Act I

Scene I- Man vs. Society

Man vs. Society: Brutus and Cassius assume the leading roles in Caesar's assassination, and Brutus allows Mark Antony to address the masses during Caesar's funeral. Antony successfully stirs the masses to rebel, and both Brutus and Cassius become enemies of the public. Although Brutus and Cassius have supporters, the majority of Romans view them as enemies. 

Scene II-Warnings

Cassius asks Brutus why he has been unfriendly lately, and Brutus tells Cassius he has been preoccupied. Overhearing the crowd, Brutus worries that the Roman people may be trying to crown Caesar king. Cassius, seeing Brutus’ discomfort, explains that he thinks it is unjust for an ordinary Roman to be valued above all the others. Cassius believes Brutus is as great as Caesar. Brutus agrees that things have become unpleasant in Rome. Meanwhile, Caesar passes by, returning from addressing the crowd, and confides in Mark Antony that he does not trust Cassius. 

Scene III-

Detailed Scene-The weather is dark, stormy, windy, and ominous. It makes the audience feel as though something very bad is about to happen. Cassius feels vulnerable and would easily die for his treason because he doesn't know if Brutus will tell Caesar that there is a conspiracy out to kill Caesar. 

Key Symbols- Fire burning out the sky, the lion, and the storm. 

Cassius enters. He and Casca have differing views on the strange events currently unfolding. Casca is convinced that they are all bad omens that mean that the gods are angry. Cassius believes the omens signify that Caesar is an unfit ruler and that he must be deposed. Casca, Cassius, and another man named Cinna have all already decided that they want to kill Caesar, but their plan is still in its early stages. Cassius, the current leader of the conspiracy, tells Casca not to be so afraid of the omens and to see them as a sign of positive change. They discuss their plan a little more before Cinna enters.

Act II

Scene I

Rising Action- (HINT Manipulation) Brutus feels like he's going through a civil car. He's unsure of whether or not to join the conspiracy. Brutus has no personal cause to kill Caesar. 

 Brutus describes his inner struggle about the current status of Rome. He explains to Cassius that he is struggling between his love for Caesar and his concern that Caesar's assumed ambition will cause harm to Rome. 

Though they both conspire to kill Caesar, Cassius is more likely to lean on treachery and tricks and to play on ambition than Brutus, who is guided by his loyalty to the state. 

Like Caesar's wife Calpurnia, Portia's character reflects the disparity between public and private life. She serves as a symbol of correct intuition and morality, and her conversation with Brutus offers the audience a view of Brutus's lingering doubts about the plan to assassinate Caesar. 

Scene II

Calphurnias vs. Decius- Frightened by the meaning of these dreams and by other signs of doom, Calphurnia begs Caesar not to leave the house as she fears something bad will happen to him. Caesar boasts that he is indestructible but eventually listens to her and agrees to stay at home. 

Decius disputes Calpurnia’s interpretation, saying that actually the dream signifies that Romans will all gain lifeblood from the strength of Caesar. He confides that the Senate has decided to give Caesar the crown that day; if Caesar were to stay at home, the senators might change their minds. Moreover, Caesar would lose public regard if he were perceived as so easily swayed by a woman, or by fear. Caesar replies that his fears now indeed seem small. He calls for his robe and prepares to depart. Cassius and Brutus enter with Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, and Cinna to escort him to the Senate. Finally, Antony enters. Caesar prepares to depart. 

Caesar's Character- 

Scene III

The letter- Artemidorus approaches with his letter, saying that its contents are a matter of closest concern for Caesar. Caesar responds, “What touches us ourself shall be last served”—that is, his personal concerns are his last priority 

Scene IV

Portias Character- Portia defines herself in relation to her husband and father; she’s the wife of Brutus, and the daughter of Cato, a Roman statesman. In the handful of scenes in which she appears, Portia distances herself from womanhood, aligning herself with the gender conventions of the time and positioning herself as strong-willed in spite of what she and the other characters perceive as a weakness: “Think you I am no stronger than my sex, / Being so fathered and so husbanded?”

Like Caesar’s wife Calpurnia, Portia’s character reflects the disparity between public and private life. She serves as a symbol of correct intuition and morality, and her conversation with Brutus offers the audience a view of Brutus’s lingering doubts about the plan to assassinate Caesar. Though she and Calpurnia occupy similar roles, Portia also serves as a foil to Calpurnia. Where Calpurnia appeals to Caesar with dreams and omens, Portia argues her case with logic, recognizing this as the tactic most likely to convince Brutus to confide in her. Brutus disregards the “sick offense” Portia identifies within him, however, and the events that follow ultimately lead to her suicide.

Soothslayer- A Soothsayer enters, and Portia asks him if Caesar has gone to the Capitol yet. The Soothsayer replies that he knows that Caesar has not yet gone; he intends to wait for Caesar along his route, since he wants to say a word to him.