Julius Caesar
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Caesar
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Summary Slide
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Vocabulary
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Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
Act Notes
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Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
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Act 1
 Act 2
 Act 3
 Act 4
 Act 5
Looking Back & Ahead Questions
 Act 1
 Act 2
 Act 3
 Act 4
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Quotations
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Study Questions
Author Notes
Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
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Vocabulary – Act 1
1.
Cull (296, line 42)
7.
Pick out
“And do you now cull out a holiday?”
2.
Intermit (296, 47)
Stop for a time
“Pray to the gods to intermit the plague.”
3.
Servile (297, 68)
Submissive
“And keep us all in servile fearfulness.”
4.
5.
8.
9.
Prodigies (306, 21)
Remarkable people
“Hooting and shrieking. When these
prodigies”
10.
Portentous (306, 24)
Predicting evil
“For, I believe, they are portentous
things”
11.
Prodigious (308, 51)
Marvelous
“In personal action, yet prodigious
grown”
Lamented (300, 55)
Expressed sorrow
“And it is very much lamented, Brutus,”
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Repute (302, 156)
Reputation
“Than to repute himself a son of Rome”
Construe (298, 45)
Interpret
“Nor construe any further my neglect,”
6.
To appear
“Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with
‘em,”
Derisive (298, 23)
Mocking
“When others join in Antony’s derisive
laughter…”
Conjure (302, 146)
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Vocabulary – Act 2
1.
Adder (315, 14)
7.
Snake
“It is the bright day that brings forth the
adder;”
2.
Pleasant; friendly
“Hide it in smiles and affability;”
8.
Augmented (316, 30)
9.
Instigations (316, 49)
10.
Phantasma (316, 65)
11.
Ague (326, 112)
Sickness
“As that same ague which hath made you
lean.”
Imagination
“Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream:”
6.
Portents (326, 80)
Omens
“And these does she apply for warnings,
and portents,”
Redress (316, 55/57)
Set right; repair
“’Speak, strike, redress!’” Am I entreated”
5.
Whelped (323, 17)
Gave birth
“A lioness hath whelped in the streets;”
Urgings
Such instigations have been often
dropped”
4.
Semblance (317, 83)
Outward appearance
“For if thou path, thy native semblance
on,”
Increased
“Fashion it thus; that what he is,
augmented,”
3.
Affability (317, 82)
Insurrection (317, 69)
Uprising
The nature of an insurrection
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Vocabulary – Act 3
1.
Puissant (333, 33)
6.
Powerful/mighty
Most high, most mighty, and most
puissant Caesar
2.
Fawning (333, 43)
Cringing/bowing
Low-crooked court’sies and base
spaniel-fawning
3.
Firmament (334, 62)
Desire to harm
Our arms in strength of malice, and
our hearts
7.
Enfranchisement (334, 81)
8.
Abridged (336, 104)
9.
Carrion (340, 275)
Dead/decaying flesh
With carrion men, groaning for
burial
10.
Shortened
So are we Caesar’s friends, that have
abridged
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Hart (338, 204)
A deer
Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou
bayed, brave hart;
Set free
“Liberty, freedom, and
enfranchisement
5.
Appeased (338, 179)
Satisfied
Only be patient till we have appeased
Arch/sky
There is no fellow in the firmament
4.
Malice (338, 174)
Censure (341, 16)
Criticize
That you may believe; censure me in
your wisdom, and…
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Vocabulary – Act 4
1.
Triumvirate (351, intro.)
5.
Three-man rule
…forming the second triumvirate.
2.
Chastisement (355, 16)
Sharp or biting
When you are waspish
6.
A punishment
And chastisement doth therefore
hide his head
3.
Base (356, 24)
Testy (356, 46)
7.
Chides (359, 124)
Scolds
He’ll think your mother chides, and
leave you so.
8.
Easily annoyed; impatient
Under your testy humor? By the
gods,
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Vaunting (356, 52)
Bragging; boasting
Let it appear so; make your vaunting
true,
Lacking higher qualities
Contaminate our fingers with base
bribes,
4.
Waspish (356, 50)
Sepulchral (362, 251)
Related to a funeral
Ghost (in sepulchral tones)
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Vocabulary – Act 5
1.
Disheveled (368, Stage directions)
Disordered or or full of disarray
Several soldiers, disheveled and weary from fighting
2.
Disconsolate (370, 56)
Cheerless; dejected
All disconsolate,/With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.
3.
Apt (370, 68)
Ready; likely
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
4.
Engendered (370, 71)
Produced; procreated
But kill’st the mother that engendered thee
5.
Envenomed (370, 76)
Made poisonous
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
6.
Entrails (372, 95)
Bowels; inner workings
In our own proper entrails.
