Julius Caesar Final Exam

Near the end of scene 1, what do Flavius and Marullus plan to do?

They plan to take down Caesar’s decorations

Why does Caesar worry them?

They are worried he will take all of the power and become a dictator

Why are Marullus and Flavius determined to destroy the celebration of Caesar’s victory?

Because they like pompey more, and they are angry about his defeat and the destruction of Pompey’s sons

Though the use of puns is not generally considered a dramatic technique, Shakespeare does

use such word play to define dramatic conflicts. What is the pun the cobbler makes?

He says he is a “mender of bad soles” because he fixes shoes. This could be taken as he fixed bad SOULS like of a human

Why does Caesar want Mark Antony to touch Calpurnia when he runs past her in the

race of Lupercal?

Because she is infertile and there is a myth that if you touch them in that race/day it will fix infertility.

Why is it ironic that the soothsayer is blind?

Because he can see the future

Contrast Mark Antony and Brutus using at least two differences about the men.

Mark Antony listens and does what he is told, where as Brutus does not like to listen to what people tell him to do. Another difference is that Antony definitely wants Caesar to become king where as Brutas is iffy about whether or not he should.

Write two examples that Cassius uses to show that Caesar has a “weak character.”

Cassius talks about how Caesar almost drowned, and how he had a fever when he was in spain. Cassius basically is saying that Caesar has the same problems as everyone else around him

Choose two of the following words that best describe Cassius’ tone in his conversation

with Brutus:helpful, cunning, deceitful, shrewd,humble, arrogant, premeditated,

irrational, loving, manipulative. Give an explanationas to why you chose each.

\

I think Cassius' tone was manipulative because he is doing whatever he can in order to manipulate Brutus into thinking that Caesar is weak and a bad person.

\
He is also being shrewd because he is judging Caesar really hard on his weaknesses even though Cassius also has weaknesses. He is only really judging Caesar because of the power that Caesar could have

Despite their friendship, why doesn’t Brutus want Caesar to become king?

Brutus doesn't want Caesar to become king because of what Cassius has told him about Caesar, and Brutus does not want him to have too much power as ruler so he does not become a dictator and a tyrant, he’s afraid rome will be lead into hard times

Why doesn’t Caesar want a man like Cassius to be around him?

Because Cassius has a "lean and hungry" look, which means he looks like he is too mean, and Caesar also said that he thinks too much, and those type of people are dangerous. Caesar wants someone that looks nice and "fat"

If Casca’s account is plausible, what does Caesar’s behavior among the crowd say

about his character?

Caesar's behavior means that he wants to appear to the people like he does not want all of the power, but in reality he probably does want the power. So it shows he is good at acting like something that he is not.

“The fault, dear Brutus, in not in our stars, but in ourselves.” (page 21)Who says this

line? What point is being made about fate vs. free will?

Cassius says this line and the point that is being made about fate vs. free will is that what has happened to them is and was not not already determined by the universe, but instead what they have done has determined the fact that they are only common people.

At the end of Scene 2 in lines 312 - 326, Cassius makes plans. What plans does he

make?

He planned to write letters and say they are from citizens and throw them around to persuade brutus to go against Caesar

Name 3 ominous signs Casca recounts to Cicero.

A common slave held up his hand and it burned, he met a lion who did not attack him, but instead just walked past him, and he saw women who said they had seen men who were walking up the streets who were all on fire

What does Cassius think the portentous signs mean?

Cassius thinks that they are a warning sign from heaven that Casca was meant to see so he can be warned about what could come in the future, such as Caesar becoming king

Throughout the play so far, we have seen that Cassius doesn’t think too highly of

Caesar. Write some of the words/phrases that Cassius has used that show his contempt

for Caesar. Include page #s.

He says, "But that he sees the Romans are but sheep." (page 41) which means that he thinks Caesar sees the people of Rome as people who will do whatever he says. He also says, "Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man Most like this dreadful night" (page 39) which shows that Cassius believes that all of the bad things Casca saw are equivalent to how bad Caesar is.

“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.” Who

speaks the following quote? About whom is it said? What does it mean?

Casca says this line, and it is said about Brutus. This line means that the people really like Brutus, and his support is what will make their plan successful.

Why does the letter Lucius gives Brutus finally convince him to join the conspiracy?

Because the letters are from the citizens and he wants best for rome

Throughout this scene, Brutus resents the sneaky way the others are going about things.

Remember, he wants to kill Caesar for the good of Rome, and he believes that this noble

cause shouldn’t be tarnished by shady behavior. Give an example where Brutus speaks out

against the behavior of the other conspirators.

Brutus speaks out against the behavior of Cassius and others when they wants to kill Antony as well as Caesar because Brutus thinks that it is unnecessary violence because without Caesar, Antony is nothing.

