Julius Caesar Act 1-5 Review

After seeing the public celebrate Ceasar's triumph what do Flavius and Murellus do? why do they respond this way?

they take down all the decorations on Ceasar's statues. They were angry and resentful because they had honor for Pompey.

summarize the conversation between cassius and brutus in scene 2. what does cassius seem to be most concerned about?

they talk about their companionship. Cassius is concerned about ceasar's power and interference in Roman affairs. Cassius is trying to convince Brutus that Ceasar is faulty.

what incident does casca describe to cassius and brutus? what is casca's attitude toward this incident?

He tells them how Ceasar refused the crown. He also tells about Ceasar's fit of epillepsy. Casca is scornful and thinks Ceasar actually does want the crown.

describe cassius and casca's reactions to the storm. what do their reactions reveal about them?

it reveals their personalities. Cassius is afraid of what is to come.

whom did Cassius and Casca want to win over in their plan? why might they feel it is important for this person to join them?

Brutus because he is well respected by the people.

do you think shakespeare's portrayal of the commoners in act 1 is realistic? how does their wordplay affect you?

yes, it's realistic. It seems that he is trying to appeal to everyone.

how would you describe the overall mood of act 1?

dark and vengeful

describe an internal conflict that occurs in act 1. how does this conflict affect your appreciation of this character?

Brutus is at war with himself about whether or not to participate in killing Ceasar. It shows that he is truly trying to do the right thing and he is noble.

according to brutus, why must Ceasar be killed?

for the good of Rome because Ceasar might abuse the power

according to brutus, why don't the conspirators need to swear to an oath?

it would take away the nobility of the act and that they should be able to trust each other's loyalty.

why does brutus want to spare antony's life? what opinion does he seem to hold of antony?

Brutus doesn't want excessive violence. He thinks Antony will not be a threat and is powerless without Ceasar

why does calphurnia want ceasar to remain at home? why does ceasar decide to go to the Capitol anyway?

She had a dream of his statue seeping blood (foretold death). Decius appeals to his pride and lures him to the Capitol

why does portia send her servant to the capitol?

what kind of relationship do portia and brutus have?

She sends him because she is worried about her husband. they have a good marriage.

how do brutus's intentions relate to the theme of loyalty and betrayal? do you accept brutus's justification for killing Ceasar?

Brutus is loyal to Rome because he thinks that what he did was best for the people. He betrays Ceasar because he was a friend to him. his actions are not justified because they based their intentions on what Ceasar might do, not what he had done.

if you were one of the conspirators would you agree with Brutus's recommendations or Cassius's?

Brutus because he is levelheaded and trying to do what he thinks is right, but Cassius is acting out of hatred and spite

Calphurnia urges Ceasar to act on her fears and remain at home. do you agree with her reasoning?

yes because not only did she have her dream, but the soothsayer predicted it and the watchmen talked of rumors of the assassination.

what events or scenes in act 2 contribute to the suspense?

Calphurnia's dream because it foreshadows Ceasar's death

what action does ceasar refuse to take just before he is murdered? how would you describe his behavior in refusing?

he doesn't read antimidorus's letter. very arrogant

what most surprised Ceasar when he is attacked? what might he have been thinking as he died?

he was shocked to see Brutus taking part… Maybe he should have stayed home

how does antony respond to the conspirators immediately after Ceasar's murder?why does he behave this way?

he was trying to befriend them and was trying to give them the idea that he would follow brutus. He does this to seek revenge and gain support of the people

summarize the crowd's reactions to Brutus's and Antony's funeral speeches. what can you infer about the crowd from their reactions?

At first the crowd was willing to follow Brutus, but Antony wins them over. they are easily persuaded.

what was the content of Caesar's will?why might antony have made a point of reading the will?

there was 75 silver coins for everyone and his land was to become a public park for the people. Antony wanted to appeal to their emotions.

why might Shakespeare have chosen to include the scene of the attack on Cinna the poet?

Because there were two Cinnas and it showed how deep Antony's speech reached them

after Caesar's murder, who leads Rome?

Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus

who is Brutus's partner in raising an army?

