Julius Caesar Act 2
Julius Caesar Act 2
The Tragedy of Julius CaesarAct II Scene i
The Tragedy of Julius CaesarAct II Scene iThe Tragedy of Julius CaesarAct II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTEnter BRUTUS in his orchardBRUTUS enters in his orchard.BRUTUSWhat, Lucius, ho!—I cannot by the progress of the starsGive guess how near to day.—Lucius, I say!—I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly.—5 When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius!Enter LUCIUSLUCIUSCalled you, my lord?BRUTUSGet me a taper in my study, Lucius.When it is lighted, come and call me here.LUCIUSI will, my lord.Exit LUCIUSBRUTUS10 It must be by his death, and for my partI know no personal cause to spurn at himBut for the general. He would be crowned.How that might change his nature, there’s thequestion.It is the bright day that brings forth the adder15 And that craves wary walking. Crown him that,And then I grant we put a sting in himThat at his will he may do danger with.BRUTUSLucius, are you there? I can’t tell by the position of thestars how near it is to daybreak—Lucius, are youthere? I wish I had that weakness, to sleep toosoundly. Come on, Lucius! Wake up, I say! Lucius!48LUCIUS enters.LUCIUSDid you call me, my lord?BRUTUSPut a candle in my study, Lucius.Call me when it’s lit.LUCIUSI will, my lord.LUCIUS exits.BRUTUSThe only way is to kill Caesar. I have no personalreason to strike at him—only the best interest of thepeople. He wants to be crowned. The question is, howwould being king change him? Evil can come fromgood, just as poisonous snakes tend to come out intothe open on bright sunny days—which means wehave to walk carefully. If we crown him, I have to admitwe’d be giving him the power to do damage.49
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar202530Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTTh' abuse of greatness is when it disjoinsRemorse from power. And, to speak truth of Caesar,I have not known when his affections swayedMore than his reason. But ’tis a common proofThat lowliness is young ambition’s 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 degreesBy which he did ascend. So Caesar may.Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrelWill bear no color for the thing he is,Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented,Would run to these and these extremities.And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg—Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous—And kill him in the shell.Enter LUCIUSRulers abuse their power when they separate it fromcompassion. To be honest, I’ve never known Caesar to let hisemotions get the better of his reason. But everyone knows thatan ambitious young man uses humility to advance himself, butwhen he reaches the top, he turns his back on his supportersand reaches for the skies while scorning those who helped himget where he is. Caesar might act like that. Therefore, in case hedoes, we must hold him back. And since our quarrel is with hisfuture behavior, not what he does now, I must frame theargument like this: if his position is furthered, his character willfulfill these predictions. And therefore we should liken him to aserpent’s egg—once it has hatched, it becomes dangerous, likeall serpents. Thus we must kill him while he’s still in the shell.LUCIUS enters.3540LUCIUSThe taper burneth in your closet, sir.Searching the window for a flint, I foundThis paper, thus sealed up, and I am sureIt did not lie there when I went to bed.(gives him a letter)BRUTUSGet you to bed again. It is not day.Is not tomorrow, boy, the ides of March?LUCIUSI know not, sir.BRUTUSLook in the calendar and bring me word.LUCIUSI will, sir.LUCIUSThe candle is burning in your study, sir. While I was looking for aflint to light it, I found this paper on the window, sealed up likethis, and I’m sure it wasn’t there when I went to bed.(he gives BRUTUS the letter)BRUTUSGo back to bed. It isn’t daybreak yet. Is tomorrow the 15th ofMarch, boy?LUCIUSI don’t know, sir.BRUTUSCheck the calendar and come tell me.LUCIUSI will, sir.5051
