Julius Caesar SG

Why were Marullus and Flavius angry with the commoners?

Because they were celebrating the murder of Pompey instead of working (ln. 15)

What puns or plays on words did Shakespeare make with the cobbler's lines?

Cobbler/idiot, soles/souls, out (angry)/out (worn out), withal/awl (ln. 11, 15, 19, 21)

What can you infer about the crowd from the way they are acting in this scene?

They have short memories and don't truly care about their ruler

Who was Pompey?

Roman general and consul, later murdered by caesar (ln. 42)

Who are Marullus and Flavius?

Roman elected officials who represent the people

Marullus voices concern over Flavius' plan. What was Flavius' plan?

To take down the decorations upon Caesar's statues (ln. 65-80)

What methods does Shakespeare use to grab the audience's attention in the opening scene of the play?

Wordplay, humor, speaking directly to the audience

"Beware the Ides of March"

Soothsayer, said from the crown during the celebration (ln. 28)

"I am not gamesome. I do lack some part of that quick spirit that is in Anthony."

Brutus, explaining why he will not watch the race (ln. 33)

"Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me?"

Brutus, said while Cassius tries to convince him to kill Caesar (ln. 69-71)

"Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings"

Cassius, trying to convince Brutus that fate wills Caesar's death (ln. 146-148)

"Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous."

Caesar, explaining why he does not trust Cassius (ln. 204-205)

"He looks through the deeds of men. He loves no plays...he hears no music."

Caesar, explaining why he does not trust Cassius (ln. 212-214)

"But for mine own part, it was Greek to me"

Casca, describing the events of the parade to Brutus and Cassius (ln. 294-295)

Who is Calphurnia?

Caesar's wife

What does Caesar want Calphurnia to do?

He wants her to stand in Antony's way so she can be whipped (ln. 7-11)

What activity takes place as part of the Lupercal?

Priests run around the city drunk and naked whipping women in the street (ln. 30)

What are Caesar's infirmities that you learn about in this scene?

Deaf in one ear, sterile, epilepsy

What does the soothsayer say to Caesar?

That he will die on March 15 (ln. 21)

What does "Ides of March" mean?

March 15th (ln. 21)

How does Cassius try to turn Brutus against Caesar?

He tries to flatter him (ln. 60-65)

What are the examples that Cassius gives Brutus to show him that Caesar is not worthy?

He almost drowned, he is not a god, he got sick and cried like a girl (ln. 118, 135, 134-135)

Who are Aeneas and Anchises?

Members of the Royal family of Troy, Aeneas is considered the first hero of Rome and Anchises is his father.

Why does caesar want fat men around him?

Because fat men are content and not ambitious (ln. 204-205)

How does Caesar describe Cassius?

Lean, hungry, intelligent, observant, somber, serious, manipulative (ln. 204, 214-215)

How did the crowd react to Caesar refusing the crown?

By shouting and cheering (ln. 233, 241)

What did Caesar do after refusing the crown a third time?

He fell and had a seizure (ln. 263-264)

Who was Cicero?

A significant politician in Ancient Rome (consul and member of the senate)

What will Cassius do tonight to further convince Brutus to join the conspiracy?

Forge letters from citizens describing how they would not want Caesar as a ruler (ln. 147-151)

What "portentous things" did Casca report to Cicero and how did Cicero react?

An earthquake, people on fire, animals out of place, and a slave with his arm on fire. Cicero believes that Casca is exaggerating (ln. 15-26, 34-35)

Hoe did Cassius interpret the unnatural phenomenon?

He describes it as the gods warning the people from making Caesar king (ln. 75-80)

How does Cassius use Casca's superstitious nature to convince him to join the conspiracy?

Cassius convinces Casca that the "portentous things" were caused by Caesar

How will Cinna help get Brutus to join the conspiracy?

He will plant the forged letters around Brutus' home and workplace (ln. 147-151)

What characters join the conspiracy in this scene?

Casca, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, Decius Brutus, and Trebonious (ln. 153, 139, 138, 125-131)

Why can audience members and readers believe what a character says in a soliloquy?

Because it is their internal monologue and they are not saying it with the intention of anyone else hearing it.

"And therefore think him as a serpent's egg... and kill him in the shell."

Brutus, explaining why he must kill Caesar (ln. 33-36)

"Giving myself a voluntary wound in the thigh; can I bear that with patience?"

Portia, proving herself to Brutus so that he may tell her the truth (ln. 323-324)

Who is Lucius and how does Brutus treat him?

Lucius is Brutus' servant and Brutus treats him as a son (ln. 248-252)

What reasons does Brutus have for thinking it might be necessary to get rid of Caesar?

He is afraid Caesar will become evil once he is crowned King (ln. 33-36)

How much time has passed since Brutus and Cassius spoke on Lupercal?

About a month (ln. 62)

What was the purpose of planting notes for Brutus to find?

Over time, he would find the letters and believe it was the people's wish that Caesar should die (Act 1 Scene 2 ln. 327-334)

Why is Brutus against taking an oath?

Because he believes that promises are made to be broken (ln. 125-129)

Explain why the conspirators want Cicero and why Brutus does not.

The conspirators want Cicero because he is wise and will make them seem wise as well, but b\=Brutus says he will not follow something that he didn't start (ln. 156-157, 163-164)

Why are these men worried that Caesar may not be at the Capitol today?

Caesar is very superstitious and many unnatural things have been going on recently (ln. 212)

How does Brutus suggest the conspirators act on the day of Caesar's death? Why?

Brutus tells them to act "fresh and merrily" so that other people can't tell what they're planning (ln. 243-247)

What kind of marriage does Brutus share with Portia?

