Julius Caesar Sound Recording
Julius Caesar Detailed Study Questions
Act I, scene I
- How
does Shakespeare make the common people appear to be less than noble?
- What
are the people doing that angers Marullus and Flavius? Why does this
anger them?
- What
is the mood of the crowd? What Festival is this?
- What
actions do Marullus and Flavius take to correct the situation?
Act I, Scene ii
- Why
does Caesar want Calphurnia to stand in AnthonyŐs path during the race in
honor of the feast of Lupercal?
- What
is Anthony's response to Caesar's instructions? What does this suggest
about their relationship?
- What/Who
does the soothsayer warn?
- What
is Caesar's reaction to the soothsayerŐs warning?
- What
complaint does Cassius make about BrutusŐs behavior towards him? How
does Brutus answer this complaint?
- CassiusŐs
story attacks what aspect of CaesarsŐ makeup? What is this attack supposed
to say to Brutus?
- What
does Cassius mean by the following statement? Ň Brutus will start a spirit
as soon as Caesar.Ó (147)
- How
does Brutus respond to CassiusŐs suggestion?
- What
astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius?
- What
faults does Caesar see in CassiusŐs nature?
- What
does Caesar mean by the following statement? ŇI 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? What physical problem does Caesar then admit?
- What
story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does Casca tell us by
the personal remarks he adds to the story?
- How
did the people react to Caesar'sŐ fit? What does this possibly tell
us about their feelings for Caesar?
- What
information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
- At the
end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his
cause?
Act I scene iii
- What
wondrous things has Casca seen on this night? (List at least 4)
- What
reason does Cassius give for the terrible storm?
- What
important news does Casca give Cassius about the SenateŐs plan? (85)
- What
does Casius mean by the following statement? ŇHe were no lion, were
not Romans hinds.Ó (106)
- What
instruction does Casca give Cinna that that will help sway Brutus to their
cause?
- What
reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause?
Act II, scene i.
- What
question is Brutus pondering at the opening of the scene?
- Whom
is Brutus talking about in his opening soliloquy? What are the metaphors he uses to
describe him and the potential if crowned king?
- What
did Lucius find at the window?
Where did it come from?
- For
what information does Brutus want Lucius to look at a calendar? What
is the significance of what Lucius finds?
- Who is
at the gate? For what purpose?
- Why
does Brutus reject Cicero? What is CassiusŐs reaction and what does this
show about his and BrutusŐs relationship?
- Who
wants Mark Antony to die? Who
doesnŐt? Why?
- The
clock strikes three in line 192. This is an anachronism. What does that mean?
- How
does Decius say he will make sure that he will make sure that Caesar will
come to the Capitol?
- What
do the conspirators plan to do the next day?
- How
does Brutus want them to look?
- Has
Portia noticed anything strange about Brutus?
- Why
does Portia kneel?
- What
has Portia done to show Brutus that she is worthy of knowing his secret?
- Does
Brutus make plans to tell the truth to Portia? What happens?
- Why
does Caius Ligarius Ňdiscard his sicknessÓ?
Act II, scene ii.
- What
strange and horrible things does Calphurnia report to Caesar that have
been seen that night?
- What
does Calphurnia mean by the following statement? ŇWhen beggars die,
there are no comets seen;/ The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of
princes.Ó(30-31)
- Is
Caesar afraid to die? Why?
- What
did the augurers find? What is an augurer?
- Why
does Calphurnia kneel?
- Will
Caesar lie about his appearance at the Senate? Why?
- What
was CalphurniaŐs dream?
- How
does Decius convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?
- Why
might Antony be here at CaesarŐs house?
- Explain
TreboniusŐ aside (line 124).
Act II, scene iii.
- What
is ArtemidorusŐs plan?
Act II. Scene iv.
- Why is
Portia so nervous and upset? On what errand does she send Lucius?
- What
is the soothsayerŐs plan?
