Act III Plot
Who have the commoners sided with by the end of Act III?
Antony
Who are the members of the second triumvirate?
Antony, Octavius, and Lepipdus
Name at least two of the three characters who attempt to warn Caesar about his fate on Ides of March.
Soothsayer, Calpurnia, Artemidorus
What literary device is being used when Cassius warns Brutus against allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral, whispering, "Brutus, a word with you. / You know not what you do" (3.1.230-231).
Aside; Cassius whispers this to Brutus with the notion that other characters onstage will not hear him.
"Et tu, Brute?" (3.1.77)
Caesar / Caesar is shocked that Brutus has betrayed him and struck the fatal blow.
When and where is Caesar murdered?
The Ides of March; The Capitol/Senate
Why does Brutus want to talk privately with Cassius, inside his tent?
He doesn’t want them to be heard disagreeing in front of their troops.
The fact that the commoners support Brutus after his speech, and then Antony after his speech tells the audience that they are ____________________.
Answers will vary, but may include fickle, easily swayed, etc.
Literature that is intended to persuade its audience into thinking, doing, or feeling something is known as: __________.
Rhetoric
"I could be well mov'd, if I were as you... / But I am constant as the northern star, / Of whose true fix'd and resting quality / There is no fellow in the firmament" (3.1.58-62).
Caesar / Caesar is comparing himself to the North Star in order to show how permanent and unchanging he is.
According to Antony, what has Caesar left the Roman citizens in his will?
75 drachmas and public parks
Name at least TWO of the reasons why Brutus and Cassius are arguing in Scene 3.
Answers will vary, but may include:
- Brutus doesn't support a man Cassius supports.
- Brutus is angry that Cassius is accepting bribes.
- Brutus is angry that Cassius hasn't sent gold.
What is the fate of Cinna the Poet?
AND
What does this tell you about the mob?
He is killed by the commoners because he shares the name Cinna with one of the conspirators.
Answers will vary, but might include: this tells us that the mob is brutal, irrational, and acts without thinking.
Fill in the blanks:
-Ethos is defined as an argument's appeal to______.
-Logos is an argument's __________ appeal.
-Pathos is an argument's __________ appeal.
-Ethos is defined as an argument's appeal to credibility.
-Logos is an argument's logical appeal.
-Pathos is an argument's emotional appeal.
"This was the unkindest cut of all; / For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, / Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, / Quite vanquish'd him" (3.2.181-184).
Antony / Antony is explaining the extent of Brutus's betrayal against Caesar to the commoners.
What do Brutus and Cassius do in the aftermath of Antony's speech?
They flee Rome.
How and why does Portia die by suicide?
How: She swallows hot coals.
Why: She was distressed over Brutus's absence and the second triumvirate's growing power/army.
Provide one or more words that could encapsulate the following characters' tragic flaws:
- Caesar
- Brutus
Be ready to justify your answer.
Answers may vary, but may include:
- Caesar: Excessive pride, ambition, etc.
- Brutus: Naivety, idealism, etc.
What literary device is being used when Antony repeatedly states that "Brutus is an honorable man" in his funeral speech?
AND
Why does he do this?
Verbal irony / He is trying to call the idea that Brutus is honorable into question by showing how Brutus has unjustly accused Caesar of excessive ambition.
"Let me tell you...you yourself / Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm, / To sell and mart your offices for gold / To undeservers" (4.2.9-12).
Brutus / Brutus is accusing Cassius of accepting bribes in exchange for titles/positions in the army.
What reason for his rising against Caesar does Brutus give the commoners?
Caesar was a threat to the Roman republic, and Brutus loved Rome more than he loved Caesar.
What appears before Brutus at the end of the Act?
AND
What message does this bring?
Caesar's ghost; The ghost tells Brutus he will see him at Philippi.
What is Antony's view of Lepidus?
AND
What comparison does he make to illustrate this?
Antony views Lepidus as a simple tool to be used; he compares him to a donkey.
What contrasting character traits does the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius reveal, establishing them as foils?
(Ex: Brutus is __, while Cassius is___).
Be ready to explain your answer!
Answers will vary, but may include:
Brutus: Stoic, idealistic, naive, etc.
Cassius: Emotional, opportunistic, savvy, etc.
"Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for I know, / When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov'dst him better / Than thou ever lov'dst ________" (4.3.104-106).
Cassius / He is daring Brutus to stab him and saying that Brutus loved Caesar more than him, even when Brutus hated Caesar.
Name ONE example Antony provides to show how Caesar is NOT ambitious.
- He explains how Caesar made $ for Rome by bringing back captives
- He explains how Caesar wept for the poor
- He explains how Caesar rejected the crown 3x
Explain both Brutus and Cassius's respective strategies/reasoning for confronting Antony's army.
Brutus - Wants to seek Antony's army out while his own army is at its peak.
Cassius - Wants to stay put and allow Antony's army to travel to them, wearying Antony's the soldiers.
What does the reader learn about Cassius when he dares Brutus to strike him the same way he stabbed Caesar during the heat of their argument?
Answers will vary, but may include:
- Cassius is overly emotional
- Cassius is envious and wants Brutus's approval
- Cassius is manipulative
Which two stages of the classic hero's journey are slightly adjusted when it comes to the tragic hero's journey?
The Special Weapon --> The Tragic Flaw
The Supernatural Helper --> The Supernatural Harmer
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, / Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; / Omitted, all the voyage of their life / Is bound in shallows and miseries" (4.3.217-220).
Brutus / He is explaining to Cassius why they need to seek out Antony's army instead of waiting around - he is afraid of missing their opportunity.