Scenes 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4
Scene 2.2 – Caesar’s house
Caesar
sends a servant out to bring advice from his priests because Calpurnia has had
dreams that Caesar will be murdered. She tells him not to go out today. Caesar
tries to comfort her with a show of bravery. He says that people only threaten
him when his back is turned because no one has the nerve to challenge him to his
face. Calpurnia then brings up all the strange occurrences that have been
happening as of late. Caesar accepts that if the gods wish him to die, he
can’t do anything about it – besides, no one can say for sure that the signs
are meant for him. Calpurnia believes that heaven sends down bad signs only when
important people will die. Caesar says that death is inevitable and that he is
not afraid of dying. The servant comes back saying that the priests advise him
to stay in his house today because it is too dangerous outside. Caesar brags
that he is Danger’s older and more threatening brother. Calpurnia begs him to
stay. Caesar relents and will tell Mark Antony that he is sick.
Decius enters
to take him to the senate house. Since Decius will see that Caesar is lying if
he says that he is too sick to go out today, Caesar simply tells him that he
will not go. Decius presses him for a reason, and Caesar mentions that his wife
had a vision of people bathing in his blood. Decius reinterprets the dream as
meaning the people will gain new life under Caesar’s rule. Decius warns that
if Caesar doesn’t go to the senate house today, they might change their mind
about offering him the crown. Caesar agrees to go. The rest of the conspirators
enter to escort him to the senate house. Caesar is surprised by so many coming
to greet him, but he assumes that this is just part of the ceremony. Antony
joins up with them. Caesar walks away cheerfully, but Brutus whispers to himself
that he feels guilty for tricking his friend.
Scene 2.3 – A street near the Capitol
Artemidorus
proofreads a letter he wrote to Caesar warning him of the conspiracy and all the
names of those involved. He intends to give it to Caesar as he enters the senate
house (pretending that it is a harmless petition so that none of the
conspirators suspect it) and hopes that he will read it.
Scene 2.4 – Brutus’ house
Portia
is frantic, and tells Brutus’ servant Lucius to run to the senate house to
find out how Brutus is and report it back to her. The soothsayer enters. Portia
asks him if he knows what will happen to Caesar. He is not sure, but he is
afraid of what might happen. The soothsayer goes to get in a position to warn
Caesar. Portia rushes back inside and sends Lucius off.
