Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 2

Julius Caesar
Act II, Scene 2

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(Caesar's house, on the morning of March 15.)

It is (finally) the next morning... March 15. 44 BC. Over at Caesar’s house, it seems that the Great One has just as much trouble sleeping as Brutus did.

(Thunder and lightning.
Enter Caesar, in his night-gown.)
Caesar is also awake, and cannot sleep. This is possibly an example of “mirror imagery.”

CAESAR:
Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:
Caesar is not in bed this night because his wife (Calpurnia) kept interrupting his sleep with her bizarre dreams.

Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within?

(Enter a Servant.)

SERVANT:
My lord?

CAESAR:
“Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out ‘Help! Ho! They murder Caesar.’” She had three dreams. Three. There is that dreaded number, again.
All three of his wife's dreams seemed to focus on Caesar's murder.

Go bid the priests do present sacrifice
And bring me their opinions of success.
Caesar sends some priests, or “augurers,” out to kill an innocent small animal. Priests have always been quite good at that sort of thing.

SERVANT:
I will, my lord.
The Romans used to sacrifice animals, and then cut them open and examine them, looking for signs from the gods.

(Exit Servant.) Caesar wants to know whether the “gods” think he should go to the capital, or not.

(Enter Calpurnia.)

CALPURNIA:
What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?
Then, his wife enters. Calpurnia gently asks Caesar not to go out today:

You shall not stir out of your house to-day.

CAESAR:
Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.

CALPURNIA:
Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
“You shall not stir out of your house today!” she says.

Yet now they fright me. There is one within,
Besides the things that we have heard and seen ,
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch .
She also repeats several rumors she has heard about strange things seen in the past few hours. Her tales convince the audience that she, too, suffers from a bit of superstition.

A lioness hath whelped in the streets;
And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead;
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol;
The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
O Caesar! these things are beyond all use ,
And I do fear them.

CAESAR:
Vocabulary help: "whelped" means that the lioness gave birth.

What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
Translation: Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen.

Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar.

CALPURNIA:
When beggars die, there are no comets seen ;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

CAESAR:
Obviously, Caesar has not been persuaded. He insists insists that he wants to go out and play in the Capital.

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 strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
Famous lines department: "Cowards die many times before their deaths," says Caesar. "The valiant never taste of death but once." In other words, everytime you are a coward, it is because you imagine your own death, so you "die" many times. If you are valiant (or brave), you only have to suffer your death once.

(Re-enter Servant.)

CAESAR:
The Servant comes back into the room.

What say the augurers?

SERVANT:
Caesar asks the Servant what the "augurers" had to say. "Augurers" is another name for the "priests."

They would not have you to stir forth to-day.

The Servant reports that the Priests said Caesar should stay at home today.

Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast.

CAESAR:
The Priests sliced up some cute little bunny or something, and “could not find a heart within the beast.” No heart? This is a bad omen, indeed. One wonders which end of the animal they were looking in.

The gods do this in shame of cowardice:
Caesar should be a beast without a heart,
If he should stay at home to-day for fear.
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he:
We are two lions litter'd in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible:
Caesar ignores even this warning. He says that the Priests did not understand the sign. The "beast without a heart" means that Caesar would be a beast without a heart if he stays at home, according to Caesar.

And Caesar shall go forth.

CALPURNIA:
Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear
That keeps you in the house, and not your own.

We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house:
And he shall say you are not well to-day:
Finally, Calpurnia hits him with her best stuff: She begs Caesar to send Antony to the Senate, with word that Caesar is sick.

Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.

CAESAR:
She goes down on one knee. (After all, it worked for Portia in the last scene, did it not?)

Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
And, for thy humour, I will stay at home .
Caesar has a change of mind, and decides to stay at home.

(Enter Decius Brutus.) The door opens, and in comes one of the conspirators.

CAESAR:
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

DECIUS BRUTUS:
To confuse matters, he is named Decius Brutus. This guy is no relation to the REAL Brutus.

Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar:
I come to fetch you to the senate-house.

CAESAR:
And you are come in very happy time,
To bear my greeting to the senators
Decius explains that he has come to escort Caesar to the Capital.

And tell them that I will not come to-day:
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius.

CALPURNIA:
Say he is sick.

CAESAR:
Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far ,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

DECIUS BRUTUS:
Caesar answers that he has decided not to go.

Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.

CAESAR:
The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
Decius asks for some reason, and he warns Caesar that the Senators may laugh at him, otherwise.

She dreamt to-night she saw my statue,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day.

DECIUS BRUTUS:
Caesar blames it on his wife's dream, which he describes. Calpurnia dreamed that a statue of Caesar became a fountain -- a fountain with blood, instead of water. Then, many Romans came and washed their hands in the blood.

This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
Decius says that Caesar has misinterpreted the dream. He claims the dream means that all of Rome will find great "medicine" from the great Caesar.

For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

CAESAR:
And this way have you well expounded it.

DECIUS BRUTUS:
I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now: the senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render 'd, for some one to say
'Break up the senate till another time,
"Tinctures, stains," and "relics" all refer to medicines, or ointments, or healing remedies.

