more deeply, his conflict is how to reconcile his decision
to help assassinate Caesar with his guilt and misgivings about it.
20. Explain what Caius’ behavior and dialogue tells the reader about Brutus.
Brutus’ trustworthy and respected character is stressed when Caius
immediately “discards” his sickness on finding that Brutus needs his
help; he agrees to help Brutus without knowing what he has in mind
and says it is enough that Brutus leads him.
Scene 2
21. Does Caesar demonstrate the same or different traits as he did in Act 1?
He still expresses pride in the fact that he is frightened of nothing.
22. Describe Calphurnia’s state of mind.
Calphurnia is nervous and frightened and sees portentous symbols
in a variety of details.
23. Identify the alliteration in Calphurnia’s speech.
“Fierce fiery warriors fight. . .”
24. When Caesar says, “Caesar should be a beast without a heart. . .” is his
attitude foolhardy or courageous.
Caesar once again demonstrates his pride in his own fearlessness.
25. When Caesar agrees to have Antony say he is unwell, identify the conflict.
The conflict hinges on whether or not Caesar will go to the Capitol
and whether the assassination plot will succeed.
26. Describe Calphurnia’s dream.
The dream as Caesar describes it is morbid, frightening, and
nightmarish.
27. How does the vision change when Decius gives it a different meaning?
By twisting its meaning, Decius makes the same image less
disturbing.
28. How does Caesar’s greeting to Antony relate to what is known about
Antony’s character?
Caesar refers to Antony’s reputation for enjoying socializing.
29. Define aside.
Words spoken by an actor and heard by the audience which the other
persons on stage cannot hear.
30. Identify the asides of Trebonius and Brutus. Explain how the two asides are
similar and different.
Both asides are meant to remind the reader of the conspirators’ plot
and move the audience to suspense and perhaps sympathy for Caesar.
They differ in showing different motives: Trebonius is wholeheartedly
involved in the plot while Brutus is still of two minds about the
assassination.
Scene 3
31. The play is nearing the point at which one conflict, Caesar’s fate, will be
resolved. Have students explain how Shakespeare creates suspense.
He shows Artemidorus hoping to deliver a letter warning Caesar
of the conspiracy; he shows Portia frantically looking for Brutus.
Scene 4
32. Explain Portia’s conflict.
She wants to support her husband’s enterprise but is fearful for
his safety and is afraid she will give away the plot.
33. Describe Portia’s mood and attitude in her last speech. How do these
increase the play’s suspense?
She is so worried and upset that she is almost physically ill. Her
worry puts a human face on the political situation, increasing
the reader’s suspense.