Although Cassius is the ringleader of this conspiracy, it is clear in this scene that Brutus is the

one that is in charge. Cassius makes 3 suggestions and thrice Brutus rejects him. Name the 3

suggestions Cassius makes that Brutus rejects.

He wants to kill Mark Antony, he wants Cicero to join the conspiracy, and Cassius wants Brutus to take an oath. All of these are rejected.

Why does Cassius plot to kill Mark Antony as well as Caesar?

Cassius plots to kill Antony as well as Caesar because he thinks that Antony will fall into the footsteps of Caesar and create the same problems that Caesar would create because Antony loves Caesar and will do whatever Caesar would want

Cassius allowed he and the other conspirators to be persuaded not to kill Mark Antony. This

was a tactical error, and Cassius knew it, but infer why Cassius was willing to make it.

Cassius was willing to make it because he knew he needed the approval of Brutus in order for his plan to work because Brutus was they key, as said in the last act, to making the plan work.

Who volunteers to make sure Caesar goes out to the Capitol the next day? At what time are

they planning to meet Caesar?

Decius volunteers to make sure Caesar goes to the Capitol the next day at 8:00

Identify and describe the persuasive technique(s) that Portia uses to persuade Brutus to

confide his troubles to her. Include text evidence.

Portia used Pathos when she said , "Dwell I but in the suburbs Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife." which is pathos because she is using the fact that she is Brutus's wife and she loves him to show that if Brutus really loved her he should open up. She is using the emotion of love.

\
She also stabs herself in the leg which shows her trustworthiness which would be ethos

Caesar does not fear death because…

It must come to all men

Describe Calphurnia’s dream and the difference in how she and Decius interpret the dream.

Calpurnia's dream was about really bad sights that she had seen suh as a lioness giving birth in the streets, people rose up from the dead, there was a war in the clouds, blood was dripping on the Capitol, and there were a lot of screams from the dead. Calpurnia sees this as a warning not to leave the house because something bad will happen, but Decius interprets as a dream where the blood signifies renewing blood for rome where people will bathe and be renewed, so he sees it as a good thing.

Identify and describe the persuasive technique(s) that Calphurnia uses to persuade Caesar to

stay home. Include text evidence.

Calpurnia uses pathos when she talks about all that she saw in her dream and then she says "And I do fear them" which means that she believes her dream is something to be feared. She also talks about things that people would naturally fear such as "And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead" which means that there were people rising up from the dead which would naturally scare someone. She could also be using ethos because she is his wife so he should trust her especially because she has vivid dreams already.

Identify and describe the persuasive technique(s) that Decius uses to persuade Caesar to go to

the Capital. Include text evidence

Decius uses pathos to persuade Caesar to go to the Capital because he appeals to Caesar by making him feel powerful, above all, or possibly even by making him feel angry because he doesn't want people to think he is afraid. Decius says, "If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper 'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?" which could make Brutus want to go to the Capital because he does not want people thinking he is afraid. Decius also says, "Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed" which makes Brutus probably feel powerful and high up.

Why do you think Caesar was more ready to believe Decius’s interpretation of the dream than

Calphurnia’s interpretation?

I think he was more ready to believe Decius's interpretation of the dream than Calpurnia's because Decius's interpretation made him feel good, rather than Calpurnia's which probably made him feel not as tough.

In Act 2 scene 2 in lines 34-35, Caesar says “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the

valiant never taste of death but once.” Interpret Caesar’s meaning in these lines.

I think Caesar means that people who are afraid to step out and do things or open up to new things will experience a lot more let downs and low points than people who work hard, don't let people bring them down, and step out of their comfort zones and eventually strive.

In Scene 3, what seems to be the one remaining hope that Caesar may yet be saved?

Artemidorus letter

According to Artemidorus, what is it that allows others to plot assassinations?

overconfidence

In the following quote from Artemidorus, what or who does “goodness” symbolize? What or

who does “jealousy’s envious fangs” symbolize?

My heart grieves that goodness cannot live out of reach of jealousy’s envious fangs.

goodness= goodness symbolizes Caesar and his plans for rome

\
jealousy’s envious fangs= this symbolizes the conspirators who are plotting against Caesar. This could mean he thinks they are jealous of Caesar's power

Who thwarts Artemidorus in his attempt to warn Caesar of the plot against him?

Decius

What happens to make Cassius believe that the news of their conspiracy has been

discovered?

Cassius believes that the news of their conspiracy has been discovered because Popilius told him that he hopes their enterprise may thrive that day, and since they had a "project" to do, he thought that Popilius was talking about Caesar's assassination.

Does Cassius give himself half-heartedly to his conspiracy, or does he commit himself fully?

Cite evidence from the text to support your claim.

Cassius commits himself fully to his conspiracy because he says, "If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, For I will slay myself." This shows that he will kill himself if the plan does not work.

Why does Cassius plot to kill Mark Antony as well as Caesar?

