Julius Caesar
What do Brutus and Cassius do during the Lupercal celebration?
Cassius tries to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy
Brutus does not want the conspirators to make an oath. Why?
Because honest Romans, acting in the best interest of Romans, don't need to make pacts to one another. Their word is enough. The act they are planning is virtuous and not ruthless.
Who says, "Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar." What does it actually mean and what happens after it is said?
Caesar says it to Brutus. It depicts the ultimate act of betrayal but the second part implies Caesar's acceptance of his fate because it is Brutus who did the deed. Caesar then dies.
The ghost of whom shows up at the end of Act IV?
Caesar
Who does Caesar describe as having a "lean and hungry look" and basically doesn't trust?
Cassius
Why do the conspirators ask Metellus to kneel before Caesar to beg for Publius Cimber’s (his brother) reinstatement from exile?
To get physically close to Caesar in order to stab him.
What important information do we receive about Portia in Act IV?
She killed herself by swallowing hot coals.
Who does Caesar defeat at the beginning of the play?
Pompey
What does Cassius reveal in his soliloquy in Act 1? (What will he do to get Brutus apart of the conspiracy?)
He will write letters to Brutus in different types of handwriting pretending to be people of Rome that want Brutus to go against Caesar.
Who said to Caesar: "And he shall say you are not well today. Let me upon my knee prevail in this."
Calpurnia
Who is the first to stab Caesar? Who is the last to stab him?
Casca is the first and then Brutus is the last.
How does Cassius die?
He asks his servant, Pindaurus, to use his sword (the same sword he used to kill Caesar) to kill him. He committed suicide.
Why does Caesar ignore Calpurnia’s warnings and still go to the capitol?
Decius convinces him that Calpurnia has interpreted the dream and the omens incorrectly.
What is Brutus' inner conflict?
He loves Caesar but fears he will be a tyrant.
What was the result of the sacrifice Caesar asked that the priests make to the gods? What did they tell Caesar to do?
The priests could not find a heart in the beast and told Caesar to stay home.
What happens to Cinna (the poet) as he travels to Caesar's funeral?
He is killed by the rioting citizens because they initially thought he was Cinna the conspirator and even after they realize who he is, they still kill him out of anger.
What are the names of the men that make up the new triumvirate?
-Octavius -Antony -Lepidus
What does Antony do when he meets with the conspirators and sees Caesar’s body?
Initially, he is overcome upon seeing the body. He does pull himself together and then swears allegiance to Brutus and shakes hands with the conspirators.
What are the two stories Cassius brings up about Caesar? What two physical weaknesses do we learn about Caesar?
-Caesar challenged Cassius to swim race and began to drown. -Caesar got sick and cried out; Cassius called him a sick girl. -Caesar is deaf in one ear. -Caesar has epilepsy (the falling sickness).
What is the anachronism in this Act? (anachronism is when an author unknowingly or purposefully inserts something from a different period of time into his/her writing)
The clock striking in the play. Considering the time period, there were no grandfather clocks during Caesar's time. (other anachronisms: the book in Act V, the doublet Caesar wishes to be thrown open, etc.)
What did Antony claim that Caesar left his citizens in his will?
75 drachmas and public parks
Who gains power of Rome at the end of the play?
Octavius