Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 PDF

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my S hakespeare Play Menu ! Search Bahati Emily Nyaruba Scene Summary Videos (20) ! Glossed Words ON Notebook Act 2, Scene 1 Scene Summary [Enter Brutus.] Brutus What, Lucius, ho! 1 [Aside] I cannot, by the progress of the stars, 2 Give guess how near to day. — Lucius, I say! — 3 I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. — 4 wish problem [To Lucius] When, Lucius, when? Awake, I say! What, Lucius! 5 [Enter Lucius, his young servant.] Lucius Called you, my lord? 6 Brutus Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. 7 candle When it is lighted, come and call me here. 8 Lucius I will, my lord. 9 [Exit Lucius.] Brutus It must be by his death; and, for my part, 10 I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 11 strike But for the general. He would be crowned — 12 general welfare wishes to How that might change his nature, there's the question. 13 It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, 14 (poisonous snake) And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, 15 calls for And then, I grant, we put a sting in him 16 Act 1, Scene That Act 2, Scene 1 3 at his will he may do danger with. 17 Portia's Song The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins 18 separates Remorse from power, and — to speak truth of Caesar — 19 Conscience I have not known when his affections swayed 20 ruled More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof, 21 proven fact That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, 22 lower classes Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; 23 But when he once attains the upmost round 24 rung He then unto the ladder turns his back, 25 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees 26 lower rungs By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. 27 Then, lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel 28 for fear that accusation Will bear no color for the thing he is, 29 reason Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented, 30 shape increased in power Would run to these and these extremities; 31 extremes And therefore think him as a serpent's egg — 32 Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous — 33 And kill him in the shell. 34 [Re-enter Lucius.] Lucius The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 35 Searching the window for a flint, I found 36 This paper, thus sealed up; and I am sure 37 It did not lie there when I went to bed. 38 [Gives him the letter.] Brutus Get you to bed again, it is not day. 39 Is not tomorrow, boy, the Ides of March? 40 Lucius I know not, sir. 41 Brutus Look in the calendar and bring me word. 42 Lucius I will, sir. 43 [Exit Lucius.] Brutus The exhalations whizzing in the air 44 meteors Give so much light that I may read by them. 45 [Opens the letter and reads.] "Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake, and see thyself! 46 Shall Rome, et cetera. Speak, strike, redress! 47 Brutus, thou sleep'st. Awake!" 48 Such instigations have been often dropped 49 Where I have took them up. 50 "Shall Rome, et cetera." Thus must I piece it out: 51 figure Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? 52 My ancestors did from the streets of Rome 53 The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. 54 "Speak, strike, redress!" Am I entreated 55 To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise: 56 this promise If the redress will follow, thou receivest 57 shall receive Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus! 58 demand for justice [Re-enter Lucius.] Lucius Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. 59 [Knocking within.] Brutus 'Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks. 60 [Exit Lucius.] Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar 61 incite I have not slept. 62 Between the acting of a dreadful thing 63 And the first motion, all the interim is 64 Like a phantasma or a hideous dream. 65 hallucination The genius and the mortal instruments 66 rational mind physical impulses Are then in council, and the state of man, 67 conflict As a little kingdom, suffers then 68 The nature of an insurrection. 69 rebellion [Re-enter Lucius.] Lucius Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, 70 brother-in-law Who doth desire to see you. 71a Brutus  Is he alone? 71b Lucius No, sir, there are more with him. 72a Brutus Do you know them? 72b Lucius No, sir, their hats are plucked about their ears, 73 And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 74 That by no means I may discover them 75 By any mark of favor. 76a feature Brutus Let 'em enter. 76b [Exit Lucius.] They are the faction. O conspiracy, 77 Sham'st thou to show thy dang'rous brow by night, 78 When evils are most free? O then, by day 79 Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 80 To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy; 81 appearance Hide it in smiles and affability; 82 friendliness For if thou path, thy native semblance on, 83 pursue your path normal Not Erebus itself were dim enough 84 Underworld To hide thee from prevention. 85 detection [Enter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius Brutus, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius.] Cassius I think we are too bold upon your rest. 86 Good morrow, Brutus. Do we trouble you? 87 Brutus I have been up this hour, awake all night. 88 Know I these men that come along with you? 89 Cassius Yes, every man of them; and no man here 90 But honors you; and every one doth wish 91 You had but that opinion of yourself 92 Which every noble Roman bears of you. 93 This is Trebonius. 94a Brutus He is welcome hither. 94b Cassius This, Decius Brutus. 95a Brutus He is welcome too. 95b Cassius This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus Cimber. 96 Brutus They are all welcome. 97 What watchful cares do interpose themselves 98 sleepless Betwixt your eyes and night? 99 Cassius Shall I entreat a word? 100 request [Brutus and Cassius whisper.] Decius Brutus Here lies the east. Doth not the day break here? 101 Casca No. 102 Cinna O, pardon, sir, it doth; and yon grey lines 103 That fret the clouds are messengers of day. 104 streak Casca You shall confess that you are both deceived. 105 Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises, 106 Which is a great way growing on the south, 107 Weighing the youthful season of the year. 108 Some two months hence, up higher toward the north 109 from now He first presents his fire, and the high east 110 Stands as the Capitol, directly here. 111 Brutus [To all the conspirators] Give me your hands all over, one by one. 112 Cassius And let us swear our resolution. 