Julius Caesar study guide questions

In Act 1 Scene 1, what do Flavius and Marullus want the commoners to do?

Break up, move along, and ignore Caesar’s victory

What is the Soothsayers advice to Caesar?

“Beware the Ides of March”

Explain the difference between the views of Caesar held by Cassius and Brutus

Cassius openly wants Caesar out of power. Brutus loves Caesar but recognizes his flaws and thinks about the state of his fellow citizens.

Brutus’s internal conflict throughout the play is a key element. Which of the following best describes the source of his struggle?

He is torn between loyalty to his friend Caesar and his ideals of liberty

Caesar gives his thoughts about Cassius. What does he say?

“He has a lean and hungry look.; He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.”

Why doesn’t Brutus want to swear an oath with the conspirators?

He thinks that they do not need an oath if they believe they are justified.

Why does Caesar change his mind and decide to go to the Senate meeting?

Decius reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream to entice Caesar to attend the meeting.

Why does Portia give herself a “voluntary wound…in the thigh” Act 2, Scene 1?

Portia is trying to prove her devotion and trustworthiness to Brutus.

What metaphor does Brutus use to describe Antony when deciding whether or not to kill him with the other conspirators?

An arm

What is the setting of Julius Caesar?

44 BC in Ancient Rome

What did Caesar do that garnered him favor with the commoners of Rome?

Reduced taxes on the people and threw a lot of celebrations.

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” What does Cassius mean when he says this to Brutus in Act 1, Scene 2? What is he trying to convince Brutus to do? What major theme from the play does this relate to?

Deciding their own fate and their fate beneath Caesar. Theme is fate and freewill.

“Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear, Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.” What does Caesar mean when he says this to Calphurnia in Act 2, Scene 2? How does Caesar’s perspective compare to that of Cassius?

If you live in fear, you will not be living, death will come when it will come. Your fate will show in the future.

What are the terms of Caesar’s will?

75 drachmas to every Roman citizen and public lands for the people to recreate.

Why were the commoners wandering the streets instead of working?

Because they were celebrating the festival from succeeding the war against Pompey.

How do Flavius and Marullus feel about the celebration? How do they show their feelings towards Caesar?

They are upset about Caesar’s power and they disrobe all of Caesar’s statues.

Why does Caesar want Calphurnia to stand in Antony’s path during the race?

Because she is infertile and believes that the festival is magical so if he touches her, then she will lose her infertility.

What does the soothsayer tell Caesar? What does Caesar say about this character?

“Beware the Ides of March” and Caesar is dismissive and rude. He doesn’t believe it and is overconfident.

What has been troubling Brutus?

Him being at war with himself.

What does Caesar mean by “men… that are fat” verses those like Cassius who have a “lean and hungry look”?? Why do you think Caesar prefers men that are “fat” to those who have a “lean and hungry look?”

It means that Caesar wishes that Cassius wasn’t hungry for power, that is what he means by “fat” and “hungry”

What does this mean when Cassius says this in the play, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”

It means that “we have control here” we are the ones who have agency over our fate.

What happens to Caesar after the third offering of the crown?

He faints and has a seizure

What happened to Flavius and Marullus?

They were silenced.

In Act 1, Scene 3 opens with thunder and lightning. What effect does this have? How could this be interpreted as an omen?

It could mean the gods are angry or something bad might happen to Rome.

How does Casca feel about the omens he has seen?

He is worried and scared. He only goes as far as Cassius goes.

Why do you think the men desperately want Brutus to join them?

Because he’s respected by the people of Rome.

Cassius says that Brutus’ “honorable character can be bent from its usual shape.” What does he mean by this? If he is correct, then what does this say about Brutus’ character? Is he truly honorable if his honor can be “bent?”

He means that he is a honorable guy, but is easily persuaded. Yes, he is still honorable because he believes in what he is doing.

As Antony enters the scene, he anticipates hostility from the conspirators due to his association with Caesar. What does he propose they do to him if they hold a grudge?

That they kill him with the same dagger they used to kill Caesar with.

Brutus, in his attempt to justify Caesar’s murder to Antony, declares a prerequisite. What is this condition that he insists on fulfilling before explaining his actions?

He has to make the speech first before Antony to calm the people down.

What does Antony request of Brutus? How does Brutus respond?

He requests to bring his body to a burial to have a proper funeral for Caesar and to speak at his funeral. Brutus says yes.

Why doesn’t Cassius think Antony should not speak at Caesar’s funeral?

Because he thinks Antony is going to wind up the masses with the commoners of Rome.

What rules does Antony have to follow to Speak at Caesar’s funeral?

-Can’t change their minds

-He can’t blame them

-Can’t speak negatively about the conspirators

-Speak good about Caesar

What does it mean that Brutus thinks they must “kill him [Caesar] in the shell?”

It means to kill him before he has too much power.

What did Lucius find at the window?

He found many notes written by Cassius.

Cassius suggests an oath, but Brutus says “no,” and the rest accept his decision. What does this reveal about the leadership of the conspiracy?

This reveals that Brutus is in charge and taking control.

Who else does Cassius want murdered and why?

Antony because he is worried that he is going want to get revenge for Caesar’s death.

What metaphor does Brutus use to describe Antony?

He’s a limb of Caesar; does whatever he is asked to do.

Why does Cassius believe that Caesar will be reluctant to go to the senate that day?

Because of the omens (the thunderstorm)

What is the basic message of Artemidorus’s letter?

To not go to the senate because he [Caesar] is going to get killed.

Prose

Regular speech or writing

Verse

How we write poetry/has a rythm

Ethos

Character

Logos

Reason

Pathos

Emotion

Fickle

Plebeians change their minds often