Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: Acts 1–5 Comprehensive Review

Vocabulary and key term flashcards comprehensively covering characters, plot points, omens, and quotes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar across Acts 1 through 5.

Flavius

A Roman tribune who, along with Marullus in Act 1, Scene 1, reprimands commoners for celebrating Caesar and plans to break up groups of praisers to weaken civil unrest.

Marullus

A tribune who confronts the commoners in the street, demands to know why they are not working, and orders them to return home to pray for forgiveness after celebrating Caesar's triumph over Pompey.

The Cobbler

A Roman artisan stopped in the street in Act 1, Scene 1 who explains that he is not working because he has given himself a holiday to see Caesar and rejoice in his triumph.

Pompey

A prominent Roman senator and former co-ruler who was honored by the Roman populace prior to being defeated in the civil war against Caesar.

Seven Hills of Rome

The exact geographic number ($7$) of hills located within Rome, mentioned during the tribunes' rebuke of the celebration.

Feast of Lupercal

The celebration during which Caesar instructs Marc Antony to strike Calpurnia with a goatskin thong during his race to cure her barrenness.

The Soothsayer

A figure who delivers the earliest warning to Caesar in Act 1, Scene 2 to "Beware the Ides of March," whom Caesar dismisses as "a dreamer."

Brutus's View of Honor

The moral conviction expressed by Brutus in Act 1, Scene 2, declaring that he loves honor more than he fears death.

Caesar's Epileptic Fit

The medical affliction suffered by Caesar during the public celebration while Cassius and Brutus speak privately.

Cassius's Rescuing of Caesar

A past event recounted by Cassius wherein he saved Caesar from drowning in the Tiber River.

Cassius's Demeanor

The quiet, contemplative look possessed by Cassius that causes Caesar extreme discomfort during the celebration.

Refusal of the Crown

The gesture performed by Caesar exactly $3$ times when offered the royal crown by Marc Antony during the Lupercal festivities.

Casca

A conspirator deeply shaken in Act 1, Scene 3 by the raging tempest, which Cicero attributes to a punishment for cruel dealings, and who views Brutus as essential because he is popular with the people.

Cassius's Defiance of the Gods

An act during the Act 1 tempest where Cassius bared his chest and roared at the heavens, interpreting the strange omens as signs of the impending crowning of Caesar.

House of Cassius

The location where the conspirators hold their very first formal meeting before setting out after midnight to visit Brutus.

Anonymous Letters to Brutus

Fabricated letters written by Cassius and delivered by Cinna to Brutus's study to persuade him to join the conspiracy.

"A Serpent in an Egg"

The metaphor Brutus uses in his garden soliloquy to describe Caesar, arguing he must be killed before he hatches and power changes him into a danger.

Brutus's Insomnia

A condition Brutus suffers from for $2$ months by the time Cassius arrives at his home, an affliction shared by none of the other conspirators.

Cicero's Silver Hairs

The physical trait that Metellus argues would add maturity, respect, and viability to the assassination plot, alongside his great oratorical skills.

Portia's Voluntary Wound

A self-inflicted stab wound to her leg made to prove her fortitude and demonstrate to Brutus that she is strong enough to bear his secret.

Planned Time of the Assassination

The designated hour of $8:00\text{ a.m.}$ set by the conspirators in Act 2, Scene 1 to strike Caesar down.

Calpurnia's Omens

Portents of doom seen in Act 2, Scene 2 including lions giving birth in the streets and graves unearthing their dead, which are uncharacteristic because she has never been superstitious before.

Calpurnia's Dream

A nightmare in which Caesar's statue ran with spouting blood, interpreted by Decius as a sign that Caesar will give new life and vitality to Rome.

The Augurers' Sacrifice

An animal sacrifice performed for Caesar that revealed an unhealthy liver as an omen of impending sickness, prompting the priests to advise him to stay home.

Decius Brutus

The conspirator who successfully persuades Caesar to leave his home on the day of the assassination by announcing that the Senate plans to crown him king.

