Casca says that he will use flattery to persuade Caesar to come to the Capitol.

how did Caesar treat his defeated rivals? Why do you think this is?

How was Decius Brutus more successful in persuading Caesar than Calpurnia?

Synopsis: A soothsayer advises Caesar that the fifteenth of March will be a dangerous day for him. When Caesar and others exit, Cassius and Brutus remain behind. Cassius urges Brutus to oppose Caesar for fear that Caesar may become king. After Brutus and Cassius talk with Casca about Mark Antony’s public offer of the crown to Caesar, Brutus agrees to continue his conversation with Cassius the next day. Cassius, alone at the end of the scene, expresses his surprise that Brutus, who is one of Caesar’s favorites, is willing to conspire against Caesar and decides to take immediate advantage of this willingness. Enter Caesar, Antony for the course, Calphurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, a Soothsayer; after them Marullus and Flavius and Commoners. CAESAR Calphurnia. CASCA Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. CAESAR Calphurnia. CALPHURNIA 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 Calphurnia, for our elders say The barren, touchèd in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse. ANTONY I shall remember. When Caesar says “Do this,” it is performed. CAESAR Set on and leave no ceremony out.Sennet. 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 turned 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. The Soothsayer comes forward. Look upon Caesar. CAESAR What sayst thou to me now? Speak once again. SOOTHSAYER Beware the ides of March. CAESAR He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass. Sennet. All but Brutus and Cassius exit. CASSIUS Will you go see the order of the course? BRUTUS Not I. CASSIUS I pray you, do. BRUTUS I am not gamesome. I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires. I’ll leave you. CASSIUS Brutus, I do observe you now of late. I have not from your eyes that gentleness And show of love as I was wont to have. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Over your friend that loves you. BRUTUS Cassius, Be not deceived. If I have veiled my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexèd I am Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviors. But let not therefore my good friends be grieved (Among which number, Cassius, be you one) Nor construe any further my neglect Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men. CASSIUS Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion, By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good

Brutus says: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”

how did Caesar protect himself and his power?