Julius Caesar

Question 1

replication

Answer 1

an echo or copy

Question 2

spare

Answer 2

healthily lean

Question 3

infirmity

Answer 3

weakness

Question 4

surly

Answer 4

in a proud, commanding way

Question 5

portentous

Answer 5

bad omens

Question 6

prodigious

Answer 6

impressively forceful

Question 7

anon

Answer 7

soon

Question 8

betimes

Answer 8

right now

Question 9

hence

Answer 9

away; from here

Question 10

hie

Answer 10

hurry

Question 11

hither

Answer 11

here

Question 12

marry

Answer 12

indeed

Question 13

prithee

Answer 13

polite request; please

Question 14

sooth

Answer 14

truly

Question 15

withal

Answer 15

in addition; notwithstanding

Question 16

wont

Answer 16

accustomed

Question 17

Why are Brutus’ words in line 29 tragic?

Answer 17

His words are tragic because he did not use words with Caesar; Antony heightens the tragedy by reminding Brutus how Caesar trusted his loving and loyal words.

Question 18

How does Antony feel toward Brutus and why?

Answer 18

Antony is angry with Brutus for his part in assassinating Caesar. He points out the fatal hypocrisy of Brutus, who appeared to honor Caesar right up to the moment he stabbed him.

Question 19

Recall Brutus’ earlier decision not to kill Antony as well as Caesar. How would the opposite decision have changed the course of events?

Answer 19

The effect of not killing Antony is the battle that is about to be fought.

Question 20

important

Answer 20

Read this carefully! Brutus says that Octavius cannot be killed by a traitor because neither Brutus nor Cassius is a traitor. Shakespeare is emphasizing the tragedy of the play by reminding us that Brutus does not consider himself a traitor. If Brutus had killed Caesar for any other but a patriotic reason, he would not stand up as a tragic hero. He would be a traitor and a murderer.

Question 21

important

Answer 21

Brutus is saying that he does not believe in taking his own life, rather than waiting for death as ordained by fate. However, if the only alternative is to walk back to Rome as a captive, he would take his life.

Question 22

impotant

Answer 22

Cato (Portia’s father) was on Pompey’s side during the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. Cato committed suicide at the battle of Utica in 46 B.C. rather than fall into captivity.