Julius Caesar Reading Guide

Act I, Scene i

Setting the Stage

William Shakespeare used Roman history as the source for Julius Caesar. The Roman empire lasted over 500 years, but Shakespeare chose to focus on events that occurred from 44 B.C. to 42 B.C. (Caesar had total power from 46 B.C. to 44 B.C.)

First Caesar shared the rule of Rome with two others: Gnaeus Pompey and Marcus Crassus. But this triumvirate (rule by three) was weakened when Pompey and Caesar quarreled. Then Pompey was murdered by a former officer in his army, and Crassus died in battle. So Caesar ruled alone – and that’s the way he wanted it.

The common people saw Caesar as a great warrior and strong ruler. Some of the senators, however, feared that he would become too powerful and rule like a king.

Caesar had won battles in Greece, Asia Minor, Africa, Egypt, Spain and Gaul (France). His final victory was over Pompey’s two sons. Shakespeare begins his play in 44 B.C., when Caesar returned to Rome as a great hero.

In Scene i, watch Flavius and Murellus, two tribunes. It is their duty to speak in the Senate for the common people. However, you might not guess that from the way they treat the citizens.

The play begins February 15 on a street in Rome. The common people are celebrating Caesar’s victories.

1. Give two reasons why Flavius scolds the citizens.

a. ________________________________________________________________

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b. ________________________________________________________________

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2. List 2 words or phrases Murellus uses to describe the crowd of working people.

a. ______________________________ b. ______________________________

3. Murellus reminds the crowd that not long ago they had cheered ______________

_______________. Now they cheer _____________________, who defeated Pompey’s sons.

4. What does Flavius suggest that he and Murellus do to stop the celebration?

a. ________________________________________________________________

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b. ________________________________________________________________

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5. Flavius uses a comparison to explain what must be done about Caesar. He says, “If we can pluck these growing feathers out of Caesar’s wing, we can force him to fly lower.”

a. What are Caesar’s “feathers”? _______________________________________

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b. What do you think Flavius wants to do about Caesar? ____________________

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6. There are conflicting views of Caesar in Scene i. The common people see him as a ______________. But Murellus and Flavius consider Caesar a _____________.

Act I, Scene ii

Setting the Stage

In Scene ii, we learn that Rome has not always been a republic. (A republic is a type of government where people are elected to represent voters.) Until 509 B.C., Rome was ruled by a king. In fact, Brutus’ ancestors helped defeat the last king and set up the new government.

The Roman Republic was meant to give more power to the voters (upper-class males). The government was to be ruled by two consuls, and senators were elected from the upper class (aristocrats). These men were to be powerful advisors to the consuls.

However, after his military conquests, Caesar became the only ruler of Rome. This made many senators uneasy. They feared Caesar would take away their wealth and power. They even believed Rome might return to rule by a king.

This is the situation in Scene ii. The common people love Caesar, but some senators and tribunes would like to end his rule. Under these circumstances, Caesar cannot be sure who his friends are.

Scene ii again opens on a Roman street. We meet several important characters: Julius Caesar; his wife, Calphurnia; Mark Antony; Cassius; and Brutus. They have gathered for the Lupercal festivities.

1. The Fortune-Teller warns Caesar to “beware the ides of March.”

a. What do you think this means? ______________________________________

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b. How does Caesar react to the warning? ________________________________

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2. What reasons does Brutus give for being harsh and distant lately? _____________

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3. Cassius tells Brutus that many men wish that “noble Brutus had eyes in his head.” What does Cassius insist that Brutus cannot see? __________________________

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4. What does Brutus fear when he hears the crowd shouting? __________________

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5. Cassius says, “What a shame for this age we live in!” What does he mean by this?

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6. Caesar is suspicious of Cassius. List 4 qualities in Cassius that Caesar does not like. a. ___________________________ b. ___________________________

c. ___________________________ d. ___________________________

7. Casca believes that Caesar’s behavior in the arena is a set-up to fool the people. Complete the sentences below that describe Caesar’s actions when he is offered the crown.

