THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
ACT III
Scene 1
1. Explain how Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in the beginning of this scene.
Reading the letter could save Caesar’s life
2.
How does Caesar’s response to Artemidorus compare to his behavior in the previous acts?
Caesar once again appears overly proud, as he has previously. He also shows a
concern with the public perception of him.
3.
What does Cassius’s reaction to Popilius indicate about his personality?
His panic seems to show that he is emotional instead of rational.
4.
What traits does Caesar exhibit in his answer to Metellus’ fawning attitude?
He shows arrogance and pride in distinguishing himself from “ordinary men.”
5.
Metellus makes a request of Caesar; explain the request.
Caesar has banished Metellus’ brother, and Metellus wants him
recalled from exile.
6.
What does Caesar compare himself to and what does this show about his character?
He compares himself to the North Star, once again displaying his pride and
arrogance. He also shows he is stubborn, unsympathetic, and unwilling to be
moved by others.
7.
How do the conspirators differ in their immediate reactions to Caesar’s murder?
Cinna and Cassius fell triumphant and want to make their triumph public; Metellus
is afraid a friend of Caesar’s will seek revenge; Brutus’ first impulse is to pacify the
public and explain the deed.
8.
Interpret Brutus’ remark, “So are we Caesar’s friends, that have abridg’d his time of
fearing death.” Is this remark straightforward, ironic, or a rationalization?
Brutus seems to have a desperate need to make his action seem righteous, so it
would seem that his remark is a rationalization.
9.
Mark Antony offers to follow Brutus if Brutus will explain why Caesar was killed. What
character traits of Brutus prompt him to accept this offer?
Brutus is trusting of Mark Antony and idealistic about his own motives for killing
Caesar.
10. In Antony’s first long speech that begins, “O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?” what is
revealed from the style and content of the speech.
He is loyal, loving, and emotional in his grief over Caesar. He also shows loyalty and
grief, as well as courage, in his willingness to submit to death at the conspirators’
hands.
11. Describe the feelings Brutus expresses toward Antony. Do the other conspirators share these
feelings?
Brutus is warm and friendly to Antony; he trusts that Antony will agree with the
assassins’ act when he understands the reasons for it. It is clear from the conspirators’
meeting in Act 2 and Cassius’ comments in Act 3 that others do not have the same feelings
for Antony.
12. How does Antony’s comparison of Caesar to a deer characterize his death?
The image of a defeseless animal being killed in cold blood by hunters characterizes
the killing as brutal and heartless.
13. Interpret Brutus’ statement that begins, “Or else were this a savage spectacle.”
He says that if there were not a good reason for mudering Caesar, the act would
have to be considered savage. He is sure that there was a good reason, and he
assumes that Antony will agree with him.
14. What is Cassius’ objection to Antony’s speaking at Caesar’s funeral?
He is afraid that Antony will arouse emotion in the Roman citizens.
15. Summarize the compromise that Brutus proposes when Cassius objects to Antony speaking
at Caesar’s funeral.
Brutus says he will speak first and explain the reasons why Caesar was killed, and
he stipulates that Antony must not blame Brutus and the other conspirators in his
speech.
16. Everyone leaves, and Antony gives a soliloquy. Summarize Antony’s feelings as they are
revealed in this speech.
He is furious and willing to make Rome and its citizens suffer to see that the
conspirators are punished.
17. Why does Antony want Octavius’ servant to wait a while before returning to his master?
He wants to take Caesar’s corpse into the marketplace and see the people’s response
so that the servant can tell Octavius of it.
Scene 2
18. Explain the difference between prose and blank verse.
Prose is written in sentences and paragraphs with no regular rhythm. Blank verse is
written with line divisions and in a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
19. Identify the tone of Brutus’ speech to the people.
The tone is reasonable and unemotional; once again Brutus seems to be
rationalizing his decision to murder Caesar.
20. What effect does the repeated use of the word “honor” have on Brutus’ speech?
Brutus uses the word in respect to himself to mean “integrity” and in respect to
Caesar to mean “respect” or “recognition.” The word has an intensely positive
connotation that evokes emotional responses. Brutus seems to use the word as a
shield as he defends himself from any blame for his participation in the plot.
