Notes

S1: Development in plot and characters
"Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O, Cicero...
...The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,
To be exalted with the threatening clouds…" (I.iii. 3-8)
During this scene, Casca asks Cicero if he doesn't feel guilty about the plan to assassinate Caesar. Casca describes how he feels about the assassination. He expresses his belief in how the supernatural occurrences make him feel scared. He fears that his gut indicates that they are doing the wrong thing. He feels guilty about the plan which creates a gloomy atmosphere.
This scene represents how the men feel like they are doing something wrong but yet continue to move forward with their plan. But proceeding with their plan to assassinating Caesar sets the basis of the entire story and plot.

"No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he.
We are two lions littered in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible.
And Caesar shall go forth." (II.ii. 47-51)

In this scene, Calpurnia tells Caesar about her dream. She begs Caesar to not leave the house but Caesar refused. He believed that "Cowards die many times before their deaths" (II.ii. 34). Caesar was prepared to face any threat against him and thought that Calpurnia was being dramatic. He accepted that one day everyone shall die and if he has to, he will.
In this quote by Caesar, he is expressing his disregard for the bad indications that everyone is experiencing, which relate to him. As he talks to Calpurnia, Caesar's words show a change in his attitude. Earlier in the play, Caesar was less ambitious which caused him to pay more attention to what was happening with the supernatural dreams. But after his own wife told him to stay, he was more ambitious and certain that he will not die. That everyone is fearing for no reason.


"Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone.
And when the cross blue lightning seemed to open
The breast of heaven, I did present myself
Even in the aim and very flash of it." (I.iii. 52-55)

Cassius said this to Casca while the two conspirators were speaking about omens and indications. Considering how much people believed in omens during the time of the play, Cassius' attitude was dangerous and narcissistic. He didn't believe in superstitions and he tested them constantly.
Later in the 5th Act, Cassius' perspective on superstitions affects his thinking. He changed his beliefs and started the belief in the supernatural omens.