Act II
Act II
Scene i
A month has passed since the events in the first act of the play. It is the middle of the night before the Ides of March and Brutus in his orchard and delivering his soliloquy. This is a monologue while the character is alone on stage. In Elizabethan theatre a soliloquy is understood by the audience as a revelation of the true inner thoughts of a character.
Brutus wrestles with the dilemma between his personal love for Caesar and his fears for the Republic of Rome. This is the basis of his soliloquy, which shows his pure and noble spirit. He has no personal grievance with Caesar and so he tackles the issue from the general point that to give Caesar power might change his nature. He decides that Caesar is like a snake's egg. While it's not a danger now, once it has hatched, the snake within will cause trouble.
Brutus' servant Lucius brings him another one of the false letters Cassius has been sending him. Once he has read it, Brutus promises to do his best to grant the request of Rome, whether by speaking or striking. He feels forced by his patriotic love of Rome to act against Caesar.
As Lucius goes to answer a knock at the gate, Brutus reveals that he hasn't slept since his first conversation with Cassius a month ago. This is further evidence of how seriously Brutus has agonised over his decision. Lucius returns with the conspirators, concealed by cloaks and hats.
Brutus greets each conspirator, shakes their hands and learns their names. This action will be echoed by Mark Antony later in the play. Cassius suggests that they take an oath of allegiance to their conspiracy and one another. Brutus rejects this idea, saying that if their motives are truly noble and they are true Romans, there is no need to do that. Again we are shown the idealism and trust of Brutus, as he takes the lead role in the conspiracy now he has decided to join it.
Two more times Brutus rejects suggestions made by Cassius. The first is Brutus' decision not to invite Cicero to join their conspiracy because Cicero 'will never follow any thing / That other men begin' (II.i.150). The second suggestion Cassius makes is to kill Mark Antony along with Caesar. Brutus convinces them there is no need to 'hack the limbs (i.e. Antony) after the 'head' (i.e. Caesar) has been removed (II.i.163). Ultimately, Cassius will be proven right in his initial assessment of the danger Mark Antony poses.
As the meeting comes to a close some are concerned that Caesar may heed the warning from the soothsayer and stay home on the Ides of March. Decius promises to make sure that Caesar comes to the Senate that day. After everyone leaves, Brutus tells Metellus to send Caius Ligarius to him, so that he can invite him to join the conspiracy. The conspirators leave, promising to meet no later than 8 am to escort Caesar to the Senate.
Brutus' wife, Portia, enters. She is concerned for her husband's health. She reminds us of what an inner struggle Brutus has had and points out the effects this has had on him. She asks him to share his burdens with her, questioning her value as his wife if he is so reluctant to do so. She reminds him of her father who fought for Pompey in the war and killed himself before Caesar could take him prisoner. She also reminds Brutus of the wound she gave herself in the thigh to prove her endurance. The responder is positioned to be sympathetic to this faithful wife and understand that Brutus is a different man in private: no less noble or idealistic, but more loving and gentle.
As a knock is heard at the door, Brutus promises to explain everything to Portia when he has time. Ligarius enters and even though he is sick, he promises to forget his sickness and help Brutus in any plan he has. Ligarius reminds the audience of Brutus' noble character and ancestry. The scene ends as the two men leave.
Scene ii
This scene begins in Caesar's house with thunder and lighting crashing. Caesar has been bothered by the storm and has ordered his priests to make a sacrifice and read the entrails of the animal. His wife, Calphurnia, has also been disturbed by the events in the city (a lioness giving birth in the street, graves opening, etc) and the dream she had in the night. She begs Caesar to not go to the Capitol. When he hears back from the priests that the omens from his sacrifice aren't good, Caesar reluctantly agrees to stay home.
Decius arrives to escort Caesar to the Senate House and Caesar tells him he isn't going. Decius asks Caesar to give him a reason that he can tell the Senate for Caesar's absence. Caesar explains Calphurnia's dream in which his statue 'did run pure blood and many lusty Romans / … did bathe their hands in it' (II.ii.78).
Decius reinterprets this dream for Caesar and convinces him that it means Rome will benefit from his blood. He also mentions to Caesar that he has heard the Senate is going 'to give this day a crown to mighty Caesar' (II.ii.94) and suggests they might change their mind if Caesar doesn't come today. He tells Caesar that some people will think he's afraid.
All of this serves to change Caesar's mind and he decides to go with Decius. The other conspirators arrive and Caesar prepares to go with them.
Scene iii
This scene is very short, in which Artemidorus has written a letter warning Caesar of the conspiracy. He reads it out loud and names each of the men involved. He plans to intercept Caesar on his way to the Senate and give him this warning. Ominously, he says that Caesar will live if he reads it, but if he doesn't then the Fates (the three goddesses who control destiny) must be on the side of the traitors.
Scene iv
Portia is waiting tensely at home for Brutus to return. She still doesn't know what he is involved with but has many fears. She tells Lucius to run to the Senate and check on Brutus. She also questions a passing soothsayer about whether he knows if something is about to happen to Caesar. The soothsayer answers that he knows of nothing, but he has many fears. Portia's agonising helps increase the dramatic tension as we get nearer to the climax of the plot against Caesar.
