Character Knowledge
Who convinces Brutus to participate in the assassination of Caesar?
Cassius
Casca
Caesar's hubris could be described as his....
Tragic Flaw
How are lions used as a symbol?
Aggressive, powerful but merciless rulers
Which two Roman philosophies seem to be at odds during this time period?
Stoicism and Epicureanism.
What are the names of Caesar's and Brutus's wives?
Calphurnia and Portia
How do Cassius and Cinna convince Brutus to join the conspiracy?
Forged letters
Calpurnia has a dream that depicts Caesar’s statue running with blood in which Romans “bathe[d] their hands” (2.2.84). This is an example of...
Foreshadowing
"Et tu, Brute?" is a quote that symbolizes which key theme of the play?
Betrayal
List two major themes of the play
Betrayal Vs. Loyalty
Public Self Vs. Private Self
Inflexibility versus Compromise
Power of Language
Ambition
Honour
What reasoning does Brutus give for participating in the assassination of his friend Caesar?
He loves Rome more than he loved Caesar.
How does the general public react when Caesar refuses the crown Mark Antony offers him? How does their reaction change Caesar's behaviour?
They cheer each time, encourage Caesar to continue attempts at appearing humble for the sake of the commoners' opinions of him.
Brutus and Antony deliver contrasting speeches at Caesar's funeral, showcasing the persuasive power of language to influence public opinion. This is an example of effective ______________.
Rhetoric
Why does Mark Antony shake the hands of the conspirators?
What was the name of the author and collection of biographies written by them which inspired Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?
Plutarch - Parallell Lives
Name four of the conspirators. (100 points each)
Cassius
Casca
Cinna
Marcus Brutus
Decius Brutus
Cimber
Trebonius
Caius Ligarius
What does Flavius think will happen if the metaphorical “feathers” are not “plucked from Caesar’s wing” (1.1.77)?
Flavius warns that if the metaphorical feathers are not plucked from Caesar’s wing, Caesar will become so popular and powerful that, like a predatory falcon soaring high above the earth, he’ll amount to an invisible threat to all humans living on the earth below.
Cassius interprets the ominous weather as symbolic of Rome’s corruption under Caesar’s rule, viewing it as further justification for the conspirator's plot against him. This is an example of...
Pathetic Fallacy
Why does Caesar refuse the crown three times? Why does this worry Brutus and Cassius?
He refuses the crown to appear humble.
The crown symbolize absolute power - which may or may not corrupt him absolutely as well. Brutus and Cassius are more worried by Casca's insistence that Caesar hesitated before refusing characterizes his actions not as humble and reluctant but as ambitious and manipulative.
Who does Portia symbolize? Why might this representation be important to Shakespeare at the time of writing? Compare the setting of the play to Shakespeare's setting during his life.
Queen Elizabeth I
This is important because QEI was aging and would soon come to the end of her life without an heir for the throne. Ancient Rome is similar to Shakespeare's time in that the political unrest could lead to unpredictability among the people.
Does Caesar’s physical frailty serve to diminish his character? Or does it help to humanize his character?
Conspirators like Cassius and Casca hope that pointing out Caesar’s physical weaknesses will serve to diminish his reputation and make the Roman people perceive him as unfit to rule. But Shakespeare’s emphasis on such vulnerabilities may help to humanize Caesar for the play’s audience. Or does it? As we’ll see, Caesar refers to himself primarily in the third-person, as if even he cares more about his public image than his private self. Claiming to be immune to fear, Caesar says to Antony, “I rather tell thee what is to be feared / Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar” (1.2.221-222).
Name three people who warned Caesar about his misfortune and describe how they warned him.
Calphurnia: dream
Soothsayer: "Beware the ides of March
Artemidorous: letter
Mark Antony was described as the master of irony. Provide two examples where he meant and achieved the opposite of what he actually said.
1. He states he does not mean to read Caesar's will, but manipulates the crowd into insisting he read it
2. He describes himself as a plain, blunt man to get the people to relate to and trust him, but he is actually speaking very skillfully and purposefully.
3. He states that he does not intend to stir up their emotions, yet he incites a mob - paralepsis
What do Portia and Calphurnia symbolize? How do Caesar and Brutus treat them?
Portia and Calphurnia are symbols for the private, domestic realm.
Caesar and Brutus reject their advice; they not only prioritize public matters but also actively disregard their private emotions and intuitions.
Persuasion: What was the true cause of Caesar's downfall? Consider and refute counterarguments to your opinion.
Varies