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Act 1 Notes
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Scene 1
This scene shows the true conflict of the play – the
jealousy and dislike of those in power vs. Julius Caesar
 The mob is FICKLE – they loved Pompey, but now they
love Caesar even though he killed Pompey and his sons
 Flavius disrobes (takes down the decorations) the statues
– great disrespect to Caesar
 Puns were very popular in Elizabethan audiences:
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Sole – soul
Awl – all
Cobbler – shoemaker and bungler
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Act 1 Notes
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Scene 2
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Feast of Lupercal – festival of fertility. Caesar wants Calpurnia to have a
child. He had no children
Caesar is not overly superstitious at this point – listens to Soothsayer but
doesn’t believe him
“Beware the Ides of March” one of most important Shakespearean quotes
Brutus is depressed – he is “at war with himself.”
Cassius is sneaky and wants Brutus to join his plan because Brutus is one of
the most respected men in Rome
4 ways Cassius tries to persuade Brutus:
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Arouse his envy
Finds fault with their position
Tries to arouse ambition
Ancient liberty of Rome
This scene shows Caesar’s weakness of mind and body
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Act 1 Notes
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Scene 2 (cont.)
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Brutus says he will consider what Cassius has said – provides a spark
of hope for Cassius
Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Caesar got so upset he went into
an epileptic seizure (historically accurate) – no crown and Antony
might have been first to cross finish line
Caesar is very good at sizing up individuals – Cassius would worry
him if he weren’t Caesar
Caesar very arrogant and unafraid
Casca is quick to action and slow to thinking – good conspirator
First soliloquy – spoken by Cassius. Reveals his plan concerning
Brutus. He will write letters in different handwriting to get Brutus to
his side. The letters will praise Brutus and hint that the citizens are
wary of Caesar and distrust him.
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Act 1 Notes
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Scene 3
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Setting – wild and stormy night. Foreshadows trouble
It is the night before the Ides of March (March 14)
Casca is very superstitious
Cicero – oldest and most respected senator
Terrible storm:
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Supernatural events heighten tension:
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Line 4 – earthquake
Lines 7/8 – hurricane
Line 10 – shooting star
Burning hand that doesn’t burn
Owl in the market place at noon
To Cassius this is a pleasing night to hide honest men who admit
their reasons for killing Caesar.
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Act 1 Notes
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Scene 3 (cont.)
Cassius would rather die than live under Caesar as king
 Caesar is only powerful because the citizens have let him
be strong – Rome’s citizens have become weak
 They meet on this night because no one will see them
 Cinna – One of the conspirators - messenger who delivers
the letters to Brutus.
 Brutus has almost made up his mind
 The conspirators decide to leave Cicero out
 The rising action continues to rise and gather more speed
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 1
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Brutus speaks his first soliloquy:
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Compares Caesar to an adder (snake)
States he must kill Caesar for the good of Rome
Thinks success might change Caesar
Brutus finds one of the letters placed by Cinna
The fact that Brutus is unsure of the date shows how consumed he
has been by his “war” with himself
Brutus and Cassius are brothers-in-law
Brutus meets the conspirators: Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus,
Cinna, Ligarius, and Trebonius
Cassius is the real leader of the conspirators but they listen to Brutus
so he will join them
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 1 (cont.)
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Three mistakes Brutus makes planning the conspiracy:
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Doesn’t take an oath – don’t need one – their reasons are
honorable enough
Does not include Cicero – he is wise and very much respected; he
will not join what others have started
Decide not to kill Antony – Brutus thinks he is nothing without
Caesar – he should kill himself after Caesar’s death like a servant
would
Clock striking – an anachronism
Decius will be responsible for getting Caesar to the Senate
Portia, Brutus’ wife, is worried about him – feels she has the right to
know what has been troubling him
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 1 (cont.)
Portia tries to convince her husband she is strong – She is
Cato’s daughter and the wife of Brutus – she also stabbed
herself in the thigh to prove her loyalty
 Scene 1 gives insight into Brutus’ character and is a
slowing of the action before the climax
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 2
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It is early morning on the ides of March
This scene stresses the importance of omens:
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It parallels the domestic scene between Brutus and his wife
This scene downplays Caesar’s greatness
This scene centers around Caesar’s decision about whether he will go to the
senate or not.
Fatalism – when a person believes fate rules people’s lives. Caesar is not
afraid of death because:
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Storm
Calpurnia’s dream
Events during storm – dead rising from graves, etc.
Sacrifice of beast with no heart
He equates himself with the gods – immortal
He is not afraid of anything
Fatalism
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 2 (cont.)
“Cowards die many times…” speech very famous
 Decius uses flattery and convinces Caesar to go to the
senate. He reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream cleverly to
make it seem like the Roman citizens need him (suck
reviving blood).
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 3
This is one of the shortest scenes in the play
 It also takes place on the morning of the ides of March
 It heightens the suspense from Scene 2
 This scene shows the conspirators should have taken an
oath. They have been careless – someone has not kept
the conspiracy a secret
 Artemidorus knows the names of the conspiracy members
and he wants to tell them to Caesar
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Act 2 Notes
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Scene 4
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This scene shows Portia’s agitation and heightens the suspense as the
end of the rising action
Illustrates Portia’s devotion to her husband
Brutus has told Portia the secret and she almost gives it away when
she send Lucius on and errand but never tells him for what.
