Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 4 - Questions & Answers

1. Portia gives Lucius clear and complete instructions on what to do at the Capitol immediately at the start of the scene.

False. She is so frantic and distracted that she initially orders him to go without telling him what his actual errand is.

2. Lucius confirms that he also hears a loud, bustling noise coming from the Capitol.

False. When Portia asks him to listen, Lucius honestly replies that he hears nothing.

3. The Soothsayer knows the exact details of the conspiracy and the specific harm planned against Caesar.

False. He states that he does not know of any harm for sure, but he greatly fears that some harm may happen.

4. At the end of the scene, Portia sends Lucius to Brutus with a message saying that she is feeling very ill and faint.

False. Although she feels faint, she tells Lucius to give her greetings to Brutus and tell him that she is "merry" (happy).

1. Portia prays for constancy, asking the heavens to set a huge mountain between her heart and her tongue.

2. Portia laments her internal struggle, stating that she has a man's mind, but a woman's might.

3. Portia tells Lucius to take good note of how Caesar behaves and which suitors press to him.

4. The Soothsayer decides to move to a place more void because the street is too narrow and the crowd following Caesar might crush him.

1. What two specific things does Portia instruct Lucius to observe at the Capitol?

Portia instructs Lucius to observe if Brutus looks well (because he was sick when he left home) and to carefully note how Caesar behaves and which petitioners are crowding around him.

2. Why does Portia find it incredibly difficult to keep her husband's secret?

Portia finds it difficult because she feels she has the strong, intellectual mind of a man, but only the emotional strength and self-control of a woman. The heavy burden of knowing about the dangerous conspiracy against Caesar overwhelms her.

3. What time of day is it when the Soothsayer speaks to Portia, and what is his plan?

It is about the ninth hour (nine o'clock in the morning). The Soothsayer plans to stand in a less crowded, open place so he can speak directly to Caesar as a petitioner and beg him to take care of his own welfare.

1. Analyze Portia's state of mind and behavior in this scene. How does Shakespeare use her character to build tension before the assassination?

In this scene, Portia's state of mind is frantic, restless, and highly paranoid, revealing her extreme anxiety on the morning of the planned assassination. Her distracted behavior is evident right from the beginning when she repeatedly orders her servant Lucius to the Capitol but completely forgets to tell him why he needs to go. Shakespeare uses her character to reflect the immense tension and psychological toll of the conspiracy. Her intense worry makes her imagine the sounds of a violent riot blowing in from the Capitol, highlighting her paranoia. She struggles desperately with the heavy burden of her husband's secret, praying for "constancy" (firmness) to remain silent. By the end of the scene, the stress is so overwhelming that she feels physically weak and faint, yet she bravely attempts to cover it up by sending Brutus a message that she is "merry." Through Portia's distress, the audience feels the high stakes and terrifying reality of the impending murder.

2. Describe the brief encounter between Portia and the Soothsayer. What is the significance of the Soothsayer's presence in this scene?

The encounter between Portia and the Soothsayer adds to the atmosphere of suspense and impending doom. When the Soothsayer appears, a highly nervous Portia interrogates him about his intentions and whether he knows of any harm planned against Caesar. The Soothsayer replies that he does not know of a specific plot for sure, but he has a terrible feeling of dread that great harm will happen. He mentions that the streets are crowded with senators and commoners, so he plans to find an empty space to warn Caesar as he passes. The significance of his presence is twofold: first, it serves as a powerful dramatic device to heighten the suspense, showing that even outsiders sense the danger surrounding Caesar. Second, it amplifies Portia's existing panic, as hearing a fortune teller openly express fear for Caesar's life confirms her worst anxieties and pushes her to the point of nearly fainting from stress.