Julius Caesar Questions

Act 1, Sc 1

  1. What does Flavius mean when he says “Disrobe the images, / If you do find them decked with ceremonies” (1.1.64-65).
  2. The last four lines of this scene explain why the Tribunes wanted to remove the ornaments from the statue of Caesar. Explain the last four lines in your own words:

These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing

Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,

Who else would soar above the view of men

And keep us all in servile fearfulness. (1.1.72-75)

3.What is the dramatic purpose of the opening scene? What does it tell us about the fickleness of ordinary Roman citizens in the play?

Act 1, Sc 2

  1. What was the feast of the Lupercal that was mentioned by Marullis in scene 1? (You may have to research outside of the play to find the answer to this.) What has Shakespeare done with the date of this particular festival to suit his own dramatic purposes?
  2. Why do Cassius and Brutus leave the company of Caesar and his followers during the celebrations and what do they discuss?
  3. Who offers the crown to Caesar and why does he refuse it?
  4. Why does the crowd cheer when Caesar turns down the crown?
  5. In the last soliloquy of the scene, what does Cassius vow to do?

Act 1, Sc 3

  1. Why is it meaningful that this scene takes place at night? What does the night-time allow?
  2. Why is it significant that the scene begins with thunder and lightning?
  3. Explain the meaning of the following lines by Cassius:

…for now, this fearful night,

There is no stir or walking in the streets;

And the complexion of the element

In favour's like the work we have in hand,

Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. (1.3.126-130)

  1. Explain the meaning of Casca’s following speech and to whom is he referring?

O, he sits high in all the people's hearts:

And that which would appear offence in us,

His countenance, like richest alchemy,

Will change to virtue and to worthiness. (1.3.157-160)

Act 2, Sc 1

  1. What does Lucius represent for Brutus? (Look up what his name may signify.)
  2. Why is it that Lucius is able to sleep when Brutus cannot?
  3. In lines 100-110 the men discuss the sunrise. What would you say is the dramatic purpose of this conversation?
  4. What argument does Brutus give in order to convince the others not to kill Antony as well? (lines 163-167)
  5. Examine the following lines by Brutus and explain why he is willing to participate in the murder of Caesar:

This shall make

Our purpose necessary and not envious:

Which so appearing to the common eyes,

We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers.

And for Mark Antony, think not of him;

For he can do no more than Caesar's arm

When Caesar's head is off. (2.1.178-184)

  1. For what purpose do you believe Portia was introduced in this scene?
  2. It is said that there is more emotion than reason in Ligarius. Examine his final speech in this scene and explain why this statement is true.

Act 2, Sc 2

  1. Why does Caesar ask his servant to “Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, / And bring me their opinions of success”(1.2.5-6). What was the result of the sacrifice?
  2. Decius convinces Caesar to go to the ceremony despite the warnings of his wife and the priests. How is it that he manages to get Caesar to go?

Act 2, Sc 3

  1. Scene 3 is dedicated to Artemidorus. What does he find out and what does he plan to do with this information?

Act 3, Sc 1

  1. Why, on his was to the Capitol, does Caesar not read the letter handed to him by Artemidorus?
  2. What parts do Trebonius, Metellus Cimber and Casca play in the murder of Caesar?
  3. Describe the scene immediately after the assassination of Caesar. What are the various actions and reactions of the characters?
  4. Antony wants to make a speech at Caesar’s funeral. Cassius protests, but Brutus consents as long as what five conditions are observed?

Act 3, Sc 2

  1. Write an outline of this scene, in which Brutus and Marc Antony speak at Caesar’s funeral ceremonies (1 page, double spaced).

Act 3, Sc 3

  1. Explain how the notion of “mob mentality” comes into play in this scene.

Act 4, Sc 1

  1. Who makes up the Triumvirs and what is their collective role?
  2. Antony’s opening line of this scene is: “These many, then, shall die: their names are prick’d.” Where and for what purpose would someone’s name be prick’d?

Act 4, Sc 2

  1. Brutus makes two mistakes within the first 15 lines of this scene, name them.

Act 4, Sc 3

  1. Outline the various stages of the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius.

Act 5, Sc 1

  1. Brutus says “They stand, and would have parley”(line 21). What is “parley”?
  2. What literary devices are used in the following line said by Cassius? “Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark”(line 67).
  3. Right before they go off to fight, what does Brutus say to Cassius? (Lines 111-119.)

Act 5, Sc 3

  1. What mistake is made by Pindarus in his speech (lines 28-32) and what disastrous repercussions are there for Cassius because of it?

Act 5, Sc 4

  1. What grand gesture does Lucilius make in this scene?

Act 5, Sc 5

  1. How does Brutus go about killing himself in the end?
  2. How/why are Antony and Octavius able to come together (put their differences aside) at the end of the play? What do they decide in terms of Brutus? (lines 68-80)