SCENE 2
Scene Context (Brief)
The scene takes place during the festival of Lupercal. Caesar instructs Antony to touch Calpurnia so that she may
overcome her barrenness. The Soothsayer warns Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March.” Brutus reveals his inner
conflict, Cassius begins to manipulate him against Caesar, and Antony offers Caesar a crown, which he refuses
thrice.
EXTRACT 1
Caesar: “Calpurnia!”
a) Why does Caesar call Calpurnia?
Answer: Caesar calls Calpurnia to instruct Antony to touch her during the Lupercal race.
b) What belief is associated with this instruction?
Answer: It was believed that touching by a runner would cure barrenness.
c) What does this reveal about Roman customs?
Answer: Romans believed in rituals and superstitions.
EXTRACT 2
Caesar: “Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calpurnia.”
a) Who is Antonius?
Answer: Antonius is Mark Antony, Caesar’s close friend and supporter.
b) Why is Calpurnia mentioned here?
Answer: She is barren and Caesar wants her to be blessed with children.
c) What trait of Caesar is revealed?
Answer: His belief in superstition and desire for an heir.
EXTRACT 3
Soothsayer: “Beware the ides of March.”
a) Who says these words?
Answer: A Soothsayer says these words to Julius Caesar.
b) What is the speaker’s intention?
Answer: To warn Caesar of impending danger.
c) How does Caesar react?
Answer: He dismisses the warning arrogantly.
d) Identify the literary device.
Answer: Foreshadowing.
EXTRACT 4
Caesar: “He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.”
a) Whom does Caesar refer to?
Answer: The Soothsayer.
b) Why does Caesar say this?
Answer: He considers the warning meaningless.
c) What flaw of Caesar is shown?
Answer: Arrogance and overconfidence.
EXTRACT 5
Cassius: “Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’?”
a) What is Cassius questioning here?
Answer: Caesar’s superiority and greatness.
b) Why does Cassius say this to Brutus? Answer: To provoke Brutus into questioning Caesar’s authority.
c) What method does Cassius use? Answer: Psychological manipulation.
EXTRACT 6
Cassius: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves.”
a) What does Cassius mean by this statement?
Answer: Humans are responsible for their own fate, not destiny.
b) Why does Cassius say this?
Answer: To encourage Brutus to act against Caesar.
c) Identify the theme.
Answer: Free will versus fate.
EXTRACT 7
Cassius: “He doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus.”
a) Who is referred to as the Colossus?
Answer: Julius Caesar.
b) What does this comparison suggest?
Answer: Caesar’s immense power and dominance.
c) Identify the literary device.
Answer: Simile.
EXTRACT 8
Casca: “Why, there was a crown offered him; and being offered him, he put it by thrice.”
a) Who offered Caesar the crown? Answer: Mark Antony.
b) How many times was it offered? Answer: Three times.
c) What was Caesar’s reaction? Answer: He refused it each time.
d) What does this reveal about Caesar? Answer: His ambition disguised as humility.
HOTS QUESTIONS
1. How does Cassius successfully manipulate Brutus in this scene? Answer: By appealing to Brutus’s sense
of honour and equality and by criticizing Caesar subtly.
2. Why is the Soothsayer’s warning significant despite being ignored? Answer: It foreshadows Caesar’s
assassination and builds dramatic irony.
3. Is Caesar truly free from ambition? Justify. Answer: No. His refusal of the crown appears calculated to
gain public approval.
4. How does this scene deepen the conflict between fate and free will? Answer: Caesar ignores fate while
Cassius insists humans control their destiny.
5. Cassius says that men control their destiny. How far is this idea contradicted later in the play? Answer:
Though Cassius stresses free will, later events show fate asserting itself through omens and prophecy.
6. Do you think Caesar’s public refusal of the crown is genuine? Give reasons. Answer: It appears strategic,
as repeated refusal increases his popularity.
7. How does Shakespeare use the crowd in this scene to comment on leadership? Answer: The crowd’s
unthinking admiration highlights the danger of popular leaders becoming tyrants.
8. Compare Caesar’s reaction to the Soothsayer with Brutus’s reaction to Cassius’s arguments. Answer:
Caesar dismisses warnings arrogantly, while Brutus reflects deeply, showing contrasting temperaments.
9. Is Cassius a patriot or a conspirator at this stage? Justify your answer. Answer: Cassius appears more
manipulative than patriotic, driven by jealousy masked as concern for Rome.
THEMES IN THIS SCENE
Ambition and power, Fate Vs free will, Manipulation and persuasion, Superstition vs reason
CHARACTER REVELATION
Caesar
Ambitious yet arrogant, Superstitious but dismissive of warnings
Cassius
Manipulative, Clever and persuasive
Brutus
Honourable, Internally conflicted
IMPORTANT LITERARY DEVICES
Device Example Purpose
Foreshadowing “Beware the ides of March” Hints at tragedy
Simile “Like a Colossus” Shows Caesar’s power
Metaphor “Fault… in ourselves” Emphasizes free will
Dramatic Irony Caesar ignores warning Audience knows danger
Repetition Crown offered thrice Highlights ambition