Julius Caesar Act 2 Summary - Shakespeare Today

Brutus, troubled by the 'Caesar problem' all night, receives a forged letter from Cassius, seemingly from Roman citizens, urging him to act. He interprets it as a call to kill Caesar before he abuses his power and makes the decision that Caesar must die. He also realizes it's the Ides of March, a date he was previously warned about.

The conspirators arrive at Brutus's house in disguise, eager to carry out the murder. Cassius suggests killing Mark Antony as well, but Brutus talks him out of it, aiming to keep their actions noble. Their main concern is ensuring Caesar comes to the Senate, and Decius boasts he can flatter Caesar into attending.

After the conspirators leave, Brutus's wife, Portia, confronts him about his troubled state. Despite his attempts to hide it by feigning illness, Portia proves her bravery by stabbing her own leg, convincing Brutus to confide in her. Before he can, another conspirator, Ligarius, arrives, expressing his willingness to join any 'noble venture' Brutus is planning.

Caesar has a restless night due to his wife Calpurnia's nightmares about his death. Further unsettling him, a servant reports that a sacrificed animal had no heart, a terrible omen. Calpurnia pleads with Caesar not to go to the Senate, and he initially agrees to send Mark Antony in his place, refusing to appear to hide in fear.

Decius arrives to escort Caesar to the Senate and convinces him he will look like a coward if he stays home due to his wife's fears. He reinterprets Calpurnia's dream of blood flowing from Caesar as a positive sign of Rome drawing strength from him. Decius also falsely claims the Senate plans to crown Caesar king, successfully enticing Caesar to go.

All the conspirators, including Brutus and Mark Antony, gather and prepare to go to the Senate. As they leave, Artemidorus writes a note naming the conspirators, intending to warn Caesar. Portia, still worried, sends her servant to check on Brutus. The soothsayer also reappears, planning to speak with Caesar, hinting at more impending doom.