Pamela Ibanez

Krucli

English II Hon. E-core

18 November 2002

 

Caesar Questions

15. On his arrival at the Senate, Caesar has thirty lines to speak before Casca strikes his first blow. Find examples in those lines of:

            a.pomposity: But I am constant as the northern star

            b.vainty: I could be well mov’d, if I were as you;

c. arrogance: To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood that will be thaw’d from the true quality

            d. affection: Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!

            e. pride: Unshak’d of motion; and that I am he

 

Do you think Shakespeare had a dramatic purpose in showing Caesar at his worst immediately before the assassination? Explain this purpose.

I believe that Shakespeare wanted to show that Brutus was killing Caesar for a reason and so he showed him at his worst.

 

9. In his address to the mob in the forum. Brutus speaks in prose, not blank verse. His words have been described as “a lecture.”

a. hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear

b. Censure me in your wisdom, and wake your sense, that you may the better judge

c. Had you rather Caesar living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free as men?

d. He says that he loves Rome more than his friend Caesar

e. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus

Comment on the wisdom of his approach and assumptions. Do you think it is reasonable to describe him as politically naïve?

It was not wise because it made him sound dumber than what he really was, and he also was not interesting, and did not pursway the crowd as powerfully as if he would have not talked as “ a lecture.” Lectures are also boring a lot of the time, and nobody will be moved by a lecture. Brutus is naïve.

 

6. In act II scene I, in which Cassius win over Brutus to the conspiracy, show evidence of

a.       as to annoy us all; which to prevent, let antony and Caesar fall together

b.      Decius, well urg’d. I think it is not meet, Mark Antony, so well belov’d of Caesar, should outlive Caesar;

c.       Decius, well urg’d

 

4. Anotony shows a masterly control over the fickle nature of the common people

a. before antony ascends to the public chair to make his oration, which remark typifies the commoners’ dull wittedness?

-Gentle Romans

b. whereas Brutus’s speech appealed to the intellect, antony’s is emotional. He ends his opening remarks be choking back tears. How do the people react?

- they become very emotional and riot

C. he says of the commoners, “you are not wood, you are not stones, but men” explain why antony’s oratorical approach shows a greater understanding of crowd psychology.

-he wants to side with the people so they believe him to be more trustworthy. He also tends to flatter them to get their approval.

            d. why does antony mention the will to the crowd, but decline at first to read it?

            -He wants their attention and a focus to listen to

g. the commoners forget the will untill antony reminds them of it. What does this tell us of their power of concentration?

- the mob cannot concentrate well

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1