Portia tries to find out what the Soothsayer knows about the
conspiracy
Act 2 is the end of the rising action
Caesar’s two chances for survival:
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Artemidorus
Soothsayer
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Act 3 Notes
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Scene 1
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Caesar pushes both Artemidorus and the Soothsayer away – his only
2 chances for survival
Popilius Lena shows that he also knows about the plan
Trebonius draws Antony out of the way
The conspirators use Cimber’s brother as an excuse to gather around
Caesar
Casca is the first to stab Caesar; Brutus is the last
Play implies that Caesar died of a broken heart – popular sentiment
of the Romans and Elizabethans
Conspirators kill Caesar out in the open to show that they are not
hiding their deed
It is ironic that Caesar dies under the statue of Pompey
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Act 3 Notes
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Scene 1 (cont.)
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Antony sends a servant to talk to the conspirators because he is afraid they
will also kill him (highlights Brutus’ third mistake)
Cassius is worried when Brutus says he will allow Antony to speak at Caesar’s
funeral – he does not underestimate Antony
Antony pretends to join the conspirators
Brutus sets down rules for Antony’s speaking:
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Cannot blame the conspirators
Must only speak good of Caesar
Must tell the crowd he speaks by permission
Can speak only after Brutus speaks (very poor rule)
Antony’s funeral soliloquy is famous for its imagery – prophecies a civil war
Octavius is introduced to the play for the first time
This scene is the climax of the play and highlights the mistakes of Brutus and
the eloquence and intelligence of Antony
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Act 3 Notes
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Scene 2
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This scene is known as the funeral oration scene
The citizens are very important (mob). They are, once again, very
fickle
Brutus explains why the conspirators killed Caesar – for the good of
Rome
Brutus appeals to the mob’s intellect; Antony appeals to its emotions.
Which is better?
Antony is very clever at reading people and appealing to their
emotions
The use of “honorable” is clever because it serves his purpose and
keeps him within the rules the conspirators placed on him
Line 50 shows the stupidity of the mob – they want to crown Brutus,
and have therefore missed the whole point of Brutus’ speech
Scholar (Brutus) vs. Practical Politician (Antony)
The scene begins the falling action
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Act 3 Notes
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Scene 2 (cont.)
Antony follows all four rules set down by the conspirators
 Antony uses Caesar’s will to bait the mob until they are in
a frenzy – then he uses it to push them over the edge
 Antony states “I have accomplished what I set out to do.”
– the conspirators (Brutus) underestimated Antony
 Octavius (Caesar’s nephew) will be part of the new
triumvirate
 Brutus has made too many mistakes – Cassius should
have been the leader of the conspiracy
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Act 4 Notes
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Scene 1
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19 months have elapsed between Act 3 and Act 4 (civil war)
Rulers in new triumvirate:
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Antony
Octavius
Lepidus
Change in Antony’s character – ruthless, greedy, hungry for power
Antony is willing to kill relatives for power
Brutus and Cassius are raising armies
Prophecy of civil war has come true
Conspirators should have killed Antony – very capable.
Antony shows he is not loyal to Lepidus – wants to kill him or get rid
of him.
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Act 4 Notes
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Scene 2
One year has elapsed between Scene 1 and Scene 2
 Takes place at Brutus and Cassius’ camp
 Brutus and Cassius are showing the strains of battle
 There is a lack of unity between the two of them
 Brutus wants to keep the morale high – doesn’t want to
fight in front of the men
 This is the introduction to the quarrel scene
 Cassius’ greed and jealousy are showing more and more,
but Brutus still does not see the real Cassius
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Act 4 Notes
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Scene 3
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Quarrel scene – probably Shakespeare’s most highly regarded scene –
shows the gamut of human emotions
Cassius is angry because Brutus has condemned one of his friends for
taking a bribe
It has been over two years since Caesar’s death and they are still
mentioning him often
This scene shows how Cassius’ temper flares and cools quickly while
Brutus takes a long time to get angry and then a long time to cool
down
Portia has killed herself out of grief that Brutus has been gone. She
has swallowed coals.
Cassius threatens Brutus a number of times
Brutus makes another poor decision – decides to march to Phillipi to
meet Antony and Octavius
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Act 4 Notes
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Scene 3 (cont.)
Cassius is the more seasoned soldier. Brutus is a civilian
 Both men vow to never argue again
 The ghost of Caesar appears as foreshadowing at the end
of Act 4
 Brutus is a stoic – believe in never showing emotions
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Act 5 Notes
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Scene 1
Farewell scene between Brutus and Cassius
 Emphasizes Brutus’ stoicism
 Cassius will commit suicide rather than be taken prisoner.
Brutus is undecided but leaning toward it – goes against
his stoic philosophy
 Illustrates the combatants in the battle: Brutus vs.
