Study Questions: Answer using complete sentences.
You will not receive credit unless your answer is
phrased as a complete sentence.
Recalling
1. Why are the tribunes Marullus and Flavius angry
with the plebeians in Act I, Scene I? The plebeians
prove fickle and easily influenced – they switch from
supporting Pompey to Caesar with little or no
thought.
2. What do the tribunes hope to accomplish by
sending the plebeians home and removing the
decorations from the statues? They hope to curb
Caesar’s popularity and bring him down from his
“pedestal.”
“It is no matter; let no images
Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about
And drive away the vulgar from the streets;
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,
Who else would soar above the view of men,
And keep us all in servile fearfulness.” (Flavius)
3. What warning does the soothsayer give to Caesar
in Scene ii? He warns Caesar to beware of the Ides
of March (March 15). All months have an “Ides.”
4. What is Caesar’s response to the soothsayer? He
calls him a dreamer.
5. How does Cassius feel about Caesar? He feels
Caesar is a mere mortal, in some senses a weaker
mortal than Cassius himself. He describes incidents
where he had to save Caesar…but now Caesar
“bestride[s] the narrow world
Like a Colossus; and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.” (Cassius)
Cassius harbors obvious jealously and resentment for
the love the Romans show Caesar. Also, point out
that one of Cassius’s stories refers to Caesar’s
epilepsy.
6. How does Brutus respond to Cassius’s arguments
against Caesar? (scene ii)
Brutus will take no action now; however, he will
think about Cassius’s arguments. He vows that he
would rather not be a Roman than be a Roman who is
like a slave.
7. What qualities in Cassius does Caesar describe to
Antony in Scene ii? He sees Cassius as power
hungry and ruthless.
“Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous…
Would he were fatter! But I fear him not:
Yet, if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much;
He is a great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music:
Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit
That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves;
And therefore are they very dangerous.
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him.” (Caesar
to Antony)
Interpreting – Answers will vary, but students should
note some points.
8. What point is made about the plebeians in Scene i
when Marullus recalls their once-loud support of
Pompey? They blindly follow every new “fad and
fashion.” They are fools who do not think for
themselves.
9. What impressions of Caesar does one get from his
actions and words in Scene ii? List at least three.
Caesar seems to want the crown, but he does not
accept it: Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice,
every time gentler
than other; and at every putting-by mine honest
neighbors
shouted.” (Casca to Cassius) His reluctance, of
course, only fuels the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Caesar proves a good judge of character…see
remarks about Cassius.
Caesar treats Calpurnia somewhat like a
child…instructs her to stand where Antony can touch
her (she has no children yet).
“Forget not in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say,
The barren, touched in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.” (Caesar to Antony)
Caesar appears to thrive on the pomp and
circumstance bestowed upon him: “Set on; and leave
no ceremony out.” (Caesar)
Caesar cannot remember things he says right before
he has an epileptic seizure; however, he is aware that
he suffers from the “falling sickness.”
10. From what can be seen of Cassius, how accurate
are Caesar’s remarks about him in Scene ii? Caesar’s
remarks seem very accurate.
11. What do Caesar’s remarks about Cassius reveal
about Caesar himself? Caesar fears Cassius,
although he says he does not.
17. To what extent does Brutus agree with Cassius’s
concerns in Scene ii? Although Brutus professes to
love Caesar, he loves Rome more: “I would not,
Cassius; yet I love him well,
But wherefore (WHY) do you hold me here so long?
What is it that you would impart to me?
If it be aught toward the general good,
Set honor in one eye and death i' the other
And I will look on both indifferently;
For let the gods so speed me as I love
The name of honor more than I fear death.”