Cassius plots to kill Mark Antony as well as Caesar since Antony loves Caesar so much, he is afraid that Antony will do the same things that Caesar would do.

What does Metellus Cimber do as a ploy to engage Caesar’s attention?

He kneels and talks to Caesar and asks him to unbanish his brother

Is Caesar conceited or truly humble? Cite evidence to support your claim.

Caesar is conceited because when he is talking about the banishment of Cimber he says, "I could be well moved, if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me." This shows he is conceited because he thinks he is better since he doesn't have to ask for things from a higher up like they do. Caesar also says he is as constant as the northern star which means he thinks he is consistent

How do the murderers explain the death of Caesar?

The murderers explain the death of Caesar by saying that they now have peace liberty and freedom for Rome, and that killing Caesar was justified because of his ambition.

What does Mark Antony do when he first confronts the conspirators?

After the servant talked to the conspirators, the first thing Antony does when he arrives to confront the conspirators is talk to Caesar's dead body lying on the floor.

How do we know that Mark Antony’s show of friendship for the conspirators is just an act?

Give textual evidence.

We know that Mark Antony's show of friendship for the conspirators is just an act because when everyone but him leaves he really shows his anger for what they have done to Caesar. He says, "That this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men groaning for burial." He also says, "A curse shall light upon the limbs of men." Both of these phrases prove that Antony really just wants to get payback for what happened.

According to Brutus, what was it that caused him to kill Caesar?

Caesar’s ambition

Brutus implies that anyone who disagrees with the assassination 1) would rather be a slave,

2) would rather not be a Roman, and 3):

doesn’t love his country

Brutus suggests that rulers should be willing to...

Die if it’s best for their country

In his speech, Antony lists three times when Caesar was NOT ambitious. List them.

1. Caesar refused the crown 3 times
2. He brought captives home to rome and made sure their debts were paid
3. He wept when the poor cried

Antony implies that Caesar’s will:

includes gifts for all the common people

What does Antony really mean when he says Brutus and his friends are “honorable” men?

That they are not honorable men

“Reverse psychology” means suggesting the opposite of what you want someone to do. Find

an example of reverse psychology in Antony’s speech. Describe how he used this method to

skillfully manipulate the crowd.

He uses reverse psychology when he says, "I fear I wrong the honorable men Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar. I do fear it" This is reverse psychology because he wants the people to tell him that he has not wronged them and that he is right. He wants them to take what he has said and what they have done into consideration by giving them examples that are not honorable.

Antony does a good job of using pathos to stir the emotions of the crowd. He knows, however,

that this alone is not enough to fully commit the crowd to his side. His final strategy is what

does it. In this final strategy, Antony appeals to the crowd’s:

greed

At the end of Scene 2, we learn that Brutus and Cassius have:

fled the city in fear

The angry mob assaults cinna because:

his name is cinna

Who stabbed Caesar first

Casca

Who stabbed Caesar last?

Brutus

Caesar’s last words-

Et tu Brutus?

How and why did portia commit suicide?

She swallowed hot coals because she was afraid of Antrony and Octavius rising up in power

What does Brutus see?

Caesar’s ghost telling him he will see him at Philipe

Do cassius and Brutus depart on good terms?

yes

Why does Brutus commit suicide

he will not be a prisoner of rome

Why does cassius commit suicide

miscommunication

Why does Octavius let Brutus be buried with all respect and honor?

brutus was good for rome

Who is this: A good friend of Caesar’s but joins conspiracy in fear Caesar will be a dictator. He loves Rome.

Brutus

Who is this: returned to rome after triumph, destroyed pompey and his sons, and is the feared ruler

Julius Caesar

Who is this: A very good friend and alliance to Caesar. Speaks at Caesar funeral against conspirators

Mark Antony

who is this: talented general and politician. Old friend of brutus and “acquaintance” of Caesar but hates him. Convinces Brutus to join conspiracy.

Cassius

Who is this: Brutus’s wife who killed herself and got upset when he wouldn’t speak his feelings

Portia

Who is this: Caesar’s wife, warns him not to go to capitol, has very vivid dreams

Calphurnia

Who is this: Caesar’s son who fights the conspirators and rises up into power

Octavius Caesar

Who is this: conspirator against Caesar. Relates to cassius and Brutus about how Caesar declined the crown, but it was all an act

Casca

Who is this (2 people): Tribunes who took down Caesar’s decorations

Flavius and Murellus

Who is this: A Roman senator renowned for his oratorical skill. He speaks at Caesar’s triumphal parade. He later dies at the order of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.

Cicero

Who is this: The third member of Antony and Octavius’s coalition. Though Antony has a low opinion of him, Octavius trusts his loyalty.

Lepidus

Who is this:A member of the conspiracy. He convinces Caesar that Calpurnia misinterpreted her dire nightmares and that, in fact, no danger awaits him at the Senate. He leads Caesar right into the hands of the conspirators.

Decius