Octavius (inexperienced soldiers) and Cassius vs. Antony
(seasoned soldiers)
 Both Cassius and Brutus want to part as friends before
possible death
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Act 5 Notes
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Scene 2
Battle scene that shows Brutus as a general
 In the original play, this scene was longer
 This scene ends the falling action and begins the
resolution (final action)
 Brutus is winning his battle – he is pushing for one last
charge
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Act 5 Notes
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Scene 3
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Short episodes of the fight – Cassius’ soldiers are beginning to give
up
Misunderstandings lead to the suicide of Cassius
Brutus wins while Cassius loses his part of the battle – Brutus should
have helped Cassius before letting his men plunder
Cassius’ death is unnecessary – Titinius also kills himself as was
Roman custom
The spirit of Caesar is still present
Brutus is the only conspirator left. This is historically correct
Brutus takes Cassius’ body with them although they will not bring it
into camp. He wants to give Cassius a proper burial
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Act 5 Notes
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Scene 4
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Brutus’ death scene – all the conspirators were dead within 3 years of
Caesar’s death
End of Roman republican spirit and practice
All the soldiers are tired and defeated
Brutus would rather die than go to Rome a prisoner – goes against his
stoic philosophy
Strato helps Brutus commit suicide
Brutus states he regretted killing Caesar more than killing himself
Antony and Octavius pay tribute to Brutus because he was a true,
honorable Roman
Octavius speaks the last few line of the play to foreshadow his later
dominance in history
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Quotations – Act 1
1.
“Beware the ides of March”
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2.
“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/like a colossus…”
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3.
Julius Caesar (I,2,ll.177-8)
“But, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.”
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7.
Julius Caesar (I,2,l.175)
“Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;/He thinks too much; such men
are dangerous”
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6.
Cassius (I,2,ll.140-2)
“Let me have men about me that are fat;”
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5.
Cassius (I,2,ll.135-6)
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/But in ourselves…”
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4.
Soothsayer (I,2,l.18)
Casca (I,2,ll.257-8)
“Oh, he sits high in all the people’s hearts;”
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Casca (I,3,l.118)
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Quotations – Act 2
1.
“That lowliness is young abition’s ladder,/Whereto the climber-upward turns his
face;…”
Brutus – Act 2, 1, ll. 22-23
2.
“…and every one doth wish/You had that opinion of yourself /Which every noble
Roman bears of you.”
Cassius - Act 2, 1, ll. 91-94
3.
“Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods,/Not hew him as a carcass fit for
hounds.”
Brutus – Act 2, 1, ll. 151-152
4.
“Cowards die many times before their deaths/The valiant never taste of death but
once.”
Caesar – Act 2, 2, ll. 32-33
5.
“Danger knows full well/That Caesar is more dangerous than he./We are two lions
littered in one day,/And I the elder and more terrible.”
Caesar – Act 2, 2, ll. 44-47
6.
“Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,/In which so many smiling Romans
bathed,/Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck/Reviving blood.”
Decius – Act 2, 2, ll 85-88
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Quotations – Act 3
1.
“But I am constant as the northern star.”
- Caesar, Act 3, 1, l. 60
2.
“Et tu, Brute? – Then fall Caesar!”
- Caesar, Act 3, 1, l. 77
3.
“Thou art the ruins of the noblest man/That ever lived in the
tide of times.”
- Antony, Act 3, 1, ll. 256-257
4.
“Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause…”
- Brutus, Act 3, 2, ll. 13-14
5.
“This was the most unkindest cut of all…”
- Antony, Act 3, 2, l. 183
6.
“Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war…”
- Antony, Act 3, 1, l. 273
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Quotations – Act 4
1.
“He shall not live, look, with a spot I damn him.”
- Antony, Act 4, 1, ll. 6-7
2.
“This is a slight unmeritable man,/Meet to be sent on errands; is it fit,/The
threefold world divided, he should stand /One of the three to share it?”
- Antony, Act 4, 1, ll. 12-15
3.
“What, shall one of us,/That struck the foremost man of all this world/But
for supporting robbers, shall we now/Contaminate our fingers with base
bribes,/And sell the mighty space of our large honors/For so much trash
as may be grasped thus?/I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,/Than
such a Roman.”
- Brutus, Act 4, 3, ll. 21-24
4.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,/Which, taken at the flood, leads on to
fortune,/Omitted, all the voyage of their life/Is bound in shallows and
miseries.”
- Brutus, Act 4, 3, ll. 188-191
5.
“To tell thee thou shalt see me at Phillipi.”
- Ghost of Caesar, Act 4, 3, l. 253
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Quotations – Act 5
1.
This day I breathed first; time is come round,/And where I did begin, there
shall I end.”
- Cassius, Act 5, 3, ll. 23-24
2.
“O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!/Thy spirit walks abroad and turns
our swords/In our own proper entrails.”
- Brutus , Act 5, 3, ll. 94-96
3.
