Act I Study Questions
Scene i
1. What is the setting? (time, place, atmosphere)
* Rome; excitement about Caesar’s return
2. Why are the commoners not working? How do they feel about Caesar?
*carpenter/cobbler  stopped working to honor him for a day because they
like him
3. Why do Flavius and Murellus get angry with the commoners? What do
they instruct them to do?
*They are angry because they liked Pompey, are mad that Caesar killed him,
and are mad that the commoners took a day off to celebrate Caesar. They
demand the commoners take down the decorations (on the statues) and get
back to work.
4. What do they do to Caesar’s statues?
*They disrobe/undecorated the statues.
Scene ii
5. How does Marc Antony feel about Caesar? Use a quote from this scene
to support your answer.
*He loves Caesar and does whatever he says/requests. [“When Caesar says, ‘Do
this,’ it is performed.” Also, not to mention that later Antony offers Caesar the
crown!]
6. What is a soothsayer? What does the soothsayer tell Caesar?
*He predicts the future. Tells him to beware March 15th (the Ides of March).
7. What does ides mean?
*the 15th of March, May, July, and October; a festive day dedicated to the god
Mars
8. When cheering is heard, what does Brutus think is going on inside the
arena? How does he feel about this?
*He thinks the people have crowned Caesar as king. However, he doesn’t want
Caesar to be king even though he loves him.
9. Brutus says “For let the gods so speed me as I love/ The name of honor
more than I fear death.” Explain this quote in your own words and what
it shows about what Brutus values in life.
*He wants the gods/fate to assist him in doing whatever is best for Rome  he
has their best interest in mind.
10. Why does Cassius tell Brutus the “swimming” story?
*To convince Brutus that they are both stronger and more deserving of the
throne. [Caesar is WEAK! He can’t handle the throne!]
11. How does Cassius feel about Caesar? Why?
*They’re the same! Why would Caesar be the famous one? Brutus should reign
over the kingdom, not Caesar!
12. Why was the crowd cheering three times in the arena?
*Because Caesar was offered the crown (and refused it) three times.
13. What happens to Caesar after the third cheer from the crowd? What
sickness does he have? How does this affect his ego?
*Caesar faints after the third cheer. His “sickness” is epilepsy. He wanted to
know if he had said or done anything wrong.
14. What happens to Murellus and Flavius because of their behavior in scene
i?
*They were punished for pulling the scarves/decorations off of the statues of
Caesar.
15. What does Cassius plan to do to convince Brutus to join his conspiracy?
*He plans to throw rocks with messages in different handwriting through
Brutus’s windows to convince him that all of the townspeople agree that Caesar
must not be king.
Scene iii
16. What are 2 reasons that Casca gives for why it is storming?
*“Either there are wars in heaven, or else the world, too insolent toward
the gods, provokes them to send destruction.”
17. Name 3 things that Casca lists as “omens” when he is speaking to Cicero.
*a lion strutting by, men on fire, a shrieking owl
18. What reason does Cassius give for the storm?
*instruments of fear and warning (foreshadows things to come)
19. What do the senators plan to do to Caesar at the capitol?
*establish Caesar as king
20. Name 5 people that are part of the conspiracy to kill Caesar.
*Cassius, Brutus, Cinna, Casca, Metellus, Trebonius, Decius
Overall
21. What is Cassius’s attitude about fate vs. free will? Does he believe in
allowing fate to take its course? Why or why not? Use examples to
supports your answer.
*He feels like they (men) can control their fate and that they should step in for
the good of the townspeople (and the beliefs put in place by their ancestors).
For this reason, he says he will kill himself if Caesar is crowned king.
22. What kind of leadership qualities seem to be valued by Cassius and
Brutus? (use their conversation in scene ii to help you.)
*physical strength and health
Act II Study Questions
Scene i
1. What is Brutus thinking about at the beginning of Act II?
*Whether or not he should/should not help bring Caesar down (kill his good
friend!).
2. What does Lucius find when he looks at the calendar? Why is this
important to Brutus and Caesar? What ideas about fate does this
support?
*Lucius reports that tomorrow is the 15th of March (the Ides of March). It is
important because this was the warning the soothsayer gave Caesar (suggesting
that something bad was going to happen). Brutus takes it as a sign to help him
decide what he will do; he’s also influenced by the letters that suddenly
appear and thinks every sign is pointing him into the direction of killing Caesar
for the “good” of the people.
3. Why do the conspirators want Cicero to join them? Who or what
influences their final decision about including him?
*Casca, Cinna, and Metellus discuss Cicero; they say he is “mature” and will
make the people look favorably upon them. However, Brutus says to “leave him
out” because he will not join up with something that has already been created
by other men. (Cassius agrees with Brutust…perhaps more to help coerce
Brutus to joining them as well.)
