Julius Caesar Reading Questions

provided by Penguin Putnam

http://www.penguinputnam.com/static/packages/us/academic/resources/guides/shakes1/frame.htm

INSTRUCTIONS: Save this document as your last name + “caesarqs” (ex. hobbycaesarqs.doc). Add a proper MLA heading. Then, type answers after the questions given. Use details from the play and proper MLA citations. Use quotes from the play to support everything you say.

WARNING: While you can work in study groups to locate answers, you must write your own responses. All plagiarized answers will receive a “O” and will be turned over to the Dean of Students.

Act I, scene i.

1. How does Shakespeare make the common people appear to be less than noble?

Well, he basically brings on a sudden introduction. This introduction quite shocked me simply because the way these two characters started. Shakespeare didn’t waste no time as to introducing the actual characters. Shakespeare made the common people noble because of the way Cobbler and Marallus start their conversation. This includes the short line of the carpenter, which makes it even more important. In this scene, by far Cobbler is represented as a very highly characterized or noble man. You can see by the dialogue itself.

2. What are the people doing that angers Marullus and Flavius? Why does this anger them?

The people are out in the streets. Flavius and Marullus are upset simply because they wanted the people to work today. They’re wasn’t such a holiday neither. People actually wanted to take the day off because they wanted to celebrate with Caesar and his victory. This made Flavius and Marullus furious. “Wherefore Rejoice? What conquest brings he home?” These were just a couple of lines of what Marullus started to respond. In this part the Cobbler also took a big role. He informs the reader as to what is going on in the scene. The first excuse as to why they were outside was that he mentioned that he didn’t have any work to do. So he told everybody to where they’re shoes out so he would have some work to accomplish. I liked this character a lot. He was claiming acts of everybody to himself.

3. What actions do Marullus and Flavius take to correct the situation?

Flavius and Marullus took two different routes. Flavius told Marullus to take off any statue of Caesar with decorations on them. Marullus was declining in the beginning. He thought about the Feast of Lupercal. What was going to happen? Flavius also told the country-men that because of this fault of his, he needed to gather all the poor people and take them to the Banks of Tiger.

Act I, scene ii.

4. Why does Caesar want Calphurnia to stand in Antony's path during the race in honor of the feast of Lupercal?

The reason why Caesar’s tells him this is simply because he told Antony that,” as the wise men say if a women is to be touched during the race, it is the best cure for the sterility of a women.

5. What is Antony's response to Caesar's instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?

He had responded by saying that if Caesar say’s it, make sure it is done.

6. What is Caesar's reaction to the soothsayer's warning?

He thought of nothing about it. Caesar didn’t pay any attention as to what the fortuneteller was telling Caesar. When Caesar said, “Let’s move on, he’s a dreamer,” the fortuneteller didn’t really respond back. The fortuneteller was faded out after that point.

7. What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus's behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint?

Cassius said to Brutus, that he was to stiff and formal with your old friend. This worried Cassius a lot. Brutus said that, don’t look at me lately I’ve been frowning at myself. He’s been at odds with himself about some personal matters that he has.

8. Cassius's story attacks what aspect of Caesar's makeup? What is this attack supposed to say to Brutus?

Out of the story that he stated in the story made me wonder many aspects as to what’s going to happen later. This brought to my attention all together into one major question. Does Brutus have the same power as Cassius does? Does he relate or can he be compared to Caesar?These questions stumbled me as if there was some irony in the scene. Catch’s the reader’s attention and makes me want to read further into the scene.

9. What does Cassius mean by the following statement? " 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar.' "(147)

He meant that Brutus was going to take the place of Caesar as soon as he was done. This made Brutus wonder, “Haven’t you already chosen a king?” My recalling tells me that there are still more things that I don’t know of. Can Brutus really take the position of Caesar?

10. How does Brutus respond to Cassius's attack on Caesar?

He wondered, which I have stated on the top, that haven’t you guys already chosen a king. He believes that the applause that was going on for him was just applause for Caesar for some new lavished honors. He also preferred not to be persuaded any further. He told this to Cassius as a friend.

11. What astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius?

That he’s very skinny and he needs more fat in his men. He requested these men from Antony. He was afraid about something. Antony said not to worry; this man is a Noble Roman Citizen. He’s not dangerous at all.

12. What faults does Caesar see in Cassius's nature?

As to the way that I understood, he felt that Cassius was not a man of honor. He was afraid as to what this man can do to him? It seemed really confusing at this point because the words of the text started to faint out of my head. That’s what I got for the following situation.

13.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." (211-12)

I’m only telling you what might be feared, not what I fear, for I am still Caesar.

14. What does this statement show about Caesar's nature?

That Caesar is not perfect. It brought to my attention then that it could be possible, Brutus my take over the position after Caesar. Yes he is still Caesar but not the all mighty as I was thinking of. Brutus draws great interest into my attention of the book.

15. What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does Casca tell us by the personal remarks he adds to the story?

She just relates to what actually happened to Caesar. She explained about Caesar rejecting the crown. The first time Antony gave him the crown, he pushed it aside. This made the people very angry, and so they shouted. Once again Antony offered him the crown and once again it was to be rejected. This happened three times in a row. Caesar fell down from the market place. Once again brings up the replacement in my mind.

16. How did the people react to Caesar's fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar?

They got really mad, and so they shouted three times, after Caesar rejected the crown from Antony three times.

17. What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?

She just basically said that one of the main reasons why the rejection was done was because of Marullus. If you can recall back into scene one, they explain that they should split routes and take down all the statues that consisted of Caear and take of the decorations. For they believe that they may loose their freedom, and they wanted Caesar to loose his as well as leaving his throuwn, to take away his foot from the position.

18. At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause?

All they really talk about is what kind of man he had grown up to be. This rather interesting because from that point, Cassius explained Brutus what a noble man he is, etc…

Act I, scene iii.

19. What wonderous things has Casca seen on this night?

In her dream of some sort, she felt high-tempered bunks of fire shooting to her, or else the world has grievously offended the gods, and provoked them into sending down much destruction to happen.

20. What reason does Cassius give for the terrible storm?

He basically tells Casca that this night is for those who have realized that the earth is so full of faults. When a stroke of lightning was brought down, he offered the target to be himself.

21. What important news does Casca give Cassius about the Senate's plan?

She just said that tomorrow they intend to make Caesar the king, and that he’ll wear his crown everywhere. She also included that he would wear it on sea and on land.

22. What does Casius mean by the following statement? "He were no lion, were not Romans hinds."(106)

He basically was talking about a roman person. He mentioned that if hCaesar is not brave enough to be as powerful as the lion, then he should not be appointed as king.

23. What instructions does Cassius give Cinna that will help sway Brutus to their cause?

He just gave her paper that she should put this in the magistrate’s chair , where Brutus will recover it.

24. What reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause?

She just said that he’s very popular with the people and that he’s the right one to be instead of Cesar. She said that we badly need him, it was just going to be wrong if Caesar took the position.

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