The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare ACT II:
The Rising Action: There is greater focus on plot events, which result in series of complications and a growing sense of suspense.
This shows/
demonstrates/ proves
This shows/
demonstrates/
proves
This shows/
demonstrates/
proves
Means/ is an example
Means/ is an
example
This shows/
demonstrates/
proves
Julius
Caesar to
Calpurnia
in Scene 2
That Portia wants Brutus to
trust her with his worries.
Means/ is an
example that
Portia to
Brutus
during
Scene 1
Of a soliloquy, which occurs
when a character is alone
on the stage and speaks
his/her thoughts out loud.
Means/ is an
example that
Stated by
Stated by
Brutus in
ACT II
Scene 1
Stated by
But when he once attains the utmost round,
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which
he did ascend. So Caesar may; Then lest he may,
prevent. And since the quarrel
Will 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.
Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so fathered and so husbanded?
Tell me your coulsels, I will not disclose ‘em.
I have made strong proof of my constancy,
Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here in the thigh; can I bear that with patience,
And not my husband’s secrets?
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strangethat men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
An example
Dramatic Irony is
The line/s
The line/s
The line/s
BIG QUESTION: Should Brutus join the conspiracy against Julius Caesar?
Summary of Events:
Scene 1: It is March 15, the Ides of March. Brutus struggles with the decision to join Cassius’s conspiracy against Caesar. His wife Portia notices that he is
troubled and lets him know that she is concerned.
Scene 2: Calpurnia, Caesar wife, has a bad dream which she interprets as a warning that tragedy will befall upon her husband. She asks him not to attend the
Senate meetings. Julius Caesar initially decides to heed to his wife’s wishes, but Decius Brutus convinces him otherwise.
Scene 3: Artemidorus writes a letter that warns Caesar of the impending plot against his life. It names specific conspirators, which include Cassius and Casca.
Scene 4: Portia, Brutus’s wife, is burdened by her knowledge of the assassination. Her distress deepens when she meets the soothsayer, who is also waiting to
warn Caesar.
LRA 3.1: Articulate the relationship between the expressed purposes and the characteristics of different forms of dramatic literature.
LRA 3.10: Identify and describe the function of dialogue and character foils in dramatic literature.
Brutus’ inner conflict. It also
demonstrates that Brutus is
convinced that Julius Caesar
is capable of becoming a
dangerous tyrant who will
abuse his power.
CASSIUS
Character Foil: A character who serves as a contrast to another character. Writers use a foil to
emphasize the differences between two characters.
BRUTUS
Use the following Double Bubble Map to compare and contrast the characters of Brutus and Cassius. How
does Cassius serve as a character foil to Brutus?
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare ACT II:
The Rising Action: There is greater focus on plot events, which result in
series of complications and a growing sense of suspense.
BIG QUESTIONS:
Is it ever okay to betray someone who loves and trusts you?
___________________________because ______________________.
For example, _____________________________________________.
Additionally,______________________________________________.
Does Brutus make the right choice when he decides to join Cassius’
conspiracy against Julius Caesar?
__________________________because_______________________.
For example, _____________________________________________.
Additionally, ______________________________________________.
SUMMARY:
QUESTION
WHO
ANSWER
WHAT
WHEN
WHERE
WHY
In Act II of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar __________________________.
Complications arise when _______________________________________
__________________________________. The most important
complication _______________________________________.
Shakespeare develops a growing suspense by_____________________
______________________________________________________________
LRA 3.1: Articulate the relationship between the expressed purposes and the characteristics of different forms of dramatic literature.
LRA 3.10: Identify and describe the function of dialogue and character foils in dramatic literature.