Julius Caesar Test Flashcards
What is the setting of the first scene?
a street in Rome
Why have the shopkeepers left work?
To celebrate Caesar because he defeated Pompey
What is Marullus and Flavius’ reaction to the citizen’s behavior? Why?
They are upset and angry because these people supported Pompey yesterday and now support Caesar
What important information about the political and social atmosphere does Shakespeare provide us in the first scene?
Caesar vs Pompey and wealthy vs. poor/laborers
What does Caesar want Antony to do when he runs by Calpurnia? Why?
to whip her because Caesar is trying to get Calpurnia pregnant
What does the soothsayer tell Caesar? What is Caesar’s reaction?
“Beware the Ides of March” and Caesar doesn’t care and blows them off
How has Brutus been feeling lately? How does this open a door for Cassius?
Brutus has been feeling uneasy. Cassius is going to find out what’s bothering him
What is your reaction to Brutus’ lines: “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius,/that you would have me seek into myself/ for that which is not in me?” What might this hesitation or caution foreshadow?
betrayal by Brutus and betrayal by Cassius to Caesar
what does Brutus love (even more than his own life)?
loves the name of honor (he would die for honor)
Why does Cassius tell Brutus the story about Caesar swimming the Tiber River? What does this reveal about Caesar? What does this reveal about Cassius?
Cassius tells this story to make Caesar look weak and human. Caesar is not as strong as he portrays himself. Cassius wants Caesar to fail
Describe Brutus’ reaction to Cassius’ ideas
He’d rather be a follower than a leader
Why does Caesar distrust Cassius? Why does Caesar not fear Cassius however?
he’s smart;observant;analytical. He does not fear him because Caesar is in charge
Why does Caesar tell Antony to “Come on [his] right side?”
Caesar is deaf in his left ear
Explain why the crown was offered to Caesar three times. What is your reaction to this spectacle?
the crown is offered three times to make Caesar seem humble. Caesar wants to be kings, badly, but must gain the favor of his people
Why does Caesar faint? Why does Caesar say: “No, Caesar hath it now; but you and I/and honest Casca we have the falling sickness”? To what is Cassius referring?
Caesar has a seizure
They have the sickness because they have to bow down to Caesar.
They are referring to Caesar’s power
Explain how Casca’s line “…but for my own part, it was Greek to me.” Explain how his line is iconic.
Casca is very smart and understood what was being said
What doubts does Cassius reveal about Brutus in his soliloquy?
Brutus does not have the confidence
How does Cassius plan to convince Brutus that he is more noble and loved than Caesar?
writing letters from fake people
What is the weather like in the opening scene of scene 3?
storming
how does the storming at the beginning of scene 3 contribute to the mood? Why is this mood significant?
makes everyone uneasy and on edge; killing Caesar tomorrow
Why does Cassius say “I exposed my naked chest to the thunder-bolt”? To what could Cassius be referring?
hit by lightning = not killing Caesar
not hit by lightning = killing Caesar
Why is Casca eager to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy?
everyone loves him
What directions does Cassius give Cinna? What does Cassius hope to accomplish with this task?
He gives Cinna a letter to convince Brutus; He’s trying to convince Brutus to join them
Through the analogy of a ladder, how does Brutus explain what happens when someone gains power?
they forget where they came from
To what does Brutus compare Caesar?
a snake that hasn’t hatched
What day is it? Why is this significant?
March 14; Caesar is going to die tomorrow
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”?
he made the decision to kill Caesar but hasn’t done it yet
How are Cassius and Brutus related?
brothers-in-law
Why does Brutus insist that the men do not need an oath?
because their word is it, they are true honorable Romans
Why do the men want Cicero on their side at first? Why do they change their minds?
He’s old and wise and will make them look good; Brutus said he won’t do what he’s told
Who does Cassius want to murder in addition to Caesar?
Mark Antony
What is Brutus’ response to Cassius wanting to kill Antony?
he’s worthless and won’t do anything
How does Decius plan to get Caesar to come to the capital?
by flattering him
What has Portia noticed about Brutus’ recent behavior?
he’s acting weird, not sleeping/eating, and he’s ignoring her
What reasons does Portia give to insist that Brutus reveal his feelings to her?
They’re married
She’s strong enough
She survived her dad’s death
She stabs herself in the thigh
What does Portia do to prove her strength to Brutus? What is your reaction to this act?
she stabs herself in the thigh; she’s crazy, stubborn, and manipulative
Why has Calpurnia been unable to sleep? About what omens does Calpurnia tell Caesar?
She had a dream Caesar died; a lion gave birth in the streets, earthquakes, and storms
Why does Caesar insist on leaving the house?
because he’s brave and not scared
On what evidence do the priests recommend that Caesar not leave his house?
they can’t find the heart of a bird
How does Decius convince Caesar to leave?
re-interprets Calpurnia’s dream to be positive
Caesar instructs his men to keep close to him. What is the irony?
they’re going to kill him
Artemidorus reads from a letter in the beginning of scene 3. Who wrote the letter and what does he plan to do with it?
