Name : Rahil Kapur

Date
Tragedy and Comedy
Julius Caesar ACT II
Answer in complete sentences providing evidence from text.
1. Why is Brutus speech at the beginning of Act II considered sincere?

Brutus speech is a soliloquy where he reveals his inner thought. Brutus makes a choice and
does what he feels is best for Rome.
I have not known when his affections swayed
More than his reason. But tis a common proof
That lowliness is young ambitions ladder,
Whereto the climber upward turns his face.
But when he once attains the upmost round,
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend
Brutus is thinking to himself and is being sincere because he has no personal problems with
Caesar and wants to do things openly and honestly
2. What is Brutus attitude toward the conspirators?

Brutus thinks that what they are doing to Caesar is fine but doesnt agree with their morals.
They are the faction. O conspiracy,
Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by night
When evils are most free? O, then by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy.
Hide it in smiles and affability.

3. What is the irony in the clash over Antonys death?

Brutus says that Antony seems harmless, however Caesar also seemed harmless to Brutus.
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards,
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.
Let us be sacrificers but not butchers, Caius.
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,
And in the spirit of men there is no blood.
Oh, that we then could come by Caesars spirit

And not dismember Caesar

4. What does the scene with Portia reveal?

You are my true and honorable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart.
This scene reveals the true character of Brutus. Brutus is seen as a loving husband and not a
conspirator in this scene

5. What is the purpose of Brutus interview with Ligarius?

A piece of work that will make sick men whole.

It reveals that Brutus truly believes that the death of Caesar will cure the Roman people.

6. What is the purpose of the conversation between Calpurnia and Caesar?

Cowards die many times before their deaths.

The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
It is foreshadowing of the bad things to come. The dialogue between Calpurnia and Caesar can
be compared to the dialogue between Brutus and Portia, both show the type of men they truly
are.

7. What ominous gathering closes Scene 2?

Welcome, Publius.
What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?
Good morrow, Casca.Caius Ligarius,
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
What is t o'clock?
The conspirators have come to get rid of Caesar

8. What is the purpose of Artemidorus brief scene?

Caesar, beware of Brutus. Take heed of Cassius. Come not near Casca. Have an eye to Cinna.
Trust not Trebonius. Mark well Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus loves thee not. Thou hast
wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If
thou beest not immortal, look about you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods
defend thee!
Artemidoruss role in this scene shows the possibility that there may be a turn of events and
things may change now that this information has be revealed.

9. What is the effect of focusing upon Portia in Scene 4?

I prithee, boy, run to the senate house.
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone.
Why dost thou stay?
Portia shows the audience what is important to Brutus and what he could potentially lose by
making this choice.