The Tragedy of Julius CaesarAct II Scene iORIGINAL TEXT455055MODERN TEXTExit LUCIUSLUCIUS exits.BRUTUSThe exhalations whizzing in the airGive so much light that I may read by them.(opens the letter and reads)“Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself.Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!”“Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake.”Such instigations have been often droppedWhere I have took them up.—“Shall Rome, etc.” Thus must I piece it out:“Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe?” What, Rome?My ancestors did from the streets of RomeThe Tarquin drive when he was called a king.—“Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreatedTo speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,If the redress will follow, thou receivestThy full petition at the hand of Brutus!BRUTUSThe meteors whizzing in the sky are so bright that I can readby them. (he opens the letter and reads) “Brutus, you’resleeping. Wake up and look at yourself. Is Rome going to etc. Speak, strike, fix the wrongs!” “Brutus, you’re sleeping.Wake up.” I’ve noticed many such calls to action left where Iwould find them. “Is Rome going to etc.” What does thismean? Will Rome submit to one man’s power? My ancestorsdrove Tarquin from the streets of Rome when he waspronounced a king. “Speak, strike, fix it!” Is this asking me tospeak and strike? Oh, Rome, I promise you, if you’re meantto receive justice, you’ll receive it by my hand!Enter LUCIUSLUCIUS enters.LUCIUSSir, March is wasted fifteen days.60LUCIUSSir, fifteen days of March have gone by.Knock withinThe sound of a knock offstage.BRUTUSBRUTUS'Tis good. Go to the gate. Somebody knocks.Good. Go to the gate. Somebody’s knocking.Exit LUCIUSLUCIUS exits.Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,I haven’t slept since Cassius first began to turn me againstI have not slept.Caesar.5253
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar657075Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTBetween the acting of a dreadful thingAnd the first motion, all the interim isLike a phantasma or a hideous dream.The genius and the mortal instrumentsAre then in council, and the state of man,Like to a little kingdom, suffers thenThe nature of an insurrection.From the time when you decide to do something terrible tothe moment you do it, everything feels unreal, like ahorrible dream. The unconscious and the body worktogether and rebel against the conscious mind.Enter LUCIUSLUCIUSSir, ’tis your brother Cassius at the door,Who doth desire to see you.BRUTUSIs he alone?LUCIUSNo, sir, there are more with him.BRUTUSDo you know them?LUCIUSNo, sir. Their hats are plucked about their ears,And half their faces buried in their cloaks,That by no means I may discover themBy any mark of favor.LUCIUS enters.LUCIUSSir, it’s your brother-in-law Cassius at the door.He wants to see you.BRUTUSIs he alone?LUCIUSNo, sir. There are others with him.BRUTUSDo you know them?LUCIUSNo, sir, their hats are pulled down over their ears and theirfaces are half buried under their cloaks, so there’s no wayto tell who they are.BRUTUSLet 'em enter.BRUTUSLet them in.Exit LUCIUS80LUCIUS exits.They are the faction. O conspiracy,It’s the faction that wants to kill Caesar. Oh, conspiracy,Shamest thou to show thy dangerous brow by nightare you ashamed to show your face even at night, whenWhen evils are most free? O, then by dayevil things are most free? If so, when it’s day, where areWhere wilt thou find a cavern dark enoughyou going to find a cave dark enough to hide yourTo mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy.monstrous face? No, don’t bother to find a cave,Hide it in smiles and affability.conspiracy. Instead, hide your true face behind smiles andfriendliness.5455
The Tragedy of Julius CaesarORIGINAL TEXT8590Act II Scene iMODERN TEXTFor if thou path, thy native semblance on,Not Erebus itself were dim enoughTo hide thee from prevention.If you went ahead and exposed your true face, Hell itselfwouldn’t be dark enough to keep you from being found andstopped.Enter theThe conspirators—conspirators: CASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELCASSIUS, CASCA, DECIUS, CINNA, METELLUS,LUS, and TREBONIUSand TREBONIUS—enter.CASSIUSCASSIUSI think we are too bold upon your rest.I’m afraid we’re intruding too boldly on your sleep time. GoodGood morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you?morning, Brutus. Are we bothering you?BRUTUSBRUTUSI have been up this hour, awake all night.I was awake. I’ve been up all night.Know I these men that come along with you?Do I know these men who are with you?CASSIUSCASSIUSYes, every man of them, and no man hereYes, every one of them. There isn’t one of them who doesn’tBut honors you, and every one doth wishadmire you, and each one of them wishes you had as highYou had but that opinion of yourselfan opinion of yourself as every noble Roman has of you.Which every noble Roman bears of you.This is Trebonius.This is Trebonius.BRUTUSHe is welcome hither.CASSIUS95 This, Decius Brutus.BRUTUSHe is welcome too.CASSIUSThis, Casca. This, Cinna. And this, Metellus Cimber.BRUTUSThey are all welcome.What watchful cares do interpose themselves100 Betwixt your eyes and night?CASSIUSShall I entreat a word?BRUTUS and CASSIUS withdraw and whisper56BRUTUSHe’s welcome here.CASSIUSThis is Decius Brutus.BRUTUSHe’s welcome too.CASSIUSThis is Casca. This is Cinna. And this is Metellus Cimber.BRUTUSThey’re all welcome.What worries have kept you awake tonight?CASSIUSCan I have a word with you?BRUTUS and CASSIUS whisper together.57
