Act I
How does Caesar react to the soothsayer in scene two?
Who convinces Caesar to go to the capitol?
Decius
Does Artemidorus successfully deliver his letter?
No
How does Portia die?
She swallows hot coals.
Who are the attackers? Who are the defenders? (Scene I)
Brutus and Cassius attack, Antony and Octavius defend.
What is exposition?
Background information, setting, introduction to conflicts and characters.
The clock ticking is an example of...
An anachronism
What mistake does Brutus make in scene II?
He leaves Antony alone to do his speech. Now Antony can say basically anything.
What does Antony think about Lepidus?
He doesn't like him that much. He treats him as an errand runner and 'like an animal.'
What is Brutus' perspective on suicide? Why is this ironic?
He thinks it is cowardly and vile. It's ironic because at the end he keeps trying to commit.
How does Shakespeare differentiate the nobles from the plebeians in the text?
Nobles or people of high status speak in iambic pentameter and the commons speak in prose.
What new character loyal to Caesar is introduced in scene III?
Artemidorus
Who is the first to stab Caesar? Who is the last? Why is it significant?
Casca is first, Brutus is last. Brutus is the most significant as Caesar loved and trusted Brutus.
What does Brutus mean when he tells Cassius he has an "itching palm"?
It means that he and his men are greedy or taking bribes.
What does Cassius misunderstand in Act III? What does this lead to?
Cassius thinks Titinius was taken and killed but it was actually his own army celebrating. Cassius ends up killing himself.
Who are the main two conspirators by the end of act one?
Cassius and Casca
Why does Brutus say to not kill Antony?
He wants them to seem like they are killing Caesar for the good of Rome. Killing Antony too will make them seem like 'butchers'.
In scene II when Brutus is giving his speech, what change does Shakespeare make to the way Brutus talks?
He is no longer speaking in iambic pentameter, symbolizing that he has 'lost his nobility'.
What is Brutus' interpretation of what the ghost of Caesar was telling him?
To speed up his plans to go to Phillipi.
What does Cicero imply by saying "This disturbed sky is not to walk in?" (scene three)
That he does not want to be involved in the conspiracy.
What does Calphurnia mean by the following statement?
“When beggars die, there are no comets seen;/The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”(30-31)
When regular people die, there are no signs from the gods. But Caesar is not regular, and the god’s are showing warnings.
How does scene III prove that the citizens chose Antony over Brutus and Cassius?
Rome has gone into chaos, the citizens are killing people who could be conspirators, Brutus and Cassius have fled.
What does the quote "There’s a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood , leads on to fortune." mean? (said by Brutus in scene III)
That you must not let an opportunity slip by. You need to take the high tide, or the opportunity to be successful.