Comprehension Questions for The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Act I, Scene 1

  1. What holiday is it?
  1. Why are the people celebrating?
  1. How do Marullus and Flavius feel about this?
  1. What do Marullus and Flavius plan to do?

Act I, Scene 2

  1. Why does Caesar want Calpurnia to stand in Antony’s path during the feast of Lupercal?
  1. What is Antony’s reponse to Caesar’s instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?
  1. Who warns Caesar and of what?
  1. What two noblemen do not attend the games?
  1. What two physical defects does Caesar have?
  1. What does Cassius discuss with Brutus?
  1. What is Brutus’s opinion of Caesar?
  1. What story does Casca relate to Brutus?
  1. What happened to Marullus and Flavius? Why? ( lines 282-283)
  1. What is Cassius’s plan for swaying Brutus to his cause?

Act I, Scene 3

  1. What are some of the weird things Casca has seen this night?
  1. What is Casca’s explanation for these weird things?
  1. What is Cassius’s explanation?
  1. What important news does Casca give Cassius about the Senate’s plan?
  1. According to Cassius, why is Caesar so strong?
  1. Why do Cassius and Casca shake hands? What does Cassius then tell Casca?
  1. What does Cinna wish for?
  1. What three errands does Cassius send Cinna to do?
  1. Where are they going to meet later? Why there?
  1. Who else will join them?
  1. What reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause?

Act II, Scene 1

  1. What does Brutus fear?
  1. What does Lucius discover?
  1. How long has Brutus had trouble sleeping?
  1. How is Brutus’s visitor related to him?
  1. Who else is with the visitor?
  1. How do the conspirators dress?
  1. What does Brutus say about the way they are dressed?
  1. Why does Brutus say they should not swear an oath?
  1. Who else do the conspirators want to join them?
  1. Who thinks this addition is not a good idea? Why? What does the group decide?
  1. Who else does Cassius think should be killed? Why? What does the group decide?
  1. Find the anachronism on pages 655 and 656.
  1. What do the conspirators worry about? Why?
  1. Who else do the conspirators plan to add to the group?
  1. Why is Portia worried about Brutus?
  1. What does Brutus promise to do later as he again receives company?
  1. What do you think of Brutus’s and Portia’s relationship? How would you describe it?
  1. What is Ligarius’s opinion of Brutus?

Act II, Scene 2

  1. Find an example of Caesar’s superstitious nature.
  1. What does Caesar send a servant to do?
  1. Who begs Caesar not to go to the Capitol? Why?
  1. What message does the servant bring to Caesar?
  1. On page 662, what is Caesar’s decision about going to the Capitol?
  1. What changes Caesar’s mind by page 663?

Act II, Scene 3

  1. Who writes Caesar a letter of warning?

Act II, Scene 4

  1. What does the soothsayer want to talk to Caesar about?

Act III, Scene 1

  1. Why won’t Caesar read Artemidorus’s suit right away?
  1. Why does Cassius fear their plan has been discovered?
  1. What is Trebonius’s job in the plan? Is he successful?
  1. What “suit” does Metellus Cimber ask of Caesar?
  1. Why does Metellus ask this, in relationship to the conspiracy’s plan?
  1. What does “Et tu, Brute?” mean? What is the significance of this?
  1. For what two reasons does Antony send his servant to Brutus?
  1. What is Brutus’s reply?
  1. What does Antony want of the conspirators? (3 things)
  1. Who thinks this is a mistake?
  1. What inner thoughts of Antony’s do we learn through his soliloquy?
  1. Explain the orders Antony sends to Octavius Caesar.

Act III, Scene 2

  1. What is Brutus’s argument to the plebians explaining the motives for Caesar’s assassination?
  1. How do the plebians react to Brutus?
  1. Antony’s Speech: Map the progression of Antony’s speech. Indicate what part of his speech is the climax and highlight all important points.
  1. How is verbal irony used in the speech? Give examples.
  1. How do the plebians react to Antony’s speech?

Act III, Scene 3

  1. What is demonstrated in the killing of Cinna the Poet?

Act IV, Scene 1

  1. Who are the new triumvirate?
  1. What are they making?
  1. What are Brutus and Cassius doing?

Act IV, Scene 2

  1. What has happened to Brutus’s and Cassius’s relationship?
  1. What does Brutus suggest to Cassius?

Act IV, Scene 3

  1. What is Brutus’s problem with Cassius?
  1. What is Cassius’s problem with Brutus?
  1. What has happened to Portia?
  1. What news does Messala bring?
  1. What action will the armies take? Whose idea is it? Who disagrees?
  1. Who does Brutus see in his tent after everyone falls asleep? What does this mean?
  1. Find the anachronism on page 705.

Act V, Scene 1

  1. Where is the action taking place?
  1. What do the men have to say to each other?
  1. Cassius admits to changing his philosophy. How has it changed?
  1. What are the men resolved of?

Act V, Scene 2

  1. What is beginning?

Act V, Scene 3

  1. What are Cassius’s men doing? Whose fault is this?
  1. What does Cassius send Titinius to do?
  1. What supposedly happens to Titinius?
  1. What does Cassius do?
  1. What news does Titinius bring?
  1. What does Titinius do?
  1. Who does Brutus blame?

Act V, Scene 4

  1. What is Lucilius doing? Why?

Act V, Scene 5

  1. What is Brutus resolved to do?
  1. Who helps Brutus?
  1. What does Antony say of Brutus?

The Play as a Whole

  1. Artistotle described a tragic hero to be a person who is more noble than evil, but who experiences a change from good fortune to bad owing to some error or frailty. Who is the tragic hero in this play? Why? What is their tragic flaw?
  1. Brutus makes two fatal mistakes in Julius Caesar. One error occurs in Act II; the second occurs in Act III. Discuss these errors and explain how they lead to Brutus’s downfall.
  1. What two characters are foils for each other? Identify each character’s contrasting characteristics. What is the purpose of this foil?
  1. Discuss the role of Julius Caesar in the play bearing his name. Why do you think Shakespeare chose that title, considering Caesar dies in the beginning of Act III.
  1. To what extent is Cassius the villain of the play? Do you have any sympathy for him?