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar105110115120125Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTDECIUSHere lies the east. Doth not the day break here?CASCANo.CINNAO, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon gray linesThat fret the clouds are messengers of day.DECIUSHere’s the east. Won’t the dawn come from here?CASCANo.CINNAExcuse me, sir, it will. These gray lines that lace the clouds arethe beginnings of the dawn.CASCAYou shall confess that you are both deceived.(points his sword)Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises,Which is a great way growing on the south,Weighing the youthful season of the year.Some two months hence up higher toward the northHe first presents his fire, and the high eastStands, as the Capitol, directly here.BRUTUS(comes forward with CASSIUS)Give me your hands all over, one by one.(shakes their hands)CASSIUSAnd let us swear our resolution.BRUTUSNo, not an oath. If not the face of men,The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse—If these be motives weak, break off betimes,And every man hence to his idle bed.So let high-sighted tyranny range onTill each man drop by lottery. But if these—As I am sure they do—bear fire enoughTo kindle cowards and to steel with valorThe melting spirits of women, then, countrymen,What need we any spur but our own causeTo prick us to redress? What other bondThan secret Romans that have spoke the wordCASCAYou’re both wrong. (pointing his sword) Here, where I point mysword, the sun rises. It’s quite near the south, since it’s stillwinter. About two months from now, the dawn will break furthertoward the north, and due east is where the Capitol stands, here.BRUTUS(coming forward with CASSIUS) Give me your hands, all of you,one by one. (he shakes their hands)CASSIUSAnd let us swear to our resolution.BRUTUSNo, let’s not swear an oath. If the sad faces of our fellow men,the suffering of our own souls, and the corruption of the presenttime aren’t enough to motivate us, let’s break it off now and eachof us go back to bed. Then we can let this ambitious tyrantcontinue unchallenged until each of us is killed at his whim. But ifwe have reasons that are strong enough to ignite cowards intoaction and to make weak women brave—and I think we do—then, countrymen, what else could we possibly need to spur usto action? What bond do we need other than that of discreetRomans who have said what they’re going to do and won’t backdown? And what oath do we need other than that we honestmen have told each other that this will happen5859
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar130135140145150Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTAnd will not palter? And what other oathThan honesty to honesty engaged,That this shall be, or we will fall for it?Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous,Old feeble carrions and such suffering soulsThat welcome wrongs. Unto bad causes swearSuch creatures as men doubt. But do not stainThe even virtue of our enterprise,Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits,To think that or our cause or our performanceDid need an oath, when every drop of bloodThat every Roman bears—and nobly bears—Is guilty of a several bastardyIf he do break the smallest particleOf any promise that hath passed from him.or we will die trying? Swearing is for priests, cowards, overlycautious men, feeble old people, and those long-sufferingweaklings who welcome abuse. Only men whom youwouldn’t trust anyway would swear oaths, and for the worstreasons. Don’t spoil the justness and virtue of our endeavornor weaken our own irrepressible spirits by thinking that weneed a binding oath, when the blood that every noble Romancontains within him would be proven bastard’s blood if hebroke the smallest part of any promise he had made.CASSIUSBut what of Cicero? Shall we sound him?I think he will stand very strong with us.CASCALet us not leave him out.CINNANo, by no means.METELLUSO, let us have him, for his silver hairsWill purchase us a good opinionAnd buy men’s voices to commend our deeds.It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands.Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear,But all be buried in his gravity.BRUTUSO, name him not. Let us not break with him,For he will never follow anythingThat other men begin.CASSIUSBut what about Cicero? Should we see what he thinks?I think he will stand strong with us.CASCALet’s not leave him out.CINNANo, by no means.METELLUSYes, we should get his support, for his mature presence willmake others think well of us and speak out in support of ouractions. They’ll assume that Cicero, with his sound judgment,ordered the actions. His dignified maturity will distractattention from our youth and wildness.CASSIUSThen leave him out.CASSIUSThen leave him out.BRUTUSNo, don’t even mention him. We shouldn’t tell him about ourplans. He’ll never follow anything that other men havestarted.6061