Act III, scene i.
56.
In regard to ArtemidorusŐs request, how does CaesarŐs
nobility doom him?
57.
What is Metellus CimberŐs petition to Caesar? What is
CaesarŐs response and why does he give this response?
58.
Who is the first to stab Caesar?
59.
What are CaesarŐs last words and what do they mean?
60.
What does Brutus instruct the conspirators to do before they
go before the public? Why does he instruct them to do this?
61.
What request does AntonyŐs servant bring to Brutus? What is
BrutusŐs response?
62.
What does Cassius object to letting Antony speak at CaesarŐs
funeral? What reassurance does Brutus give him?
63.
What promise does Antony give Brutus about his funeral speech?
64.
After being left alone with Caesar's body, what does Antony
promise to do?
65.
Whose servant appears at the end of the scene? What news does he share?
Act III scene ii.
66.
What reason does Brutus give for murdering Caesar? What
is the crowdŐs reaction?
67.
When Antony appears with the body of Caesar, what does Brutus
say?
68.
What final mistake does Brutus make in letting Anthony speak?
69.
What does Antony tell the people he has come to do?
70.
What role does repetition play in AntonyŐs speech?
71.
According to Antony, who made the Ňunkindest cut of allÓ?
(185)
72.
Why does Antony read CaesarŐs will to the people? What does it promise?
73.
At the end of the scene, what are the fates of Brutus and
Cassius
Act III, scene iii.
74.
What is the significance of this scene?
Act IV. Scene i.
- What
are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus doing at the beginning of the scene?
- Why do
they want CaesarŐs will? What is ironic about this?
- What
is AntonyŐs plan for Lepidus? What is his reason?
Act IV. Scene ii.
78.
What does Brutus tell Lucilius about dying love?
79.
What practical instruction does Brutus give Cassius about
their disagreement? What is unusual about this?
Act IV, scene iii.
80.
What wrong does Cassius say Brutus has done him?
81.
In response, what does Brutus condemn Cassius for doing?
82.
What does Cassius threaten to do if Brutus continues to 'urge' him?
83.
According to Brutus, how has Cassius wronged him?
84.
To prove that he has been wronged, what does Cassius tell
Brutus to do to him?
85.
What is the real reason for Brutus's ill temper? Give
all of the details.
86.
Messala brings what ill news of the triumvirate's actions in
Rome?
87.
What reason does Cassius give for NOT going directly to
Philippi?
88.
What reason does Brutus give for going directly to Philippi?
Who prevails?
89.
What happens to make Brutus speed up his plan to go to
Philippi?
Act V, scene i.
90.
What hope of Octavius and Antony is answered? What does
this say about Brutus?
91.
What does Cassius mean by the following statement?
'Flatterers! Now Brutus thank yourself;/This
tongue had not offended so today,/If Cassius might have ruled.'(45-47)
-
Octavius
mentioned that Caesar had how many stab wounds?
-
Whose
birthday is this?
-
What
ominous sign has Cassius seen that causes him to fear the coming battle?
-
What
does Brutus say he will do if they lose the battle? Why is he
reluctant to do this?
Act V, scene iii.
96.
What horrible mistake does Cassius make? What is the
outcome of this mistake?
97.
What is Titinius's reaction to Cassius's action?
98.
What is Brutus's response to Cassius and Titinius's actions?
Act V, scene iv.
99.
What role does Lucilius take upon himself? What was
Antony's response to his masquerade?
Act V, scene v.
100.
What request does Brutus make of Clitus? What is his
response?
101.
What does Brutus ask Volumnius to do? What reason does he
give? What is Volumnius's response?
102.
What does Strato do for Brutus? What does Strato ask
Brutus to do first? Why?
103.
What overture of peace does Octavius make to Brutus's men?
104.
How do Antony and Octavius honor Brutus?
Final thoughts
105.
Who is the tragic hero of this drama?