Summary: Act II, scene i
Brutus paces back and forth in his garden. He asks his
servant to bring him a light and mutters to himself that Caesar
will have to die. He knows with certainty that Caesar will be crowned
king; what he questions is whether or not Caesar will be corrupted
by his power. Although he admits that he has never seen Caesar swayed
by power in the past, he believes that it would be impossible for
Caesar to reach such heights without eventually coming to scorn
those lower in status. Brutus compares Caesar to the egg of a serpent
“which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous”; thus, he determines to
“kill him in the shell” (II.i.33–34).
Brutus’s servant enters with a letter that he has discovered
near the window. Brutus reads the letter, which accuses him of sleeping while
Rome is threatened: “Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself”
(II.i.46). Brutus interprets the letter as
a protest against Caesar: “Thus must I piece it out: / Shall Rome
stand under one man’s awe?” (II.i.51–52). Believing
the people of Rome are telling him their desires through this single
letter, he resolves to take the letter’s challenge to “speak, strike,
redress” (II.i.47). A knock comes at the
door. Brutus’s servant announces Cassius and a group of men—the
conspirators. They include Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius.
Cassius introduces the men, then draws Brutus aside. The
two speak briefly before rejoining the others. Cassius suggests
that they swear an oath, but Brutus demurs. They have no need of
oaths, he says, since their cause should be strong enough to bind
them together. The group discusses whether it should try to bring
the esteemed Cicero into the conspiracy, for he would bring good
public opinion to their schemes, but Brutus dissuades them, pointing
out that Cicero would never follow anyone else’s ideas. Cassius
then suggests that they would do well to kill Antony in addition
to Caesar, but Brutus refuses, saying that this would make their
plan too bloody. According to Brutus, they only stand
against the spirit of Caesar, which he wishes could be destroyed
without the necessity of killing the man himself. He says that they
should kill him boldly, but not viciously, so that they might be
perceived as purging the state rather than as murderers. Cassius
replies that he still fears Antony, but Brutus assures him that
Antony will be rendered harmless once Caesar is dead.
Cassius states that no one knows whether Caesar will come
to the Capitol that day, since the warnings of augurs (seers or
soothsayers) after this brutal evening might keep him at home. But
Decius assures the others that he will be able to convince Caesar
to ignore his superstitions by flattering his bravery. The conspirators
depart, Brutus suggesting that they try to behave like actors and
hide their true feelings and intentions.
Brutus’s wife, Portia, enters the garden. She
wonders what has been worrying Brutus, for his behavior has been
strange. He says that he has felt unwell. She asks why he refuses
to tell her his concerns, insisting that, as his wife, she should
be told about his problems and assuring him that she will keep his
secrets. Brutus replies that he wishes he were worthy of such an
honorable wife. They hear a knock at the door, and Brutus sends
her away with a promise to talk to her later.
Ligarius enters, looking sick. He says he would not be
sick if he could be sure that Brutus was involved in a scheme in
the name of honor. Brutus says that he is. Ligarius rejoices and
accompanies Brutus offstage to hear more of the plan.
