Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

Plot Summary / Storyline

• At Caesar's house, Calpurnia reports frightening omens and her dream of Caesar's statue pouring blood with Romans smiling and washing their hands in it.
• She begs Caesar not to go to the Senate; after some hesitation, he agrees to stay home.
• Decius Brutus arrives and cleverly reinterprets the dream as a good sign, saying Caesar's blood will give life to Rome.
• He adds that the Senate plans to crown Caesar and that staying home will make him look weak.
• Caesar, flattered and afraid to look cowardly, decides to go.

Commentary on Act 2, Scene 2

Calpurnia's dream is almost a direct warning about the assassination, but its meaning depends on who explains it; this shows how truth can be twisted by clever language.

Decius uses exactly what works on Caesar: pride, ambition and fear of losing face; he knows Caesar cares more about honour and status than about safety.

Caesar's line that danger knows well that he is "more dangerous than he" shows his overconfidence, which is his tragic weakness.

By rejecting his loving wife's warning and trusting a flatterer, Caesar walks willingly to his doom, making his fall partly his own responsibility.

The scene strengthens the idea that in this play, people are destroyed not only by fate but also by their own pride and poor judgement.