“Our enemies have beat us to the pit;/It is more worthy to leap in
ourselves/Than tarry till they push us…”
- Brutus, Act 5, 4, ll. 23-24
4.
“Caesar, now be still./I killed not thee with half so good a will.”
- Brutus, Act 5, 4, ll. 51-52
5.
“This was the noblest Roman of them all…/His life was gentle, and the
elements/So mixed in him that Nature might stand up/And say to all the
world, ‘This was a man.’”
- Antony, Act 5, 4, ll. 67-69
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 1
1.
a. What quality of the mob does Marullus satirize in his speech beginning
“Wherefore rejoice”?
Its fickleness – the same mob that had often celebrated the return of Pompey
is now celebrating the return of his murderer
b. Do you think that his opinion is true of mobs in general?
Opinion – but mobs, or crowds in general, have often celebrated the heroics of
one person and then, shortly after, blamed or crucified the very same person.
2.
a. In talking with the tribunes do the commoners show: (1) a cringing fear;
(2) a scornful contempt; or (3) a good-natured desire to annoy the officials?
(3) A good-natured desire to annoy the officials
b. With which group of people do you sympathize – the commoners or
the tribunes? Why?
Opinion – but most people would either side with the underdog, or think that
the tribunes charges are irrational
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 1 (cont.)
3.
Would you say Shakespeare’s main purpose in this
scene was: (a) to provide a touch of humor for the
beginning scene of the play; (b) to foreshadow a
serious conflict; (c) to introduce the main characters?
After making your choice, explain how Shakespeare
achieves that purpose.
(b) Although Shakespeare does include humor in the scene, he
foreshadow a serious conflict by showing how the tribunes,
Marullus and Flavius, are angry with the mob for being so fickle
and cheering for Caesar
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 2
1.
a. As the scene begins, what attitude do various characters seem to take toward
Caesar?
Respectful submissiveness; dislike; jealousy
b. What are your first opinions of the man?
Powerful; vain and arrogant; used to others doing what he wishes
2.
a. What physical weaknesses of Caesar are revealed later in the scene?
Not an adept swimmer; epileptic seizures; deaf in one ear
b. Does Caesar show any signs of being superstitious?
Yes – he asks Antony to touch Calpurnia when he runs the course during the feast of
Lupercal; he is also bothered at first by the proclamation of the Soothsayer
c. How good is he at sizing up individuals (Cassius, for example)?
Very good, but unfortunately he allows them close to him even though he thinks they are
dangerous
d. Of the men around him, which could he safely trust?
Antony
e. How do we know the common people of Rome loved and idolized him?
They decorated his statues; they offer him the crown; they celebrate his return
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 2 (cont.)
3.
a. What is Cassius leading up to in his long talk with Brutus?
He is attempting to persuade Brutus to join a conspiracy
b. Why doesn’t he come to the point at once?
Because Cassius knows Brutus is an honorable man and a good friend of
Caesar’s
c. What ideas does he develop in the conversation that would
be most likely to influence Brutus?
That he is only concerned with the good of Rome; that Rome is suffering
under Caesar’s tyrrany; that not to oppose Caesar is to be disloyal to Rome;
that Brutus is a great man and would make an effective leader
4.
Does Casca, later on, help or hinder Cassius in influencing
Brutus? How?
Help him – he shows Brutus how much Caesar wanted the crown that was
offered him
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 2 (cont.)
5.
a. What fear does Brutus express to Cassius concerning Caesar?
That Caesar will be made king
b. Do you think Brutus is sincere in saying “yet I love him well”?
Yes – it is recognition of Brutus’ deep friendship with Caesar that makes
Cassius so subtle in trying to win Brutus to his side
c. How are his feelings about Caesar related to his statement that lately he
has been “at war” with himself?
He is struggling with his internal conflict concerning his personal friendship
with Caesar and his concern for his country
6.
a. What is the conflict that was foreshadowed in Scene 1 and that is now
taking more definite form?
The conflict between those who love and respect Caesar and those who resent
his power
b. On which side of that conflict do you think Brutus will decide to be?
Opinion, but Cassius’ persuasive arguments and Brutus’ arguments would lead
the reader to believe he will join the conspiracy
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 3
1.
a. What subject is bothering Casca when he first encounters Cassius in the
street?
The stormy night with the strange and ominous omens
b. How does Cassius cleverly turn the conversation to the subject that he
considers most important?
By comparing Caesar to the stormy night
2.
a. Why does Cassius think the Roman people themselves are largely
responsible for Caesar’s growing ambition?
Because the people have passively accepted Caesar’s tyranny
b. Keeping in mind Casca’s opinion of the “tag-rag people” as indicated in
Scene w, explain why Cassius’ explanation of Caesar’s tyranny would
appeal to Casca.
Casca considers himself and the tribunes superior to the commoners, so this explanation
puts the blame squarely on the shoulders of the incompetent commoners
c. What decision does Casca make regarding the conspirators?
