Julius Caesar TEST Study Guide

What does Act 1 Scene I reveal about the atmosphere and the political situation in Rome?

This scene reveals how tense the political situation is, as there are many different opinions on Caesar and his rule. Each of the people with different opinions feel very strong about their opinion

What is your impression of the Roman commoners in Scene I?

The Roman commoners are disloyal to their leaders, and are quite hypocritical in the sense that they support people that go against people they would have supported not too long ago. They are easily swayed and support whoever is at the top.

Puns in Act 1 Scene I

"Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you"

"What mean'st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy fellow"

Mend - Fixing shoes / Fixing attitude

"These growing feathers plucked from Caesar's wing/ Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,/ Who else would soar above the view of men/ And keep us all in servile fearfulness." (1.1.73-76)

Speaker: Flavius

Context: Talking to Marullus about the commoners and their loyalty to Caesar; more specifically about the decorations

Paraphrase: If the decorations are taken down, it will make Caesar ordinary, otherwise he will be able to soar above everybody else and keep them a slave to fear of Caesar's rule.

Significance:

Characterization

Caesar

-Manipulative

-Controlling

-Far above others

Flavius

-Not afraid to take a stand

-Righteous

Conflict

-Flavius and Marullus vs. Caesar

Foreshadowing

-Caesar is going to lose his power and support

Symbol / Motif

-Bird imagery

-Symbolic of his power

-Feathers

-People way up above vs. People way down below being oppressed

Based on the stage directions and the events of Act 1 Scene II, how would you stage the grand entrance and the opening speeches?

Caesar is at the top, and is raised by everyone around him. Other characters are not at the frontmost, and are beside him. This represents how Caesar thinks, and his ego where everybody is below him.

What weaknesses are revealed about Caesar's character?

Can't swim

Deaf in one ear

Has epilepsy - the falling sickness

Doesn't have an heir (His wife can't have kids)

What are your first impressions of Antony? What does Brutus call him?

Antony bows down to Julius Caesar and accepts that Julius is more powerful than him; When Caesar says "do this.." - Antony does it without question, he always listens to Caesar. Brutus calls him gamesome, quick-spirited; sporty and energetic.

Describe how Cassius tries to sway Brutus in Act 1 Scene II

Cassius constantly compares Brutus to Caesar, to get the idea in his head that he is more liked than Caesar. Refers to them as equal, pushes him to the unfairness of Caesar having more power then him - raised the same. Tries to emotionally connect with Brutus - notices he is feeling down - acts as a friend. Tries to convince Brutus that it is his job due to his heritage - people in his family took down tyrants.

Who is the cat and who is the mouse in Act 1 Scene II?

-Cassius is the Cat and Brutus is the mouse

-Cassius is toying, controlling him, playing with what Brutus wants to get him to overthrow Caesar

-Using Brutus to accomplish his goals.

-Trying to corner him using manipulation to make him complete the difficult task of overthrowing Caesar for him

Why is Brutus trying to get away from Cassius in Act 1 Scene II?

Cassius is just tempting Brutus to conspire against Caesar, but Brutus does not want any part of it.

Who is in charge during this scene? How?

In this scene, Cassius is in charge, trying to manipulate Brutus into thinking differently of Caesar, in such a way that makes Brutus want power even more, by saying that many people want Brutus in Caesar's position. As it seems in reach throughout a majority of the scene.

Why is Caesar's comment about his deafness ironic?

He is unable to hear the truth (in the instance when the Soothsayer warns him about the ides of March, and warns Caesar, but Caesar ignores it and kind of leaves it in the background). Likewise he is blissfully unaware of things going on around him threatening his power, such as the idea of Cassius plotting against him, even stating that he doesn't like Cassius, but also thinking that he has nothing to be afraid of as Cassius wouldn't dare overthrow him, demonstrating how his ego, clouds his ability to listen and pay attention to his surroundings.

What do we learn from the first soliloquy of Cassius?

In the soliloquy, Cassius admits that Caesar talks about how Caesar likes Brutus way more than himself, and talks about how Brutus is an honorable person and how he can use that honor to take down Caesar. Also, Cassius talks about how he is going to throw letters into Brutus' window, forged in order to make him believe that there is public support for him to be the leader rather than Caesar, boosting his confidence AND ego

"I have heard/ Where many of the best respect in Rome/ (Except immortal Caesar), speaking of Brutus,/ And groaning underneath this age's yolk,/ Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes." (1.2.58-62)

Speaker: Cassius

Context: Cassius is trying to instill the idea of Brutus overthrowing Caesar, by mentioning that the people would prefer him. This instills the idea that it would be better for Rome if Brutus overthrew Caesar.

Paraphrase: "I heard talk about how the higher ups are speaking about how they don't like Caesar, and wished that Brutus was in his position."

Significance:

-Motif about being higher up (immortal Caesar) (Others groaning underneath, down below)

-Foreshadowing Brutus and Cassius overthrowing Caesar -introduces an internal conflict in Brutus as he loves Caesar, but is being faced with the opportunity of overthrowing him.

