Julius Caesar

Guided Reading Questions

 

Act I: Scene I

  1. What religious feast is occurring as the play opens?
  2. Why are the people of Rome celebrating?
  3. What do Marullus and Flavius have to say about the workmen who are celebrating? 
  4. To whom are Marullus and Flavius loyal (what leader do they prefer – Caesar or Pompey)?
  5. What do Marullus and Flavius plan on doing to Caesar’s statues and political advertisements?  What do you think the penalty is for such behavior?

Act I: Scene II

  1. What superstition about women who can’t have children is revealed in the opening lines of this scene?  What woman in the play cannot have children?  What does this mean for the heirs to the throne?
  2. How does Antony/Antonius feel about Caesar?  How do you know this (quote the line that tells you how he feels)?
  3. What is a soothsayer?  What message does he give Caesar?
  4. What are the ides of March (what date specifically)?
  5. How does Caesar respond to the soothsayer’s warning? What does this tell you about the rest of the play?
  6. What is going on with Brutus that he is keeping to himself?  What element of literature is this (it’s one of the terms from the beginning of the semester)?
  7. What general truth is Brutus explaining in the following lines: “for the eye sees not itself / But by reflection, by some other things” ?
  8. What does Caesar want Brutus to pursue? How does he plan on persuading Brutus to chase after this goal?
  9. What personal knowledge of Caesar does Cassius have?  How does this knowledge make Caesar more human?  What about this experience “rubs Cassius the wrong way” about Caesar’s recent ascension to the throne?
  10. What is wrong with Cassius’ statement about fate: “Men at some time are masters of their fates”? Do you agree or disagree with this feeling?
  11. Brutus begins to consider a mighty ambition on page 701.  What is it and why could this be dangerous for him?
  12. What would Brutus rather do than follow Caesar?
  13. Caesar makes the statement that Cassius is not to be feared. Explain why this is untrue?
  14. Why would Caesar be concerned that someone can see through his actions into the core of who he is?  What does this tell you about Caesar’s real nature?
  15. What physical defect does Caesar reveal about himself on page 703, ll. 208-210?  What other sickness might he suffer from as revealed on page 704, ll. 255-256?
  16. Caesar rejects the crown the crowd offers him three times.  What political move is he making here and why?  Does he want the crown?
  17. What might have happened to Flavius and Marullus?  What does this tell you about Roman society?
  18. Cassius believes that no matter how strong a person is, he or she can be tempted and manipulated into doing things that are less than honorable: “For who so firm that cannot be seduced?”  Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  Why or why not?
  19. How is Cassius planning on deceiving Brutus as stated at the bottom of page 705?

Act I: Scene III

  1. What is the date as this scene opens?  Why is this date significant?
  2. How does the weather foreshadow events to come?
  3. There are a few times in this scene when Casca and Cassius make statements about women. Refer to the bottom of page of 706 (ll. 22-23) and page 709 (ll. 80-84).  Read these lines and briefly summarize how Roman men feel about women.
  4. Discuss some of the strange omens that occur in this scene.
  5. What does the following quote mean, “But men may construe things after their fashion, / Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.”
  6. What strange behavior does Cassius display on page 707?  What is happening to his character?
  7. Why does Cassius say that the weather is acting up?
  8. What is the only part of Italy that won’t be ruled by a king?
  9. What is the only part of a man’s life that the God’s don’t have control over?  See lines 90-97 on page 709.
  10. What is it about Romans, according to Cassius, that makes Caesar look strong?
  11. Where does Brutus stand in the conspiracy against Caesar at end of this scene?
  12. Why does Cassius want Brutus to join the conspiracy?

Act II: Scene I

  1. What is the date as this scene opens? Why is this significant?
  2. Summarize Brutus’ soliloquy on pages 714-715.
  3. What are Brutus’ reasons for joining the conspiracy?
  4. What physical symptoms is Brutus experiencing because he has decided to kill Caesar? What kind of conflict is this an example of?
  5. Why doesn’t Brutus believe the conspirators should have to swear oaths?
  6. Who else is the group considering killing?  What is the ultimate decision and why?
  7. How are the conspirators going to make the murder seem like an “accident?” (see the top of page 721 in your text book)
  8. Briefly describe Portia and Brutus’ relationship.  How well does she seem to know her husband?  Do you believe they truly love one another?

Act II: Scene II

  1. What has the weather been like overnight as this scene opens?
  2. How is the weather a reflection of what’s happening in the play?
  3. At the top of page 727, there is an example of dramatic irony.  What is it?
  4. How is the Elizabethan order “out of whack” in this scene?
  5. Calpurnia reveals a lot about her relationship to her husband.   Briefly summarize the nature of their relationship.  Who is in control in this particular marriage? 
  6. What is Calpurnia trying to persuade Caesar to do?  Why?  Does he listen to her or not?
  7. How does Decius persuade Caesar to come to the Capital despite Calpurnia’s wishes?  What particular “jabs” does Decius throw at Caesar to get him to change his mind?
  8. What is Caesar’s attitude toward the Senate (see the bottom of page 728)?
  9. How is Caesar’s arrogance already beginning to play a role in his imminent downfall?
  10. How does Caesar feel about Decius, Trebonius, Metellus, and Brutus (revealed as they show up at his house)?
  11. What internal conflict is Brutus experiencing at the end of this scene?

