Act I
These characters are celebrating in the street at the beginning of the tragedy.
Who are the cobbler and the carpenter (commoners)
Why does Brutus justify killing Caesar if he has no personal reason to spurn at him?
What is for the good of Rome (the dangers he may do if crowned)
Why does Brutus address the plebians (commoners) outside the Capitol after Caesar's assassination?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op0DQ0Z65iI
What is to convince them / persuade them that Caesar's death was necessary -- to urge them to view the conspirators as "purgers" not "butchers."
Describe the mood of the final scene read of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
What is
- violent
- angry
- ominous
Identify the figurative device in the statement to follow: "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."
What is a simile
This character delivers the line: "Beware the Ides of March."
Who is the Soothsayer
Name at least one of Caesar's weaknesses, as explicitly stated in the text.
What is
- seizures (epilepsy or "falling sickness")
- can't swim
- Fever while in Spain
Why is Antony right to send a servant ahead of him once he's learned of Caesar's murder?
What is: the conspirators considered killing Antony alongside Caesar at one point because he's his "right hand."
Caesar's arrogance is in large part the reason for his downfall. Name the literary term for excessive pride.
What is hubris
Identify the two halves of the comparison in the statement to follow: "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."
What is a) Caesar b) Colossus (giant)
What ultimately happened to the characters, Marullus & Flavius, for taking putting a stop to the celebrations?
What is put to silence (death)
Cassius is a master-manipulator. Name at least one of the scary things Casca reports seeing while on his way to meet with the fellow conspirators that Cassius says is a "warning from the heavens."
What is
- Owl or "Bird of Night" out at noonday
- 100 ghostly women swearing they saw men on fire
- Slave's hand on fire yet not burning
- Lion on the Capitol steps
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The plebians' "mettle" or character is easily "wrought" or manipulated. Where do we see evidence of this?
What is through their constantly changing loyalties: first Pompey, then Caesar, then Brutus and lastly Antony (Caesar again)
Who is the nobleman who "sits high the people's hearts" yet was turned against after Caesar's death?
Who is Brutus
A character who remains unchanged throughout a work is known as a ______ character.
What is a static character
Who does Caesar command to touch Calpurnia's belly during the holy race?
Who is Antony
Why does Calpurnia attempt to warn Caesar about going to the capitol?
What is she has a dream where Romans are bathing in Caesar's blood & she cries out 3x
What is Antony's purpose in addressing the public after Caesar's death?
What is to turn the plebians (commoners) against Brutus, Cassius & the other conspirators
To Portia, his wife, Brutus states, "Go away a while and by and by I...will procure to thee the secrets of thy heart." This is evidence that Brutus plans to what?
What is tell her his secrets
Which character states the following: "I, your glass, / Will modestly discover to yourself / That of yourself which you yet know not of."
Who is Cassius
How does Cassius plan to manipulate Brutus? Name a specific action.
What is forge letters / plant letters in his home pretending they're from Roman citizens
What is significant about the letter Artemidorous wants to give Caesar as he makes his way to the Capitol?
What is it names each of the conspirators that are plotting to harm him
Name one of Caesar's final lines before he dies.
What is
- "Et tu, Brute?"
- "Then fall Caesar."
Describe one shift in power in the tragedy.
What is
- Cassius in charge of the conspiracy then Brutus
- Brutus having control over the commoners then Antony
- Caesar then Brutus
Identify two foil characters in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Who are
- Calpurnia & Portia
- Cassius & Brutus
- Brutus & Antony