First, Caesar __________________ the crown _____________ times. Caesar offers to let the crowd _______________________________. Then he falls to the ground. During this time, the crowd ________________ and ________________ him as they do for ___________________________________________.

8. How does Cassius plan to get Brutus to join the plot against Caesar? __________________________________________________________________

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Act I, Scene iii

Setting the Stage

As Scene iii opens, Casca says that he’s never seen such fierce thunder and lightening. Casca suggests that humans may have made the gods so angry that the gods will destroy the earth.

In Roman times, people were haunted by the fear that the gods might destroy humankind. (Romans worshipped more than one god.) They believed storms, disasters, and unnatural events signaled the gods’ anger.

Christians in the Elizabethan Age held somewhat similar beliefs. They thought God had created a world with perfect harmony between humans, animals, and nature, and that humans could upset this delicate balance. For instance, if a ruler were murdered, God might show his anger through fearful storms.

In Scene iii, notice the events that might warn Elizabethans that Rome is “a nation that has become monstrous.”

This scene begins the night before the ides of March. A month has passed since the end of Scene ii. Cicero (a senator and friend of Caesar) and Casca discuss the unnatural events of the stormy night.

1. Note 4 unusual happenings that Casca observed.

a. ________________________________________________________________

b. ________________________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________________________

d. ________________________________________________________________

2. According to Cassius, what is the real cause of these unnatural events?

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3. What does Cassius threaten to do if Caesar is made king? ___________________

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4. Cassius complains that Caesar would not be a ____________ or a ____________

if Romans did not act like _____________ or _____________. What do you think Cassius means by this? _______________________________________________

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5. Explain why Casca wants Brutus to join the conspiracy. ____________________

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End of Act Questions

1. Read Cassius’ description of Caesar.

a. What does Cassius’ speech tell you about his character?

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b. What does Cassius’ speech tell you about Caesar’s character?

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2. In Scene ii, Casca says that after being offered the crown, Caesar “fainted and fell down on the ground.”

a. Do you think that Caesar really fainted? Why or why not?

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b. If Caesar’s fainting was an act, what does this say about his character?

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3. One literary device Shakespeare uses is foreshadowing. This means that the author gives hints about future events in the play. (Remember the Fortune-Tellers words, for example.)

a. Find an example of foreshadowing in Act I.

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b. What do you think it means?

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c. What is your opinion of the use of foreshadowing? Does it add to or get in the way of your understanding or enjoyment of the story? Explain.

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Julius Caesar Reading Guide

Act II, Scene i

Setting the Stage

In Scene i, Portia is worried about Brutus’ strange behavior. She has noticed her husband’s bad humor and ill temper for several days.

“Humour” had another meaning to Elizabethans. They believed that there were “humour,” or body fluids, that controlled a person’s physical and emotional health. The body fluids were supposedly blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. In healthy person, these fluids were properly balanced, but when they weren’t balanced, a person grew sick or moody. For example, too much yellow bile was thought to cause a bad temper.

This scene begins a few hours before daybreak on March 15. Brutus is walking home alone in his orchard. Thoughts about the conspiracy have disturbed his sleep for several weeks.

1. In a soliloquy (a speech to himself), Brutus states his doubts. Which of the

following does Brutus consider good reasons for killing Caesar? You may circle more than one answer.

a. Caesar had once wronged Antony.

b. Caesar is too emotional and flighty.

c. Caesar’s power may make him a dishonest ruler.

d. Caesar will become king.

2. What is written in the letters that Lucius finds on Brutus’ bed? _______________

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3. What reason does Brutus give for not swearing an oath of secrecy? ____________

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4. Cicero, an old and honoured man, was once Rome’s greatest orator (public speaker). Why does Brutus object to including Cicero in the conspiracy?

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5. Cassius suggests that Antony should also be killed. Why does Brutus oppose this idea? _____________________________________________________________

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6. How will Decius persuade Caesar to go to the Capitol? _____________________

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7. When Portia asks Brutus what has been bothering him lately, what is his reply?

