Reading Questions for Julius Caesar
Act I:
1. Explain why the tribunes have nothing but contempt for the common people of Rome.
2. What warning does the soothsayer give? What is Caesar’s reaction to this warning?
3. The purpose of the Feast of Lupercal was to secure purification and fertility for the spring planting.
Describe what other purpose it served for the women of Rome. How does the ritual described in Act I
pertain to Calpurnia?
4. Why did Caesar refuse the crown?
5. Summarize Casca’s report of what happened at the games.
6. How does Cassius feel about Caesar? Why does Caesar fear Cassius?
7. Why is Brutus’ participation essential to Cassius? In what essential way is Brutus different from
Cassius?
8. What secretive means does Cassius tell us in his soliloquy that he intends to use to persuade Brutus to
join the conspiracy?
9. Casca meets Cicero on the streets. Describe two unexplainable events that are taking place.
Act II:
1. In his soliloquy, what reasons does Brutus give for killing Caesar?
2. What does the letter that Brutus receives say? Who sent it and what is its purpose?
3. Explain the two changes Brutus recommends in the assassination plan. Why?
4. What reason does Brutus give Portia for his changed behavior? How has his behavior changed?
5. What does Portia do to try to convince Brutus that she is strong and brave enough to know what’s
going on?
6. Why won’t Brutus swear an oath? What character traits does his speech reveal?
7. Who is Calpurnia and what reasons does she give for wanting Caesar to stay at home? Fully describe
what it is that has caused her to feel this way.
8. How is Caesar convinced to go to the Capitol and by whom?
9. Why does Brutus decide to go along with the conspirators? Does this prove him to be honorable?
10. Where does Shakespeare use thunder and other storm sounds in the setting to suggest cosmic
disorder? How does this weather make the reader feel?
Act III:
1. What petition is presented to Caesar, and how does he respond to it?
2. What is ironic about Casesar’s monologue in which he states that he “is as constant as the Northern
Star”?
3. Why does Antony befriend the conspirators immediately after the assassination?
4. Why does Brutus allow Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
5. Alone with Caesar’s body, Antony delivers a soliloquy. What is the function of this speech?
6. What reason does Brutus give the people for the assassination?
7. How does Antony repeatedly refer to Brutus during the funeral oration? What effect does this have?
8. Antony appeals to the citizens of Rome in three dramatic places in his oratory for Caesar. Describe
these three dramatic actions.
9. Describe the effect Antony’s speech has on the plebeians.
10. Fully describe the incident with Cinna the Poet.
Act IV:
1. What three men rule Rome after Caesar’s death? Describe each of them.
2. Describe Antony’s true feelings toward Lepidus. What does Antony compare him to and what reason
does Antony give for keeping Lepidus in the triumvirate?
3. What is the immediate cause of the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius? How does Cassius defend
himself?
4. How is the argument between Brutus and Cassius different from the one between Octavius and Antony
in Scene i?
5. What happens to Portia? Describe both Brutus’ and Cassius’ reactions to the news.
6. Describe the military situation presented in Act IV. What is going on between the conspirators and
the triumvirate?
7. Fully describe Cassius’ plan for the upcoming battle. What are its pros and its cons?
8. Fully describe Brutus’ plan for the battle. What are its pros and cons? Whose plan is finally put into
action? Explain whether or not this is the best choice for their army.
9. What supernatural event occurs at the end of Act IV? Describe Brutus’ reaction to the event.
10. Who tells Brutus “Thou shalt see me at Philippi”? What is meant by this?
Act V:
1. Describe the confrontation that takes place in Act V, Scene i. What does this parlay say about each
character involved?
2. What has Brutus chosen to do that reveals his lack of military judgment and foreshadows his defeat?
3. On whose birthday does the battle take place, and how does he feel about the battle?
4. On their way to Sardis, describe the unusual event that takes place around Cassius. What does he
mean by his reference to Epicuris?
5. What animals now represent bad omens to Cassius. Why?
6. Explain the misunderstanding that led to the death of Cassius.
7. What does Brutus mean by his final words: “Caesar, now be still; / I killed not thee with half so good a
will”? Why does Brutus think it is time to die?
8. Compare and contrast the deaths of Brutus and Cassius. What do their deaths say about their
character?
9. How and why does Antony’s attitude toward Brutus change from the beginning of the act to the end?