Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

1. Act I

   • (Week 19, Day 5)
   • The "Ides of March" is the middle of the month (March 15)
   • What is the Soothsayer's warning and what is Caesar's reaction to this?
     • The soothsayer told him to beware the Ides of March. Caesar's reaction was to ignore the Soothsayer. He called him a "dreamer" and left.
   • What are Caesar's feelings regarding Cassius in this section?
     • Caesar says that Cassius is a man who rarely smiles. He means that Cassius does not enjoy life and instead is observing the hidden motives in others.
   • What is Brutus' participation in the plot that Cassius is planning?
     • Brutus is essential in the plot to Cassius because he has great communication skills with the Roman citizens, meaning that the citizens like him. Brutus participates in all the festivities around Rome, celebrating Caesar’s death
   • What odd things does Casca see on his way to the meeting?
     • Casca says he saw a person with fire in his hand, though he did not burn. He also saw a lion on his way to the meeting but the lion ignored him.
   • Be able to describe the differences between Brutus and Cassius.
     • Brutus cares about the people who live in the village, he is very selfless. Cassius on the other hand just cares about himself.

2. Act II

   • (Week 20, Day 5)
   • What reasons does Brutus give for killing Caesar?
     • For the general good, and not for himself Brutus decides he needs to be killed. Brutus says that Caesar’s nature would change with a crown on his head. Giving him the crown would be like giving Caesar a stinger.
   • Why does Brutus decide to go along with the conspirators?
     • Brutus goes along because he knows it is what needs to be done for the greater good of the people.
   • Brutus doesn't think Mark Antony should be killed. Why?
     • Brutus says not to because  "do no more than Caesar's arm When Caesar's head is off." They don't want to seem vengeful and blood thirsty.
   • Calpurnia urges Caesar to stay home -- why?
     • Calpurnia had a bad dream with a ton of bad signs. She didn't feel he was save to go to the meeting.
   • Caesar is described as the following: as a weakling physically, vulnerable to flattery. give examples to share in a short essay response.
     • *Caesar suffered from epileptic seizures and had one of them while attending the Lupercal games.  * He almost drowned * deaf in one ear *he has “falling sickness” or epilepsy, and he almost drowned.
   • What supernatural event occurs at the end of Act II?

3. Act III

   • (Week 21, Day 5)
   • What petition is presented to Caesar, and how does he respond to it?
     • Metellus Cimber presented to Caesar that he frees his brother, Publius Cimber. Caesar denies it and says he will not change his mind because he is like the North Star.
   • What justification for Caesar's assassination does Brutus give to the people?
     • Brutus told the people Caesar was too ambitious so he had to kill him. 
   • How does Antony repeatedly refer to Brutus during the funeral oration? Is he sincere?
     • Anthony says Brutus is an honorable man in a mocking way. At first he seems sincere but as he dis credits his "honorableness" throughout his speech we know that he is not sincere. 
   • Why does Brutus allow Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral?
     • Brutus promises to not cause trouble but to just speak at his best friends funeral. He did not seem to have ill intentions because he befriends them and seemed to agree. 

4. Act IV

   • What three men ruled Rome after Caesar's death?
     • The three men who ruled were Marc Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus. Antony was emotional and ruthless, Octavius seems like a good person and Lepidus just does all of Antony's dirty work. 
   • What is the cause of the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius?
     • Brutus' accusations against Lucius Pella, who Brutus believes to have taken bribes. Cassius defended the man, a friend of his, and is angry that Brutus punished Pella anyway, despite the fact that Cassius wrote letters in his defence
   • How does Portia die? What are Brutus' and Cassius' reactions to it?
     • Portia committed suicide by swallowing burning coals. Brutus' says not to talk of her again and gets ready for battle.
   • What does the ghost mean when he says to Brutus, "Thou shalt see me at Philippi?"
     • The ghost of Cesar is telling Brutus he will be haunt him in Philippi, a evil sign of what is to come. 

5. Act V

   • On whose birthday, does the battle take place, and how does the person feel about the battle?
     • It is Cassius' birthday. He was not a feeling his best about the battle. 
   • Explain the misunderstanding involving Titinius that leads to Cassius' death.
     • Cassius' thought he saw Titinius get captured and felt it was his fault his best friend died (we know that he did not). Because of this Cassius kills himself.  
   • What is the immediate cause of Brutus' suicide? What will its effect be?
     • Brutus decides to “give the people what they want” and take himself out. At this point, he truly believes that Antony is the better leader, and so he sacrifices himself to end the battle.