name a man who is every bit as ominous as the signs in the stormy
night. Casca knows that he refers to Caesar, and Cassius says that
Romans are feeble because they put up with his tyranny. Casca
believes that the following day, the Roman Senate will offer Caesar a
crown. Cassius boasts that he has the power, and will use it, to
overthrow tyranny. Casca agrees, and Cassius continues, saying that
the only reason Caesar acts like a tyrant is because he knows
Romans are weak and will not resist. Casca and Cassius agree to
spearhead the plot to assassinate Caesar.
Another conspirator, Cinna, enters. Cassius gives him the letters he
has written and tells Cinna to throw them into Brutus's house. After
doing this he is to meet Cassius and some other conspirators at
Pompey's Porch, which is the portico of a theatre built by Pompey.
Cassius tells Casca that Brutus is three-quarters won over to their
cause, and on their next meeting he will embrace it fully.
Act II Scene 1 Brutus reflects in a soliloquy that he has nothing
against Caesar personally, but Caesar must be killed for the general
good of Rome. He explains that if Caesar is crowned king, that may
change his nature, and he may abuse his power. He must be
assassinated to prevent this possibility from taking place; in other
words, Caesar must be killed not for what he is but for what he may
become.
Brutus's servant Lucius brings him the letter that Casca has tossed
in through the window. Brutus reads it out loud to himself and
puzzles over the meaning. The letter urges him to take action for the
sake of Rome, and it appears that he has made his decision to join
the conspirators. Lucius enters and confirms that the next day is the
ides of March. Brutus, alone, confesses that since Cassius first
sounded him out about Caesar, he has not slept.
The conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber
and Trebonius enter. Cassius demands that they take an oath to
cement their resolve to assassinate Caesar. But Brutus refuses,
saying that they need only their own cause to spur them onward. As
Romans they are honor-bound to keep any promise they have made.
The conspirators then discuss whether to enlist Cicero in their cause.
Cicero is old and wise, and his support would give their cause more
legitimacy in the eyes of the people. But Brutus advises against this.
He says Cicero will never join an enterprise that is led by anyone
other than himself. The conspirators agree to leave him out of their
plans. Next they discuss whether they should kill Antony as well as
Caesar. Cassius advocates killing them both, because as a close
friend of Caesar, Antony could prove troublesome to them. But
Brutus says no; killing both men will make the conspirators seem too
bloodthirsty, and anyway, Antony will be made powerless when
Caesar is killed. Brutus hopes that if they go about their purpose
with dignity rather than wrathful passion, the common people will
see them not as murderers but as cleansers of the body politic.
Cassius remains uneasy, but the conspirators side with Brutus and
decide not to kill Antony.
It is three in the morning and the conspirators agree to part. But
Cassius is concerned that Caesar, whom he believes to be
superstitious, may not go to the capital later that morning because of
the strange apparitions during the night. Decius says he knows how
to talk to Caesar and persuade him. He promises to bring Caesar to
the capital. Cassius says they will all be there at eight in the morning
to make sure that Caesar comes.
After the conspirators leave, Brutus's wife Portia enters. Brutus is
surprised to see her up in the middle of the night. She knows Brutus
is troubled by something and asks if she may know what it is. Brutus
replies that he is sick, but Portia does not believe him. She knows
that it is Brutus's mind that is troubled, and again demands to know
what is wrong. She reassures him that she is strong enough to know
the truth, and that she will not disclose it to anyone. Brutus is
touched by her pleas, but then there is a knock at the door, and
Brutus sends Portia away, saying that he will tell her everything
later.
At the door is Caius Ligarius. Although he is sick, he is willing to join
the conspirators.
Act II Scene 2 It is still night, and the storm continues. Caesar's
wife has a dream in which Caesar is murdered. She tries to persuade
Caesar not to leave the house that day. Caesar will not be persuaded,
so Calphurnia recounts some of the strange things that have been
seen by the night watch. Graves have given up their dead, and there
was the noise of battle in the air. But Caesar still insists he will not
change his plans. He says that the disturbances pertain to the world
in general, not to himself, and anyway, he does not fear death. Then
a servant arrives and tells him that the priests, his spiritual advisers,
are also telling him not to go out. Again, Caesar will not listen. But
Calphurnia tries again, urging Caesar to send Mark Antony in his
place to the Senate, with word that Caesar is sick. Caesar finally
agrees to stay at home.
But then Decius enters to escort Caesar to the Senate. Caesar
explains that he is not going, although he refuses to say that he is
sick. Decius says he must give a reason for Caesar's nonappearance,
or the Senate will laugh at him when he delivers the news. Caesar
says it is simply his will that he will not come. But for Decius's own