Julius Caesar Act 2 Quiz

Question 1

Through the analogy of a ladder, how does Brutus explain what happens when someone gains too much power?

Answer 1

They will abandon those below because they are already at the top.

Question 2

To what does Brutus compare Caesar? Why does he feel that he must kill him immediately?

Answer 2

A snake. Because Brutus does not know if he is poisonous or not.

Question 3

What day is it and why is this significant?

Answer 3

The Ides of March. This is significant because this is the day that Caesar will die and the day that everyone has been warning him about.

Question 4

Brutus explains that he has not been able to sleep. How does he explain what happens to a man’s conscience between the “acting of a dreadful thing and the first motion?”

Answer 4

He explains he has an internal struggle because he’s already made the decision but has to wait for it to happen.

Question 5

Why does Brutus insist that men do not need an oath?

Answer 5

Their handshake is promise enough.

Question 6

How are Brutus and Cassius related?

Answer 6

They are brothers-in-law. Brutus is married to Portia who is Cassius’ sister.

Question 7

Why do the man want Cicero on their side at first? Why do they change their mind?

Answer 7

He is old and wise. They change their mind because they think that he will end up wanting the power for himself.

Question 8

Who does Cassius want to murder in addition to Caesar?

Answer 8

Mark Antony

Question 9

What is Brutus’ response to this idea?

Answer 9

Brutus says that Mark Antony is nothing but a friend and without Caesar, he will not try to gain power for himself because he is more interested in partying.

Question 10

How does Decius plan to get Caesar to come to the Capitol?

Answer 10

By playing to his ego and flattering him.

Question 11

What has Portia noticed about Brutus’ behavior recently?

Answer 11

He has been bothered by something.

Question 12

What reasons does Portia give to Brutus about why he should trust her with his secret?

Answer 12

She is his wife, she dealt with her father’s death so she can deal with, and she stabbed herself to prove her strength.

Question 13

What does Portia do to prove her strength to Brutus? What is your reaction to this?

Answer 13

Portia stabs herself in the thigh. My reaction is that she is crazy.

Question 14

Why has Calpurnia been unable to sleep? About what omens does Calpurnia tell Caesar?

Answer 14

Three times she has a nightmare that Caesar dies, about a lioness giving birth in the street, earthquakes and thunderstorms.

Question 15

Why does Caesar insist on leaving the house?

Answer 15

Because he is “Caesar” and he is fearless. When you die, you die.

Question 16

On what evidence to the priests recommend that Caesar not leave the house?

Answer 16

They could not find a heart in the offering.

Question 17

How does Decius convince Caesar to leave?

Answer 17

He tells him that Calpurnia misinterpreted her dream and that he is probably just scared which obviously turned Caesar on and got him to go.

Question 18

What is ironic about Portia’s statement “How hard it is for a woman to keep a secret?”

Answer 18

She says this and even stabs herself to prove her strength, but is then telling Lucius how difficult it is for her to keep a secret.

Question 19

What is ironic about Caesar instructing his men to stay close to him?

Answer 19

His men are the ones who are planning to kill him.

Question 20

Artimedorous reads from a letter at the beginning of the scene. Who wrote the letter and what do they plan to do with it?

Answer 20

Artimedorous wrote the letter and he plans to deliver it to Caesar in order to warn him.

Question 21

Whom do Portia and Lucius run into? Where is he going? Why?

Answer 21

They run into the soothsayer is once again on their way to warn Caesar.

Question 22

What instructions has Portia given Lucius?

Answer 22

To keep an eye on Caesar and stay close to him, also to watch Brutus and report back to her.