Act II: Scene III

  1. Do you think Caesar will heed Artemidorus’ warning?  Why or why not?
  2. How does this short scene build suspense?

Act II: Scene IV

  1. What effect does Portia’s attitude have on the audience?

Act III: Scene I

  1. Whom is Caesar surrounded by on his way to the Senate house?  What is eerie about this?
  2. How does Caesar respond to the notice Artemidorus hands him?  How does his response relate to the statement Cassius makes in Act I: “Men at times are masters of their own fate”?
  3. When Popilus wishes Cassius good luck, what does indicate about the state of the conspirators’ plans?
  4. What is ironic about Caesar’s final speech considering what happens to him next (write down specific lines that contribute to the irony of his words)?
  5. Brutus asks the Romans to do something that should sound very familiar (remember Calpurnia?).  What does he ask his countrymen to do and why?
  6. Who comes back and asks to become part of the group that follows Brutus?  What is his real motivation for doing so?
  7. What does Antony’s response to the sight of Caesar’s dead body reveal about his feelings?
  8. Cassius seems to be able to see through many people’s motivations.  He is instinctively perceptive.  What are his feelings about Antony’s request to speak at Caesar’s funeral?  Why is he concerned?
  9. How is Brutus planning on using Antony’s eulogy to their advantage?   What lies does he plan on telling the people?  Does this conscious deception reveal anything about Brutus’ feelings for the Romans? How can he reconcile lying to them with loving them?
  10. Reread Antony’s monologue at the bottom of page 745.  What does this speech reveal about his true feelings for Caesar?  What does this speech reveal about Antony’s character?

Act III: Scene 2

  1. In Brutus’ funeral speech, what reason does he give for the death of Caesar?
  2. What does Brutus say would have happened to the people if Caesar had remained alive and in power?
  3. Who does Brutus say are the only ones the conspirators offended by killing Caesar?
  4. How do the people react to Brutus’ speech?
  5. What does Brutus volunteer to do if the people desire it?
  6. Brutus asks a favor of the people. What is it?
  7. How do the people react to Antony’s speech?
  8. What does Antony say happens to the good that men do after they die? What happens to the evil? Do you agree?
  9. What things does Antony point out that show Caesar was not ambitious? Does he actually come out and say that Caesar was not ambitious? How does he get the crowd to see things his way?
  10. How does Antony appeal to the people’s greed?
  11. What does Antony keep saying about the conspirators?
  12. Who arrives in Rome at the end of this scene, after Anotny’s speech?
  13. What did Brutus and Cassius do while Antony was speaking? What do you think they said to one another?

Act III: Scene 3

  1. Who is the Cinna in this scene?
  2. What happens to him?
  3. Why do you think Shakespeare included this scene in the play?
  4. Give an example of “mob rule” from modern life.

Act IV: Scene 1

  1. A second triumvirate has been formed. Of whom does it consist?
  2. What are the three new rulers planning to do?
  3. What does Antony say about Lepidus after he leaves?
  4. In this scene, we see a different side of Antony. What does he say that seems out of character with the simple and honest man he seemed to be in the previous act?

Act IV: Scene 2

  1. Who is Lucilius?
  2. Who is Pindarus?
  3. What does Lucilius say about the way Cassius treated him?
  4. What does Brutus mean by a friend who is cooling using an “enforced ceremony”? Give an example from your life.
  5. When Brutus realized Cassius was angry, what did he urge him not to do?

Act IV: Scene 3

  1. Why is Cassius angry?
  2. Of what does Brutus accuse Cassius?
  3. What did Brutus ask Cassius for that he has not received?
  4. What does Cassius offer to let Brutus do? Why?
  5. What is really bothering Brutus?
  6. The night before Cassius and Brutus plan to fight the forces of Octavius and Antony, what disturbs Brutus’ sleep?
  7. What warning is given to Brutus?
  8. What reasons does Cassius give for the army not marching to Philippi?
  9. Why do you think Cassius goes along with Brutus’ plan to march?
  10. Explain why you think Portia killed herself.
  11. Why do you think Shakespeare included this scene in the play?

Act V: Scene 1

  1. How many times was Caesar stabbed?
  2. Why does Brutus tell Octavius, “Young man, thou coulds’t not die more honorable”?
  3. What new omens does Cassius report to Messala?
  4. Why do you think Shakespeare included this scene?
  5. What is Cassius’ prediction of the outcome of the battle?
  6. How does Brutus feel about suicide in general?
  7. What does Brutus pledge he will never do?

Act V: Scene 2

  1. What effect does this brief scene have?

Act V: Scene 3

  1. What does Cassius tell Titinius to do?
  2. What is Pindarus supposed to do?
  3. How does Pindarus misinterpret what he sees?
  4. What does Cassius then have Pindarus do?
  5. What does Titinius do when he finds Cassius’ body?
  6. How is the action in this scene an excellent example of dramatic irony?
  7. How does Caesar’s ghost enter into the action in this scene?

Act V: Scene 4

  1. How does Lucilius keep from being killed?
  2. Why does Antony instruct the soldiers to treat Lucilius well?

Act V: Scene 5

  1. What does Strato do for Brutus?
  2. Why does Brutus say, “Caesar, now be still; I killed not thee with half so good a will”?
  3. What does Antony say about Brutus when he finds him dead? Why?
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