The tragedy of Julius caesar

Acts I – IIIStudy Guide and ANSWERS

ACT I, SCENE I

  1. What are the people doing that angers Marullus and Flavius? Why does this anger them? Ln. 32-55
    The people are celebrating Caesar’s victory over Pompey when they had been loyal to Pompey before Caesar defeated him. This shows how fickle they are in whom they show loyalty to.
  2. What actions do Marullus and Flavius take to correct the situation? Ln. 64-75
    Marullus and Flavius go through the streets of Rome and remove all decorations that are in honor of Caesar.

ACT I, SCENE II

  1. What is Antony’s response to Caesar’s instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?Ln. 9-10 Antony says, “When Caesar says ‘Do this.’ It is performed.” This shows that Antony is completely loyal to Caesar and will do anything Caesar asks of him.
  2. What is Caesar’s reaction to the soothsayer’s warning? Ln. 24
    Caesar says that the soothsayer is a ‘dreamer’ and pays no attention to the warning.
  3. What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus’s behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint? Ln. 32-36
    Cassius tells Brutus that Brutus has been unfriendly to him lately. Brutus tells Cassius that he has had some important matters on his mind lately that have been distracting him, and that he still considers Cassius a friend.
  4. Cassius’s story attacks what aspect of Caesar’s makeup? What is this attack supposed to say to Brutus?Ln. 92-131
    Cassius’s story attacks Caesar’s many weaknesses and his arrogance. This is supposed to say to Brutus thatCaesar is unworthy of becoming king of Rome.
  5. What does Cassius mean by the following statement? “’Brutus’ will start a spirit as soon as ‘Caesar.’” Ln. 147 Cassius is stating that when Brutus’ name is mentioned it gets as much attention as when Caesar’s name is mentioned.
  6. How does Brutus respond to Cassius’ attack on Caesar? Ln. 167-170
    Brutus says he will think about what Cassius has said about Caesar.
  7. What astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius? Ln. 194-195
    Caesar says Cassius is lean and hungry and thinks too much—which means Cassius is envious and dangerous
  8. What faults does Caesar see in Cassius’ nature? Ln. 200-210
    Caesar sees Cassius as a man with a dangerous nature; he notes that Cassius does not like plays or music, doesn’t ever smile.
  9. What does Caesar mean by the following statement? “I rather tell thee what is to be feared Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.” What does this statement show about Caesar’s nature?Ln. 210-212
    Caesar wants to be the one in charge and to determine what or who is dangerous or should be considered so. This shows that Caesar thinks highly of his own opinions and that he is a very arrogant man.
  10. What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar? Ln. 234-247
    Antony offered the crown to Caesar three times, and the crowd cheered at Caesar’s refusal. The crowd may not support Caesar being crowned king.
  11. How did the people react to Caesar’s fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar? Ln. 266-267
    At Caesar’s fit (seizure) , the crowd forgave him. This sudden change shows that their feelings for Caesarare fickle.
  12. What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius? Ln. 278-279
    Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Caesar ordered Marullus and Flavius ‘silenced’ (killed).
  13. At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause? Ln. 307-315
    Cassius plans to write several anonymous letters to Brutus, as though they had been written by various Romanswho believe Brutus should join in the conspiracy to keep Caesar from becoming king.

ACT I, SCENE III

  1. What wondrous things has Casca seen on this night? Ln. 15-32
    Casca has seen fiery images, lions in the streets, ghastly women shouting, and even an owl out in daytime.
  2. What reason does Cassius give for the terrible storm? Ln. 62-79
    Cassius says the storm is a warning of the bad things to come if Caesar should become king of Rome.
  3. What important news does Casca give Cassius about the Senate’s plan? Ln. 85-88
    Casca tells Cassius that the Senate plans to crown Caesar the next morning.
  4. What does Cassius mean by the following statement? “He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.” Ln. 104-106 Cassius means that Caesar is only strong because the Roman people are weak.
  5. What instructions does Cassius give Cinna that will help sway Brutus to their cause? Ln. 142-146
    Cassius tells Cinna to take his anonymous letters and place them where Brutus will find and read them, convincing Brutus to join in the conspiracy against Caesar.
  6. What reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause? Ln. 157-160
    Casca says that Brutus ‘sits high in the Roman’s hearts’ meaning the Romans respect Brutus.

