Act 1
"You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, knew you not Pompey?" Provide context.
Marullus and Flavius and chastising Romans who are celebrating in the streets for Caesar's return.
“Therefore think him as a serpent’s egg Which, hatch’d, would as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell” (2.1.22-24)
Brutus speaks to other conspirators regarding his reasoning to assassinate Caesar. He doesn't think he's as dangerous as he could be, but like a serpent, he might become dangerous after hatched from its egg).
"I could be well moved, if I were you. If I could pray to move, prayers move me. But I am constant as the Northern Star, Of whose true fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament…"
Caesar is speaking to assassins; they're asking him to repeal the banishment of a senator's brother. Caesar says no, that he's constant with his decisions (even though we know he can easily change his mind with a little flattery).
What does Brutus condemn Cassius for doing (hint: he has an "itching palm.")
Cassius took bribes and offered military positions to non-deserving soldiers.
"Words before blows; is it so, countrymen? Not that we love words better, as you do. Good words are better than bad strokes."
Brutus. He and Cassius are speaking to Antony and Octavius. They are hurling insults at each other before they engage in battle.
"Let no images be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about and drive away the vulgar from the streets; so so you too, where you perceive them thick." Provide context.
Marullus and Flavius order the Romans to remove the decorations around the streets and on Caesar's statues. They are celebrating his return to Rome.
“Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds” (2.1.185-186)
Brutus. The conspirators bring up the idea of killing Antony as well. Brutus believes that it would be an excessive blood bath.
"Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause; and be silent that you may hear."
Brutus to the people of Rome as he begins his eulogy of Julius Caesar to explain why JC was murdered.
Which personal tragedy does Brutus learn about that is revealed during his argument with Cassius.
That Portia died by "swallowing a coal."
"Let them set on at once, for I perceive But cold demeanor in Octavius wind, And sudden push gives them overthrow. Ride, ride Messala! Let them all come down."
Brutus (to Messala). He senses that Octavius' army is tired, and so wants to go forward with an all out assault to gain advantage.
What consequence do Marullus and Flavius face later in the play on account of their orders to the celebrating Romans?
They are silenced. Their ability to speak truthfully to their constituents has been revoked.
“She dreamt tonight she saw my statue, Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it” (2.2.76-79).
Caesar is speaking to Decius when Decius arrives at his house one morning to make sure he goes to work. Caesar believes the omen within his wife's dream; that people were celebrating Caesar's death by bathing in the blood.
"This was the most unkindest cut of all. For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitor’s arms, Quite vanquished him."
Mark Antony to the people of Rome as he's delivering his eulogy. He points to Caesar's body and highlights that Brutus was one of the murderers.
Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.
"Julius Caesar! Thou art mighty yet; Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords In our own proper entrails."
Brutus. He claims that Caesar, even from the dead, has power over him. Brutus is about to "fall upon his sword."
"Set honor in one eye and death in the other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death."
Brutus and Cassius begin to speak about Caesar since Cassius is trying to persuade him to join the conspiracy. Brutus doesn't answer directly, but offers that he's willing to die for Rome.
“I have a man’s mind but a woman’s might. How hard it is for woman to keep counsel!” (2.4.9-10)
Portia. She's worried about her husband, Brutus. She believes that she can help her husband if he tells her what's troubling him.
"When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff."
As Antony delivers his eulogy, he makes a point to remind the Romans that Caesar was good to them and always considered the commoners.
What are Antony's thoughts towards Lepidus?
That he is only fit to run errands, not actually a real, valiant soldier.
"This was the noblest Roman of them all…His life was gentle, and the elements So mix’d in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, “This was a man!”
Antony. He offers a few final words of praise to Brutus, after he dies by suicide, to honor his love of Rome.
"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus; and we petty men walk under his huge legs, and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves. Men at some times are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves..."
Cassius is speaking to Brutus during the feast of Lupercal; he's trying to persuade Brutus of Caesar's faults.
How does Decius persuade Caesar to go to the Capitol on the Ides of March?
Decius tells them the nightmare is misinterpreted. People were CELEBRATING Caesar's LIFE, and therefore bathing in his blood (rather than celebrating his death).
"Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses!"
An angry mob assaults a man named Cinna, who is a poet. However due to mob mentality, they hurt this man simply because he has the same name as a conspirator.
Who visits Brutus in his tent late at night, after his argument with Cassius? And why?
What ominous sign did Cassius see with his soldiers? (Hint: aviary).
One day they were feeding the eagles flying by, a sign of strength. The next day crows and ravens were there instead, a sign of death and scavenging.