Julius Caesar Acts II, III, and IV

Act II At the beginning of Act II, Brutus is still trying to make up him mind whether or not to participate in the conspiracy Cassius is concerned that after all of his hard work, Caesar will not leave his home on the Ides of March due to the strange events of the night.

Act II Events of the night: More omens, storm, Calphurnia’s dream, lioness giving birth in the middle of the street, blood pouring over the Capitol building, a fountain of blood, the dead arose Portia claims that her husband is not telling her everything, is troubled and therefore, not treating her like a wife, but like a prostitute

Act II It is brought up that perhaps Antony should be killed along with Caesar. But Brutus says no because he would be powerless without Caesar and is not a serious threat to them

Act II Caesar interprets another omen, a beast without a heart during sacrifice means that he would be a heartless coward if he were to stay home Artemidorus writes Caesar a letter telling him to beware of his “friends” and that they are plotting against him

Act II Calphurina represents intuition Portia represents strength Caesar first says he will go, then Calphurnia changes his mind, then Decius convinced Caesar to go because he said he will be looked at as a fool and a coward to listen to his wife

Act III Artemidorus tries to get Caesar’s attention to warn him but fails Caesar goes to the Capitol where he meets the conspirators and their mood is anxious and suspicious The conspirators ask for the freedom of Publius Cimber, one of the conspirators brothers

Act III Caesar declines the request and shows conceit and confidence He is then killed and claims “Et tu Brute?” meaning “And you Brutus?” realizing that Brutus never loved him after all Immediately after he is killed the Roman people respond with fear and panic

Act III Cassius does not want Antony to speak at the funeral because he is afraid that the people will be swayed by him, no one knows what will happen, and fear that Antony may not speak well of Caesar

Act III Antony is allowed to speak at the funeral under 4 conditions: must say he was given permission, must speak well of Caesar, must speak well of the conspirators, must speak after Brutus When Brutus speaks to the people the offer him adoring support

Act III When Antony speaks they turn against Brutus and favor him- he speak of Caesar’s “ambitions” Caesar’s will is read and he left the Roman people 75 drachmas (silver coins) and all of his private gardens become public parks The crowd then suggests they riot and set fire to the conspirators’ homes

Act III Cinna the poet is attacked at the end of Act III simply because he shares the same name with one of the conspirators

Act IV Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus are on one side (the ruling side) Brutus and Cassius are the leaders of the other side in Asia Minor Antony sends for Caesar’s will to see if he can decrease the amount of money for the people

Act IV Antony feels that Lepidus is undeserving of his position and wants to demote him Antony has changed and become power-hungry Brutus and Cassius begin to argue at their camp and Brutus calls Cassius a “hot friend cooling” meaning their friendship is now less

Act IV Brutus accuses Cassius of being corrupt and greedy Cassius says that he is a more experienced soldier They apologize to each other when they realize they are both just mad

Act IV Brutus suggests they march to Philippi because he wants to surprise the Roman army and get the people of Philippi on his side Cassius wants to stay put so as not to tire the soldiers We also learn that Portia has died by swallowing fire (hot coals). Caesar’s ghost appears to Brutus and says he will “see him at Philippi” foreshadowing that he will get revenge for his death