Artemidorus wrote the letter and plans to warn Caesar with it
What is ironic about Portia’s statement: “How hard it is for women to keep a secret”?
She talks about how strong she was, but now it is hard for her to keep the secret
What instructions does Portia give Lucius?
to check on Brutus at the Senate house
Whom do Portia and Lucius run into? Where is he going? Why?
The soothsayer; he’s going to find Caesar and warn him
What does the soothsayer mean by “Ay, Caesar but not gone”?
the day isn’t over yet/he can still die
What does Metellius Cimber beg Caesar to do? what is his response?
to let his brother not be banished; Caesar says no
What does Caesar mean by “Et tu, Brute?” as he falls? How do you think Caesar felt in this moment?
“and you, Brutus?” he felt betrayed by his best friend
What message does Antony send to Brutus? What does Antony do when he meets the men?
asks to talk for an explanation and then shakes their bloody hand
What does Antony request?
a funeral and Caesar’s body
What warning does Brutus give Antony?
don’t say anything bad about them or blame them
In his soliloquy, what does Antony vow?
get revenge
What does Antony want Octavius’ servant to do? Why?
tell Octavius to stay put; it’s dangerous they don’t know what will happen to him
What reason does Brutus give for Caesar’s assassination?
he was too ambitious
After Brutus speaks, how do the citizens feel about him? about Caesar?
They love Brutus and hate Caesar
Why doesn’t Brutus stop Antony’s speech?
Brutus left
What does Antony say that he has in his possession? What does the crown want Antony to do?
Caesar’s will and the crowd wanted to hear the will
What does Antony show the citizens? What is their reaction?
Caesar’s body and stab wounds; they are mad and angry
What did Antony claim that Caesar left his citizens in his will?
money and land
What happens to Cinna as her travels to Caesar’s funeral? Who do the citizens mistake him for?
he got ambushed and died; Cinna the conspirator
The scene of Cinna dying is often providing some comic relief. Why do you think Shakespeare included this here?
the sad emotion ends up on Cinna the poet. People were angry and he was mistaken as Cinna the conspirator
To what does Lepidus consent?
to kill his brother
How does Antony feel about Lepidus? To what does Antony compare him?
calls him an ass and compares him to his horse
How has Brutus been feeling towards Cassius lately?
nervous, concerned, something is up
To where do Brutus and Cassius go at the end of this scene? Why?
to the tent to talk in private
Why is Cassius angry with Brutus?
Brutus accused him of taking bribes
What is Brutus’ reaction to Cassius’ complaint?
he does not deny it
What is happening between Cassius and Brutus? Why is this important?
they’re fighting; they’re supposed to be on the same team/same side
Why does Cassius take out his dagger?
he’s a drama queen and his trying to prove his loyalty to Brutus
On whom does Cassius blame his temper?
his mother
Who interrupts Cassius and Brutus? Why?
a poet; to break up the tension
What has happened to Portia? How did this happen?
Portia died by suicide by swallowing hot coals
What is Brutus’ plan of attack?
march to Philippi
What does Brutus ask Lucius to do for him? what happens to Lucius?
He asks him to play him a song to go to sleep and Lucius falls asleep
What does Caesar’s ghost tell Brutus?
“I will see you at Philippi”
where does the opening scene in act 5 take place?
the plains of philippi
How does Octavius contradict Antony earlier in this scene
who’s going to go what direction
What happens when the men meet before their battle?
they trash talk one another
Whose birthday is it?
Cassius’
What omens does Cassius finally believe?
the eagles being replaced by scavenger birds
What are Cassius and Brutus worried about?
what to do if they lose
What message does Brutus send to Cassius?
go attack Octavius
What move does Brutus make that virtually destroys Cassius’ side?
tells him to attack Octavius
What does Cassius ask Pindarus to do? Why?
to kill him because he thinks Titinius is dead
How does Caesar finally get revenge against Cassius?
Cassius dies by the same sword that killed Caesar
What do we find out about Pindarus’ report to Cassius before Cassius takes his life?
it was not accurate, they were Brutus and Cassius’ tents, not Antony’s
What does Titinius do after he sees Cassius’ body?
kills himself because he thinks he’s the reason Cassius is dead
How does Caesar gain his revenge?
by the sword Cassius used to kill himself
Explain why the soldiers think they have captured Brutus?
Lucilius pretends to be Brutus because the soldiers don’t know any better
What does Brutus ask Clitus to do? What is Clitus’ response to this request?
to kill him and he says no
What does Brutus request of Volumnius?
to kill him
Who finally gives into Brutus’ request?
Strato
How does Antony feel about Brutus?
He thinks Brutus is the noblest Roman of them all
What does Octavius say they will do for Brutus? Why do you think they omit mention of Cassius? Explain your reasoning?
they will give Brutus a funeral because Brutus did everything for the good of Rome