That he will go as far against Caesar as any conspirator
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Questions – Act 1
Scene 3 (cont.)
3.
a. How does Cassius plan to use Cinna in advancing the
conspirator’s plan?
By having Cinna place forged notes in places where Brutus will find them
b. Why are he and the others so eager to have Brutus join
them?
Because Brutus is highly regarded by the people – it will make the conspiracy
seem virtuous
c. Quote at least three passages that show the conspirators’
opinion of Brutus.
“Well, Brutus, thou art noble” – Cassius - p. 305 l. 282
“O Cassius, if you could/But win the noble Brutus to our party” –
Cinna - p. 309 ll. 101-102
“Oh, he sits high in all the people’s hearts” – Casca – p. 309 l. 118
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Questions – Act 3

1.
Scene 1
a. After Caesar appears at the Capitol, what incidents cause
the conspirators to fear that their plans may go wrong?
Artemidorus tries to present his paper; the Soothsayer speaks to Caesar;
Popilius wishes the conspirators good luck in their enterprise
b. How do they show alertness in warding off these dangers?
Decius pushes Artemidorus aside and focuses Caesar’s attention on Trebonius’
suit – Publius and Cassius also force him aside. Cassius also urges Casca to
work quickly
2.
a. What is your final opinion of Caesar in this scene?
He seems both arrogant and unafraid to die
b. Why are his dying words especially dramatic?
They suggest he is dying of heartbreak rather than from the stab wounds
C. Do you think that he was afraid to die?
Opinion – there is nothing to suggest that he was
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Questions – Act 3

3.
Scene 1 (cont.)
a. What urgent problem do the assassins face immediately after stabbing
Caesar?
Calming the crowd of Romans
b. Which of them assumes the leadership in attacking that problem?
Brutus
c. State briefly his argument for justification for Caesar’s murder.
He once again states that he did it for the good of Rome
4.
Which of the following statements best sums up the impression that
Antony wishes to make on the conspirators? Which of them represents his
true feelings? (a) Although I loved Caesar, I admire Brutus greatly and will
follow him unquestionably. (b) I intend to arouse the fury of the people
against the butchers of Caesar. (c) I loved Caesar; I admire Brutus; I am
willing to be friendly with the conspirators once I understand why they
considered Caesar dangerous.
C, B
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Questions – Act 3

5.
Scene 1 (cont.)
a. Why is Cassius worried by Brutus’ promise to
allow Mark Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
He thinks that Antony is a capable man and he is worried that
Antony may be dangerous to them
b. Why is Brutus willing for Antony to do so?
He thinks that the conspirators’ reasons for killing Antony are
legitimate; he thinks that his rules will not allow Antony to sway the
crowd; he thinks Antony is harmless and no more than Caesar’s
servant
6.
What does Shakespeare foreshadow in the final
speeches of this scene?
A fierce and bloody civil war
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Questions – Act 3

1.
Scene 2
Because the crowd is so great, Brutus asks some of the people to go into
“the other street” and hear Cassius speak there. Why do you think
Shakespeare does not include Cassius’ speech in the play?
Their speeches would be nearly identical; he wants to focus on the differences
between Brutus and Cassius
2.
a. In his speech, does Brutus appeal principally to the people’s intellect or
emotions?
Intellect
b. Quote the parts of his speech that you think best explain why the
conspirators killed Caesar.
“Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more”
c. How do the citizens’ comments show that they have missed the entire
point of Brutus’ speech?
After having been told that Caesar was slain because he was too ambitious and wanted to
be king, one of the commoners shouts out that they should crown Brutus
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Questions – Act 3
Scene 2 (cont.)
As Mark Antony ascends the pulpit, the citizens are still
shouting.

3.
a.
From their remarks what do you learn about their present feelings
toward Brutus?
They seem to love Brutus and will harm anyone who speaks harm of him
b.
Toward the dead Caesar?
The consider him a tyrant and are glad Rome is rid of him
c.
If Antony is to change those feelings, he must choose his words
carefully. Cite what you consider the best examples of his skill in using
words that play on the emotions of his audience
When he speaks about the conspirators being “honorable” men
When he refers to Caesar’s “ambition”
When he appeals to the audience’s greed
When he appeals to their hatred and desire for revenge
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Questions – Act 3

4.
Scene 2 (cont.)
a. Why is Antony’s pause where he stops to look at Caesar’s boy effective?
It is a dramatic gesture that convinces the crowd Antony is sincere in his
emotions
b. Why doesn’t he read Caesar’s will when he first mentions it?
He uses it to keep the mob’s interest and to eventually push them over the
edge
c. How does he almost miss the chance to read it at all?
He angers them so much they almost revolt before he reads it
d. In what way does he appeal to the morbid curiosity of the crowd?
He shows them the stab wounds made by the conspirators
e. Do you think crowds of today sometimes exhibit a similar morbid
curiosity? If so, cite some examples.
