Act 1
What does Brutus fear when he hears the crowd shouting about Caesar?
He is afraid they are asking Caesar to be king.
According to Brutus, why is is necessary that Caesar be killed?
He was afraid Caesar would abuse the power once it got to his head.
In the moments following Caesar's death, what do the conspirators proclaim to justify their
deed?
"Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!"
Why were Brutus and Cassius fighting?
Brutus is upset that Cassius is accepting bribes, and Cassius is upset that Brutus yelled at one of his men.
How did Cassius die?
Cassius himself told Pindarus to stab him.
How did Flavius and Marullus feel about the celebration?
They were angry; taking down everything honoring him.
Why does Metellus think it would be a good idea to ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
Cicero is older and deserves more respect
Antony wants to speak at Caesar's funeral. What reaction does Brutus and Cassius have?
Brutus would let him speak. Cassius thinks it is too dangerous for them to let Antony
speak to the people.
How does Antony feel about Lepidus?
He thinks Lepidus is useless except to run errands.
What causes Titinius to say, "the sun of rome is set"?
He learns that Cassius is dead.
What does the Soothsayer tell Caesar
Beware the Ides of March
Why does Brutus disagree about taking an oath?
Cowards and men who are about to die take oaths
Under what conditions will Antony speak at the funeral?
He will be allowed to speak if he doesn't blame the conspirators, admits he speaks by
their permission, and speaks last (after Brutus).
When Act 4 begins, what are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus doing?
They are creating a list of which men will live and which men will die.
WHo do the soldiers believe they have captured? Who is it really?
They think they have captured Brutus, but it is actually Lucilius
Caesar is a coward and weak and unfit to rule.
How does Portia prove her strength to Brutus?
Portia stabs herself in the thigh and bears the wound silently.
What is ironic about the timing of Caesar's murder (in relation to the preceding events)?
He has just finished saying how he is one who is as "constant as the Northern Star" and
comparing himself to Olympus. He is destroyed just after proclaiming his magnificence
and indestructibility.
Why does Antony want to re-examine Caesar's will?
He wants to see if there are any loopholes so he doesn't have to give as much money to the people of Rome.
How does Brutus die?
He kills himself with his sword.
How does Antony respond to Caesar's request?
What does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony?
It would be bloody and take away from their original purpose.
Antony's servant brings a message to Brutus. What does he say?
Antony praises Brutus for being honest and noble and requests to be able to safely come
see Brutus to hear why Caesar was murdered.
Who wants to march to Philippi? Why?
Brutus wants to go so that the city Antony marches through doesn't align with them.
Why did Antony say Brutus was the "noblest roman of them all"?
The others killed Caesar for personal gain but Brutus believed he was doing the right thing for his countrymen.