Julius Caesar Notes

1. Julius Caesar Notes Test #2 Act II, scene 2-Act III

2. Act II, scene 2 - Page 1231 • Ln. 2-3: Motif of three as Calphurnia cries out in her dreams three times during the stormy night; also foreshadowing • Ln. 5-6: Caesar’s request to have the priests do a sacrifice and interpret it show he is relying more and more on signs and superstitions and less on logic • Ln. 10-13: Caesar’s response shows his ego and arrogance before his wife; says those who threaten him will never do so to his face – he is so great that they are afraid to do so

3. Page 1231 • Ln. 25-26: Calphurnia expresses her fear of the strange phenomena going on • Ln. 28-29: Caesar does not feel these signs are meant just for him – but they are warning for the world in general • Ln. 30-31: Calphurnia urges on that these signs foretells Caesar’s death – a big event is coming • Ln. 32-37: Caesar says the valiant (or heroic) man must embrace death and not fear it – because death in the end will choose to visit everyone

4. Page 1231, continued • Ln. 39: the fortune tellers say the signs are not favorable for Caesar to go out today • Ln. 42-48: uses a beast metaphor: (a) says he should be a beast without a heart (a sign and no bravery – think cowardly lion) and also (b) Danger and he are twin lions and Caesar is the worse of the two • Ln. 49: Calphurnia asks Caesar to listen to reason and not his own ego

5. Page 1233 • Ln. 55: Caesar concedes to stay to please his wifeRemember • Decius’s job is to get Caesar to the Capitol no matter what • Ln. 63-65: Caesar wants Decius to know it’s not by his own decision he does not come today • Ln. 71: pun on the word “will”: (a) he cannot come (b) he’s making his will

6. Page 1233 • Ln. 75-82: Calphurnia’s dream has Caesar’s statue spouting blood – which she has interpreted as a bad sign (using this interpretation to get him to stay) • Ln. 83-90: Decius reinterprets the dream (remember Cicero’s words earlier about men interpreting signs) – he says that Caesar’s blood will bring great life to Rome and it is a sign of Caesar’s greatness

7. Pages 1233 • Decius manipulates Caesar by appealing to Caesar’s ambition and also Caesar’s fear of appearing weak • Ln. 93-94: Decius mentions the crown intended for Caesar • Ln. 99-101: Mentions that the Senate will think Caesar is controlled by his wife • Notice the asides: Each revealing their devious side. Caesar on the other hand, thinks them all friends – great irony here (think friends close, enemies closer)

8. Act II, Scene 3 – Page 1234 Motif of letters continued Artemidorus names all of the conspirators in his letter Ln. 6-7: Warns Caesar to not let his guard down, especially if he’s not invincible. Ln. 10-11: His plan is to give his letter to Caesar on the way to the capitol

9. Scene 4 – page 1235 • What is Portia’s state of mind as this scene opens? • Ln. 6-8: Uses an apostrophe to call upon determination to keep her strong at a time like this

10. Page 1236 • Ln. 8: We can assume from her words that Brutus has revealed the assassination plot to her • Notice that Portia is all jumpy – she thinks she hears fighting and flip-flops on whether to send Lucius or not • Ln. 31: Portia wants to know if the soothsayer has any news of harm towards Caesar – worried that maybe he has seen that Brutus is going to harm Caesar • Ln. 34-36: foreshadowing: crowd a man to death – they will surround him

11. Page 1236 • Is Portia acting like a stoic now? • Ln. 45: dramatic irony in her words – says she is merry, but she is anything but

12. Act III, scene 1 – Page 1238 • The scene begins with Caesar approaching the Capitol on the ides of March • Remember Artemidorus has written a warning letter to Caesar about the conspiracy • Ln. 1-2: Caesar shows his ego in his boastful attitude, and the soothsayser warns to not let his guard down just yet • Ln. 8: Caesar gives us a false sense of being humble by refusing to look at Artemidorus’s plea since it deals with Caesar – this is a BIG mistake. There is irony here as Caesar chooses public concerns over private when really he’s just going to the Capitol to be crowned.

13. Page 1238 • The conspirators intercept Artemidorus to make sure they can get Caesar to the Capitol • Ln. 16-17: Cassius acts very jumpy as compared to the very composed and calm Brutus • Ln. 19-21: urges Casca to be ready to strike the first blow in case they are discovered

14. Page 1238 • Ln. 25-26: Trebonius’s job in the conspiracy is to make sure Mark Antony is out of the way • Ln. 27-28: Metellus Cimber’s job is to present Caesar with a petition which gives the conspirators a reason to crowd around Caesar • Ln. 30: Casca’s job in the conspiracy is to strike the first blow • Ln. 36-37: Caesar tells them that the flattery is being laid on a little thick – he’s not moved by it • Ln. 47-48: Caesar expresses that he makes no mistakes

