Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 3

So far, Julius Caesar has ignored all the vague premonitions and unscientific ill omens that have surrounded his going to the Capitol this morning. IF ONLY SOMEONE HAD SPECIFICS ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BEFALL HIM AND WHO PRECISELY IS INVOLVED.

Enter Artemidorus! 

In case you're curious as to how Artemidorus knows exactly what is going to happen to Caesar, consider this: Artemidorus was a renowned Greek diviner who literally wrote the book on the interpretation of dreams, the Oneirocritica, in the 2nd century CE...

...which would be around 200 years after Caesar's assassination in 44 BCE...

...which means ARTEMIDORUS IS A TIME TRAVELER WHO IS TRYING DESPERATELY TO PREVENT CAESAR'S ASSASSINATION. It's the only logical explanation!

The things they don't teach you in English class...

Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 2

Let's check back in with our title character!

Did you forget he was the title character? He doesn't show up that often, to be honest.

We've met Portia, who accounts for 50% of the women in Julius Caesar. Now let's spend some time with Calpurnia, the other 50%. She's a little less badass than Portia, but basically is working up to the biggest "I TOLD YOU SO" in history. 

Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 1 (part 3)

OK, Brutus has been brooding in his courtyard for some time now. Let's wrap things up.

Can we all just acknowledge that Portia is kind of badass? I mean, don't get me wrong, I am 100% against stabbing yourself in the thigh to prove to your husband that you're strong enough to keep a secret. That's a terrible idea. But it does take guts. 

Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 1 (part 2)

Brutus seems to finally have made up his mind regarding killing Caesar, so let's bring in some fellow conspirators! 

Apart from Brutus, Cassius, Casca, and, to a much lesser extent, Decius Brutus, the conspirators are a fairly nondescript bunch who never really develop individual personalities. However, because their names are repeated out loud several times throughout the play, they somehow give the impression of being more present than they actually are. 

Don't get too attached to any of them, is what I'm saying.

Julius Caesar: Act 2, Scene 1 (part 1)

Back to Julius Caesar! Let's check in with everyone's favorite brooder, Brutus!

I love Lucius. He tries so hard, but he's always sleepy and never quite on the ball. Hang in there, little buddy. 

The (Shakespearean) Monster Mash

It's Halloween! Let's celebrate with a Shakespeare-themed parody of a classic Halloween song: The Monster Mash!

Happy Halloween, everyone. Stay safe out there...

Julius Caesar: Act 1, Scene 3 (part 2)

It's still raining in Rome! It's the perfect cover for a little conspiratorial administrative work, don't you think?

Meet Cinna, one of the Interchangeable Conspirators. Apart from Cassius and Casca, none of other conspirators really get enough stage time to establish individual personalities. Poor guys...

Julius Caesar: Act 1, Scene 3 (part 1)

It's time for some WEATHER. There's never any weather in Shakespeare that doesn't have a Purpose of some sort. Let's see what our buddy Casca thinks:

Fun fact! There were apparently umbrellas in ancient Roman times, but they were primarily used by wealthy women as sun shades, as opposed to rain shields, and men considered themselves too manly to use them.