Yes; a crowd that gathers around two people who are fighting; when people
gather at the scene of an accident; when people want to know what happened
when two people got into an argument
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Questions – Act 4
1.
a. What is the significance of the marked names on Antony’s
list?
They are the people who are going to be killed to keep the conspirators in
power
b. What does the plan for dealing with the suspected Romans
show about the character of each man in the second
triumvirate?
They are ruthless; Lepidus is willing to have his brother killed and Antony is
going to allow the murder of his nephew
c. What would the plan be called in a modern dictatorship?
A purge
2.
When Antony characterizes Lepidus for Octavius, he also
betrays his own traits. What does he reveal about himself?
That he is not loyal and that he is not above using other people for his own
benefit
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Questions – Act 4
3.
a. How had Antony used Caesar’s will to his
advantage when he swayed the commoners
during the funeral oration?
By withholding it to keeps the crowd’s attention and then
reading it to show Caesar was not ambitious and pushing
them over the edge
b. How does he propose to use it now?
He wants to use it for profit – he is going to skim money from
it
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Questions – Act 4

1.
Scenes 2 and 3
a. What is the stated of affairs between Brutus and Cassius when Brutus
sends for Cassius at the army camp near Sardis?
They are angry at each other. Brutus has condemned one of Cassius’ friends
for accepting bribes. Cassius has not sent Brutus the money he has asked
for.
b. Keeping in mind what you have learned in the play up to this point,
explain why a quarrel between the two men was inevitable.
They are too different to have co-existed peacefully for very long. Cassius is
greedy and hot-tempered while Brutus is honorable and a stoic
c. With which of they are your sympathies? Why?
Opinion
2.
a. Upon what plan of action do Brutus and Cassius decide after their
quarrel?
That they will meet the forces of Antony and Octavius at Phillipi
b. What is your opinion of this plan?
It is probably not wise. They will tire their troops out and use resources they
could have saved by waiting for the enemy to come to them
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Questions – Act 4

Scenes 2 and 3 (cont.)
3.
Over two years have elapsed since Julius Caesar was killed.
a. Do you think that Brutus often thinks of him?
Yes. He makes a number of references to
Caesar and the conspirators’ intentions in Scene 3
b. How does the dead man again become an important
character as the play nears its end?
His ghost visits Brutus and his tent and tells him
that he will see him again at Phillipi. It foreshadow
tragedy in Act 5
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Questions – Act 5

1.
Scenes 1 and 2
As a Stoic, Brutus has not believed in allowing the fortunes or
misfortunes of life to affect him and he has frowned on the
idea of suicide. Do any of his beliefs seem to be changing?
Explain.
Yes – although Brutus states that he considers suicide cowardly, he affirms that
he will probably kill himself rather than be taken prisoner
2.
a. What is the attitude of Brutus and Cassius toward each
other as they part before the last battle?
They are friends who respect each other. They refer to each other as “noble”
b. In what mood do Brutus and Cassius say farewell?
They are hopeful that they will be victorious but they are also resigned to the
fact that they may not ever see each other again.
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Questions – Act 5

3.
Scenes 1 and 2 (cont.)
a. What is the plan of attack that Brutus
wishes to be put into action?
Brutus sees his enemy faltering, so he wants to risk everything
on one swift, punishing final attack
b. For what purpose do you thin Scene 2,
which is so very short, is included in Act 5
It makes the combatants clear; it illustrates how the battle is
progressing; it shows Brutus’ skills as a general
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Questions – Act 5

1.
Scene 3
a. What is Cassius’ mood as the scene opens?
He is angry
b. What reasons does he have for feeling as he does?
1. His forces have been defeated by Antony
2. Some of his men are deserting
c. Who is the person responsible for the existing state of
affairs?
Brutus – he let his men plunder rather than help Cassius
2.
a. What mistake do Pindarus and Cassius make concerning
Titinius?
They think he has been captured by Antony and Octavius
b. What misleads them?
He is taken off his horse; he is surrounded; there are shouts
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Questions – Act 5

3.
Scene 3 (cont.)
a. How are Cassius’ decision to die and the manner of his
death in keeping with his character?
He is hot-headed and decisive and he did not think about his actions before he
did them; he also would have never lived as a prisoner in Rome
b. How does Pindarus help him?
Holds his sword while Cassius runs upon it
c. Why does the servant flee afterward?
So he will not be taken prisoner again
4.
a. What effect does the death of Cassius have on Brutus?
Genuinely saddened
b. Why does he exclaim, “O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty
yet!”?
He believes that the spirit of Caesar is responsible for the events that have
occurred
c. Do you consider Brutus a quitter? Why or why not?
Opinion
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Questions – Act 5

1.
Scene 4
As Brutus bids his friends farewell, he says that in all
his life he has found “no man but he was true to me.”
a. Who did take unfair advantage of Brutus’ trust?
Cassius – misleads him about the conspirators’ motives; Antony – at the
funeral of Caesar
b. What does the making of that remark – after all
that has happened – show about Brutus’ character?