15. Page 1240-1 • Ln. 58-74: Does this speech make the reader want to feel sorry for Caesar? • Ln. 60: uses a simile to compare himself to the Northern Star, which never moves in the sky and is used to provide direction • Ln. 74: allusion to Mount Olympus and hyperbole saying that changing his mind is a great feat like lifting up a mountain • Ln. 76: Casca strikes • Ln. 77: Caesar’s dying words are to Brutus – who could saying it differently change the meaning of the lines? • Once he is dead, celebration and confusion break out

16. Page 1241 • Ln. 103-105: Brutus says they have been friends to Caesar because they have done away with all the years Caesar might have lived in fear of death • Ln. 105-110: very much like Calphurnia’s dream – they are washing themselves in Caesar’s blood like the are sacrificers and intend to walk about the streets like this • Ln. 111-113: Cassius shows his ego in proclaiming that their deed in so great that it will be reenacted for centuries to come (ironic that this is a play)

17. Page 1241 • Ln. 116-117: Cassius believes they will be remembered as heroes • Ln. 126-129: Antony’s servant comes with a message – notice how he compares/contrasts Brutus and Caesar (foreshadowing of Antony’s speech to come) • Ln. 130-134: Wants to know why Caesar deserved to die, and then he shall be loyal to Brutus – is this a ploy?

18. Page 1241 • Ln. 138-139: Does Brutus suspect anything? • Ln. 144-146: Cassius echoes his warning against Mark Antony • Ln. 148: Begins his speech with an apostrophe talking to Caesar’s dead body • Ln. 152: puns on the words “let blood” (a common cure or to kill) and “rank” (swollen with power or swollen with disease)

19. Page 1243 • Ln. 159-163: Antony says if it is in their plan to take his life, than there is no nobler place to die than next to Caesar • Ln. 165-169: Brutus says don’t judge us by our actions, judge us by our motives and intentions – are those any better?

20. Page 1244 • Ln. 173-176: Brutus welcomes Antony as a brother and sees him as a good man (appeals to his ethos) • Ln. 177-178: Cassius assures Antony that he will have a share of power too in the new Rome – makes sure Antony is fully satisfied • Ln. 184: Shakes each bloody hand – dramatic irony – the conspirators take it as a sign he agrees with their actions, a blood bond, but Antony is secretly noting whom he will seek revenge against

21. Page 1244 • Ln. 191-193: Pun on slippery ground – the ground he is standing on is literally slippery with Caesar’s blood, but he is also on uncertain terms with the conspirators – he says they must see him as a coward or a flatterer • Ln. 204-210: use of apostrophe again and a hunting metaphor

22. Page 1246 • Ln. 215-217: Cassius questions Antony’s devotion to their cause because of his moving and tender speech to Caesar’s corpse • Ln. 218-220: Antony realizing his error, assures them that he is on their side, and that he was only temporarily swayed by the sight of Caesar’s body

23. Page 1246 • Ln. 226-230: Antony wants to take Caesar’s body to the public and speak at the funeral – do you think this is a good idea? • Cassius’s warnings here against it act as foreshadowing • Brutus’s mistake is again underestimating Antony by agreeing to his request • Ln. 235-242 & 243-251 : Brutus’s great plan is to tell the audience first that Antony has the conspirators’ permission and that he shall not say anything bad about them

24. Page 1246 • In Antony’s soliloquy, he addresses Caesar’s dead body again using apostrophe • Ln. 254 marks a great shift in Antony’s behavior – he is not on the conspirators’ side truly

25. Page 1247 • Ln. 262-275: use of chaos imagery again • Ln. 265, 270, & 273: all examples of foreshadowing of what is to come • Antony sends message that it is not safe for Octavius (Caesar’s heir by blood) to come in to Rome • By the end of the scene, Antony’s plan for revenge is in full swing.

26. Act III, scene 2 – Page 1249 • The scene opens in the forum or Roman public square – used to conduct business • Brutus’s speech is spoken in prose not blank verse – speech of the common people, but makes it almost sound less elegant or persuasive. • Ln. 13-15: Gives them orders to be quiet – look at how his tone from the start is very emotionless • Ln. 13-16: Hear me, Believe me, Censure me uses parallel structure – which is a logical appeal (logos)

27. Page 1249 • Ln. 15: References his “honor” – character appeal (ethos) His first mistake in his speech is that he believes that honor alone is enough to excuse murder • Ln. 21-22: Caesar has been murdered for Rome’s sake – I did it for you! • Ln. 24-29: use of parallel structure (logos)– “as Caesar , I . • Ln. 29-30: Caesar receives death for ambition – Brutus has not offered any proof of this ambition – so he builds on the crowd’s fear of enslavement (bondman) and tyranny • Ln. 33-35: Gives the people the power to speak out against him, if they think he has been false

28. Page 1249 • Ln. 38-41:again he relies on parallel structure (logos)The crowd is swayed by Brutus’s appeal to honor (ethos) because they do not understand his logical appeals (logos) • Ln. 53: the plebian’s cry shows that they do not really understand Brutus, his cause or Caesar’s supposed wrongdoings

