Julius ceaser notes

Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3

Summary
Artemidorus enters a street near the Capitol reading from a paper that
warns Caesar of danger and that names each of the conspirators. He
intends to give the letter to Caesar and he reasons that Caesar may
survive if the fates do not ally themselves with the conspirators.
Analysis
This short scene is tinged with irony. Artemidorus, a teacher of
rhetoric, capable of grand and complex flourishes of speech, speaks
most clearly and directly. His note to Caesar contains only facts, but
has one great fault: For Caesar to acknowledge the facts, he has to
admit that he is not a god, providing bloody sustenance to all of Rome,
but a mere mortal. That he could never do.
This scene allows you to see another opinion of Caesar. Artemidorus is
a Roman who loves Caesar and sees the conspirators as traitors. From
this man's viewpoint, the reader gets a hint of the greatness that was
once Caesar.
This scene also highlights the public nature of the conspiracy. Given
that Artemidorus knows all about the conspirators and their plans, it is
made clear that the latter have not kept quiet. Caesar is among the
few who do not know what is about to happen.
Lesson Summary
In Act 2 Scene 3 of Julius Caesar, Artemidorus, Caesar's true supporter, reads a letter that
he has written to warn him of the plot against Caesar's life. The letter says that the
friends and supporters he thinks he has are actually conspiring against him and are
planning to kill him.
Artemidorus laments that virtue results in jealousy, and decides that his letter will keep
Caesar from being murdered unless the Fates, supernatural beings who control destiny,
decide otherwise

Study Questions
1. How does Shakespeare add the element of suspense in these two short
scenes?

2. What is Artemidorus’ warning?

3. What does Artemidorus mean when he says, “Security gives way to
conspiracy”? (Sc. 3, 7–8)

4. How does he plan to give Caesar his letter?

5. Why doesn’t Lucius carry out Portia’s request?

6. What does Portia mean in her aside, “O constancy, be strong upon my

side; / Set a huge mountain ‘tween my heart and tongue. / I have a man’s
mind but a woman’s might. / How hard it is for women to keep counsel!”
(Sc. 4, 7–10)?

7. What does she tell Lucius to do?

8. What does the soothsayer tell Portia he plans to do?

9. What is Portia’s wish for Brutus?

10. How does Portia try to cover up being overheard by Lucius?

Answers
1. He provides Caesar with two possibilities of saving his life: through
Artemidorus’ letter or the soothsayer.

2. Artemidorus warns Caesar to be on his guard if he is not immortal.

3. He means that overconfidence on Caesar’s part opens the way to

conspiracy and death.

4. He will wait on the street as a suitor looking for some political favor and
present the letter to Caesar when he passes.

5. Portia does not make her intentions clear.

6. She is afraid she will not be able to keep Brutus’ plans a secret because
she is a “weak” woman.

7. Portia tells Lucius to bring back word as to how Brutus looks, what Caesar
does, and which suitors present themselves to Caesar.

8. He will go down the street and speak to Caesar when he comes by and try
to warn him about the possible danger.
9. She hopes the heavens will help him in his enterprise.

10. She tells him Brutus has a suit (a request) that Caesar will not grant him
ARTEMIDORUS enters, reading a letter.
ARTEMIDORUS
[reads aloud]“Caesar, beware of Brutus. Take heed of Cassius. Comenot near Casca. Have an eye to Cinna. Trust notTrebonius.
Mark well Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus5loves thee not. Thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius. Thereis but one mind in all these
men, and it is bent againstCaesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you.Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods
defendthee!10Thy lover,Artemidorus”Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,And as a suitor will I give him this.15My heart
laments that virtue cannot liveOut of the teeth of emulation.If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayst live.If not, the Fates with
traitors do contrive.

[Reading aloud from the letter]

“Caesar, beware of Brutus. Pay attention to Cassius. Stay away from Casca. Keep an eye on
Cinna. Don’t trust Trebonius. Take note of Metellus Cimber. Decius Brutus doesn’t love you.
You’ve wronged Caius Ligarius. All these men share just one thought, and it’s aimed against
Caesar. If you are not immortal, look around you. A sense of security makes you vulnerable to
conspiracy. May the mighty gods protect you!
Your friend,
Artemidorus.”

I'll stand here until Caesar passes by, and I’ll give him this as if I'm asking for a favor. My heart
is sad that good men aren’t safe from the bite of bitter jealousy. Caesar, if you read this, you will
live. If not, the Fates are on the side of the traitors.
He exits.