Reminder: 0 FILE CHECK IN WEEK 9, LESSON 2 0 Ensure that Content Page is updated and all notes filed in properly 0 Blanks should also be filled up 0 For misplaced notes/worksheets, print them out from the Literature website (literatureatefss1516.weebly.com)
Men may construe things, after their fashion, Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. (1.3.34-35) Men tend to interpret things their own way and sometimes, very differently from the real meaning and importance what s really happening. Perspective is all.
In pairs, Take 15 minutes 0 Trace the sequence of events in Act 1 What can we expect in Act 2? 0 Mind-map impressions of: CASSIUS, BRUTUS, CASCA, CAESAR Cassius
Act 1:
Impressions of: Characters: Caesar Cassius Impressions: Public Supremely confident, Full of pride, Charismatic, Commanding, God-like proportion, Greatly admired and loved by the common people, Feared by the politicians, Dignified Private Astute, superstitious Conniving, manipulative, persuasive, scheming, unscrupulous Brutus Casca Public Ardent patriot, Highly principled, Contemplative, Honourable, Private Gentle, Scholarly, Thoughtful, Considerate Sullen, Scornful
Julius Caesar: Act II
Brief summary of Act 2: SCENE 1: Brutus bothered by what Cassius had mentioned to him about Caesar. Other conspirators arrive Portia is worried for Brutus SCENE 2: Calphurnia dreams of Caesar being murdered and persuades him to stay home Decius convinces Caesar to go to the Senate The other politicians and conspirators arrive Caesar invited them into his house for wine as a sign of friendship SCENE 3: Artemidorous reads out a letter to warn Caesar of his impending assasination SCENE 4: Portia worries for Brutus while the Soothsayer expresses his worry for Caesar
Keep this question in mind: What are some new aspects of Brutus s character that are revealed? (Do these aspects make him more or less admirable in the eyes of the audience?)
CLOSE READING. Text on the table. Pens out.
p. 83, 2.1.1-5 Brutus is troubled, experiencing inner turmoil and conflict, bothered by Cassius remarks and persuasion
p. 83, 2.1.10-27 Authority without compassion results in an abuse of power It is by behaving humbly that the ambitious gains power
p.85, 2.1.32-34 Brutus is now much more convinced by his motives to remove Caesar considers Caesar a threat that has to be removed immediately before he grows into an unstoppable dictator
p. 87, 2.1.46-58 Letter is persuading Brutus to see himself clearly so that he may see the real situation. However, the note is not truly waking Brutus as he still sees the situation as Cassius presented to him. He is still tainted by Cassius s words. Essentially, the letter is effective in misleading Brutus,
p. 95, 2.1.166 Believing that killing Caesar is a sacred cause.
p. 97, 2.1.180 Brutus truly believing that killing Caesar is a noble cause and should be done nobly
Believing truly in a higher power. Contradicts Cassius s belief that men are masters of their own fate. No fear about facing death. How might the audience feel at this point of the play? Prediction seems accurate Speaking of himself in third person Caesar the public figure is like another persona, personality of his an alter ego of sorts p. 113, 2.2. 26-48
p. 119, 2.2.124-129 How might Brutus say his Aside?
Brutus s selfless motives and personal anguish at betraying a friend is contrasted with the envy and malice of his fellow conspirators. He is obviously profoundly touched by Caesar s display of friendship and feels intensely guilty of his own duplicity (being two-faced). I m truly sorry Caesar *cries in a manly way*
What are some new aspects of Brutus s character that are revealed? (Do these aspects make him more or less admirable in the eyes of the audience?) He does not seem as gullible in Act 1 when he was conversing with Cassius. He does really believe in removing Caesar for the good of Rome and the Roman people. He does not feel malice or envy towards Caesar but is disturbed by the amount of power that Caesar holds, and the great possibility of that power being abused. He is able to act with great authority and influence on the other conspirators. He seems to have more influence on the conspirators than Cassius. Yet, he is still able to remain principled. He dismisses Cassius apparent worry of the threat of Antony and remains focus on only removing Caesar. He does feel guilty of his action but firmly uses his love for Rome to support his decision to assassinate Caesar.
Journal Task: Looking at Act 2 as a whole, how does Shakespeare increase our sense of impending doom? Think about: 0 The role of Portia 0 The role of Calphurnia 0 The role of the Soothsayer 0 Artemidorus s letter 0 Caesar s overconfidence