The second act of "Julius Caesar" concludes with Caesar being swayed to go to the Senate by Decius, who reinterprets Calpurnia's dream in a way that appeals to Caesar's ego. The act ends with Caesar, accompanied by the conspirators, heading towards the Senate, unaware of the plot against him.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Caesar's indecision:
Caesar is initially hesitant to go to the Senate due to Calpurnia's ominous dreams and warnings.
Decius's manipulation:
Decius, one of the conspirators, skillfully reinterprets Calpurnia's dream, suggesting that it signifies Caesar will be crowned king.
Caesar's decision:
Driven by his ambition and swayed by Decius's flattery, Caesar decides to go to the Senate.
The conspirators' plan:
The conspirators, including Brutus, are present and ready to escort Caesar to the Senate, where they intend to assassinate him.
Trebonius's aside:
In an aside, Trebonius reveals his role in the conspiracy, stating he will stay close to Caesar, implying he will be in position to act when the time comes.
Act 2's cliffhanger:
The act concludes with Caesar and the conspirators leaving for the Senate, leaving the audience anticipating the climax of the play in the next act.
In William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, both the Soothsayer and Artemidorus serve important roles as warners or prophets of doom, trying to prevent the assassination of Caesar. However, their roles differ slightly in form and method.
🔮 Soothsayer
Role: Prophetic warner
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The Soothsayer appears early in the play (Act 1, Scene 2) and famously warns Caesar:
👉 "Beware the Ides of March." -
He represents fate, intuition, and superstition.
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Caesar dismisses him, calling him a "dreamer" and ignoring his warning.
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In Act 3, Scene 1, the Soothsayer meets Caesar again near the Capitol. Caesar mocks him, saying “The Ides of March are come,” and the Soothsayer replies:
👉 "Ay, Caesar, but not gone."
🔁 Function:
- He symbolizes the ignored voice of fate.
- His presence adds to the tension and dramatic irony, as the audience knows what Caesar does not: that danger is real and close.
📜 Artemidorus
Role: Rational warner
- Artemidorus is a scholar or teacher of rhetoric who has discovered the conspiracy.
- In Act 2, Scene 3, he writes a letter to Caesar naming all the conspirators and warning him to stay away from them.
- In Act 3, Scene 1, he tries to give the letter to Caesar directly.
👉 Quote:
“Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit
That touches Caesar nearer.”
Paraphrase: "Caesar, read my petition first, because it's about something that affects you more closely."
In this paraphrase, the original quote's poetic language is simplified to convey the speaker's request to Caesar, emphasizing the personal relevance of their petition.
This line is spoken just before Caesar enters the Senate, where the conspirators are about to assassinate him.
Artemidorus, a Roman citizen and teacher of rhetoric, has learned of the conspiracy to murder Caesar.
- However, Caesar ignores it, saying:
👉 "What touches us ourself shall be last served."
And goes on without reading the letter. - Caesar will deal with matters that personally affect him only after attending to matters of state. It highlights Caesar's prioritization of his public role over his private concerns, showcasing his sense of duty and perhaps, a degree of self-importance.
- In the play, Artemidorus tries to hand Caesar a letter warning him of the assassination plot. Caesar, however, brushes him aside, stating that his personal concerns will be addressed after he has dealt with the matters at hand. This line reveals a potential flaw in Caesar's character – his overconfidence and inability to recognize the immediate danger he is in. It also reflects the belief that a ruler's personal needs are secondary to the needs of the state.
🔁 Function:
- Artemidorus represents reason, logic, and loyalty.
- He is the last realistic chance to save Caesar, but again, Caesar's pride and carelessness blind him to danger.
🔗 Summary Comparison
| Aspect | Soothsayer | Artemidorus |
|---|---|---|
| Type of warning | Mysterious, supernatural | Rational, factual |
| How he warns | Verbal prophecy | Written letter |
| When | Several times, esp. Act 1 & 3 | Act 2 Scene 3 & Act 3 Scene 1 |
| Response by Caesar | Dismissed as superstition | Ignored due to arrogance |
| Represents | Fate and ignored omens | Reason and ignored truth |
🎭 Dramatic Purpose:
- Both characters heighten dramatic irony, as the audience knows Caesar is heading toward death despite repeated warnings.
- They highlight Caesar's tragic flaw: hubris (excessive pride), which leads him to ignore both mystical and rational warnings.
- Popilius Lena is not explicitly part of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar, but he is a senator who interacts with the conspirators before the assassination, causing them anxiety. He approaches Cassius and wishes him "good luck" with his "enterprise", which makes the conspirators fear their plot has been discovered. However, Popilius's comment is ambiguous and could be interpreted as a general wish for the success of whatever Cassius is about to do, rather than a specific reference to the assassination. Ultimately, he is not one of the main conspirators, but his words create dramatic tension and heighten the suspense of the scene.
*Metellus Cimber's brother, Publius Cimber, was banished for an unspecified crime. The play does not provide details about the nature of the offense. The banishment of Publius Cimber is significant because it becomes a key element in the conspirators' plan to assassinate Caesar.
Here's why it's important in the play:
Distraction:
The conspirators use Metellus Cimber's plea to Caesar to repeal the banishment as a distraction while they surround and assassinate Caesar.
Caesar's Stubbornness:
Caesar's refusal to grant the pardon, despite the pleas of Metellus and others, highlights his perceived arrogance and inflexibility, which contributes to the senators' decision to kill him.
Symbolism:
Publius Cimber's banishment, and Caesar's refusal to revoke it, symbolizes Caesar's absolute power and the growing fear among some senators that he was becoming a tyrant.
Courtesy: Google AI & ChatGPT
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