Name ___________________________________ Date: _____________

JC – Act II

Scene 1

1. Why does Brutus believe that Caesar must be stopped from becoming king? Is Brutus’ fear of what Caesar might become justified?

2. Brutus receives the messages planted by Cassius, and he seems inclined to take action to stop Caesar. What does he tell us about his mental and emotional state at this point?

3. What does Cassius suggest the conspirators do that Brutus says they need not do? Why not?

4. What does the conspirators’ discussion about Cicero reveal about them?

5. Cassius recognizes that Anthony should die, too, but Brutus vetoes that. Why?

6. There is some concern that Caesar, having grown superstitious lately, might not leave the house the next day. How does Decius say that he can manipulate Caesar? What does this say of Caesar’s personality?

7. What is Brutus’ answer when Portia asks why he has been behaving strangely lately? What is her response to this?

8. What action did Portia take that swayed Brutus?

Scene 2

1. What did Calpurnia cry out in her sleep?

2. What does Calpurnia say that proves her point that the evening’s strange events relate to Caesar and not to the world in general?

3. The priests, “augurers,” offered an animal to the gods. What in their examination suggests to them that Caesar should not leave his house/

4. What is Decius’ interpretation of Calpurnia’s dream?

5. What, according to Decius, might some of the senators conclude if Caesar refuses to come to the capitol today?

6. What is the irony in Caesar’s perception of all those who come to his house?

Scene 3

1. What order does Portia give Lucius? Why is she so unsettled?

2. In this scene, how is Portia different from how we saw her earlier?