A good one (ln. 257-276)

What request does Portia make of her husband?

To tell her the truth (ln. 295-297)

What does Portia do to suddenly prove herself of her constancy?

She stabs her thigh (ln. 323-325)

Why has Caius Ligarius decided to join the conspiracy?

Because Brutus believes he should (ln. 360-362)

Name all of the conspirators that appear in this scene.

Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Cinna, Caius Ligarius, Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius

"Help, ho! They murder Caesar!"

Caesar, repeating what Calphurnia had called out in her sleep (ln. 3)

"Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once"

Caesar, explaining to his wife why he will not stay at home (ln. 34-35)

How is this scene reminiscent of the previous one?

Both wives kneel and beg their husbands for something

Why does Calphurnia worry about Caesar's plans for today?

Because of the abundance of supernatural activity occurring (ln. 15-25)

How does Caesar interpret the message from the augurers?

Caesar views himself as the heartless beast (ln. 45)

How had Calphurnia convinced her husband to stay home?

By begging on her knees (ln. 58)

What is Calphurnia's dream?

That Caesar's statue spouts blood upon the Roman citizens (ln. 81-84)

What are the reasons that Caesar disregards the omen surrounding his impending death?

He is arrogant and doesn't want to be seen as a coward (ln. 53)

How does Decius decieve Caesar into going to the capitol?

By telling Caesar that if he doesn't he will seem scared and he won't be crowned (ln. 97-109)

How is an aside like/dislike a soliloquy?

Both are only audible to the speaker and audience, but a soliloquy is said in isolation

What is Caesar's fatal flaw?

Reckless arrogance

How can Artemidorus possibly know about the conspiracy?

He is friends with several of the conspirators.

Why is Lucius confused by Portia's behavior?

Because she doesn't explain anything to him (ln. 1-14)

What evidence shows that Portia does/does not know of the plan?

She asks Lucius to check on Brutus in the Capitol, yet she does not specify what he should look for (ln. 1-14)

What is the calendar date for all of Act 2?

March 15

"O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit that touches Caesar nearer. Read it great Caesar"

Artemidorus, trying to give Caesar a letter warning him of his death (ln. 6-7)

"Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar"

Caesar, after he is stabbed by Brutus (ln. 85)

"Let each man render me his bloody hand"

Antony, asking the conspirators to shake hands to show his loyalty (ln. 201)

"Speak, hands for me!"

Casca, said before he stabs Caesar (ln. 84)

Role of Caesar

Dies, makes a speech about proving himself as a leader

Role of Antony

Being distracted

Role of Brutus

Stabs Caesar, distracts him by seconding a motion

Role of Cassius

Supports a request, threatens suicide, stabs Caesar

Role of Casca

First to stab Caesar

Role of Decius

Ensure that Caesar gets to the Senate

Role of Metellus Cimber

Asks to have his brother pardoned

Role of Trebonius

Distracts Mark Antony

Role of Soothsayer

Reminds Caesar of his warning

Role od Artemidorus

Attempts to warn Caesar of the conspiracy

Role of Popilius Lena

Wishes the conspiracy good luck

Who tries to warn caesar before his death?

Artemidorus and Soothsayer (ln. 2, 6-7)

What favor does Metellus Cimber ask of Caesar?

To pardon his brother (ln. 56)

What is Caesar proclaiming about himself moments before his death?

That he has to be a fair leader and that he is the north star (ln. 64-79)

Who stabbed first and who stabbed last?

First - Casca
Last - Brutus
(ln. 84-85)

What might Caesar mean when he says "Et tu, Brute?"

You hate me too Brutus?

Where is Caesar killed?

Under the statue of Pompey (ln. 128)

How does Calphurnia's nightmare get acted out in this scene?

The conspirators wash themselves in Caesar's blood

Why would Brutus want the killers to wash themselves in blood?

So that people would know that they were the ones who killed Caesar (ln. 117-123)

What arrangement does Caesar make with Mark Antony?

They agree that he can bring the body to the funeral and make a speech (ln. 269-276)

What are all the reasons that Brutus allows Antony to speaks at Caesar's funeral?

He cannot speak bad of the conspirators, must speak all good of Caesar, and has to go with Brutus (ln. 269-276)

What prediction does Antony make in his soliloquy?

That a bloody civil war will break out between the Romans (ln. 280-301)

Who is Octavius and what is Antony's concern for him?

Octavius is Caesar's nephew/heir. Antony is worried that he may be killed by the conspiracy (ln. 315-316)

"Yet Brutus says he was ambitious and Brutus is an honorable man"

Mark Antony, during his speech at Caesar's funeral (ln. 102-103)

In what sort of mood does Brutus find the crowd when he first addresses them?

Rowdy and confused (ln. 1)

What reason does Brutus give for why he chose to kill Caesar?

That Caesar was ambitious (ln. 28-30)

How do they feel about Brutus and Antony when Brutus prepares to leave them?

They love Brutus and are willing to listen to Antony as long as he speaks well of Brutus (ln. 75)

What comments does Antony continue to repeat in his speech?

"Yet Brutus says he was ambitious and Brutus is an honorable man" (ln. 102-103, 107-108)

Who made the "most unkindest cut" and why is it the most unkind?

Brutus, because he was close to Caesar and still betrayed him (ln. 195)

Why does Antony bring up the topic of money and inheritance?

To sway the minds of the people

How is Calphurnia's dream shown to be prophetic in Antony's description of Caesar's assassination?

Instead of being Caesar's statue, it is Pompey's statue, and the blood of treason washes over all of Rome (ln. 200-204)