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar155160165170175180185Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTCASCAIndeed he is not fit.DECIUSShall no man else be touched but only Caesar?CASSIUSDecius, well urged. I think it is not meetMark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar,Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of himA shrewd contriver. And, you know, his means,If he improve them, may well stretch so farAs to annoy us all; which to prevent,Let Antony and Caesar fall together.BRUTUSOur 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 Caesar’s spiritAnd not dismember Caesar! But, alas,Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends,Let’s kill him boldly but not wrathfully.Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,Stir up their servants to an act of rageAnd after seem to chide 'em. This shall makeOur purpose necessary and not envious,Which so appearing to the common eyes,We shall be called purgers, not murderers.And for Mark Antony, think not of him,For he can do no more than Caesar’s armWhen Caesar’s head is off.CASCAIndeed, he’s not right for this.DECIUSBut should we only go after Caesar? No one else?CASSIUSGood point, Decius. I don’t think it would be wise to let MarkAntony, whom Caesar is so fond of, outlive Caesar. We’d findthat he was a dangerous plotter. And as you know, hisconnections, if he put them to good use, might be enough tohurt us all. To prevent this, Mark Antony should die along withCaesar.BRUTUSOur action will seem too bloody if we cut off Caesar’s head andthen hack at his arms and legs too, Caius Cassius—becauseMark Antony is merely one of Caesar’s arms. It’ll look like wekilled Caesar out of anger and Mark Antony out of envy. Let’sbe sacrificers but not butchers, Caius. We’re all against whatCaesar stands for, and there’s no blood in that. Oh, how I wishwe could oppose Caesar’s spirit—his overblown ambition—andnot hack up Caesar himself! But, unfortunately, Caesar has tobleed if we’re going to stop him. Noble friends, let’s kill himboldly but not with anger. Let’s carve him up like a dish fit forthe gods, not chop him up like a carcass fit for dogs. Let’s beangry only long enough to do the deed, and then let’s act likewe’re disgusted by what we had to do. This will make ouractions seem practical and not vengeful. If we appear calm tothe people, they’ll call us surgeons rather than murderers. Asfor Mark Antony—forget him. He’ll be as useless as Caesar’sarm after Caesar’s head is cut off.6263
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar190195200205Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTCASSIUSYet I fear him.For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar—BRUTUSAlas, good Cassius, do not think of him.If he love Caesar, all that he can doIs to himself: take thought and die for Caesar.And that were much he should, for he is givenTo sports, to wildness and much company.TREBONIUSThere is no fear in him. Let him not die,For he will live and laugh at this hereafter.CASSIUSBut I’m still afraid of him, because the deep-rooted love he has forCaesar—BRUTUSAlas, good Cassius, don’t think about him. If he loves Caesar,then he can only hurt himself—by grieving and dying for Caesar.And I’d be surprised if he even did that, for he prefers sports, fun,and friends.BRUTUSPeace! Count the clock.CASSIUSThe clock hath stricken three.TREBONIUS'Tis time to part.CASSIUSBut it is doubtful yetWhether Caesar will come forth today or no.For he is superstitious grown of late,Quite from the main opinion he held onceOf fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies.It may be, these apparent prodigies,The unaccustomed terror of this night,And the persuasion of his augurersMay hold him from the Capitol today.DECIUSNever fear that. If he be so resolved,I can o'ersway him. For he loves to hearThat unicorns may be betrayed with trees,And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,TREBONIUSThere’s nothing to fear in him. Let’s not kill him. He’ll live andlaugh at this afterward.Clock strikesA clock strikes.BRUTUSQuiet! Count how many times the clock chimes.CASSIUSThe clock struck three.TREBONIUSIt’s time to leave.CASSIUSBut we still don’t know whether Caesar will go out in public todayor not, because he’s become superstitious lately, a completeturnaround from when he used to have such a bad opinion offortune-tellers, dream interpreters, and ritual mumbo-jumbo. Itmight happen that these strange signs, the unusual terror of thisnight, and the urgings of his fortune-tellers will keep him awayfrom the Capitol today.DECIUSDon’t worry about that. If he’s reluctant, I can convince him. Heloves to hear me tell him how men can be snared by flatterers,just like unicorns can be captured in trees, elephants in holes,and lions with nets. When I tell him he hates flatterers, he agrees,just at the moment when I’m flattering him the most.6465
