Julius Caesar Test Review

Blank Verse

This is the common form of verse in Shakespeare's plays. Blank verse is poetry with definite iambic pentameter rhythm but with no rhyme.

Iambic Pentameter

A kind of rhythm in which there are 5 feet of unstressed syllable, stressed syllable per line: But soft! / What light / through yon/der win/dow breaks.This is the natural rhythm of the English language.

Heroic Couplet

A pair of rhymed lines in iambic pentameter. Shakespeare often closes a scene with a couplet.

Soliloquy

A speech of lines spoken by a character who is alone on stage so that we can know his or her thoughts.

Monologue

A long, virtually uninterrupted speech that is spoken in the presence of other characters.

Aside

A short remark usually directed to the audience and not intended to be heard by the other characters.

Dramatic Irony

Occurs when the audience knows or possesses special knowledge that would affect the characters if they knew it.

Foil

A character who serves as a contrast for another.

Pun

A play on words. Shakespeare's plays are full of them. Example:I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.

Personification

A figure of speech in which an animal, object, or idea is treated as if it were human.

Alliteration

The repeated use of a consonant sound at the beginning of words.

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things without using like or as.

Simile

A comparison between unlike things using like or as.

Allusion

A reference to a piece of literature or historical event.

Classical Allusion

A reference to ancient heroes and gods of ancient Greek and Roman mythology.

Tragedy

A literary work in which the central characters meet an unhappy or disastrous end. A) It often depicts the problems of a central character of a dignified or heroic stature.B) Through a related course of events, the main character, the tragic hero or heroine, is brought to a final downfall.C) In traditional dramas, the cause is often an error in judgement or combination of inexplicable outside forces. There may be more than one central character in a tragedy.

Drama

A story acted out, usually on a stage, by actors is generally divided into two types: tragedies and comedies.

go, hurry

hie

goodbye

fare thee well

why

wherefore

soon

anon

you

thou/thee

indeed

marry

beg, plead

beseech

do, does

doth

before

ere

are

art

have

hath

your

thy (thine)

there

thither

here

hither

therefore

thence

What was the setting in Act 1 scene 1?

a crowded street in Rome

Who are Marullus and Flavius?

They are tribunes (officials of Rome)

Why do they want to drive the commoners from the streets?

Because they should not be waiting for Caesar in the streets.

What else do Marullus and Flavius do to further hinder the celebration of Caesar's victory?

They take down the decorations from Caesar's statue.

What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia?

To hit her with the whip to make her fertile

Why might caesar ask Antony in front of everyone else?

So the people know Caesar gave him permission. So the people know the Caesar believes in those traditions/ superstitions

What is a soothsayer? Of what does he warn Caesar?

Someone who is supposed to be able to foresee the future. The soothsayer warns Caesar beware the ides of March.

What does ides mean?

the 15th (of March)

Does Marcus Brutus like Caesar? What does Brutus think of Caesar's rise to power?

Yes, but he is worried that if Caesar gets power then Rome may turn into a dictatorship

What is Brutus's most important value in life?

honor

What story does Cassius tell Brutus?

Caesar jumped into a raging river and Cassius had to jump in and save him

What is Cassius's point in telling this story?

Caesar isn't strong enough to lead the country. He is human like everyone else. It also reveals that Caesar has epilepsy.

What is Caesar's opinion of Cassius? Why does he feel this way?

He thinks Cassius has a lean and hungry look and that such men are dangerous.

What handicap does Caesar reveal about himself when speaking to Antony?

That he is deaf in one ear.

How many times is Caeasar offered the crown?

3

What is Caesar's sickness?

He cant hear out of one ear and he has a falling sickness (epilepsy)

What happens to Marullus and Flavius?

They are silenced (fired)

What does Cassius plan to do to convince Brutus to conspire against Caesar?

He is going to write letters disguised in different handwritings and throw them through Brutus's window

What unusual events occur during the storm?

A slave put his hand over fire, but his hand did not burn.

A lion looked upon Casca but did not attack.

Women swore they saw men of fire walk the streets.

There was an owl seen in the market during the day.

What meaning does Cassius interpret from the storm?

The the heavens were trying to speak to him; they are angry with Caesar. It is a bad omen of what will become if Caesar becomes king.

According to Casca what are the senators planning to do to Caesar tomorrow? (in Act I)

Establish him as king

Who is definitely part of the conspiracy?

Cassius

Casca

Cinna

Decius Brutus

Trebonius

Metellus Cimber

Brutus joins

According to Brutus why is it necessary that Caesar be killed?

For the good of the people and Rome and to prevent him from gaining power

What actions does Lucius perform that help the plot unfold?