21. At the end of Brutus’ speech, he asks, “Who is here so vile that will not love his country?”
What is he implying? Is this a valid conclusion?
He says that killing Caesar was a patriotic act; anyone who objects is unpatriotic. It
is not a valid conclusion because the premise is not proven.
22. How do the people react to Brutus’ speech? Why do you think they react in this way?
The people are apparently satisfied with Brutus’ explanation of Caesar’s murder.
They are emotionally moved by his speech and want to crown him in Caesar’s place.
23. When Brutus begins to speak again (“Good countrymen, let me depart alone . . .”), what is
different about his speech this time?
This speech is in verse. His previous speech was in prose.
24. Describe the effect of blank verse on Antony’s speech.
It makes him sound wise and reasonable. It adds a beauty to his words that affects
the audience emotionally.
25. How does Antony praise Caesar in his speech?
Antony inserts references to some of Caesar’s qualities and accomplishments. He
says he was a faithful friend, that he brought much wealth to Rome, that he had
sympathy for the poor, and that he refused the crown when it was offered to him.
26. Shakespeare employs a stylistic device in his speech. Identify the device, then identify the
specific words that create this device, and lastly, explain the effect of this device on his
speech.
He repeats the words grievous, ambitious, and honorable. The repetition emphasizes
Antony’s interpretation of events. The repeated lines have an ironic effect, causing
the crowd to question whether Brutus is truly an honorable man. The repetition
adds grace and emphasis to the speech.
27. What character traits are evident in the plebeians?
Shakespeare characterizes them as emotional, sympathetic, and easily swayed.
28. How does Antony treat the common people? Is it effective? Why?
Antony treats the people respectfully and kindly and flatters them: “You are not
wood, you are not stones, but men.” Remember Murellus called the people “You
blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!” in Act 1, scene 1. Antony’s
treatment is effective; the people are solidly on his side.
29. Describe the techniques Antony uses to gain the support of the people.
He pretends that he does not want the people to know what was in Caesar’s will; he
predicts that they will be angered by what they hear; he plays on their emotions by
having them look at Caesar’s corpse; he points out each stab wound and tells which
conspirator made it. His argument is based on largely an emtional (pathos) appeal.
30. In the lines beginning, “Our Caesar’s vesture wounded? . . . marr’d as you see with
traitors.” identify the figure of speech used. Interpret this figure of speech.
personification – it is treated as Brutus’ neighbor who answered a knock at the
door.
31. According to Antony, why was Brutus’ “the unkindest cut of all”?
Antony says Caesar dearly loved Brutus, and his betrayal broke Caesar’s heart.
32. What is ironic about Antony’s statements that begin with “. . . Good friends, sweet friends,
let me not stir you up” and ending with “. . . The stones of Rome to rise in mutiny”? What
purpose is he making these statements?
Antony says he does not want to stir the people to mutiny or to affect them
emotionally; he says he is not a talented speaker as Brutusis. The opposite of these
statements is true. His irony is part of his manipulation of the people; he wants them
to think he is a simple man with no hidden motives.
33. Identify the sound device contained in the lines above. What is the effect in the speech?
alliteration – it calls attention to Antony’s skill with words, which, ironically, he is
denying.
34. Antony then employs a metaphor; identify the two things being compared.
Antony says Caesar’s stab wounds are like mouths that can speak of the treachery
of Brutus and the other conspirators.
35. What effect does Antony’s reading of the will have on the people?
It is the crowning touch to Antony’s rousing them to hysteria. They begin planning
violence.
36. “Now let it work. Mischief, thou are afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!”
Discuss the character traits that are revealed in Antony.
Antony’s speech shows the purposeful nature of his manipulation of the crowd and
his willingness to resort to violence to get revenge.
Scene 3
37. What happens to Cinna? What literary device is represented?
Cinna is killed by the mob because they believe he is a conspirator; pathos