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar210215220225230Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTMODERN TEXTLions with toils, and men with flatterers.But when I tell him he hates flatterers,He says he does, being then most flatterèd.Let me work.For I can give his humor the true bent,And I will bring him to the Capitol.CASSIUSNay, we will all of us be there to fetch him.BRUTUSBy the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost?CINNABe that the uttermost, and fail not then.METELLUSCaius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard,Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey.I wonder none of you have thought of him.Let me work on him. I can put him in the right mood, and I’llbring him to the Capitol.BRUTUSNow, good Metellus, go along by him.He loves me well, and I have given him reasons.Send him but hither and I’ll fashion him.CASSIUSThe morning comes upon ’s. We’ll leave you, Brutus.—And, friends, disperse yourselves. But all rememberWhat you have said, and show yourselves true Romans.BRUTUSGood gentlemen, look fresh and merrily.Let not our looks put on our purposes,But bear it as our Roman actors do,With untired spirits and formal constancy.And so good morrow to you every one.Exeunt. Manet BRUTUSBRUTUSGood Metellus, go to him now. He likes me, and I’ve given himgood reason to. Just send him here, and I’ll persuade him.CASSIUSNo, we’ll all go there to bring him.BRUTUSBy eight o'clock. Is that the latest we can do it?CINNALet’s make that the latest, but be sure to get there before then.METELLUSCaius Ligarius doesn’t like Caesar, who berated him forspeaking well of Pompey. I wonder that none of you thoughtabout getting his support.66CASSIUSThe morning is approaching. We’ll leave, Brutus. Friends, goyour separate ways. But all of you, remember what you’ve saidand prove yourselves true Romans.BRUTUSGood gentlemen, look like you’re rested and happy. Don’t letour faces betray our plans. Instead, carry yourselves likeRoman actors, with cheerful spirits and well-composed faces.And so, good morning to all of you.Everyone except BRUTUS exits.67
The Tragedy of Julius CaesarAct II Scene iORIGINAL TEXT235MODERN TEXTBoy! Lucius!—Fast asleep? It is no matter.Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber.Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies,Which busy care draws in the brains of men.Therefore thou sleep’st so sound.Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? Well, enjoy the sweetness of deepsleep. Your brain isn’t stuffed with the strange shapes andfantasies that come to men who are overwhelmed by worries.That’s why you sleep so soundly.Enter PORTIAPORTIAPORTIABrutus, my lord.BRUTUSPortia, what are you doing awake? It isn’t good for your healthto expose your weak body to the raw, cold morning.Brutus, my lord.240245250255PORTIA enters.BRUTUSPortia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you now?It is not for your health thus to commitYour weak condition to the raw, cold morning.PORTIANor for yours neither. Y' have ungently, Brutus,Stole from my bed. And yesternight, at supper,You suddenly arose and walked about,Musing and sighing, with your arms across,And when I asked you what the matter was,You stared upon me with ungentle looks.I urged you further, then you scratched your headAnd too impatiently stamped with your foot.Yet I insisted; yet you answered not,But with an angry wafture of your handGave sign for me to leave you. So I did,Fearing to strengthen that impatienceWhich seemed too much enkindled, and withalHoping it was but an effect of humor,Which sometime hath his hour with every man.It will not let you eat nor talk nor sleep,And could it work so much upon your shapeAs it hath much prevailed on your condition,I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord,Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.PORTIAIt’s not good for your health, either. You rudely snuck out ofbed. And last night at dinner, you got up abruptly and pacedback and forth with your arms crossed, brooding and sighing,and when I asked you what was the matter, you gave me adirty look. I asked you again, and you scratched your head andstamped your foot impatiently. I still insisted on knowing whatthe matter was, but you wouldn’t answer me, instead giving mean angry wave of your hand and telling me to leave you alone.So I left, afraid of further provoking anger that was alreadyinflamed but still hoping this was merely moodiness, whicheveryone is affected by once in awhile. Your strange moodwon’t let you eat or talk or sleep. If it had changed your outwardappearance as much as it has affected you on the inside, Iwouldn’t even be able to recognize you, Brutus. My dear lord,tell me what’s bothering you.6869