He gives the letter Cassius wrote to Brutus and lets the conspirators in.

What is Brutus's internal conflict?

Whether killing Caesar is right because he is one of his friends

Why does Metellus think it would be a good idea to ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?

Since Cicero is popular, the people would respect his decision more than the others. He is old and a wise speaker

What does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony?

That if they killed Marc Antony it would be overkill and they shouldn't kill him anyway because he would be useless without Caesar

Why does Brutus say they should not ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?

He said that Cicero would not support anything another man started (leader not follower)

What reason does Cassius give for why Caesar might not come out of his house today

Caesar has become superstitious lately

By what method does Decius say he will use to get Caesar out of the house?

by flattering him

Why is Portia, Brutus's wife, worried about Brutus?

She is worried about his health. He has been acting strange lately

How does she prove her strength to Brutus?

She stabs herself in the thigh

Why does Calpurnia want Caesar to stay home?

She is believing that all the weird stuff that has been happening are omens and something bad will happen to Caesar if he goes out. She also dreams that he was murdered.

Describe Calpurnia's dream

Calpurnia had a dream that there was a statue of Caesar with hundreds of holes in it and covered in blood

How does Decius interpret Calpurnia's dream?

That it was a good and lucky vision. The Romans are benefiting from the battles that Caesar won.

What arguments does Decius use to change Caesar's mind about going to the capitol?

That they were going to crown Caesar today. He will also look like a coward if he doesn't go.

What does Artemidorus plan to do?

Artemidorus plans to give Caesar his letter acting as a petition. If caesar ends up reading the letter then he will live, if not he will die. This letter is acting as a warning towards Caesar.

Why is Portia so nervous?

She thinks something is wrong and she is worried about Brutus because he looked sick.

What does Portia want Lucius to do?

She wants him to check on Brutus because he was "sick" before he left and to look at who's by him and to come back and tell her if he is okay.

What does the soothsayer tell Portia?

He doesnt know of any plot to kill Caesar, but he is afraid of it happening and to warn Caesar

Why doesn't Caesar open Artemedorus's letter first?

He wants to do personal things last

What is Trebonius's role in the conspiracy?

He gets Antony out of the way

Why do the conspirators circle around Caesar?

Metellus Cimber asks about his brother (he requests that Publius be unbanished), and they circle in support.

What does Casca mean when he says, "Speak, hands, for me!"?

His actions speak for what he feels

What are Caesar's last words?

"Et tu Brute? Then fall Caesar" (meaning: And you too, Brutus??)

How do the conspirators feel immediately after Caesar's death?

They feel that freedom and liberty rule again

What does Antony do immediately after hearing the news of Caesar's death?

He runs to his house

What do the conspirators do with Caesar's blood?

Rub it on their arms and swords

How does Brutus recieve Antony when he comes to the Capitol?

He welcomes him and treats him well

What does Antony ask permission to do?

Speak at Caesar's funeral

How do Brutus and Cassius act to Antony's request to speak at Caesar's funeral?

Cassius is reluctant; Brutus says, "sure"

What does Antony say when he is left alone with the body?

He will get revenge

What message does Antony send to Octavious?

Stay out of Rome, it is too dangerous.

Who is Octavius?

Caesar's adopted son.

How does Brutus explain Caesar's murder to people?

He said that he loved Caesar as a friend, but he loved his country (Rome) more.

How does Antony describe Brutus during his speech?

He keeps saying, "he is an honorable man" (kind of in a sarcastic tone)

What event does Antony use to show that Caesar was not ambitious?

Refusing the crown 3 times

What does Antony say he found in Caesar's closet?

His will

What does Antony do before reading Caesar's will?

He shows everyone Caesar's mutilated body

According to Antony, what does Caesar's will say?

To give things to the people of Rome. He leaves 75 drachmas to each citizen. He also leaves his orchards and gardens to the people.

How do the citizens react at the end of Antony's speech?

They want to attack the conspirators; they are very angry.

What happens to Cinna the poet?

He is killed because he has the same name as one of the conspirators.

What are Antony, Octavious, and Lepidus doing at the beginning of the scene?

Deciding who will die

What do Antony and Octavious think about Ledipus?

Octavious thinks he is brave; Antony thinks he is like a horse

According to Antony, what are Brutus and Cassius doing?

Building an army

What does Lucillius tell Brutus about Caesar's attitude?

Cassius is not happy with Brutus

What does Cassius say to Brutus when he arrives at Brutus's tent?

Brutus has done him wrong

How does Brutus react to Cassius's charge against him?

Brutus loves Cassius and would never harm him