29. Page 1250 • Leaving Mark Antony alone to speak to the crowd shows that Brutus is too sure of himself and misreads the plebeians thinking that they have understood him and that he is too trusting of Antony • Antony speaks in blank verse which makes his speech more passionate sounding • Antony knows he cannot directly speak badly about Brutus and the conspirators, so he must do it in a devious way using repetitive verbal irony to say the opposite of what he really means

30. Page 1250 • Ln. 77-78: evil lives on after death – the good is often buried with you – does Antony really want that to happen to Caesar? • Ln. 78-81: Antony reintroduces the thesis of Brutus’s speech – which we will see him break down – logical appeal (logos) • Ln 81: notice he says “If it were true…” were is a conditional verb, like may or might • Ln. 84-85: Antony reminds the audience that these are “honorable men” (remember verbal irony)

31. Page 1250 • Ln. 87-89: Gives proof of how Caesar is good, but then repeats the phrase “But Brutus says he was ambitious / And Brutus is an honorable man” – the repetitive verbal irony makes the phrases seem less and less true to the audience as Antony offers up more proof • Ln. 87: also shows that Antony knows he must proof that Caesar loved the Romans too • Ln. 90-101: presents them with external/physical proof of Caesar’s non-ambitious behavior always followed by the statement about Brutus, which is the use of logical appeal (logos)

32. Page 1250 • External proofs: • Brought captives home and gave their ransom money to the public • Wept for the poor • Refused to take the crown three times • Ln. 99: use of rhetorical question • Ln. 104-105: where has the love gone? an emotional appeal (pathos)

33. Page 1250 • Ln. 106-107: uses an apostrophe to say good judgment has left • Ln. 107-109: uses an emotional appeal (pathos)as he states he must pause because his heart has died along with Caesar • Ln. 110: Notice the plebeians initial response is hesitant, but turning towards Antony • Antony will often use nonverbal rhetoric to persuade the commoners by using Caesar’s body as a symbol

34. Page 1250 • Ln. 123: uses verbal irony to say it’s a good thing my words are meant to blame Brutus and Cassius and not will not cause you to rebel – but secretly they are • Ln. 130-139: Antony mentions the will to the plebeians, but says he won’t read it – but hints that it would cause them to praise Caesar • The will can be seen as a symbol of Caesar’s love for the people

35. Page 1251 • Ln. 142-147: words echo Marullus and Flavius’s words at the beginning – only this time, he is saying because you are not objects, reading the will will only stir your passion (use of nonverbal rhetoric) • Ln. 153-154: strong verbal irony as he contrasts the words honorable men and the image of daggers • Ln. 160: Uses Caesar’s body as a gathering point, a symbol for Antony’s cause, and he comes physically down to their level to show them how Caesar was on their side • Ln. 171: emotional appeal (pathos) • Ln. 172: Uses Caesar’s cloak/toga as a symbol of the conspirator’s deed (nonverbal rhetoric)

36. Page 1251 • Ln. 176:-180: uses an emotional appeal and dramatic irony to “murder” Caesar again by pointing out where each conspirator stabbed Caesar – something he would not actually know • Ln 83-88: Brutus was Caesar’s most beloved and Caesar’s heart burst when Brutus turned against him (use of emotional appeal – pathos) • Ln. 98-99: Look at how badly Caesar’s body is wounded – it speaks for itself

37. Page 1253 • Ln. 200-205: see how the plebeians are already moved to violence • Ln. 210: notice the plebeian uses parallel structure just like Antony does in his speech – sign of loyalty to Antony • Ln. 214-215: They are honorable – but they might have private reasons for doing this – a direct contrast to Brutus saying that they did it for Rome • Ln.218-220: use of verbal irony as Antony says he is not a good public speaker – he is appearing humble

38. Page 1254 • Ln. 227-232: uses personification when talking about Caesar’s wounds – he hopes they do the talking for him – notice the use of the word “stones” again • Mutiny – a popular uprising against lawful authority • Ln. 240: reminds them of the will so that they will not run straight off to mutiny • Ln. 244: Caesar leaves 75 drachmas (silver coins) to every man • Ln. 249-253: Caesar leaves his private gardens for the public to use

39. Page 1254-5 • The plebeians now want to honor Caesar body and desecrate the conspirators’ • Ln. 262-263: apostrophe to mischief – saying he is run amok in Rome • Ln. 270-271: Cassius and Brutus have fled the city of Rome

40. Act III, scene 3 – page 1256 • This scene is built on the idea of confusion and mob mentality • Ln. 1-2: Cinna’s dream foreshadows his doom • Cinna the poet ≠ Cinna the conspirator • Cinna’s death here symbolizes the fall of Rome into utter moral chaos as the citizens act without consideration of what is wrong and what is right