Cassius

what is the inner conflict in Brutus that predicts his resolution?

he had doubt about Caesar's death and wasn't sure if he had done the right thing

describe the conflict between antony and the conspirators.

antony is seeking revenge

in scene 2, who is Lucilius?

one of Brutus's officers

who is Pindarus?

one of Cassius's servants

in scene 3, why is cassius angry with brutus?

Brutus condemned Lucius Pela, accused Cassius of greed and bribery, and played a part in the authorities ignoring Cassius's letters.

in the argument between Cassius and Brutus in scene 3, what does cassius accuse brutus of doing?

exaggerating his faults

after the argument, what do Cassius and Brutus do?

they make up

why and how did Portia die?

she was upset that brutus fled Rome and that Octavius and Antony took power. she swallowed hot coals

why does lucius call varrus and claudio to sleep in brutus's tent?

Brutus has not slept well and is paranoid someone will come in his tent and kill him

when the ghost appears in scene 3, what does it say to Brutus?

i will meet you at Philippi

how does the political situation in Rome differ after Caesar's murder?

there is a lot of tension, it is led by 3, and they have a lot of enemies

what personal grief does Brutus relate to Cassius? how does this news affect Cassius?

the death of portia.. Cassius is very upset, perhaps more than Brutus

what battle plan does Cassius propose? why do you think he agrees to march to philippi?

he wants to stay and wait for antony and octavius at sardis, but there is no point in arguing with Brutus

what unexpected visitor comes to Brutus's tent? how does he react?

Caesar's ghost. he is scared and confused. he wakes the others to see if they saw anything

what is your impression of antony in scene 4?

he agrees to go to philippi and you can now see his coldness and almost seems cruel.

what is the purpose of the scene in brutus's tent with brutus and lucius as brutus prepares to sleep?

mainly to have a place for the ghost to appear

Say who is on the death list in order, and how they got on it.

1. Lepidus’s brother – Killed to help Antony and Octavius stay in power; Lepidus agrees to trade his brother’s life to be part of the ruling group.

2. Mark Antony’s nephew – Killed as part of a deal; Antony gives up his own nephew to make the plan work with Lepidus.

3. Cicero – Killed because he spoke out against Antony and supported the people who killed Caesar.

Who do you think the tragic hero really is?

Julius Caesar: He is Arrogant and ambitious. He did not trust his own feelings. He knew Cassius was bad but He didn't do anything about it. Because of his pride, he could not let people know the way he really was. Which leads him to being killed.

What makes a tragic hero?

a character who makes a mistake which eventually leads to his or her defeat. Sometimes the Hero must suffer more than he deserves.

what does cassius confide to messala before the battle?

Cassius says that it's his birthday and that he saw an omen of defeat (three birds of death)

what event leads to Cassius's death?

Cassius sends Titinius to see if the approaching troops and friends or enemies. Pindarus is watching and reporting

what does brutus say about caesar's spirit at philippi?

his spirit is still mighty and great

what happens to brutus at the end of the play? what do antony and octavius say about brutus?

brutus kills himself. they say that he was the noblest roman of them all and deserved a military funeral

what actions does octavius make at the end of the play?

he ends the battle and divides the spoils with antony

why do you think cassius doesn't tell brutus of his fears?

cassius doesn't want to dishearten him. he wants to keep his spirits up

what might have influenced cassius to accept pindarus's report?

the omens made him feel like something bad was going to happen and he thought this was it

in what way does brutus believe that caesar is affecting events on the battlefield?

there is a lot of suicide

what message do octavius's actions suggest about honor and leadership?

a leader should have honor and good leaders are sometimes defeated

of what flaw does antony accuse brutus? what flaw does cassius accuse antony?

hypocrisy

in scene 1, act 5, brutus suggests that all traitors are on whose side?

antony and octavius

cassius uses the metaphor of what to compare the battle?

a storm

describe cassius as he prepares to go into battle

he is ready

who is marcus cato?

brutus's father-in-law; portia's father

how does marcus cato die?

suicide

explain brutus's feelings about suicide?

he thinks it is cowardly and vile, but would rather commit suicide than be defeated

antony says brutus is the "noblest roman of them all" and that he is balanced with perfect elements. what are those elements?

earth, water, air, fire

who killed brutus

himself

what does octavius say brutus deserves?

an honorable military funeral