The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Act I
Quiz
Multiple Choice:
1. Why do the conspirators need Brutus to join their conspiracy?
A. Because Brutus is Caesar’s best friend.
B. Because Brutus will make their cause look noble.
C. Because Brutus is the only one capable of murder.
2. Why are Marullus and Flavius angry with the commoners in Act I Scene i?
A. The commoners are being hypocritical by cheering for Caesar when they once cheered for
Pompey.
B. The commoners are hanging their babies from the chimney and that is dangerous.
C. The commoners are supposed to be working, but instead they are being lazy.
3. What is the true reason Caesar faints at the festival?
A. He has epilepsy.
B. He wants the commoners to blame any wrong-doings on his illness.
C. He chokes on the bad air produced by cheering commoners.
4. Act I Scene iii opens with strange and unusual events. What does this motif of disorder in
nature signify?
A. The disorder of the political state of Rome.
B. That Brutus has betrayed Caesar.
C. That the gods are angry with Cassius.
5. What is the purpose of the notes Cassius sent with Cinna at the end of Act I?
A.To remind Caesar to meet at the Capitol
B.To assure Brutus that plans for the conspiracy were in place
C.To convince Brutus that the Roman people needed him to join the conspiracy
True/False (Mark “A” for true and “B” for false):
6. ______ Marullus and Flavius are imprisoned for taking down Caesar’s decorations.
7. ______ Calphurnia is barren.
8. ______ Brutus hates Caesar.
9. ______Caesar has the falling sickness (epilepsy).
10. ______Cassius’ main objective in Act 1 is to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy.
Quotes – Who Said It?:
(A)Caesear
(B)Brutus
(C)Cassius
(D)Soothesayer
(E)Casca
(F)Antony
(G)Cicero
11.______ “Beware the ides of March!”
12. ______“When Caesar says, ‘Do this,’ it is performed.”
13. ______ “Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
14. ______ “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much. Such men are
dangerous.”
15. ______ “Oh, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, And that which would appear offense in us,
His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness.”
16. ______ “I know where I will wear this dagger then. Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong.”
17. ______ “Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to
repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.”
18. ______ “Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid So soon as
that spare Cassius.”
Short Answer (HINT – You will need to answer these questions in about 3 to 5 COMPLETE
sentences to receive full credit):
19. Describe the current political tension in Rome during Act I of Julius Caesar.
20. Describe the irony of Caesar’s disregard for the soothsayer’s warning.
Answer Key:
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. A
11. D
12. F
13. C
14. A
15. E
16. C
17. B
18. A
19. Rome is in the middle of a leadership transition. Pompey was the previous leader of Rome
and wanted Rome to be a Republic. Caesar has now taken over by force, and wishes to
make Rome into a dictatorship. Pompey’s loyal followers and senators do not like this
shift, and believe that Rome should remain a republic.
20. It is ironic because he believes in the superstition of the Feast of Lupercal, which
guarantees the healing of his wife’s barrenness. However, he does not believe the
soothsayer. It is ironic because the superstition that he chooses to ignore is actually the one
that will impact his life the most.