Julius Caesar Cornell Notes
Act One
Scene One
1. What is the setting of the first scene?
2. Why have the shopkeepers left work?
3. What is Marullus and Flavius's reaction to the citizens' behavior? Why?
4. What important information about the political and social atmosphere does Shakespeare provide us in
the first scene?
Scene Two
1. What does Caesar want Antony to do when he runs by Calpurnia? Why?
2. What does the soothsayer tell Caesar? What is Caesar's reaction?
3. How has Brutus been feeling lately? How does this open a door for Cassius?
4. What is your reaction to Brutus's lines: "Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, / that you would
have me seek into myself / for that which is not in me?" What might this hesitation or caution
foreshadow?
5. What does Brutus love (even more than his own life)?
6. Why does Cassius tell Brutus the story about Caesar swimming the Tiber River? What does this reveal about
Caesar? What does this reveal about Cassius?
7. Describe Brutus' reaction to Cassius's ideas.
8. Why does Caesar distrust Cassius? Why does Caesar not fear Cassius, however?
9. Why does Caesar tell Antony to "Come on [his] right side"?
10. Explain why the crown was offered to Caesar three times. What is your reaction to this spectacle?
11. Why does Caesar faint? Why does Cassius say: "No, Caesar hath it now; but you, and I / And honest
Casca, we have the falling sickness"? To what is Cassius referring?
12. The phrase "It's all Greek to me" has become a common saying referring to something incomprehensible or
meaningless. This saying comes from Casca's line: "...but for my own part, it was Greek to me," which
originates from the Medieval Latin proverb Graecum est; non potest legi, meaning "It is Greek; it cannot be
read." Explain how Casca's line is ironic.
13. What doubts does Cassius reveal about Brutus in his soliloquy?
14. How does Cassius plan to convince Brutus that he is more noble and loved than Caesar?
Scene Three
1. What is the weather like at the opening of this scene? How does this contribute to the mood? Why is this
mood significant?
2. Why does Cassius say "I have exposed my naked chest to the thunder-bolt"? To what could Cassius be
referring?
3. Why is Casca eager to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy?
4. What directions does Cassius give Cinna? What does Cassius hope to accomplish with this task?
Act Two
Scene One
1. Through the analogy of a ladder, how does Brutus explain what happens when someone gains power?
2. To what does Brutus compare Caesar? Why does Brutus feel that he must kill Caesar immediately?
3. What day is it? Why is this significant?
4. Brutus explains that he has not been able to sleep. How does he explain what happens to a man's
conscience between the "acting of a dreadful thing / And the first motion"?
5. How are Cassius and Brutus related?
6. Why does Brutus insist that the men do not need an oath?
7. Why do the men want Cicero on their side at first? Why do they change their minds?
8. Who does Cassius want to murder in addition to Caesar?
9. What is Brutus's response to this idea?
10. How does Decius plan to get Caesar to come to the Capitol?
11. What has Portia noticed about Brutus's recent behavior?
12. What reasons does Portia give to insist that Brutus reveal his feelings to her?
13. What does Portia do to prove her strength to Brutus? What is your reaction to this act?
14. BONUS: An anachronism is when an author unknowingly or purposefully inserts something from a different
period of time into his or her writing. Shakespeare uses an anachronism in this scene. See if you can find it. Why
do you think Shakespeare might have used this anachronism?
Scene Two
1. Why has Calpurnia been unable to sleep? About what omens does Calpurnia tell Caesar?
2. Why does Caesar insist on leaving the house?
3. On what evidence do the priests ("augerers") recommend that Caesar not leave the house?
4. How does Decius convince Caesar to leave?
5. Caesar instructs his men to keep close to him. What is the irony?
Scene Three
1. Artemidorus reads from a letter at the beginning of this scene. Who wrote the letter and what does
Artemidorus plan to do with it?
Scene Four
1. What is ironic about Portia's statement: "How hard it is for women to keep a secret"? (Hint: think about her
speeches in Scene One.)
2. What instructions has Portia given Lucius?
3. Whom do Portia and Lucius run into? Where is he going? Why?
Act Three
Scene One
1. What does the Soothsayer mean by "Ay, Caesar, but not gone"? (line 2)
2. What does Metellus Cimber beg Caesar to do? What is Caesar's response?
3. What does Caesar mean by "Et tu, Brute?" as he falls? How do you think Caesar is feeling at this moment?
4. What message does Antony send to Brutus? What does Antony do when he meets the men?
5. What does Antony request?
6. What warning does Brutus give Antony?
7. In his soliloquy, what does Antony vow?
8. What does Antony want Octavius Caesar's servant to do? Why?
Scene Two
1. What reason does Brutus give for Caesar's assassination?
2. After Brutus speaks, how do the citizens feel about him? about Caesar?
3. Why doesn't Brutus stop Antony's speech?
4. What does Antony say that he has in his possession? What does the crowd want Antony to do?
5. What does Antony show the citizens? What is their reaction?
6. What did Antony claim that Caesar left his citizens in his will?
Scene Three
1. What happens to Cinna as he travels to Caesar's funeral?
2. Who do the citizens mistake him for?
3. This scene is often referred to as a scene providing comic relief. Why do you think Shakespeare included this
here?
Act Four
Scene One
1. To what does Lepidus consent?
2. How does Antony feel about Lepidus? To what does Antony compare him?
Scene Two
1. How has Brutus been feeling towards Cassius lately?
2. To where do Brutus and Cassius go at the end of this scene? Why?
Scene Three
1. Why is Cassius angry with Brutus?
2. What is Brutus's reaction to Cassius's complaint?
3. What is happening between Cassius and Brutus? Why is this important?
4. Why does Cassius take out his dagger?
5. On whom does Cassius blame his temper?
6. Who interrupts Cassius and Brutus? Why?
7. What has happened to Portia? How did this happen?
8. What is Brutus's plan of attack?
9. What does Brutus ask Lucius to do for him? What happens to Lucius?
10. What does Caesar's ghost tell Brutus?
Act Five
Scene One
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Where does this scene take place?
How does Octavius contradict Antony early in this scene?
What happens when the men meet before their battle?
Whose birthday is it?
What omens does Cassius finally believe?
What are Cassius and Brutus worried about?
Scene Two
1. What message does Brutus send to Cassius?
Scene Three
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What move does Brutus make that virtually destroys Cassius's "side"?
What does Cassius ask Pindarus to do? Why?
How does Caesar finally get revenge against Cassius?
What do we find out about Pindarus's report to Cassius before Cassius takes his life?
What does Titinius do after he sees Cassius's body?
How does Caesar again get his revenge?
Scene Four
1. Explain why the soldiers think they have captured Brutus.
Scene Five
1. What does Brutus ask Clitus to do? What is Clitus's response to this request?
2. What does Brutus then request of Volumnius?
3. Who finally gives in to Brutus's request?
4. How does Antony feel about Brutus?
5. What does Octavius say that they will do for Brutus? Why do you think they omit mention of Cassius? Explain
your reasoning