When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To our proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable.

CAESAR:
Decius is very persuasive, especially when he hints that the other Senators might think that Caesar’s wife wears the pants in this household.

How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Caesar does not like to be referred to as “whipped,” so he instantly changes his mind — again.

Give me my robe, for I will go.

Caesar is going to go.

(Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus,
Casca, Trebonius, and Cinna.)

CAESAR:
The door opens, and in come more of the conspirators. Brutus is there, and Casca. Ligarius, Trebonius, and a few other friends who are part of this conspiracy also accompany them.

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.

PUBLIUS:
Good morrow, Caesar.

CAESAR:
Welcome, Publius.
What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too?
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean.
What is 't o'clock?

BRUTUS:
Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.

CAESAR:
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

(Enter Antony.)

CAESAR:
Now, Marc Antony arrives. Antony, of course, has no knowledge of the plan to murder Caesar.

See! Antony, that revels long o' nights,
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.
The word "revel" means "to party." Caesar is amazed that Antony is up so early since he parties so late.

ANTONY:
So to most noble Caesar.

CAESAR:
Bid them prepare within:
I am to blame to be thus waited for.
Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius!
I have an hour's talk in store for you;
Remember that you call on me to-day:
Be near me, that I may remember you.

TREBONIUS:
Caesar, I will:

TREBONIUS:
They all make hasty plans to go to the capital.

[Aside]: and so near will I be,
That your best friends shall wish I had been further.

CAESAR:
Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.

BRUTUS:
The stage direction "Aside" means that these words are whispered, perhaps to himself. Trebonius says this in such a way that Caesar cannot hear it. This takes little effort, since the guy is deaf in one ear, if you recall.

[Aside]: That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!
Brutus also speaks in "asides," on occasion. He says that not all of the people in the room have the same intentions.

(Exeunt.) They all rush to leave for the Senate. After all, the play is almost half over, and nobody has gotten killed yet.

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Shakespeare for Scholars:	Shakespeare for the Rest of Us:
*(Caesar's house, on the morning of March 15.)*	It is (finally) the next morning... March 15. 44 BC. Over at Caesar’s house, it seems that the Great One has just as much trouble sleeping as Brutus did.
*(Thunder and lightning.* *Enter Caesar, in his night-gown.)*	Caesar is also awake, and cannot sleep. This is possibly an example of “mirror imagery.”