He is naïve; he is forgiving; he is idealistic
2.
What do you think is the significance of Brutus’
words as he was about to die: “Caesar, now be still”?
Caesar’s spirit could now be at peace because his murder has finally been
completely avenged
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Questions – Act 5

3.
Scene 4 (cont.)
a. What was your reaction to Antony’s estimation of Brutus?
Opinion – but generally Brutus did seem honorable
b. Do you feel that Antony was sincere?
Yes – he is going to give the body full funeral rites and honors
4.
Decide what the word tragedy means to you. Them complete
this sentence: The chief tragedy of Brutus’ life was…
His honor and naivete (tragic flaw). He is blind to the ambitions of others
4.
As the play ends, Octavius and Antony speak of dividing the
honors that have come from the victory.
a. What do you think Rome’s future will be under these men?
The republic will end and a series of dictators will rule Rome
b. From an encyclopedia or an ancient history book find out
what actually did happen after the battle at Philippi and see
how accurately you prophesied the future.
The second triumvirate was short-lived. By 31 B.C. Octavius defeated Antony
and made himself the first emperor of Rome. Lepidus faded into obscurity.
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Looking Back and Ahead – Act 1
1.
Make a brief outline indicating what happened in Act One.
Use as the first statement in your outline: Caesar returns to
Rome after defeating the last of his opposition.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
Caesar returns to Rome after defeating the last vestige of Pompey’s power
The Soothsayer warns Caesar
Brutus reveals his internal conflict while Cassius tries to persuade him
The conspirators start gathering during the storm
Brutus prepares to meet with the conspirators
a. Why do you think Elizabethans watching the play at the
Globe Playhouse awaited Act Two with keen interest?
They would be interested in seeing the resolution to the conflict introduced in
Act 1
b. What questions would be uppermost in their minds?
If Brutus joins the conspiracy, how will he justify it?; Should his loyalty be to
his friend or to his country?; What will Caesar do if they attack?; Will it be
successful?
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Looking Back and Ahead – Act 3
1.
Continue your outline of the play, listing the most important events that
take place in Act 3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
After circumventing Artemidorus and Popilius, the conspirators slay Caesar
Brutus assures Antony and the citizens that nothing will happen to them
Brutus allows Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral
Brutus appeal’s to the mobs intellect; Antony appeals to its emotions
The crowd becomes enraged and chases the conspirators out of the city
In Act 3 we see Brutus assuming leadership of the anti-Caesar forces.
Keeping in mind what you have learned about him in this act, answer the
following questions. Explain why you decided as you did.
a. Does Brutus really regard Caesar as being a dangerous man as far as
Roman liberties are concerned?
Yes; he constantly refers to Caesar as dangerous and states he must be killed
b. Is Brutus respected by both the pro-Caesar and the anti-Caesar forces?
Yes; the conspirators want him on their side because he is respected by
everybody
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Looking Back and Ahead – Act 3
c. Does Brutus show self-confidence in his acts?
Yes; he never hides the conspirator’s actions because they are honorable
d. Is he aware of the Dangers of trusting men less sincere than himself?
No; he joins the conspiracy thinking that they are all honorable and he trusts
Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral
e. Is he capable of judging the common people accurately?
No; he misjudges Cassius, Antony, and the mob
3.
a. What qualities of leadership does Mark Antony possess?
Excellent planner; loyal; understands people; good speaker; sneaky
b. Which of them do you consider most important?
Opinion
4.
a. What is Mark Antony’s attitude toward the future as Act 3 comes to an
end?
That “Fortune is merry,/And in this mood will give us anything.”
b. Do you think his expectations will be met. Explain your answer.
Opinion; but it seems likely and history tells us that he is successful
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Looking Back and Ahead – Act 4
1.
Make a brief outline of the main events in Act Four.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2.
The second triumvirate determines who they are going to kill and they decide to
pursue Brutus and Cassius
Brutus accuses Cassius of being dishonorable after Cassius doesn’t send him
money
Cassius and Brutus reconcile after a lengthy argument
Brutus tells Cassius that Portia has killed herself
Brutus convinces Cassius that they should march their armies to Phillipi
The ghost of Caesar appears and states that he will see Brutus in Phillipi
As a dramatist advances the plot of his play, he must be very careful to
keep the actions of each of his characters consistent with what has gone
before. How have the actions of the leading characters in Act 4 been
consistent with their natures as portrayed earlier in the play?
1.
2.
3.
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Brutus – his honor remains when he is disgusted with Cassius’ corruption; his
faulty reasoning resurfaces with his plan to march to Phillipi; he is stoic again
with his acceptance of Portia’s death
Cassius – his greed is evident again when he is shown to be selling positions in
his army; his military skill is again shown when he opposes Brutus’ plan
Antony – his ruthlessness is show again when he is deciding who to kill to keep
power; his lack of loyalty is illustrated again when he talks about Lepidus
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