Julius Caesar: Act 2 – Contextual Q&A
Question 1
"Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the first motion, all the interim is like a phantasma or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instruments are then in council, and the state of man, as a little kingdom, suffers then the nature of an insurrection."
(i) What "dreadful thing" is Brutus contemplating? (3)
(ii) What does Brutus compare the period between thought and action to? (3)
(iii) What does "the state of man, as a little kingdom, suffers then the nature of an insurrection" mean? (3)
(iv) How does this soliloquy reveal Brutus's emotional state? (3)
(v) How does this passage establish Brutus's tragic conflict? (4)
Answer:
(i) The "dreadful thing" Brutus contemplates is the assassination of Caesar. Though he has not yet committed to the conspiracy, Brutus is troubled by the thought of acting against his friend and political ally.
(ii) Brutus compares the interim—the period between contemplating an action and carrying it out—to "a phantasma or a hideous dream." This comparison suggests the period is unreal, disturbing, and psychologically torturous. The mind in this state is neither fully aware nor fully unconscious.
(iii) This line suggests that when a man is internally conflicted, his mind becomes like a kingdom experiencing civil war or insurrection. His "mortal instruments" (his body/physical capacity to act) and his "genius" (his will/reason) are in conflict rather than in harmony. The state of internal division mirrors political insurrection.
(iv) This soliloquy reveals Brutus as deeply troubled and conflicted. He has not yet decided to join the conspiracy, yet thoughts of it plague him, preventing sleep and producing nightmare-like mental states. His emotional condition is unstable, characterized by internal struggle and moral distress.
(v) This passage establishes Brutus's tragic conflict as fundamentally internal. Unlike Cassius, whose ambition is clear and coherent, Brutus is torn between competing loyalties and principles. The passage suggests that for Brutus, the decision to act against Caesar produces genuine psychological torment. This internal struggle makes his eventual participation in assassination more tragic—he acts not from clear conviction but from inner conflict that will not be resolved even after he joins the conspiracy.
Question 2
"Portia: I grant I never shall be satisfied until Brutus tells me what troubles him. I have made strong proof of my constancy. Putting myself under thy command, I am your wife, not merely your companion... I have within me a man's mind, but I confess a woman's weakness; yet I have been given a man's secret to keep. Do not doubt me."
(i) What does Portia demand from Brutus? (3)
(ii) How does Portia attempt to prove her worthiness to share his secrets? (3)
(iii) What is significant about Portia's claim of having "a man's mind"? (3)
(iv) How does Portia's approach differ from Calpurnia's in trying to influence her husband? (3)
(v) What does this passage reveal about gender roles and marriage in the play? (4)
Answer:
(i) Portia demands that Brutus confide in her—tell her what troubles him. She refuses to accept being excluded from knowledge that affects him and potentially their household. She insists on equality as a partner in marriage.
(ii) Portia proves her worthiness by inflicting a wound on her thigh, demonstrating her physical and emotional capacity to endure pain and suffering. She argues that by taking pain upon herself voluntarily, she has proven she can be trusted with secrets and can share the burden of difficult knowledge.
(iii) Portia's claim of having "a man's mind" is revolutionary for its time. She asserts that despite her female body, her intellectual and moral capacity equals a man's. She argues that she should therefore have access to knowledge and responsibility typically reserved for men. This challenges gender hierarchies of the period.
(iv) Unlike Calpurnia, who tries to convince Caesar through emotional appeal and warnings of danger, Portia approaches Brutus with logical argument and self-injury as proof. She asserts her intellectual equality and right to knowledge. Calpurnia appeals to Caesar's love; Portia demands recognition of her capability and equality.
(v) This passage reveals Shakespeare's exploration of gender roles. Through Portia, Shakespeare presents a woman who refuses passive acceptance of marital exclusion. She argues that intellectual and moral capacity are not gendered—she can understand secrets, bear burdens, and keep confidences as well as any man. Yet the passage also acknowledges constraints: Portia must prove herself through extreme measures (self-harm) to gain what men assume as their right. The passage both critiques gender inequality and shows its persistence.
Question 3
"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: She dreamt tonight 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."
(i) What does Caesar's statement about "the things that threaten'd me" reveal? (3)
(ii) What is the significance of Caesar's confidence in his own power? (3)
(iii) How does Shakespeare use the image of the statue running with blood? (3)
(iv) What is ironic about Calpurnia describing Romans "smiling" as they bathe in blood? (3)
(v) How does this exchange demonstrate the central tension of Act 2? (4)
Answer:
Question 4
"Decius: 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 for tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. This by Calpurnia's dream is signified... Caesar: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia! I am ashamed I did yield to them."
(i) What does Decius do to Caesar's resolve to stay home? (3)
(ii) How does Decius reinterpret Calpurnia's dream? (3)
(iii) What persuasive techniques does Decius employ? (3)
(iv) Why is Caesar so easily swayed by Decius's reinterpretation? (3)
(v) How does this scene represent the conspiracy's success in manipulation? (4)
Answer:
(i) Decius completely reverses Caesar's resolve. Caesar had agreed to stay home to please Calpurnia; after Decius speaks, Caesar decides to go to the Senate and even expresses shame at having nearly stayed home.
(ii) Decius reinterprets the alarming image of blood as a symbol of life-giving force rather than death. Blood flowing from Caesar's statue means Rome will be revitalized by Caesar's strength. Rather than death, the dream signifies Caesar as vital to Rome's welfare. Decius transforms horror into honor.
(iii) Decius employs several techniques: reinterpretation (changing the dream's meaning), flattery (suggesting Caesar's blood revives Rome), appeal to ambition (mentioning the crown), and social pressure (noting senators might change their minds if Caesar doesn't appear, and questioning whether Caesar can be moved by a woman's fears).
(iv) Caesar is swayed because Decius appeals to his core vulnerabilities: his ambition (the crown), his pride (being swayed by a woman's fears), and his public image (appearing strong and fearless). Decius reframes staying home as weakness and going as strength, exactly what Caesar's ego needs to hear.
(v) This scene demonstrates the conspiracy's manipulation of Caesar through his own psychological weaknesses rather than through force or deception about facts. Decius doesn't lie about the Senate's intent or the dream; he reframes them. Caesar, wanting to believe the favorable interpretation and unwilling to admit fear, accepts Decius's version. The conspiracy succeeds not because Caesar is stupid but because he is human—vulnerable to flattery and appeals to pride.
Question 5
"Portia: Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol? Soothsayer: Madam, not yet. I go to stand upon the way and tell him of some suit I have to him. Portia: The heart of Brutus earns to know why I sent for you: shall I give you cause to fear?"
(i) Why is Portia anxious in this scene? (3)
(ii) Who does the Soothsayer represent in the play? (3)
(iii) What is significant about Portia sending someone to observe events at the Senate? (3)
(iv) What does Portia's question "shall I give you cause to fear?" suggest? (3)
(v) How does this scene function dramatically in Act 2? (4)