Act One – Julius Caesar

Scene One page 1202

1. What is the date?

2. Why have the people gathered?

3. What is Marullus’ and Flavius’ attitude toward the celebration?

4. What does Flavius suggest to Marullus?

5. According to Flavius, why should he and Marullus “drive the vulgar from the streets”?

6. What does Flavius fear about Caesar?

7. What is the Feast of Lupercal?

Scene Two page 1205

8. What does Caesar tell Antony and Calpurnia to do?

9. What attitude does Antony have toward Caesar?

10. Against what does the soothsayer warn Caesar?

11. What is Caesar’s attitude toward the soothsayer’s prediction?

12. Why is Cassius concerned about Brutus? What is Brutus’ answer to Cassius?

13. Why is Cassius sounding out Brutus?

14. What is Brutus’ attitude toward Caesar?

15. What will be the key to convincing Brutus to join the conspiracy?

16. What is Cassius’ attitude toward Caesar?

17. What physical faults of Caesar does Cassius emphasize? Why?

18. What does Cassius believe is important in determining a man’s destiny?

19. Why does Cassius mention Brutus’ ancestor, Lucius Junius Brutus?

20. What is Brutus’ reaction to Cassius’ speech?

21. Why doesn’t Caesar trust Cassius?

22. What does Antony say about Cassius?

23. Who offered the crown to Caesar? How many times? How many times did Caesar refuse?

24. Why is Brutus incredulous that Caesar was offered the crown three times in a public ceremony?

25. Why would Caesar’s having the title of monarch be so objectionable to Brutus?

26. What does Casca think of Caesar’s refusal of the crown?

27. What causes Caesar to “swound,” according to Casca? What is the real cause?

28. According to Casca, what was the crowd’s reaction to Caesar’s refusal of the crown?

29. What punishment did Marullus and Flavius receive? Why?

30. What does Cassius plan to do at the end of Scene Two?

Scene Three page 1214

31. What is the date?

32. What strange events have occurred?

33. Why is Casca disturbed by these events?

34. What does Cicero believe about the strange happenings?

35. Why does Cassius plan to speak to Casca?

36. How does Cassius impress Casca?

37. How does Cassius turn the conversation from the weather to what Cassius is interested in?

38. What is Casca’s response to Cassius’ comparison?

39. What news does Casca tell Cassius?

40. What will Cassius do if the senators crown Caesar?

41. What is Casca’s reply when Cassius says, “I perhaps speak this before a willing bondsman”?

42. What does Cassius then tell Casca?

43. What does Cassius tell Cinna to do?

44. Why do Casca and Cassius think Brutus is so necessary to the conspiracy?