Julius Caesar: Act I
1. In I.i.75-78, Flavius presents the reader with a metaphor that highlights an
important theme in the play.
a. Define metaphor:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
b. Define theme:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
c. Explain the metaphor presented by Flavius:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. In I.ii.100-141, Cassius presents Brutus with a couple of specific stories, in
which he tries to show how Caesar isn’t as powerful as Caesar things he is.
Briefly summarize these 2 stories.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. At the end of I.ii., Cassius reveals how he plans to secretly convince Brutus to
join his group of conspirators. What does he plan to do?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Cassius is the mastermind behind the assassination plot, however, it is
crucial that he convince Brutus to join his cause. Why is this so important?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Act II
5. In II.i., Brutus provides his first soliloquy. In this soliloquy, why does he say
killing Caesar is necessary (see lines 10-12).
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
6. At the end of this same soliloquy, Brutus presents the reader with an
important simile.
a. Define simile:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
b. Explain the simile Brutus presents:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
7. One of the biggest mistakes Brutus makes surrounds his opinion of Mark
Antony. Why does Brutus not want to kill Antony? (Provide 2 reasons!) See
II.i.169-190.
a. ________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
8. Explain the terrible dream that Calpurnia has about Caesar in II.ii.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Decius reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream and tells Caesar that the dream is
actually a good sign. Which of Caesar’s personality traits make him
vulnerable to Decius’ arguments?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________