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar260265270275280285Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTBRUTUSI am not well in health, and that is all.PORTIABrutus is wise, and were he not in health,He would embrace the means to come by it.BRUTUSWhy, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed.PORTIAIs Brutus sick? And is it physicalTo walk unbracèd and suck up the humorsOf the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,To dare the vile contagion of the nightAnd tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd airTo add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus.You have some sick offense within your mind,Which by the right and virtue of my placeI ought to know of.(kneels) And upon my kneesI charm you, by my once-commended beauty,By all your vows of love and that great vowWhich did incorporate and make us oneThat you unfold to me, your self, your half,Why you are heavy, and what men tonightHave had to resort to you. For here have beenSome six or seven who did hide their facesEven from darkness.BRUTUSDon’t kneel, noble Portia.PORTIA(rising) I should not need if you were gentle, Brutus.Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,Is it excepted I should know no secretsThat appertain to you? Am I yourselfBut, as it were, in sort or limitation,To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed,And talk to you sometimes?MODERN TEXTBRUTUSI’m not feeling well—that’s all.PORTIAYou’re smart, though, and if you were sick, you’d take what youneeded to get better.BRUTUSI’m doing so. Good Portia, go to bed.PORTIAAre you sick? And is it healthy to walk uncovered and breathe in thedampness of the morning? You’re sick, yet you sneak out of yourwarm bed and let the humid and disease-infested air make yousicker? No, my Brutus, you have some sickness within your mind,which by virtue of my position I deserve to know about.(shekneels) And on my knees, I urge you, by my once-praised beauty, byall your vows of love and that great vow of marriage which made thetwo of us one person, that you should reveal to me, who is one halfof yourself, why you’re troubled and what men have visited youtonight. For there were six or seven men here, who hid their faceseven in the darkness.BRUTUSDon’t kneel, noble Portia.PORTIA(getting up) I wouldn’t need to if you were acting nobly. Tell me,Brutus, as your wife, aren’t I supposed to be told the secrets thatconcern you? Am I part of you only in a limited sense—I get to havedinner with you, sleep with you, and talk to you sometimes?7071
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar290295300305Act II Scene iORIGINAL TEXTDwell I but in the suburbsOf your good pleasure? If it be no more,Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.BRUTUSYou are my true and honorable wife,As dear to me as are the ruddy dropsThat visit my sad heart.PORTIAIf this were true, then should I know this secret.I grant I am a woman, but withalA woman that Lord Brutus took to wife.I grant I am a woman, but withalA woman well-reputed, Cato’s daughter.Think you I am no stronger than my sex,Being so fathered and so husbanded?Tell me your counsels. I will not disclose 'em.I have made strong proof of my constancy,Giving myself a voluntary woundHere in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience,And not my husband’s secrets?BRUTUSO ye gods,Render me worthy of this noble wife!MODERN TEXTIs my place only on the outskirts of your happiness? If it’snothing more than that, then I’m your whore, not your wife.BRUTUSYou’re my true and honorable wife, as dear to me as theblood that runs through my sad heart.PORTIAIf that were true, then I’d know your secret. I admit I’m only awoman, but nevertheless I’m the woman Lord Brutus took forhis wife. I admit I’m only a woman, but I’m still a woman froma noble family—I’m Cato’s daughter. Do you really think I’mno stronger than the rest of my sex, with such a father andsuch a husband? Tell me your secrets. I won’t betray them.I’ve proved my trustworthiness by giving myself a voluntarywound here in my thigh. If I can bear that pain, then I canbear my husband’s secrets.BRUTUSOh, gods, make me worthy of this noble wife!Knock within310Hark, hark! One knocks. Portia, go in awhile.And by and by thy bosom shall partakeThe secrets of my heart.All my engagements I will construe to thee,All the charactery of my sad brows.Leave me with haste.A knocking sound offstage.Listen! Someone knocks. Portia, go inside awhile, and soonenough you’ll share the secrets of my heart. I’ll explain allthat I have committed to do and all the reasons for my sadface. Leave me quickly.Exit PORTIAPORTIA exits.Lucius, who’s that knocking?Lucius, who’s that knocking?7273
