Notes on Julius Caesar Themes

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Julius Caesar Topic Tracking: Dedication

Act I, Scene II

Dedication 1: Antonius states that when Caesar commands something, it is as good as done. This shows that Caesar holds a great deal of power over Antonius

Act II, Scene I

Dedication 2: Brutus recognizes that his servant, Lucius, is ready to get Brutus a lit candle at a moment's notice, even though he was just woken up by Brutus in the middle of the night. Lucius is visibly tired, and Brutus is moved by Lucius' dedication to his job and his master.

Dedication 3: Brutus demonstrates his dedication and love to his servant boy Lucius, who is fast asleep and does not hear Brutus call to him, again in the middle of the night. Brutus lets him continue to sleep this time, saying that Lucius is a good boy, and deserves his rest, despite the fact that Brutus needs his help.

Dedication 4: Portia convinces her husband to tell her what he is worried about by giving herself a gash in the thigh. By showing her dedication to Brutus, and her ability to withstand great pain so that she may speak truthfully to him, she wins his renewed respect.

Dedication 5: Caius Ligarus comes to Brutus' house during the night, as he has been summoned. He states that if Brutus requires his help, he will help no matter how sick he is. Caius is clothed with a kerchief, which signifies that he is not well. Despite this, Caius agrees to become part of the conspiracy.

Act II, Scene II

Dedication 6: Calphurnia goes down on her knees to beg Caesar to stay at home today, and offers to be blamed for Caesar's decision to stay home, so that Caesar will not be ashamed. Calphurnia is willing to take on this shame because she is so worried about her husband's safety. In her dream she had a vision of Caesar dripping in blood.

Act II, Scene IV

Dedication 7: Portia, worried about what will happen to Brutus, asks her servant Lucius to see what is happening at the Senate, and, in her state of fear for her husband, imagines ominous sounds coming from the Senate. She wishes to warn him in some way about her sense of foreboding, however she doesn't want to worry Brutus, and so asks Lucius to tell him she is happy.

Act III, Scene I

Dedication 8: Antony's servant sends a message of false dedication to the conspirators from Antony, intended to allow Antony at least a temporary measure of safety. After Caesar's death, Antony had escaped to his house, and sent his servant ahead of him bearing this false gesture in order to keep himself safe from what he fears will be further violence.

Dedication 9: Upon seeing Caesar's body laid out beside the conspirators, Antony expresses his true dedication to the slain leader, before covering it up with the excuse of grief while talking to Brutus and Cassius.

Dedication 10: Brutus declares to Antony and Cassius that he killed Caesar only because he loved him immensely, and is therefore willing to give him an honorable funeral. Part of this dedication to an honorable funeral is allowing Antony to speak at the funeral.

Act IV, Scene III

Dedication 11: Brutus tells Cassius that he has received word of Portia's death. Portia was distraught over what she feared would be Brutus' fate, and so she swallowed coals to kill herself. Her dedication to her husband's well-being and success overwhelms her entirely.

Act V, Scene III

Dedication 12: Pindarus, after killing Cassius, is so saddened that he runs away and banishes himself from Rome. Cassius had kept Pindarus as a slave for many years, and had kept him nearby, knowing that he might need someone to kill him. Pindarus had become very loyal to his master during this time, and is full of grief when he must kill Cassius.

Dedication 13: Titinius, after realizing that Pindarus and Cassius misunderstood what happened to him in the field below (he was greeted by friendly and exuberant soldiers), kills himself with Cassius' sword. Pindarus had seen Titinius dismount in the field below, and told Cassius that Titinius had been taken. In fact, Titinius had greeted some friendly soldiers, and Pindarus was mistaken. Unfortunately, Cassius believed Pindarus, and thought that defeat was imminent, so he had Pindarus kill him.

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