Julius Caesar
A Study Guide
Act I (All reading, annotations and vocabulary for this section are
due Monday/Tuesday, October 6/7)
Critical Thinking Questions: Be ready to discuss these questions during class.
1. What makes Julius Caesar appealing to the common citizens of Rome but so
unappealing to elected officials like Marullus and Flavius?
2. In scene ii, how does Caesar’s refusal of the crown make him even more popular
with the people of Rome?
3. Although Brutus and Cassius both plot to assassinate Caesar, in what ways do
their motives differ?
4. To which of Brutus’ ideals does Cassius need to appeal to convince Brutus to
betray his friend Caesar?
5. In scene iii, how does Cicero’s interpretation of the strange storm contrast with
that of Cosca?
Vocabulary: Create a vocabulary card for each of the terms below.
Scene i
1. battlement
2. vulgar
Scene ii
3. barren
4. cogitation
5. countenance
6. throng
Scene iii
7. conceit
8. construe
9. ordinance
Act II and III(All reading, annotations and vocabulary for this
section are due Tuesday/Wednesday, October 14/15)
Critical Thinking Questions: Be ready to discuss these questions during class.
Act II
1. In scene one, what has Brutus already concluded about Caesar prior to Cassius’
arrival with the other conspirators?
2. In scene one, what reasons does Brutus give for not assassinating Antony along
with Caesar?
3. What do you think makes the arguments that eventually convince Brutus to join
the conspiracy valid or invalid?
4. What signs, omens, or superstitions does Shakespeare create in this section to help
foreshadow the assassination of Caesar? Are they similar or different to the
devices uses by Sophocles in Antigone?
5. Why was Decius able to convince Caesar to go to senate?
Act III
1. How does Brutus justify the assassination of Julius Caesar to the citizen’s of
Rome?
2. What conditions does Brutus impose on what Antony may say at Caesar’s
funeral?
3. How does Antony go about turning the people of Rome against Brutus, Cassius,
and the other conspirators?
4. What does the death of Cinna, the poet, show the audience about the reaction of
the people of Rome to Caesar’s death?
Vocabulary: Create vocabulary cards for each of the terms below
Act II
Scene i
1. extremities
2. faction
Scene ii
3. imminent
4. valiant
Scene iii
5. contrive
Scene iv
6. fray
Act III
Scene i
1. petition
2. redress
scene ii
3. censure
4. entreat
5. extenuate
6. grievous
Act IV (All reading, annotations and vocabulary for this section are
due October 16/17)
Critical Thinking Questions: Be ready to discuss these questions during class.
1. Why does Brutus condemn Lucius Pella, one of Cassius’ generals, for taking
bribes?
2. Is Brutus justified in condemning Lucius Pella even though he knows his actions
may jeopardize his alliance with Cassius?
3. What does the means by which Portia committed suicide say about her character?
Vocabulary: Look up the definition for each of the following words and then write out
what you think the word means in your own words. A good resource for this section is
m-w.com (Merriam Webster).
Scene i
1. provender
Scene ii
2. mettle
Scene iii
3. chastisement
4. testy
Act V (All reading, annotations, and vocabulary for this section are
due October 27 after Fall Break)
Critical Thinking Questions: Be ready to discuss these questions during class.
1. In what ways is Cassius’ suicide in keeping with his character throughout the
play?
2. Why do Brutus’ actions cause Antony to eulogize him as “the noblest Roman of
them all”?
*Eulogize- to speak or write of in high praise
3. Do you agree with Antony’s reasons for calling Brutus noble?
4. Compare Brutus with Antigone. How are they similar/different?
Vocabulary: Create vocabulary cards for each of the terms below
Scene i
1. ensign
2. gallant
Scene ii
3. engender
4. misconstrue