The Tragedy of Julius CaesarORIGINAL TEXT315320325330Act II Scene iMODERN TEXTEnter LUCIUS and LIGARIUS LUCIUS and LIGARIUS enter. Ligarius wears a cloth wrappedaround his head, indicating that he’s sick.LUCIUSLUCIUSHe is a sick man that would speak with you.Here’s a sick man who wants to speak with you.BRUTUSBRUTUSCaius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of.—It’s Caius Ligarius, whom Metellus spoke of. Boy, stand aside.Boy, stand aside.—Caius Ligarius, how?Caius Ligarius! How are you?LIGARIUSLIGARIUSVouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue.Please accept my feeble “good morning.”BRUTUSBRUTUSO, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius,Oh, what a time you’ve chosen to be sick, brave Caius! How ITo wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!wish you felt better!LIGARIUSLIGARIUSI am not sick if Brutus have in handI’m not sick if you’ve prepared some honorable exploit for me.Any exploit worthy the name of honor.BRUTUSBRUTUSSuch an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius,Indeed, I would have such an exploit for you, Ligarius, if youHad you a healthful ear to hear of it.were healthy enough to hear it.LIGARIUSLIGARIUS(removes his kerchief)(takes off his head covering) By all the gods that RomansBy all the gods that Romans bow before,worship, I hereby throw off my sickness! Soul of Rome! BraveI here discard my sickness! Soul of Rome,son of honorable ancestors! You’ve conjured up my deadenedBrave son derived from honorable loins,spirit like an exorcist. Now say the word, and I wi
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Act II Scene i The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Act II Scene i ORIGINAL TEXT MODERN TEXT Enter BRUTUS in his orchard BRUTUS enters in his orchard. 5 BRUTUS What, Lucius, ho! — I cannot by the progress
CAESAR Calphurnia! CAESAR Calphurnia! CASCA Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. CASCA Quiet! Caesar's talking. CAESAR Calphurnia! CAESAR Calphurnia! CALPHURNIA Here, my lord. CALPHURNIA I'm here, my lord. 5 CAESAR Stand you directly in Antonius' way When he doth run his course. —Antonius! CAESAR
Calpurnia, Julius Caesar’s wife. Octavius, Julius Caesar’s great nephew and adopted son. A politician after Caesar’s death. Mark Antony, a Roman general, politician, and supporter of Julius Caesar. Lepidus, a Roman military leader, politician, and supporter of Julius Caesar. Conspirato
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is the tragic true story of the betrayal and assassination of Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 44 b.c. After successfully conquering much of the ancient world, Caesar is invited to lead the Roman Empire. Cassius and other members of the Roman senate fear that Caesar will become a power-hungry dictator. They
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Story Summary The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is the tragic true . Caesar is invited to lead the Roman Empire. Cassius and other members of the Roman senate fear that Caesar will become a power-hungry dictator. They decide Caesar must be stopped. They enlist Caesa
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (excerpts) Act I Scene I Julius Caesar has defeated his rival for power, Pompey, after a long civil war. Workers celebrate in the . If he should stay at home today for fear. No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well That Caesar is more d
Julius Caesar: Introduction Some senators begin to conspire. . . Brutus, Caesar's friend who believes that he must act against Caesar for the good of Rome Casca, who hates the ordinary citizens of Rome yet is . PowerPoint Presentation - Julius Caesar Author: Jody Frank;adapted by Jana Andrews .
Study Guide: Julius Caesar Act I Scene ii 1. What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia? Why? 2. What warning does the soothsayer give Caesar? 3. What does Marcus Brutus think about Caesar? What does he think about Caesar’s rise to power? Support your answers with lines from the play. 4.
Julius Caesar Study Guide Setting: Ancient Rome 44 B.C. The play takes place before Rome developed into an empire. Julius Caesar has just defeated Pompeii after a long civil war. He returns to Rome triumphantly and is in a position to take power. Some people are concerned because dictators have taken power before. Characters: Julius Caesar Although