ACT II, SCENE I

  1. What question is Brutus pondering at the opening of the scene?Ln. 10-34
    Brutus is pondering whether Caesar’s nature will change if he is crowned king and what disastrous effect those changes may have on Rome.
  2. What do the conspirators plan to do the next day?Ln. 162-183
    They plan to murder him as a sacrifice. They plan to kill him boldly and honorably, but not to butcher him wrathfully.
  3. What rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) does Portia use to convince Brutus to tell her what is troubling him?Ln. 261-302
    Logos: When Brutus claims he has acted the way he has because he is sick, Portia logically determines that this could not be the reason because if Brutus were sick, he would not have left his bed to go out into the night air. Instead, Portia reasons that Brutus is acting the way he is because something is troubling his mind.
    Pathos: Portia reminds Brutus of their “vows of love” (ln. 271) as a reason for him to share what is troubling him. She also claims that if Brutus does not confide in her, then he is not treating her as his wife.
    Ethos: Portia refers to her “qualifications” as Brutus’ wife and Cato’s daughter as reasons why Brutus should share his troubles with her.

ACT III, SCENE I

  1. In regard to Artemidorus’ request, how does Caesar’s nobility doom him? Ln. 8
    Caesar will save what is for him personally for the last.
  2. What is Metellus Cimber’s petition to Caesar? What is Caesar’s response and why does he give this response?Ln. 49-51; 58-73
    Metellus Cimber pleads for Caesar to repeal the banishment of his brother. Caesar says no—he will never change his mind once he has made a decision.
  3. What does Brutus instruct the conspirators to do before they go before the public? Why does he instruct them to do this?Ln. 105-110
    Brutus tells them to cover themselves in Caesar’s blood. He wants the Romans to see their act as a public one and that they aren’t trying to hide anything. Also, this was a common practice after a sacrifice. By covering themselves in Caesar’s blood, they are showing that they have sacrificed Caesar for the good of Rome.
  4. What request does Antony’s servant bring to Brutus? What is Brutus’ response?Ln. 123-142
    The servant asks if Antony might safely come and learn why Caesar was killed. If so, then Antony will follow Brutus in the new government. Brutus says Antony may come and will not be harmed.
  5. Why does Cassius object to letting Antony speak at Caesar’s funeral? What reassurance does Brutus give him?Ln. 232-235
    Cassius fears that Antony’s word will anger the crowd. Brutus assures him that Antony will not speak badly of the conspirators.
  6. Brutus will let Antony speak at Caesar funeral only if Antony agrees to three conditions. What are the conditions? Does Antony agree to the conditions?Ln. 244-252
    The three conditions are: (1) Antony will not use the funeral speech to blame the conspirators; (2) Antony will speak well of Caesar; and (3) Antony must say that he has the conspirators’ permission to speak. Antony agrees to all three conditions.
  7. After being left alone with Caesar’s body, what does Antony promise to do?Ln. 259-263; 270-273
    Antony promises to seek revenge for Caesar’s murder

ACT III, SCENE II

  1. What rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) does Brutus use in his speech? Ln. 12-30
    Ethos: He gives his honor as a reason for the people to believe him.
    Pathos: He says he loved Caesar as much as any person in the crowd. He also gives as his main reason for killing Caesar “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (Ln. 20).
    Logos: Through the use of rhetorical questions, Brutus reasons that had Caesar lived, the people would have been slaves; however, now that Caesar is dead, they are free men. He says that since Caesar was ambitious, he killed him.
  2. What mistake does Brutus make in letting Antony speak?Ln. 54-56
    Brutus’ mistake in allowing Antony to speak is leaving him alone because Antony is able to turn the crowd against the conspirators.
  3. How does Antony manage to turn the crowd against Brutus and the conspirators? Ln. 70-226
    Antony uses ethos, pathos, and logos, along with rhetorical questions and reverse psychology to make the crowd believe that Brutus and the conspirators have not been honorable, that they are instead traitors and murderers, and that the crowd should mutiny against them.
  4. Why does Antony read Caesar’s will to the people?Ln. 236-248
    The people demand that Antony read the will to them after Antony tells them he could not read it to them because it is too moving and by reading it he would do wrong to Brutus. In reality, Antony wants to read the will because it will inflame the crowd. The will shows that Caesar cared for the Roman people and would have been a kind and generous king.
  5. At the end of the scene, what do the citizens promise to do?Ln 250-252
    The citizens promise to cremate Caesar in the holy place and use the embers from his funeral pyre to burn down the traitors’ homes