There are two short scenes at the end of the second act. In Scene 3, a Roman named Artemidorus has heard about the conspiracy. However, he thinks it is wrong and decides to write a letter of warning to Caesar that he can hand to him when Caesar walks past him. Artemidorus worries that his letter may not be read in time, and he states that if he is not successful, “the fates with traitors do contrive” (Act II, 3: 15). Shakespeare time and again makes reference to the power of fate in most of his plays. Here, then Shakespeare is asserting that fate seems to be on the side of the conspirators. Caesar’s assassination was an act of fate.
The final scene of Act II revolves around Portia. Brutus has told her about the conspiracy and his role in it, and she is now in deepest worry. Portia’s fears about the result of the assassination attempt are too hard for her to bear. So deep are her worries that she nearly faints (II, 4: 45). Portia is intellectually strong, but her emotions are too powerful: “I have a man’s mind, but a woman’s might” (8). This scene is important for two reasons: (1) it shows that Brutus keeps his promise to his wife about revealing the reason why he is so deeply troubled; and (2) it explains (at least to some extent) why Portia will later commit suicide (referred to in Act IV, 2: 208).