JULIUS CAESARAct II

Literary Elements Extended Metaphor- a comparison not using like

or as developed over multiple lines in the play Foreshadowing-hint of action to come Soliloquy-long speech by a single actor Aside-inside information given by a character

directly to the audience Author’s Purpose- rationale behind plot choices Motivation- character’s reason for acting

Characters Lucius- servant for Brutus Brutus-soon to be conspirator Cassius-initiating the conspiracy Portia-Brutus’wife Caesar-man of power Calphurnia-Caesar’s wife Ligarius-”sick” conspirator that visits Brutus Decius-conspirator designated to get Caesar

to the capitol Artemidorus -tries to stop the conspiracy

Conspirators Marcus Brutus Cassius Casca Trebonius Ligarius Devius Brutus Metellus Cimber Cinna

So far in the play…It is now March 15. Brutus stands in his

garden trying to persuade himself that it is best for all of Rome that Caesar must die. He compares Caesar to a serpent’s egg that must be destroyed before it kills.

Soon…Brutus reads the fake letters and is moved

to act. When Cassius arrives with the conspirators, he takes charge.

The Rules…Brutus starts to call the shots for the

conspiracy just as Cassius hoped he would. He tells them not to swear by oath because their reputations and work are all honest. He tells them to leave Cicero out of the plan because he will not follow the plans of others. He tells them to spare Anthony because they do not want to be seen as “butchers.”

The PlanDecius is put in charge of getting Caesar to

the capitol. Brutus tells them to hide their emotions so none can read their faces.

Meanwhile…Brutus can not get to sleep because of

everything on his mind. His wife, Portia, comes in and asks him what is wrong. He is hesitant to reveal the secret, but she reminds him of her solid family background, faithful nature, and strong temperament.

At Caesar’s house…

Caesar is also plagued by a restless night. It is storming outside, and his wife Calphurnia pleads with him to stay home from the capitol the next day.

Caesar RulesAt first Caesar tells Calphurnia that he is not

afraid of anything, and he will do what he pleased. She tells him about her terrible dream. Caesar relents and tells Anthony that he will stay home.

But the plan…Decius stops by Caesar’s house as planned

and convinces Caesar that he and Calphurnia interpreted her dream all wrong. It is really about Caesar’s greatness. Caesar changes his mind and is off to the capitol with his “friends.”

At the end of Act II…A man named Artemidorus creates a note

to warn Caesar of the conspiracy. He plans to try to get the note to Caesar on his way to the capitol. The soothsayer comes back hoping to warn Caesar; meanwhile, Portia waits at home anxiously hoping the plan will work. Since she is a woman, she cannot go to the capitol. She must rely on word from her servant Lucius.