"And this man/ Is now become a god, and Cassius is/ A wretched creature, and must bend his body/ If Caesar carelessly but nod on him." (1.2. 115-118)

Speaker: Cassius

Context: This is after the story that Cassius was telling Brutus about Cassius saving Caesar's life emphasizing his weaknesses about being weak and not being able to swim

Paraphrase: And now Caesar is a god, while Cassius, who saved his life, is nothing but a normal person, and must bow down and obey Caesar if he asks me to do something.

Significance:

-Motif of high and low is repeated (Caesar is a god, Cassius is a wretched creature that should bend underneath him),

-Conflict between Caesar and Cassius: Why does Cassius have to obey Caesar, when he is stronger, he saved Caesar.

-Characterizes Cassius: wants to break free of the rule of Caesar.

"Men at some time are masters of their fates:/ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/ But in ourselves, that we are underlings." (1.2.139-141)

Speaker: Cassius

Context: Cassius is talking to Brutus regarding Caesar, saying that Brutus can control his own destiny, and take power from Caesar. "men at some time are masters of their fates." (1.2.139-141)

Paraphrase: Men sometimes control their own fates / The problem they have is not set in stone / But rather in ourselves, we view ourselves as inferior and unable to control our actions

Significance:

-Characterization: Cassius is very persuasive and manipulative

-Internal Conflict: Brutus going against Caesar vs. Brutus not going against Caesar

-Theme: Sometimes, people's decisions influence their own problems, not fate.

"And after this, let Caesar seat him sure;/ For we will shake him, or worse days endure." (1.2.321-322)

Speaker: Cassius

Context: Cassius is plotting overthrowing Caesar for good and putting him on the same level as everyone else.

Paraphrase: Let Caesar get comfortable as emperor, because we need to overthrow him, or we will face a worse fate ourselves.

Significance:

-Foreshadowing of Caesar being overthrown

-Caesar vs Cassius conflict

-Characterization of Cassius, showing his hatred towards Caesar

What is the atmosphere of Act 1 Scene III?

The atmosphere of this scene was much more gloomy and dark compared to the other scenes, displayed by the constant thunder and mentions of suicide, with the foreshadowing of an event that is about to occur, "the work we have in hand, / Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible" (1.3.129-130).

What are the images of night that are reported? What meanings do the characters give to the images of night?

A slave that put his left hand over the fire didn't have burns on his hand, a lion that roamed the streets didn't attack him, a hundred ghastly women, men all on fire walking the streets. Casca says these are bad omens, however Cicero says these are varying based on a person's political beliefs. Cassius says these are because of Caesar, who the gods are unhappy with.

"But men may construe things after their fashion,/ Clean from the purpose of the things themselves." (1.3.34-35)

Speaker: Cicero

Context: Cicero are discussing the supernatural events and their relation to the political climate

Paraphrase: Men change the meaning of things based on their own beliefs.

Significance:

Conflict - A conflict between political parties and how they interpret things

People think they are seeing vs. what actually happens

Motif- Twisting ideas to work for your own belief system

"That heaven hath infused them with these spirits/ To make them instruments of fear and warning/ Unto some monstrous state." (1.3.69-71)

Speaker: Cassius

Context: Cassius and Casca talking about the abnormal conditions and bad omens, and their relation to the political situation

Paraphrase: The gods are making these strange things happen to warn the people of the abnormal and dangerous state of the government.

Significance:

Characterization - It characterizes Cassius as very dramatic as he is blaming everything on Caesar. He is also very manipulative as he is seen to convince multiple people to view Caesar differently due to his beliefs.

Foreshadows - The downfall of Rome because of Caesar

Conflict - Cassius vs Caesar (repetitive conflict)

"So every bondman in his own hand bears/ The power to cancel his captivity." (1.3.101-102)

Speaker: Casca

Context: Casca is talking to Cassius about the idea of suicide after he says he will kill himself for freedom (repeating what Cassius said earlier)

Paraphrase: Everyone (even slaves) have the choice to be free from captivity by committing suicide

Significance:

Characterization - Casca's unhappiness (he's distraught) with Caesar, to the point that he agrees with Cassius on the fact that he would rather commit suicide than be under the rule of Caesar.

Foreshadows - Casca joining Caesar

Conflict - Cassius' group/faction now with the support of Casca vs. Caesar

"O, he sits high in all the people's hearts;/ And that which would appear offense in us, / His countenance, like richest alchemy,/ Will change to virtue and to worthiness." (1.3.157-160)

Speaker: Casca

Context: Casca talking to Cassius regarding the importance of Brutus joining the scheme

Paraphrase: Brutus is loved by all and the actions that would be considered bad if they did it, would be considered acceptable if conducted by Brutus.

Significance:

Foreshadowing - using Brutus to enforce their decisions among the public

Characterization - Everyone has a lot of respect for Brutus; honorable

Conflict - Cassius' and Casca's society vs. the rest of society

How does the setting of Act 2 Scene I contrast with those of Act 1?

Public Spaces ---> Private Areas, One Month Later (Ides of March, Eve)

What conflict does Brutus reveal in his soliloquy, and what resolution of the conflict does he reach?

-Whether to kill Caesar or not; should I hope for him not to be corrupt or kill him before he gets corrupt