*CAESAR:* Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night:	Caesar is not in bed this night because his wife (Calpurnia) kept interrupting his sleep with her bizarre dreams.
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 'Help, ho! they murder Caesar!' Who's within? *(Enter a Servant.)* *SERVANT:* My lord? *CAESAR:*	“Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out ‘Help! Ho! They murder Caesar.’” She had three dreams. Three. There is that dreaded number, again. All three of his wife's dreams seemed to focus on Caesar's murder.
Go bid the priests do present sacrifice And bring me their opinions of success.	Caesar sends some priests, or “augurers,” out to kill an innocent small animal. Priests have always been quite good at that sort of thing.
*SERVANT:* I will, my lord.	The Romans used to sacrifice animals, and then cut them open and examine them, looking for signs from the gods.
*(Exit Servant.)*	Caesar wants to know whether the “gods” think he should go to the capital, or not.
*(Enter Calpurnia.)* *CALPURNIA:* What mean you, Caesar? think you to walk forth?	Then, his wife enters. Calpurnia gently asks Caesar not to go out today:
You shall not stir out of your house to-day. *CAESAR:* Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished. *CALPURNIA:* Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,	“You shall not stir out of your house today!” she says.
Yet now they fright me. There is one within, Besides the things that we have heard and seen , Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch .	She also repeats several rumors she has heard about strange things seen in the past few hours. Her tales convince the audience that she, too, suffers from a bit of superstition.
A lioness hath whelped in the streets; And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead; Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol; The noise of battle hurtled in the air, Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. O Caesar! these things are beyond all use , And I do fear them. *CAESAR:*	Vocabulary help: "whelped" means that the lioness gave birth.
What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?	Translation: Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen.
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions Are to the world in general as to Caesar. *CALPURNIA:* When beggars die, there are no comets seen ; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. *CAESAR:*	Obviously, Caesar has not been persuaded. He insists insists that he wants to go out and play in the Capital.
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 strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.	Famous lines department: "Cowards die many times before their deaths," says Caesar. "The valiant never taste of death but once." In other words, everytime you are a coward, it is because you imagine your own death, so you "die" many times. If you are valiant (or brave), you only have to suffer your death once.
*(Re-enter Servant.)* *CAESAR:*	The Servant comes back into the room.
What say the augurers? *SERVANT:*	Caesar asks the Servant what the "augurers" had to say. "Augurers" is another name for the "priests."
They would not have you to stir forth to-day.	The Servant reports that the Priests said Caesar should stay at home today.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, They could not find a heart within the beast. *CAESAR:*	The Priests sliced up some cute little bunny or something, and “could not find a heart within the beast.” No heart? This is a bad omen, indeed. One wonders which end of the animal they were looking in.
The gods do this in shame of cowardice: Caesar should be a beast without a heart, If he should stay at home to-day for fear. No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well That Caesar is more dangerous than he: We are two lions litter'd in one day, And I the elder and more terrible:	Caesar ignores even this warning. He says that the Priests did not understand the sign. The "beast without a heart" means that Caesar would be a beast without a heart if he stays at home, according to Caesar.
And Caesar shall go forth. *CALPURNIA:* Alas, my lord, Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house: And he shall say you are not well to-day:	Finally, Calpurnia hits him with her best stuff: She begs Caesar to send Antony to the Senate, with word that Caesar is sick.
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. *CAESAR:*	She goes down on one knee. (After all, it worked for Portia in the last scene, did it not?)
Mark Antony shall say I am not well, And, for thy humour, I will stay at home .	Caesar has a change of mind, and decides to stay at home.
*(Enter Decius Brutus.)*	The door opens, and in comes one of the conspirators.
*CAESAR:* Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. *DECIUS BRUTUS:*	To confuse matters, he is named Decius Brutus. This guy is no relation to the REAL Brutus.
Caesar, all hail! good morrow, worthy Caesar: I come to fetch you to the senate-house. *CAESAR:* And you are come in very happy time, To bear my greeting to the senators	Decius explains that he has come to escort Caesar to the Capital.
And tell them that I will not come to-day: Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser: I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius. *CALPURNIA:* Say he is sick. *CAESAR:* Shall Caesar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far , To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth? Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come. *DECIUS BRUTUS:*	Caesar answers that he has decided not to go.
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so. *CAESAR:* The cause is in my will: I will not come; That is enough to satisfy the senate. But for your private satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know: Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:	Decius asks for some reason, and he warns Caesar that the Senators may laugh at him, otherwise.
She dreamt to-night she saw my statue, Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it: And these does she apply for warnings, and portents, And evils imminent; and on her knee Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day. *DECIUS BRUTUS:*	Caesar blames it on his wife's dream, which he describes. Calpurnia dreamed that a statue of Caesar became a fountain -- a fountain with blood, instead of water. Then, many Romans came and washed their hands in the blood.
This dream is all amiss interpreted; It was a vision fair and fortunate: Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall press	Decius says that Caesar has misinterpreted the dream. He claims the dream means that all of Rome will find great "medicine" from the great Caesar.
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance. This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. *CAESAR:* And this way have you well expounded it. *DECIUS BRUTUS:* I have, when you have heard what I can say: And know it now: the senate have concluded To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock Apt to be render 'd, for some one to say 'Break up the senate till another time,	"Tinctures, stains," and "relics" all refer to medicines, or ointments, or healing remedies.
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper 'Lo, Caesar is afraid'? Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love To our proceeding bids me tell you this; And reason to my love is liable. *CAESAR:*	Decius is very persuasive, especially when he hints that the other Senators might think that Caesar’s wife wears the pants in this household.
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them.	Caesar does not like to be referred to as “whipped,” so he instantly changes his mind — again.
Give me my robe, for I will go.	Caesar is going to go.
*(Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus,* *Casca, Trebonius, and* *Cinna.)* *CAESAR:*	The door opens, and in come more of the conspirators. Brutus is there, and Casca. Ligarius, Trebonius, and a few other friends who are part of this conspiracy also accompany them.
And look where Publius is come to fetch me. *PUBLIUS:* Good morrow, Caesar. *CAESAR:* Welcome, Publius. What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy As that same ague which hath made you lean. What is 't o'clock? *BRUTUS:* Caesar, 'tis strucken eight. *CAESAR:* I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
*(Enter Antony.)* *CAESAR:*	Now, Marc Antony arrives. Antony, of course, has no knowledge of the plan to murder Caesar.
See! Antony, that revels long o' nights, Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.	The word "revel" means "to party." Caesar is amazed that Antony is up so early since he parties so late.
*ANTONY:* So to most noble Caesar. *CAESAR:* Bid them prepare within: I am to blame to be thus waited for. Now, Cinna: now, Metellus: what, Trebonius! I have an hour's talk in store for you; Remember that you call on me to-day: Be near me, that I may remember you. *TREBONIUS:* Caesar, I will: *TREBONIUS:*	They all make hasty plans to go to the capital.
*[Aside]:* and so near will I be, That your best friends shall wish I had been further. *CAESAR:* Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me; And we, like friends, will straightway go together. *BRUTUS:*	The stage direction "Aside" means that these words are whispered, perhaps to himself. Trebonius says this in such a way that Caesar cannot hear it. This takes little effort, since the guy is deaf in one ear, if you recall.
*[Aside]:* That every like is not the same, O Caesar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!	Brutus also speaks in "asides," on occasion. He says that not all of the people in the room have the same intentions.
*(Exeunt.)*	They all rush to leave for the Senate. After all, the play is almost half over, and nobody has gotten killed yet.