English Characters Quiz 3/20

Caesar

• A general and the most powerful man in Rome

• Begins the play as a victorious leader returning from battle after having defeated Rome’s previous Consul, Pompey

• The common people love him

• Is vain and seems eager to become king

• Seen as too ambitious by the upper-class conspirators

Antony

• Caesar’s right-hand man

• A general in the Roman army

• 17 years younger than Caesar

• Social, athletic, well-liked, enjoyer of music and theatre

Calpurnia

• Caesar’s wife

• Has horrible nightmares and warns Caesar not to go to go to the senate on March 15th

• Has had no children with Caesar

Artemidorus

A teacher of rhetoric who attempts to warn Caesar not to trust the conspirators

Cassius

• A talented general and supporter of the Roman republic

• Hates that Caesar has become like a king in the eyes of the Roman citizens

• Organizer of the conspirators

• Creates a trio of fake letters to recruit Brutus as part of his nefarious plan

• Once saved Caesar from drowning and considers him physically weak

Brutus

• An honorable, high ranking official

• Descended from Lucius Brutus, a founder of the Roman republic who fought to overthrow the monarchy

• Is worried that Caesar will be crowned king and Rome will cease to be a republic

• Cassius wants to recruit him as a conspirator to help make the assassination more honorable and acceptable in the eyes of the Romans

• Refuses to kill Mark Antony for fear it will make the assassins seem overly bloody and cruel

Casca

• A sarcastic, blunt senator who fills Cassius and Brutus in as to what happened during Caesar’s speech

• Opposes Caesar, recruited by Cassius as a conspirator

Cicero

• An elderly Roman politician who’s excellent at giving speeches

• Refused to join Caesar’s original plot for power with Pompey and Crassus

• Dislikes Caesar’s obsession with power

Decius Brutus

• A conspirator who persuades Caesar to leave his home and come to the senate on March 15th

Cinna

A conspirator who’s especially interested in recruiting Brutus

Trebonius, Metellus Cimber, Ligarius

• Other conspirators

Flavius & Marullus

• Upper class officials who scold commoners for praising Caesar in the opening scene

• Removed from office once Caesar learns they’ve been removing decorations from his statues

Portia

• Brutus’s wife

• Observant and concerned, implores Brutus to tell her what’s wrong

Lucius

Brutus’s servant