4. How will Decius make sure that Caesar comes to the capitol?
*He will convince him by flattering him (even though Caesar says he “hates”
flatterers).
5. Why is Portia upset with Brutus? What has she done to prove her
strength to him?
*She is upset because he will not tell her what is wrong with him (and who he
was meeting with in the orchard). She is strong because she comes from a
noble family and married a noble man.
Scene ii
6. What strange events of the night does Calpurnia report to Caesar?
*lioness giving birth in the streets; graves cracked open and thrust forward the
dead
7. Explain the following quote by Calpurnia:
“When beggars die, there are no comets seen;/ The heavens themselves
blaze forth the death of princes.”
*When people of power die, everyone notices. [She is trying to convince Caesar
to not go to the Capital.]
8. How does Decius persuade Caesar to go to the capitol?
*He says that Calphurnia’s dreams were misunderstood; these are all good
dreams. He tells Caesar that the Senate has decided to give him a crown.
Scene iii
9. Who is Artemidorus and what does he plan to do at the capitol?
*He acts as Caesar’s friend, and he is going to try to warn him about what the
others are planning to do to him [in other words, he knows Cassius’s plan to kill
Caesar].
Scene iv
10. Why is Portia so nervous and upset?
*She is worried about Brutus because she knows what he is about to do [kill
Caesar].
11. What does she send Lucius to do?
*She sends Lucius to speak well of her to Brutus and tell him that she is happy.
Overall
12. Why is Brutus against the conspirators swearing in an oath? What does
this say about his character?
*He does not think they need to go overboard [i.e. kill Antony]. He thinks they
should stay focused on Caesar and be precise with their actions versus being
butchers. This shows that Brutus cares and is truly doing what he thinks is best
[whereas Cassius just wants to kill for power].
13. How does Caesar’s response to Calpurnia’s fears support Brutus’s and
Cassius’s worries about Caesar?
*His response shows how cocky he can be and self-centered which is the main
reason the others have a problem with him [he wants sole power over
everyone/everything].
14. In every disagreement between Cassius and Brutus, who seems to come
out on top? What does this say about the character of both Brutus and
Cassius?
*Cassius ends up getting what he wants each time [even if he does give into
Brutus’s viewpoint to get him on his team]. This shows that Cassius is
manipulative and bossy.
15. What is the purpose of the storm? Why is it so important to the play?
*The storm is foreboding and shows that times are changing.
16. List 3 leadership qualities that you see in Brutus.
*He listens, he thinks carefully, and he acts for the good of Rome.
17. List 3 leadership qualities that you see in Cassius.
*He knows how to get people on his team, he gives in/compromises [if it means
he will get what he wants], and he likes to be in power.
Scene i
Act III Study Questions
1. Why does Caesar tell Artemidorus that he will read his letter last?
*He says that anything having to do with him he will read last. (selfless?)
2. Who stabs Caesar first?
*Casca
3. What does Caesar say to Brutus when he is stabbed?
* “Et tu, Brute?” (then he dies)
4. How do the people react to the news of Caesar’s death?
*They’re scared and run in the streets as though it’s Dooms Day.
5. Brutus wants to walk the streets crying out what phrase?
* “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
6. Where did Caesar fall? Why is this considered situational irony?
At the base of Pompey’s statue; Caesar had just defeated Pompey’s Army.
7. What promise does Brutus tell the servant to relay to Antony?
*He tells Anthony to come see Brutus, so he can explain everything, and he
promises not to harm him.
8. What does Antony challenge does Mark Antony give to the conspirators
after seeing Caesar’s dead body?
*He says, If you have a grudge against me, go ahead and kill me now.” And
“prove to me that Caesar was dangerous.”
9. What favor does Antony ask of the conspirators? (besides giving reasons
for Caesar’s murder)
*He wants to speak at the funeral for Caesar, and he wants Caesar’s body.
10. What restrictions does Brutus set?
*He can speak about the good qualities of Caesar, but cannot blame Brutus or
Cassius.
11. Who is coming to Rome to meet with Antony?
*Octavius (Caesar’s adopted son/heir)
Scene ii
12. According to Brutus’s speech to the commoners, what reasons does he
give for Caesar’s death?
*It’s not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Caesar was
valiant, but we would have all died as slaves.
13. What is the mood of the crowd as Brutus finishes his speech?
*They see Brutus as a hero and want to crown him king.
14. What does Brutus offer at the end of his speech?
*He asks them to leave him alone and listen to Antony’s speech.
15. How does the crowd react to Antony’s speech?
*They feel bad for Antony and say he is the noblest in the country! They want
Antony to read Caesar’s will. They they say they’ll avenge Caesar’s death
because he left the people money, gardens, and orchards in his will.
Scene iii
16. What happens to Cinna the Poet? Why?
*Cinna had a dream that he was dining with Caesar. Then, he’s attacked by the
Plebeian.