Snapshot

 Scene 1: Brutus’ garden on the night before the Ides of March. Brutus is alone, contemplating his decision.  Scene 2: Caesar’s house a few hours later. Caesar is preparing to go to the capitol.  Scene 3: A street near the capitol that same morning. Artemidorus is alone.  Scene 4: The street in front of Brutus’ house later that same morning. Portia is directing Lucius to check on Brutus at the capitol.

 Lucius: Brutus’ servant.  Trebonius: Conspirator  Portia: Brutus’ wife  Metellus Cimber: Conspirator  Caius Ligarius: Joins the conspiracy in Scene 1  Decius Brutus: Conspirator

 Caesar: He was confident and not superstitious, but now he is worried about the omens and trying to make peace with the other senators.  Brutus: He convinces himself to join the conspiracy.  Cassius: Grows braver and more devious.  Portia: She was confident that she could keep his secret, but once she knew it she struggled with it.

 Brutus vs. Self – to join the conspiracy  Portia vs. Self – to keep Brutus’ secret  Caesar vs. Calpurnia – to stay home because of the bad omens  Conspiracy vs. Caesar – to take him out of power.

 Brutus and Portia  Loyal and loving marriage  Trusting and respectful of each other  Caesar and Calpurnia  Loyal and loving marriage  Calpurnia worries about Caesar  He seems to love her, but not take her concerns seriously

 Soliloquy: Brutus alone in his garden at the beginning of Scene 1. He is struggling with whether or not to join the conspiracy.  Aside: Trebonius and Brutus use these in Scene 2. They build dramatic irony by letting the audience know more about the conspiracy against Caesar in his presence.  Foreshadowing: Calpurnia’s dream  Alliteration: “…fierce, fiery warriors fight…”

 Imagery: “…and yon gray lines that fret the clouds are messengers of day.”  Metaphor: Brutus compares Caesar to a serpent’s egg, and that it’s better to kill him before he hatches.  Personification: the conspiracy is said to have a human face  Suspense: The asides, Calpurnia’s dream, Artemidorus’ warning all create suspense  Anachronism: the clock striking the hour

 Brutus’ soliloquy creates suspense because he arrives at a decision  The conspirators arrival with their faces covered creates suspense  Calpurnia’s dream foreshadows Caesar’s death  The asides increase dramatic irony and create suspense  Artemidorus’ letter creates suspense by creating a situation by which Caesar could be saved  Portia’s fear creates suspense by reflecting the nervousness of the audience

 Conspirators are loyal to each other  Conspirators, former friends of Caesar, betray him  Brutus struggles with loyalty and betrayal, even after he has made the decision  Portia and Calpurnia demonstrate loyalty to their husbands  Antony is constant in his loyalty