Act 3 Questions Julius Caesar

Why might Shakespeare have chosen to have Brutus speak in prose and Antony in verse?

Prose- regular speech or writing
Verse- How we write poetry- Rhythm

Summarize the message of Brutus’ speech. What is he trying to convince the people of?

Talks about his honor/himself- justifying the murder of Caesar- and that Caesar was ambitious.

Summarize the message of Antony’s speech. What is he trying to convince the people of?

Caesar wasn’t ambitious. Therefore, Brutus is not honorable- and uses lots of Verbal Irony.

How do the ways Brutus and Antony use the word “honour” in their speeches compare? Why is the word so important in this situation?

Brutus uses honor as an adjective to describe himself, while Antony uses honor sarcastically, ironically, and as a verb.

The word “honor” is important because it defines morality and controls the crowd’s opinion on who is truly honorable.

What are the terms of Caesar’s will?

To give 75 Drachmas to the citizens and to donate his Private Gardens, Orchards, and Land Walks.

How does Antony’s speech appeal to Ethos, Pathos, and Logos?

Ethos- Character- when he mentions how he is close friends with Caesar.

Pathos- Emotion- Pity, Grief, and describing Caesar’s wounds.

Logos- Logic- Rejecting the crown and that Brutus is an “honorable man.”

Describe the crowd’s behavior as Antony ends his speech versus when Brutus ended his speech.

Brutus: Calm, Supportive, Fickle.

Antony’s: Furious, Fickle, and Demand of Revenge.

How does question 7# connect to the opening pages of the play (Act 1 Scene 1) with Flavius and Murellus? What theme is Shakespeare trying to convey to his audience?

The crowd is easily swayed by the nature of the Romans.

Flavius and Murellus are critical of the Plebeians fickleness.

Shakespeare’s theme is that the Romans are easily swayed by rhetoric, emotional, and powerful leaders like Antony.

Which speech was more effective (in your opinion) and why?

Antony’s, because his speech had more logical reasoning/facts to go along with his argument.