the tragedy of julius caesar

Question 1

“Caesar cried, Help me, or I sink!…
so from the waves of the Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar [bear].”

Answer 1

Cassius, talking to Brutus about Caesar. This shows that Caesar has a physical problem

Question 2

“Brutus says he was ambitious,

and Brutus is an honorable man.”

Answer 2

Antony talking about Brutus to the commoners, the meaning is to show the opposite of what he said, Brutus is not ambitious and not honorable. Repetition, revenge on conspirators

Question 3

“Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;

He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.”

Answer 3

Caesar talking about Cassius, this is an example of foreshadowing. Caesar thinks that Cassius is greedy for power and dangerous. Later on in the story Cassius murders Caesar.

Question 4

List three of Caesar’s physical problems that are mentioned in Act I.

Answer 4

deaf in the left ear, epilepsy, and infertility

Question 5

How does Cassius convince Brutus to join the conspiracy? Be Specific.

Answer 5

Cassius forges letters to Brutus, thinking that the letters are from citizens.

Question 6

Name three of the omens that are listed in Act I, scene iii.

Answer 6

the god’s are fighting because something bad might happen, the soothsayer saying beware the ides of march, and men being on fire.

Question 7

Name two omens from other scenes in the play.

Answer 7

Caesar’s ghost and Calpurnia’s dream.

Question 8

What are Julius Caesar’s dying words, and what do these words mean?

Answer 8

Et tu, Brute? It means And you, Brutus? in Latin.

Question 9

How, specifically, does Portia die?

Answer 9

She swallows fire.

Question 10

Describe Calpurnia’s dream about Caesar.

Answer 10

she saw his statue run with blood like a fountain, while many smiling Romans bathed their hands in the blood

Question 11

How has Antony changed in act IV as a result of Caesar’s death?

Answer 11

More ruthless and kills people more.

Question 12

What two things does Caesar leave in his will to the Roman people?

Answer 12

land and money

Question 13

Who gave Caesar the “unkindest cut of all,” and what does this phrase mean?

Answer 13

Brutus. Brutus betrayed Caesar because he killed him.

Question 14

Describe the plan Marellus and Flavius have devised at the end of Act 1 scene 1.

Answer 14

They are going to get rid of all of the vandalization that was on the status.

Question 15

Why are Marullus and Flavius determined to destroy the celebration of Caesar’s victory over Pompey?

Answer 15

they are afraid of losing their freedom, and they are living in fear of losing the republic

Question 16

What are two examples that Cassius provides to Brutus to demonstrate Caesar has a “weak character.”

Answer 16

One example that Cassius provides to Brutus to demonstrate Caesar has a weak character is when he talks about the story of Caesar almost drowning in Spain. Another example is when he talks about Caesar’s epilepsy.

Question 17

Brutus is a dear friend to Caesar, but why doesn’t Brutus want Caesar to become king?

Answer 17

Rome will be in difficult times.

Question 18

Who does Caesar describe as having “a lean and hungry” look? What is he implying about this character?

Answer 18

Cassius. People like that think too much and could be dangerous, according to Caesar.

Question 19

Why is Casca frightened as this scene opens in Act 1 Scene 3?

Answer 19

Casca sees all the thunder and lightning storms. He thinks that something bad is happening (a civil war) in the heavens and that the gods are very angry.

Question 20

What does Cassius think the signs mean?

Answer 20

Cassius thinks that the signs are from the gods in heaven. I don’t think the gods like the idea of Caesar ruling Rome by himself.

Question 21

“O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts, And that which would appear offensive in us, His countenance, like richest alchemy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness.”

Answer 21

Casca, talking about Brutus. This is saying that Brutus is a key part of the team and could help assassinate Julius Caesar

Question 22

According to Brutus, why is it necessary that Caesar be killed? What is Brutus’s internal conflict?

Answer 22

It is necessary that Caesar must be killed because it is for the better good. Brutus’ internal conflict is between the citizens of Rome and Caesar.

Question 23

Throughout the play, it is clear that Brutus is concerned with honor. Killing Caesar for the good of Rome should be the motivation of the conspirators, but their actions suggest they are doing something wrong in killing Caesar - They do not behave like honest men. What are some examples of their behavior that show they feel a sense of guilt over their action? Why does Brutus disagree about taking an oath?

Answer 23

An example that shows they are feeling a sense of guilt over their action is when Brutus could not sleep because he is going against Caesar. Brutus disagrees about taking an oath because apparently oaths are only for cowards.

Question 24

What does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony? Why do you think Cassius is willing to go along with Brutus regarding what to do with Marc Antony?

Answer 24

Brutus says that they shouldn’t kill Marc Antony because he’s not important without Caesar being alive. Cassius is willing to go along with Brutus because Brutus is an important part of the plan of assassinating Caesar, and he cannot get Brutus mad.

Question 25

Portia, Brutus’ wife, is clearly worried about Brutus. What does she want to know, and how does Brutus answer?

Answer 25

Portia wants to know why Brutus is acting differently. Brutus does not tell her anything, but promises that he will tell her soon.

Question 26

Describe Calpurnia’s dream. How does Decius interpret Calpurnia’s dream?

Answer 26

Calpurnia has a dream about someone is murdering Caesar. Decius interprets the dream positively to make Caesar happy.

Question 27

What arguments does Decius use to change Caesar’s mind about going to the Capitol? There are three.

Answer 27

The arguments that Decuis’ uses to change Caesar’s mind is that the Senate will think that Caesar is a coward, the Senate might not crown him king, and that they will “break up the Senate until another day, When Caesar’s wife will have better dreams.”

Question 28

Why does Cassius believe that the news of their conspiracy has been discovered?

Answer 28

Pompilous tells Cassius “I hope that your enterprise today is successful.” Cassius later becomes concerned.

Question 29

Which character foils Artemidorus’ plan to warn Caesar?

Answer 29

Metullus Cimber

Question 30

What mistakes does Brutus make in this act?

Answer 30

Some of the mistakes Brutus makes are not making an oath, allowing Marc Antony to speak at the funeral, and not killing Marc Antony.

Question 31

According to Brutus, what was it that caused him to kill Caesar?

Answer 31

Caesar’s ambition

Question 32

Contrary to Brutus’ speech, Antony listed 3 times Caesar was NOT ambitious. Name them below.

Answer 32

He denied the crown 3 times to make it look like Caesar was humble
When the poor cried, Caesar also wept
When he brought captives to Rome

Question 33

What are two things Brutus says he will never do, even if he loses the war?

Answer 33

He will not kill himself or be a prisoner.

Question 34

who kills cassius

Answer 34

pindarus

Question 35

who kills brutus

Answer 35

himself

Question 36

who is the last person to kill caesar

Answer 36

brutus

Question 37

Who are the members of the second triumvirate?

Answer 37

marc antony
lepidus
octavius caesar

Question 38

Cassius claims that Brutus

Answer 38

publicly disgraced a friend of his.
disregarded his requests.
chose the wrong time for disciplining minor offenses.

Question 39

“{looking at the body of Brutus}
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar.”

Answer 39

Antony talking about Brutus to Octavius. This shows that regardless of brutus killing Caesar, he is still considered noble because he had good intentions.