Act I Quiz Study Guide

Background Information:

  1. What are the general advantages/ disadvantages of a government controlled by many or only a few?
  1. Caesar has defeated all of the supporters of ______and has been declared ______in Rome.

Scene I:

Summary:

The scene opens as Romans are celebrating the Roman holiday, Feast of Luprecal, and that Caesar has returned from Spain victorious. Flavius and Marullus speak to the carpenter and the cobbler. Marullus wants to know what they do for a living, and the cobbler speaks in puns and annoys Marullus. Marullus and Flavius criticize the commoners for once supporting Pompey and now so passionately supporting Caesar. Flavius concludes the scene by stating he fears Caesar will become power hungry as a dictator and that he and Marullus will take down all of Caesar’s trophies that are displayed throughout the city.

What are the three purposes of this opening scene?

Scene II:

Summary:

Caesar asks Antony to touch Calpurnia while participating in the festivities so that Calpurnia will become fertile. Antony says he will obey whatever Caesar asks of him. The soothsayer (fortune teller) then tells Caesar that he should beware the 15th of March, but Caesar ignores him. Brutus and Cassius are then alone on stage in which they discuss their views of Caesar. Cassius does not understand why Caesar has so much power considering he is equal to Brutus and Cassius. Brutus is experiencing an internal conflict because he likes Caesar as a person, but thinks any dictator would be bad for Rome and prefers a republic. Cassius tries flattering Brutus to start turning him against Caesar. Caesar, Antony, and Casca return from the festivities and Casca summarizes for Brutus and Cassius what has happened. Antony offered Caesar a crown three times and Caesar theatrically refused it while the people cheered. Casca also says that Flavius and Marullus have been put to death for taking down Caesar’s trophies. Cassius closes the scene with a soliloquy during which he tells the audience he thinks he can manipulate Brutus to get him to do what he wants.

  1. How are Brutus and Antony characterized differently?
  1. How is Cassius characterized?
  1. What theme does Cassius say when speaking to Brutus?

Key Quotes: Explain who said each quote and its significance.

  1. “I shall remember. When Caesar says “Do this,” it is perform’d.” – lines 12-13
  1. “I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.” – line 88
  1. “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.” – lines 146-147.
  1. “I rather tell thee what is to be fear’d Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.” – lines 217-218.
  1. “Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see Thy honorable metal may be wrought From that is disposed;” – lines 311-312.

Scene III

Summary

Casca and Cicero (senators) meet and are discussing the supernatural happenings in Rome. It is storming fire, there is a random lion roaming around, men are walking around on fire, and other odd occurrences are happening in Rome. Cassius enters and they continue discussing these supernatural happenings until the conversation turns to Caesar. All of the men agree that Caesar as dictator is bad for Rome. Cassius even discusses committing suicide before living in a Rome where Caesar rules. Cinna enters and the conversation turns to Brutus and how important it is that he join them in rebelling against Caesar.

  1. What is the significance of the supernatural happenings?

Key Quotes: Explain who said each quote and its significance.

  1. “I know where I will wear this dagger then: Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius” – lines 95-96
  1. “And that which would appear offense in us, His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness.” – lines 167-169.

See Notes to define the following:

-Soliloquy

-Hubris