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Does Portia believe him? Explain. ______________________________________

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Act II, Scenes ii-iii

Setting the Stage

Ancient Romans looked for signs in the natural world to predict their fate. For example, thunderstorms were supposed to reveal the gods’ anger. Dreams and horoscopes were studied to predict the future. Even the flight of birds, the internal organs of animals, and the movement of snakes supposedly had meaning.

People who interpreted these signs were called fortune-tellers or augers. Government officials often consulted augurs. Caesar asked as many as sixteen augurs for advice on a problem.

Many Elizabethans – including royalty – also believed in signs, omens, and astrology. (Astrology is fortune-telling based on the stars.) For example, an astrologer is said to have picked a good day for Elizabeth to be crowned.

In Scene ii, Caesar asks the augurs if he should go to the Capitol. Notice what their answers predict about Caesar’s fate.

Caesar is at home deciding whether he should go to the Capitol. He struggles with his fears and superstitions.

1. Several strange events from the night before frightened Calphurnia. List 4 of them below.

a. ________________________________________________________________

b. ________________________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________________________

d. ________________________________________________________________

2. What reason does Caesar give for not being afraid of death? _________________

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3. Why do the fortune-tellers advise Caesar to stay at home? ___________________

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4. What message does Caesar tell Decius to give the senators? _________________

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5. According to Decius, what is the real meaning of Calphurnia’s dream? _________

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In Scene iii, Artemidorus reads a letter he has written to Caesar.

6. List the 8 people Artemidorus names as conspirators. ______________________

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7. How does Artemidorus hope to deliver his message to Caesar? _______________

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Act II, Scene iv

Setting the Stage

In ancient Rome, upper-class males usually married for wealth or political power rather than love, and when a wife was no longer useful to her husband’s career, he might divorce her and look for a new mate.

Nearly every upper-class Roman in Caesar’s time was married more than once. Historians say that Julius Caesar married four times. Plus, he had affairs with several other women, including the wives of Pompey and Crassus. In real life, both Brutus and Portia had been married to others before they became husband and wife.

You’ll note, however, that the married couples in the play show great devotion to each other. This is probably because Shakespeare was more concerned with portraying interesting characters than historical facts.

This scene opens outside Brutus’ home after he has left for the Capitol. Portia is frantic with worry. She asks Lucius and the Fortune-Teller for news of events at the Capitol.

1. Write Portia’s words below that show Brutus has told her his secrets. __________

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2. What information does Portia ask Lucius to bring from the Capitol? ___________

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3. What does Portia blame for her weakness? _______________________________

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End of Act Questions

1. In Act II, Brutus decides to join the conspiracy.

a. Is Brutus happy about his decision? ___________________________________

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b. What do you think might be the results of this decision? __________________

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c. Do you think he made the right decision? Explain. _______________________

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2. Do you see any flaws or weaknesses in the conspirators’ plans? Have they overlooked or underestimated anything? Also, what – if any – are the strengths of their plans? Explain your opinions.

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3. Why do you suppose Brutus first refuses to tell Portia about the conspiracy?

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What might cause him to change his mind and confide in her?

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4. Caesar says, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; valiant men only taste death once”. Explain what you think this famous line means. Then discuss the truth of the statement.

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5. Many people warn Caesar against going to the Capitol on March 15. What do you think is the main reason Caesar decides to go despite all the warnings? Use evidence from Acts I and II to support your response.

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Julius Caesar Reading Guide

Act III, Scene i

Setting the Stage

What was the real Caesar like? Was he a popular leader?

The common people of Rome respected Caesar for improving their lives. For example, Caesar’s military victories brought great wealth to Rome. Caesar also had roads and bridges built to make traveling easier. In addition, under his direction, the Senate passed laws that kept the upper class from taking advantage of the common people. He even revised the Roman calendar to match the seasons.

Caesar’s actions, however, didn’t please everyone. Many aristocrats were angered by Caesar’s reforms. They most resented the laws that took away some of their wealth and power. Many senators were worried because Caesar acted like a king. He wore purple robes and had his image put on coins. He even placed a statue of himself next to the statutes of Rome’s former kings.