JULIUS CAESAR ACT - I SCENE - II Line 1 to 24 Caesar enters in procession. Glorious Caesar comes accompanied by Antony, Calpurnia and others. He says Antony to touch Calpurnia during his Lupercalian run so that she may be cured of her barrenness. A soothsayer warns Caesar against the “Ides of March”, but Caesar ignores the warning. Brutus is absent from the festival and Cassius drops out of the procession. He begins to persuade Brutus to think of the political degradation of Rome, when one man i.e. Caesar was dominating over all. He asks Brutus to take the lead against Caesar’s ambitious designs. He appeals to Brutus’s character, patriotism and ancestry. He starts the conspiracy by seeking the support of Brutus. Cassius finslly prevails upon Brutus to give his assent to a plan of liberation of Rome from the autocracy of Caesar. Casca returns returns and gives them an ironical description of Caesar’s refusing the kingly crown. The scene introduces all the principle characters and gives the keynote of their temperaments. Caesar has the manner of one who takes for granted that his order will be obeyed and his opinions accepted without question or doubt. Brutus is alone and mournful. His mind preyed upon by imaginery bookish ideals, but apparently without a notion that he would have any initiative in changing the course of event, till the idea is subtly suggested by Cassius THE TEXT SCENE II. A public place. Flourish. Enter CAESAR; ANTONY, for the course; CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS BRUTUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following, among them a Soothsayer CAESAR Calpurnia! CASCA Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. CAESAR Calpurnia! CALPURNIA Here, my lord. CAESAR Stand you directly in Antonius' way, When he doth run his course. Antonius! ANTONY Caesar, my lord? CAESAR Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse. ANTONY I shall remember: When Caesar says 'do this,' it is perform'd. CAESAR Set on; and leave no ceremony out. Flourish Soothsayer Caesar! CAESAR Ha! who calls? CASCA Bid every noise be still: peace yet again! CAESAR Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear. Soothsayer Beware the ides of March. CAESAR What man is that? BRUTUS A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. CAESAR Set him before me; let me see his face. CASSIUS Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. CAESAR What say'st thou to me now? speak once again. Soothsayer Beware the ides of March. CAESAR He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. Sennet. Exeunt all except BRUTUS & Cassius
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