Show:
Plot Events
Who said this?
Identifying/Explaining Literary Devices
Critical Reading
What does this mean?
100
What information did Artemidorus have? Who did he want to give this information to?
Artemidorus had a letter of warning for Caesar about the conspirators and how they cannot be trusted.
100
"Is there no voice more worthy than my own to sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear for the repealing of my banished brother?"
Metellus Cimber
100
"METELLUS: Most high, most mighty, and most puissant* Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat an humble heart." (Pg. 95, Line 36) (*puissant=powerful)
Parallelism--repetition of "most," stressing Caesar's extreme power, extreme status, extreme strength. Intended to flatter Caesar.
100
What is Mark Antony's plan?
To act like he supports the conspiracy's actions, gain permission to speak at Caesar's funeral, and then reveal his true feelings in his funeral oration.
100
What does the term "pulpits" refer to?
Public platforms where people speak and give speeches
200
Who is Popilius Lena and what does he say that frightens Cassius?
Popilius says "I wish your enterprise today may thrive," which means "I hope your plan/endeavor goes well today." Cassius assumes Popilius has found out about their plan to assassinate Caesar.
200
"What touches us ourself shall be last served."
Julius Caesar
200
"CAESAR: ...But I am constant as the Northern Star, of whose true fixed and resting quality there is no fellow in the firmament..." (Pg. 97, Line 66)
Simile--Caesar compares his firmness in his decision to have Publius banished to the fixed position of the Northern Star. Just like the star will never move from it's place, Caesar will never change his mind.
200
In Antony's soliloquy on page 113, why is the term "butchers" used instead of "conspirators" or "killers?"
"Butchers" has a merciless, more ruthless connotation to it than a mere "conspirator" or "killer." Antony thinks Caesar's killers are bloody, and so the term "butcher" captures that dramatic effect.
200
"CAESAR: Hence. Wilt thou lift up Mount Olympus?" (Pg. 99, Line 81)
"Stop. Don't even bother. Would you try to do the impossible? Would you try to lift up a huge mountain?"
300
Just as the conspirators are about to leave and announce Caesar's death in the streets, _____ comes with a message from _____. The message asks ______.
Mark Antony's servant comes with a message Mark Antony. The message asks if Mark Antony can come and speak to Brutus without risk of being harmed.
300
"You know not what you do. Do not consent that Antony speak in his funeral. Know you how much the people would be moved by that which he will utter?"
Cassius
300
"ANTONY: Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, weeping as fast as they stream forth blood, it would become me better than to close in terms of friendship with thine enemies. Pardon me, Julius!" (Pg. 109, Line 219)
Similes--Antony exclaims how even if he cried as much as Caesar bled from eyes as numerous as Caesar's wounds, it still wouldn't be enough to make up for him becoming friends with Caesar's enemies. The comparison to Caesar's wounds adds the dramatic effect and stresses just how truly "unforgivable" Antony thinks his actions are.
300
How does knowing that Ate is the goddess of discord and vengeance help to better understand Antony's soliloquy on page 113, where Antony says "Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,with Ate by his side come hot from hell...shall let slip the dogs of war?"
Antony is saying Caesar will seek revenge and that Rome will suffer from blood, destruction, and war, which is discord. Ate is goddess of revenge and discord, and so it further enhances Antony's message.
300
"BRUTUS:...Though now our hands appear bloody and cruel,...see you but our hands and this the bleeding business they have done. Our hearts you see not. They are pitiful, and pity for the general wrong of Rome hath done this wrong on Caesar..." (Pg. 107, Line 181)
Brutus tells Antony not to judge them based on their actions but the motive behind those actions. Antony should not look at the conspirators' bloody hands or the bloody killing they have done; he should look in their hearts. They killed Caesar because they were pitiful for Rome and what it would become if Caesar became king.
400
Who is the first to stab Caesar?
Casca
400
Speak, hands, for me!
Casca
400
"BRUTUS: Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; and pity to the general wrong of Rome (As fire drives out fire, so pity pity) Hath done this deed on Caesar." (Pg. 107, Line 180)
Simile--Brutus explains how the conspirators were not merciless; they were pitiful for Caesar. However they were more pitiful for the bad condition Rome was in, and so this greater pity for Rome drove out the pity for Caesar, just like fire drives out fire.
400
How does knowing "havoc" is a battle cry meant to kill help to understand what Antony is saying when he claims "Caesar's spirit...shall cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war?" (Page 113)
It shows how extreme and merciless Caesar's revenge will be.
400
"CAESAR: Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar." (Pg. 99, Line 85)
Caesar's last words are his revelation--he has realized that if his ambition has caused even his friend, the noble, virtuous Brutus, to turn against him, then there must be justification for the conspiracy's actions. He might as well die.
500
What does Mark Antony do that confuses Cassius about whether or not Mark Antony is on the conspiracy's side?
Mark Antony says he supports the conspiracy and shakes everyone's hands right after he just finished mourning Caesar's death.
500
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged his time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, and let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood..."
Brutus
500
"CAESAR: ...But I am constant as the Northern Star, of whose true fixed and resting quality there is no fellow in the firmament..." (Pg. 97, Line 66) (read entire passage in book)
Simile--Caesar compares the firmness of his decision to the fixed position of the Northern Star. Just like the star will never move from it's place, Caesar will never change his mind in banishing Publius. Analogy--Caesar compares the sky to the world. The sky is full of stars, each one shining, but only the Northern star firmly holds its position The world is full of people, each one made of skin and blood, but only one (Caesar) remains firm in his rank.
500
Find textual evidence that supports the idea that Caesar was arrogant.
Anything appropriate.
500
"ANTONY: O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am meek and gentle with these butchers." (Pg. 113, Line 280)
Antony begs forgiveness from Caesar's corpse because he is making peace with Caesar's killers.