Julius Caesar: Act 3 Questions
Answer all questions in full sentences. The more detail you provide in your answers, the
more knowledge you will gain from the play, and the better you will do on this unit.
Provide a minimum of one quotation per answer (include act, scene, and line numbers).
Act III
Scene i
1.
Caesar is arrogant in this scene. Where is his arrogance seen?
2.
Caesar refuses to hear from Artemidorus. Why?
3.
Why does Metellus Cimber beg Caesar for his brother’s release?
4.
In Caesar speech, lines 58-73, how does he describe himself? Why might this
personality trait be one of the reasons why Brutus feels Caesar would not be a
good leader for Rome?
5.
Explain the significance of Caesar’s last words, “Et tu, Brute?”
6.
How has Calpurnia’s dream come true?
7.
Why does Brutus encourage the conspirators to admit they killed Caesar?
8.
Why does Antony shake each of the conspirator’s hands?
9.
Why does Brutus allow Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral? Why is Cassius
against this?
10.
What does Antony reveal in his soliloquy at the end of this scene.
11.
Why is it significant that Octavius is on his way to Rome?
Scene ii
1.
What reasons does Brutus give the citizens for the murder of Caesar?
2.
What do you notice about the way Brutus’ speech is written? Why would
Shakespeare write it in this way? (no quotation needed)
3.
What is the crowd’s response to Brutus’ reasons for killing Caesar?
4.
Explain specifically how Antony gets the citizens on his side in his speech, lines
77-110.
5.
What is the crowd’s response after they hear Antony’s speech?
6.
How does Antony use Caesar’s will to get the citizens to follow him?
7.
Before Antony reads the will, he gets the citizens to crowd around Caesar’s body.
Why does he do this and what does he say to them?
8.
What has Caesar left in his will?
9.
What are the citizens going to do by the end of Scene 2?
10.
How has Shakespeare prepared the reader for the citizens’ changing opinions?
Scene iii
1.
Why is Cinna the Poet killed?
2.
What is the purpose of this short scene?