Irene Li, #16 Pd 2, 12/8/21
Freshman Lit 2022
Aim: How can an examination of Brutus’ actions involving his servants, wife and conspirators provide perspective into his character?
Note: All that was done today was going over notes and teamwork discussion. Text in blue was contributed by the class, black was personal notes.
RECAP:
The 4 humours were heavily mentioned. This was based on Hippocrates medicine, where each one had to be balanced in equal amounts in order to be considered healthy.
Julius Caesar--Act II, scene i [2.5 pgs]
Today in class, we continued on Julius Caesar, Act 2, scene i.
Consider our previous discussions about the motif of sleep in this play. What is the significance of Brutus’ actions and comments concerning Lucius (lines 239-243)?
A motif is often an idea that repeats itself throughout the entire story, and in this case, the motif revolves around sleep.
Brutus is once seen woken up again, and in addition to that, he calls for Lucius, his butler, but he doesn’t wake up. He almost seems envious of Lucius, having no cares as to sleep as soundly as this, which is something that Brutus does not have.
Sleep is symbolizing calm and serenity, and Brutus is lacking that due to the inner conflicts that he is facing
Everyone else can sleep soundly, but the other political figures are also unable to sleep due to their unrest as well.
How does Portia convince Brutus to disclose his secret to her? Provide at least 2 textual examples with line references!
Portia seemingly guilt trips Brutus by saying that their marriage is a sacred thing, and if he wouldn’t tell her about his secret, then their relationship and marriage was really nothing, and she was just a prostitute. Brutus loves his wife dearly, which eventually led Brutus to confide in her.
Lines 311 to 313
Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience.
And not my husband's secrets?
Lines 292- 294
I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus.
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you?
Shakespeare provides clues showing a loving marriage between Brutus and Portia.
Identify 1-2 clues in their dialogue to show, despite their disagreement in this scene, that they have a secure marriage.
One way is that Portia is willing to talk to Brutus in order to resolve their problems instead of taking rash actions. From about lines 247 to 267, she respects Brutus while speaking to him, and wants to work out any problems that Brutus may be facing. Another proof of a loving marriage between the two is in this entire act, she gives him the benefit of the doubt by saying that he may be sick, but even so she has the heart to check up on him in the middle of the night.
With your teams, reference the information about the four humors - what humor and temperament is Brutus exposing himself to according to Portia?
Phlegm - water- was now very reserved about his feelings, as stated by Portia.
Is Brutus sick? and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank (damp & cold) morning?
Lines 272 to 274
^^ Textual evidence
How does this compare or contrast with our analysis of him so far, especially considering Act II, scene i?
Yellow bile- leadership qualities, previously were more rational than they were right now.
Consider Brutus’ roles in this scene - master to young Lucius, husband to Portia, and senator and citizen of Rome. What strengths and weaknesses are emerging overall in Brutus’ character?
Due to him taking on so many roles, he may be very pressured and therefore easily influenced. For example, he responds to flattery, as it’s very possible that he wants someone to recognize his achievements.
There were more questions, but we were not able to cover them all. There was a 5a, but it will be wrapped in with question 5.
Reflection:
We were able to learn more about the character, Brutus, in the Shakespearean play, Julius Caesar. We analyzed the way Shakespeare wrote the text to depict a loving relationship and marriage between Brutus and Portia, and the trust between the two. By learning this, we’re learning to analyze the text closer and recognize literary techniques, such as motifs. Not only that, literary devices are in every single text, or can be utilized, which further develops our literary analysis skills and understanding.
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