113 (a holy oath to) Brutus No, not an oath. If not the face of men, 114 dejected look The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse — 115 If these be motives weak, break off betimes, 116 now And every man hence to his idle bed; 117 go So let high-sighted tyranny range on, 118 Till each man drop by lottery. But if these — 119 As I am sure they do — bear fire enough 120 To kindle cowards, and to steel with valor 121 inflame The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, 122 What need we any spur but our own cause, 123 To prick us to redress? What other bond 124 prod Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word, 125 discreet given their And will not palter? And what other oath 126 back out Than honesty to honesty engaged, 127 pledged That this shall be, or we will fall for it? 128 die Swear priests, and cowards, and men cautelous, 129 cautious Old feeble carrions, and such suffering souls 130 wretches That welcome wrongs; unto bad causes swear 131 tolerate Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain 132 don't trust The even virtue of our enterprise, 133 flawless Nor th'insuppressive mettle of our spirits, 134 the indomitable nature To think that, or our cause, or our performance 135 Did need an oath — when every drop of blood 136 That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 137 Is guilty of a several bastardy 138 (not being a son of Rome) If he do break the smallest particle 139 Of any promise that hath passed from him. 140 Cassius But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him? 141 probe I think he will stand very strong with us. 142 Casca Let us not leave him out. 143a Cinna No, by no means. 143b Metellus Cimber O, let us have him, for his silver hairs 144 Will purchase us a good opinion, 145 And buy men's voices to commend our deeds. 146 It shall be said his judgment ruled our hands. 147 Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, 148 not a bit But all be buried in his gravity. 149 authority Brutus O, name him not. Let us not break with him, 150 broach it For he will never follow anything 151 That other men begin. 152 Cassius Then leave him out. 153 Casca Indeed he is not fit. 154 Decius Brutus Shall no man else be touched but only Caesar? 155 Cassius Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet, 156 fitting Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, 157 Should outlive Caesar. We shall find of him 158 A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means, 159 strategist powers If he improve them, may well stretch so far 160 As to annoy us all; which to prevent, 161 harm Let Antony and Caesar fall together. 162 Brutus Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, 163 To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, 164 Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; 165 fury killing cruelty For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. 166 Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. 167 We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, 168 And in the spirit of men there is no blood. 169 O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit, 170 And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, 171 Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends, 172 Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; 173 in anger Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, 174 Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds. 175 And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 176 crafty Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 177 And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make 178 afterwards scold Our purpose necessary, and not envious; 179 spiteful Which so appearing to the common eyes, 180 We shall be called purgers, not murderers. 181 And for Mark Antony, think not of him, 182 For he can do no more than Caesar's arm 183 When Caesar's head is off. 184a Cassius Yet I fear him, 184b For in the engrafted love he bears to Caesar — 185 deep implanted Brutus Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him: 186 If he love Caesar, all that he can do 187 Is to himself — take thought and die for Caesar. 188 against be grieved And that were much he should, for he is given 189 is all he would do To sports, to wildness, and much company. 190 Trebonius There is no fear in him. Let him not die, 191 For he will live and laugh at this hereafter. 192 [Clock strikes.] Brutus Peace! Count the clock. 193a Cassius The clock hath stricken three. 193b Trebonius 'Tis time to part. 194a Cassius But it is doubtful yet, 194b Whether Caesar will come forth today or no, 195 For he is superstitious grown of late, 196 Quite from the main opinion he held once 197 opposite of Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies. 198 spirits religious rituals It may be these apparent prodigies, 199 abnormalities The unaccustomed terror of this night, 200 And the persuasion of his augurers, 201 fortune tellers May hold him from the Capitol today. 202 keep Decius Brutus Never fear that. If he be so resolved, 203 I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear 204 persuade That unicorns may be betrayed with trees, 205 tricked And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, 206 mirrors Lions with toils, and men with flatterers. 207 nets But when I tell him he hates flatterers, 208 He says he does, being then most flatterèd. 209 Let me work, 210 For I can give his humor the true bent, 211 inclination right direction And I will bring him to the Capitol. 212 Cassius Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. 213 Brutus By the eighth hour. Is that the uttermost? 214 latest Cinna Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. 215 Metellus Cimber Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard, 216 Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey. 217 berated I wonder none of you have thought of him. 218 Brutus Now, good Metellus, go along by him. 219 see He loves me well, and I have given him reasons. 220 Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him. 221 here mold Cassius The morning comes upon us. We'll leave you, Brutus. 222 And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember 223 What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans. 224 Brutus Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily. 225 innocent Let not our looks put on our purposes, 226 display But bear it as our Roman actors do, 227 present With untired spirits and formal constancy. 228 determination And so good morrow to you every one. 229 morning [Exit all but Brutus.] Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter. 230 Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber. 231 Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies, 232 imaginings Which busy care draws in the brains of men; 233 concern Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. 234a [Enter Portia.] Portia Brutus, my lord! 234b Brutus Portia! What mean you? Wherefore rise you now? 235 It is not for your health thus to commit 236 good for Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. 237 Portia Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Brutus, 238 unkindly Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper 239 You suddenly arose, and walked about, 240 Musing, and sighing, with your arms across. 241 And when I asked you what the matter was, 242 You stared upon me with ungentle looks. 243 unkind I urged you further; then you scratched your head, 244 And too impatiently stamped with your foot. 245 Yet I insisted, yet you answered not, 246 But with an angry wafture of your hand 247 waving Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did, 248 Fearing to strengthen that impatience 249 Which seemed too much enkindled, and withal 250 also Hoping it was but an effect of humor, 251 mood Which sometime hath his hour with every man. 252 It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, 253 And could it work so much upon your shape 254 if it could As it hath much prevailed on your condition, 255 I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, 256 then I Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. 257 Brutus I am not well in health, and that is all. 258 Portia Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health 259 He would embrace the means to come by it. 260 Brutus Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. 261 Portia Is Brutus sick, and is it physical 262 healthy To walk unbraced and suck up the humors 263 with open clothes vapors Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick, 264 And will he steal out of his wholesome bed 265 To dare the vile contagion of the night, 266 illness And tempt the rheumy and unpurgèd air 267 flu-causing unclean To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus. 268 You have some sick offense within your mind, 269 Which, by the right and virtue of my place 270 I ought to know of; and upon my knees 271 I charm you — by my once commended beauty, 272 appeal to praised By all your vows of love, and that great vow 273 Which did incorporate and make us one — 274 join That you unfold to me, your self, your half, 275 reveal other self Why you are heavy, and what men tonight 276 burdened Have had to resort to you; for here have been 277 call upon Some six or seven, who did hide their faces 278 Even from darkness. 279a Brutus Kneel not, gentle Portia. 279b Portia I should not need if you were gentle Brutus. 280 kind Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, 281 Is it excepted I should know no secrets 282 That appertain to you? Am I your self 283 But as it were in sort or limitation, 284 just one way To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, 285 And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs 286 Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, 287 Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 288 Brutus You are my true and honorable wife, 289 As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 290 red That visit my sad heart. 291 Portia If this were true, then should I know this secret. 292 I grant I am a woman; but withal 293 A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife. 294 I grant I am a woman; but withal 295 A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter. 296 Think you I am no stronger than my sex, 297 Being so fathered and so husbanded? 298 Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose ‘em. 299 I have made strong proof of my constancy, 300 fortitude Giving myself a voluntary wound 301 Here, in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience, 302 And not my husband's secrets? 303a Brutus O ye gods, 303b Render me worthy of this noble wife! 304 [Knocking within.] Hark, hark! One knocks. Portia, go in awhile, 305 And by and by thy bosom shall partake 306 The secrets of my heart. 307 All my engagements I will construe to thee, 308 meetings explain All the charactery of my sad brows. 309 everything written in Leave me with haste. 310 [Exit Portia. Re-enter Lucius with Ligarus.] Lucius, who's that knocks? 311 Lucius Here is a sick man that would speak with you. 312 Brutus Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. 313 Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius, how? 314 Ligarius Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. 315 Please receive Brutus O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, 316 selected To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick! 317 shawl I wish Ligarius I am not sick if Brutus have in hand 318 Any exploit worthy the name of honor. 319 Brutus Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, 320 Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. 321 Ligarius By all the gods that Romans bow before, 322 I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome, 323 Brave son, derived from honorable loins, 324 Thou like an exorcist hast conjured up 325 My mortified spirit. Now bid me run, 326 dying And I will strive with things impossible, 327 Yea, get the better of them. What's to do? 328 Brutus A piece of work that will make sick men whole. 329 Ligarius But are not some whole that we must make sick? 330 Brutus That must we also. What it is, my Caius, 331 I shall unfold to thee, as we are going 332 To whom it must be done. 333a Ligarius Set on your foot, 333b And with a heart new-fired I follow you, 334 To do I know not what; but it sufficeth 335 That Brutus leads me on. 336 Brutus Follow me, then. 337 [Exit.]  Character Interview: Brutus Character Interview: Brutus and Cassius Character Interview: Brutus and Portia Reading Comprehension Quiz for Act 2, Scene 1 !"#$%&'(&)((*+%&,+#--$((. myShakespeare Features About Blog Sign In Contact Us For Teachers FAQ © 2024 myShakespeare. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Service Play Menu Resources Using myShakespeare Direct Links to Videos Animated Summary Quick Study Shakespeare's Life Elizabethan Theater Roman Republic Caesar's Rise to Power Actor Bios Act 1 Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Act 2 Scene 1 Portia's Song Scene 2 Scene 3 Soothsayer Song Scene 4 Act 3 Scene 1 Cassius' Song Scene 2 Scene 3 Act 4 Scene 1 Scene 2 Caesar's Ghost Act 5 Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Notebook Scene Summary Videos (20)