Name: Date: Scan for Audio > Julius Caesar - Act 2, Scene 1 Summary Brutus has not been able to sleep since he spoke with Cassius because he has been thinking about the idea of killing Caesar, and that thought is torturing him. He has come to the conclusion that Caesar must be killed, and now is the time to do it. Otherwise, Caesar will become too powerful. His decision is helped by the fake letters that Cassius had delivered to him. Why is Brutus having a hard time sleeping? Why does Brutus think now is the time to kill Caesar? Summary Continued The conspirators come to visit Brutus during the night. They are dressed in dark cloaks. Along with Brutus, they agree to kill Caesar. Then, they discuss whether or not to kill Mark Antony as well. Cassius thinks they should. Brutus thinks they should not. They decide they will let Mark Antony live. Decius (one of the conspirators) agrees to make sure that Caesar makes it to the Capitol the next day so that they can kill him there. What do Brutus and the conspirators decide to do? What will the conspirators do about Mark Antony? Copyright Spedsheets.com, 2018. All Rights Reserved
Summary Continued After the conspirators leave, Brutus wife, Portia, enters. She is worried about Brutus because he has not slept. She knows that something is on his mind, and she becomes upset with him because he will not share it with her. She begs him to share what is on his mind, but he will not. He says he will tell her another time. Why is Portia upset with Brutus? We learn a great deal about Brutus (the main character) through his inner thoughts and actions during this scene. First, we learn that he is genuinely troubled by the choice he feels he needs to make about Caesar. He is not taking this decision lightly. Also, once Brutus finally commits to killing Caesar, we see his leadership on display. He convinces the conspirators that it would be wrong to kill Mark Antony. Finally, we see how he does not have the best relationship with his wife. This hints at a tragedy later in the play. We should understand that Brutus may not always make the right decision, but he does make decisions based on what he thinks is ethically correct. He really tries to do the right thing. Activity - Understanding Shakespeare s Language Read the following quote and analyze what you think Brutus is saying about how the conspirators should kill Caesar. Quote Let s carve him (Caesar) as a dish fit for the gods, not * hew him as a carcass fit for hounds. Brutus is saying that *hew - to chop Copyright Spedsheets.com, 2018. All rights reserved.
Name: Date: Scan for Audio > Summary Julius Caesar - Act 2, Scene 2 It is March 15, the day the soothsayer warned Caesar about. Caesar is faced with a decision whether to stay home or to go to the Capitol to be crowned king. At first, he says he will go, even though Calpurnia (his wife) tries to convince him not to, and a message from the priests warn him it is not a good idea. Calpurnia thinks all of the recent signs, such as ghosts shrieking in the streets, are bad omens for Caesar. Why is Calpurnia worried for Caesar? What does Caesar first decide to do? Summary Continued Calpurnia continues to beg Caesar not to go. Finally, Caesar agrees to listen to her. Shortly after, however, Decius arrives and begins to change Caesar s mind again by arguing that Calpurnia is interpreting the signs all wrong. Decius claims the signs mean that Caesar will save Rome. So, Caesar changes his mind again, and decides he will go to the Capitol to receive the crown. The scene ends with all the conspirators joining Caesar at his house to eat and drink with Caesar. We see Brutus feeling bad for Caesar because Caesar thinks these men, who are about to kill him, are his friends. Who finally convinces Caesar to go to the Capitol? Why does Brutus feel bad for Caesar? Copyright Spedsheets.com, 2018. All Rights Reserved
Caesar shows that he is over-confident in this scene. He believes that nothing can harm him. But, if something were to harm him, he believes that its because that is what the gods want (fate). He also shows that his mind is able to be changed fairly easily. First, his wife changes his mind, but quickly after Decius changes it again. Finally, we see that Caesar is blinded by his ambition (desire to do something great) because he clearly wants to be king. Ultimately, Caesar is doomed because he is overconfident and overly ambitious. Plus, he trusts the wrong people. Activity - Understanding Shakespeare s Language Analyze this famous quote by Julius Caesar. What do you think he is saying? Quote Cowards die many times before their death. The * valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me the most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come. Caesar is saying that * valiant - brave, courageous Copyright Spedsheets.com, 2018. All rights reserved.
Name: Date: Text Read Julius Caesar - Act 2 Test Part 1 - Characters Choose the letter of the word from the word bank that fits each statement 1. This character has a difficult time sleeping because of the thought of killing Caesar 2. This character begs Brutus to talk, but he is too busy. 3. This character writes a letter to Caesar, warning Caesar of the conspiracy 4. This character believes he is difficult to kill; that he is, more dangerous than danger itself. 5. This character convinces Caesar to stay home on March 15 (before someone else convinces him to go to the Capitol). 6. This character is the conspirator who is responsible for making sure Caesar gets to the Capitol on March 15. 7. The conspirators decide to let this character live. 8. He is the evil villain of the play Continue to next page
Multiple Choice 9. What decision does Brutus make about Caesar? a. Caesar must be made king b. Caesar must die c. Brutus will ask Caesar to make him king d. Caesar must kill Cassius 10. Who comes to visit Brutus during the middle of the night? a. Portia b. Antony c. Caesar d. Conspirators 11. Who thinks Mark Antony needs to be killed? b. Brutus d. Caesar 12. Who thinks Mark Antony should live? b. Brutus d. Caesar 13. Who is worried about Brutus? b. Calpurnia d. Caesar 14. Who does not want Caesar to go to the Capitol? b. Calpurnia d. Brutus Copyright Spedsheets.com, 2018. All rights reserved.