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Act II Scene 2: Why is Calpurnia concerned about Caesar going to the senate?

She has a dream about blood coming out of Caesar and people rejoicing, bad omens,
and arguers can't find heart in examination.
Act II Scene 2: What is Decius's interpretation of Calpurnia's dream?

He'll bring good, revival, renewal blood to Rome.

1. Why doesnt Caesar fear death?


Answer: It comes to everyone. It is inescapable.
2. Why does Calpurnia object to Caesar going to the capitol?
Answer: She had a bad dream about Caesar
3. Describe the dream she had.
Answer: Saw a statue of Caesar bleeding and the Romans were bathing in his blood.
4. How many ploys does Decius use to get Caesar to go to the Senate? Explain each
one.
Answer: 1 He reinterprets the dream as Romans see Caesar as their bloodlife and
they need him
2 He is playing with Caesars emotions by telling him the Senate may see
him as a coward.
5. Why do think Caesar is more ready to believe Decius than Calpurnia?
Answer: Caesar already wants to go to the capitol and Decius gave him the perfect
excuse to go.
Act II Scene 3: Why is Artemidorus waiting for Caesar?

He's going to give him a letter warning him about the conspirators.

1. In scene iii, what seems to be the one remaining hope that Caesar may yet be
saved?
Answer: That Caesar reads the letter/petition Artemidorous wrote warning him of the
group that wants to kill him.
2. According to Artemidorous, what is it that allows others to plot assassination?
Answer: Jealousy

3. In the following quote from Artemidorous, what or who does goodness stand for?
What or who does jealousys envious fangs stand for?
Quote: My heart grieves that goodness cannot live out of reach of jealousys envious
fangs.
Answer: Goodness Caesar is the symbol
Jealousys Envious Fangs The group of conspirators who want to kill
Caesar
4. What evidence is there that Portia is starting to lose control?
Answer: Portia is starting to hear things that arent there. She knows deep down that
something is wrong with Brutus. She is also acting paranoid and panicky.
5. Brutus shows himself to be a poor judge of character. How? He has also made
several key mistakes. What are they?
Answer: Brutus is a poor judge of character because he trusts the wrong people such
as Cassius and Casca. Brutus also believes the notes that are thrown into his house
instead of his own mind. He also does not trust his own wife.
One major mistake he has made is deciding to kill his friend, Caesar. He also makes
the mistake of not telling his wife the truth. The third mistake is deciding not to kill
Marc Antony.
Names of the conspirators Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Caius Ligarious,
Decius, Cicero, Cinna, Trebonius, Mettelus Cimber,
Act 3
1) What is the significance of Caesar's dying words, "Et tu, Brute? Then fall,
Caesar!"?
The conspirators gather around Caesar and he sees his trusted friend Brutus
among them. Stunned that Brutus is among his assassins, Caesar cries out,
"and you too, Brutus?" This famous line is important because it sets Brutus
apart from the other conspirators. There is no doubt that Brutus's self-serving
and ambitious accomplices have committed an indefensible act, but with
Caesar's final utterance we recognize that the self-sacrificing and noble
Brutus has perpetrated the same heinous crime his motivation is rendered
immaterial. For this moment, Brutus the idealist becomes Brutus the
murderer.

2) Who turns the people of Rome against Brutus?


After Brutus addresses the Plebeians, successfully assuring them that
Caesar's murder was necessary to preserve their freedoms (3.2.13-37),
Antony delivers his cleverly crafted speech in defense of Caesar. While
making sure not to condemn Brutus and the conspirators, he argues that
Caesar had no plan to turn Rome into a dictatorship. He reminds the crowd
that Caesar was offered a "kingly crown" (3.2.102) three times and refused
each time.
3) Describe the encounter between Brutus and Caesar's ghost.
Cassius retires for the evening and Brutus calls two of his servants, Claudio
and Varro, to stay with him through the night. The boys quickly fall asleep and
Brutus starts to read. With the flicker of the candle Brutus's eyes are
distracted upward, to see the ghost of Caesar standing beside him. The ghost
tells Brutus that they will meet again at Philippi and vanishes.
Act 2
1) How does Portia prove she is worthy to hear the plans of her husband,
Brutus?
Portia cuts herself in the thigh and suffers the pain of both the wound and the
infection it causes in silence. Her show of bravery and self-control convinces
Brutus she is "stronger than her sex" (2.1.296) and he agrees to confide in
her, only to be interrupted before he has a chance.
2) After an ominous dream, Calpurnia begs Caesar to stay away from the
senate and, at first, he agrees. What changes his mind?
Decius, a conspirator whose role it is to guarantee Caesar is in the Capitol
that day, favorably interprets Calpurnia's dream and then chides Caesar for
yielding to his wife's whims. Decius adds that the senate is planning again to
offer Caesar a crown, and Caesar gives in to vanity. He leaves Calpurnia and
accompanies Decius to the Capitol.

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