Artemidorus

A teacher of rhetoric (and senator) who waits at the gate on the day of the assassination to hand Caesar a warning letter, serving as his final warning of doom.

Lucius

Brutus's most trusted young servant who discovers the anonymous letter in the study and is dispatched to the Senate House by Portia.

The Ides of March

The specific historical date on which Julius Caesar is assassinated in the Senate House.

Popilus Lena

A Roman figure whose well-wishes to Cassius at the Senate House doors terrify Cassius, who was unaware Popilus knew of the conspiracy.

Trebonius

The conspirator responsible for handing Caesar a letter and leading Marc Antony away from the Senate House prior to the assassination.

Metellus Cimber's Suit

The petition presented to Caesar immediately before the slaying, begging that his banished brother's exile be revoked.

The North Star

The celestial entity Caesar compares his unyielding constancy to just moments before he is stabbed.

"Even You, Brutus?"

The dying utterance spoken by Julius Caesar upon seeing his close friend Brutus strike him.

"Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!"

The rallying cry shouted by the conspirators inside the Senate House directly following Caesar's murder.

Bathing in Caesar's Blood

The action undertaken by the conspirators in the Senate House before departing to justify their deed to the Roman public.

Brutus's Forum Speech

The address given by Brutus to the crowd in Act 3, Scene 2, declaring that he loved Rome more than Caesar and offering his own life if the people disagree.

"Honorable Men"

The phrase utilized repeatedly by Marc Antony throughout his funeral eulogy to describe the conspirators while inciting the mob against them.

Caesar's Will

The legal bequest read by Antony granting $75$ coins and his private gardens to every citizen of Rome.

Cinna the Poet

An innocent civilian walking to Caesar's funeral who is beaten to death by the plebeian mob simply for sharing the same name as one of the conspirators.

The Second Triumvirate

The ruling coalition formed in Act 4, Scene 1 by Marc Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus to govern Rome and destroy the conspirators.

Triumvirate Division of Rule

The regional governance mapped out by Marc Antony assigning Spain to Lepidus, Gaul to Marc Antony, and Africa to Octavius.

Lepidus

A triumvir whom Antony strongly dislikes, compares to a horse, and sends to fetch Caesar's will so they can reduce legacy payouts to the citizens.

Sardis

The military encampment location outside Rome where Brutus sets up base and begins raising an army alongside Cassius.

"Itchy Palm"

The accusation leveled by Brutus against Cassius inside their tent at Sardis, charging him with accepting bribes and valuing money over integrity.

Cassius's Chest-Baring Climax

The dramatic moment during the argument at Sardis when Cassius bares his chest and offers his dagger to Brutus to stab him.

Portia's Suicide

The death of Brutus's wife, which occurred when she swallowed fire/burning coals.

Phillipi

The battlefield plains where Antony and Octavius station their legions to engage the forces of Brutus and Cassius.

Battlefield Parley

The customary meeting of commanding generals prior to battle in Act 5, Scene 1, which devolves into trading insults, including Antony calling Brutus a traitor.

Crows in Formation

The specific avian sighting explicitly noted as NOT being among the bad omens witnessed by Cassius prior to the battle against Antony.

Pindarus

Cassius's servant who mistakenly reports that Cassius's tent is on fire and assists Cassius in committing suicide by guiding his sword.

Titinius

Cassius's officer who engages in combat outside the burning tents and kills himself upon discovering that Cassius died believing he was captured.

Lucilius

A devoted officer who impersonates Brutus in battle, offers money to his captors to kill him, and is ordered by Marc Antony to be treated with kindness.

Caesar's Ghost

The spectral apparition seen by Brutus that signals to him that his time has come to die at Philippi.

Strato

The loyal attendant who agrees to hold Brutus's sword so Brutus can run upon it and end his life.

"The Noblest Roman"

The eulogistic phrase spoken by Marc Antony upon viewing Brutus's body, acknowledging him as the only conspirator acting for the good of Rome.