Julius Caesar Act II, III

Let’s Recap…Iambic Pentameter Decide if each of the lines is in iambic pentameter or not. Who is here so vile that will not love A. iambic pentameter B. NOT iambic pentameter B. 10 syllables but the pronunciation of vile is wrong. Also, it is prose, spoken during the funeral oration. who-IS here-SO vi-LE that-WILL not-LOVE (VI-le)

Let’s Recap…Iambic Pentameter Decide if each of the lines is in iambic pentameter or not. I am, but as you would say, a cobbler. A. iambic pentameter B. NOT iambic pentameter B. 10 syllables but pronunciation of cobbler is wrong. Also, it is prose, spoken by the cobbler. i-AM but-AS you-WOULD say-A cob-BLER (COB-bler)

Let’s Recap…Order of Words Choose the BEST, most accurate rewording of the Shakespearean lines into regular English (Subject-Verb-Object Order; placement of modifiers) “And so near will I be / That your best friends shall wish I had been further. A. That your best friends shall be so near and I had been further so near I will be. B. And will I be so near that your best friends shall wish I had been further. C. And I will be so near that your best friends shall wish I had been further. D. That your best friends shall wish I had been further and so near I will be. C. Subject (I) Verb (will be)

Act 2, Scene 1 Brutus anxiously ponders joining the conspiracy against Caesar. When he is brought one of the unsigned letters that Cassius has had left for him to find, Brutus decides to act. Visited by the conspirators, he agrees to join them but rejects their plan to kill Mark Antony as well as Caesar. When the other conspirators have left, Portia, Brutus’ wife, begs of him an explanation for his sudden change of mood, which Brutus promises to give her. Brutus, joined by Caius Ligarius, departs for Caesar’s.

Act 1, Scene 2 It is now the fifteenth of March. Calphurnia, Caesar’s wife, persuades him to stay home because she fears for his safety. Decius Brutus, arriving to accompany Caesar to the Capitol, convinces him that the senators plan to crown Caesar that day but that they may never renew their offer should they suspect he is afraid. Caesar changes his mind and decides to go. He is joined by Brutus and the rest of the conspirators, as well as by Mark Antony.

Act 1, Scene 3 Artemidorus waits in the street for Caesar in order to give him a letter warning him of the conspiracy against him.

Act 1, Scene 4 Portia, who know has been told of the conspirators’ plan to kill Caesar, waits anxiously for news of their success. She meets the Soothsayer, who still fears for Caesar and wants to warn him.

Brutus’ speech “It must be by his death…” “What two things does Brutus compare Caesar to when consider his character? In your opinion, which one of those do Caesar’s actions so far in the play most closely resemble? (Cite specific actions/lines). Assess Brutus’ logic. Does he reach a rational decision? If so, how/why? If not, what errors in logic does he commit?

Brutus’ speech “It must be by his death…” Would you say Brutus is trying to convince himself of a decision he has already made (i.e. “talk himself into it”) or is he objectively examining the data he has (“pro/con” list) Based on what you’ve read so far, do you think Brutus could have been convinced to join the conspiracy without the fake letters?

Let’s Ponder…. Why does Cassius want Caesar dead? Who gains from Caesar’s death? Anything else before we move on to Act III?

Act III The death of Caesar, 3:1:1-85 Brutus funeral oratory 3:2:14-36 Antony funeral oratory 3:2:82-117 Take notes. Research. Question their word choices. Compare and contrast the oratories. Bring any questions you have to prepare for the Socratic Seminar after we finish the play.

Speaking of the Socratic Seminar… Socratic Seminars function best with a specific goal – specific lines to analyze. I want you to focus on the oratories; however, I don’t want you to “put on blinders” and ignore the rest of the play. Take the whole play into account as you analyze the oratories. Motivations, why, arguments, etc. Really think beyond their words.

Need Some Reading Guidance? Think about the main character’s tone of voice. It’ll help you identify quotes easier on the test. If it sounds familiar, it’s probably a famous line. Take note of who speaks it. Think about all the arguments you read in Julius Caesar. We don’t have time to discuss them all, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important.

Homework Finish Act III Tomorrow: We will debrief Act III and briefly discuss the oratories. Anyone want to act out the oratories? We will also start Act IV.