Study Guide: Julius Caesar

Study Guide: Julius CaesarAct I Scene ii1. What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia? Why?2. What warning does the soothsayer give Caesar?3. What does Marcus Brutus think about Caesar? What does he think about Caesar’s rise to power?Support your answers with lines from the play.4. What do the lines “For let the gods so speed me as I love / The name of honor more than I feardeath” (I.ii.88-9) imply about Brutus’ character?5. Summarize the stories that Cassius tells Brutus.6. Why does Cassius tell Brutus these stories?7. Why does Caesar say that he does not trust Cassius?8. According to Casca, why does Caesar refuse the crown three times?9. Cite lines from the text that indicate Casca has disdain for both Caesar and the plebeians. Howdo these descriptions effect Casca’s credibility?

10. What sickness does Caesar have? Do you think they should be concerned about his health?11. What happened to Flavius and Marullus?12. Describe Cassius’ plan for convincing Brutus to join the conspiracy?Acts II-VAnswer the following questions using your textbook. Be sure to include specific exampleswhen instructed, including line numbers. Do not forget to use complete sentences! Thisstudy guide will be turned in for completion points at the end of the play—so be sure tokeep up with it as we read! Please write neatly or this will not be accepted!

Act IIScene 11. What question is Brutus pondering at the opening of scene 1? What does hecompare Caesar to at the end of his first soliloquy (lines 30-34)? Why do youfeel he has made this comparison?2. For what information does Brutus want Lucius to look at a calendar? What isthe significance of what Lucius finds?3. Provide evidence that the conspirators want Cicero to join them?4. Provide evidence that Brutus rejects Cicero? What is Cassius’s reaction andwhat does this show about his and Brutus’s relationship?5. Why is it that Brutus refuses to swear an oath with the conspirators?Examine lines 114-119 and summarize what he is say?6. Why does Brutus dismiss Antony as a threat to their plan? Identify the line inwhich he says this.7. How does Decius say he will make sure that Caesar will come to the Capitol?

8. What has Portia said to show Brutus that she is worthy of knowing hissecrets? Provide the lines in which you find this information.Scene 29. Why does Caesar send his servant to go see a priest? (Review lines 5-6)10. Caesar and his wife have slept badly because of the storm. Compare andcontrast Caesar and Calpurnia’s views on the storm. Provide support.11. Cite lines from Calpurnia’s dream and explain why they are significant?12. How does Decius convince Caesar to go to the Capitol besides using flattery?Scene 313. What is Artemidorus’s plan? Briefly paraphrase his letter.Scene 414. Why is Portia so nervous and upset? On what errand does she send Lucius?15. What does the Soothsayer plan to do at the end of this scene?

Act IIIScene 11. How does Caesar react to Artie’s urgent warning to read the letter?2. What is Metellus Cimber’s petition to Caesar? What is Caesar’s response andwhy does he give this response? Summarize what each has said in this act.3. What does Brutus instruct the conspirators to do before they go before thepublic? Why does he instruct them to do this?4. What request does Antony’s servant bring to Brutus? What is Brutus’sresponse?5. Why does Cassius object to letting Antony speak at Caesar’s funeral? Whatreassurance does Brutus give him?6. Identify the promise Antony gives Brutus about his funeral speech?7. After being left alone with Caesar’s body, what does Antony promise to do?Cite passage where this is said and summarize in your own words.

Scene 28. What reason does Brutus give for murdering Caesar? What is the crowd’sreaction?9. What final mistake does Brutus make in letting Antony speak?10. Why does Antony hold out on reading the will to the Roman citizens? Whydoes he choose to read Caesar’s will to the people? What does Antony revealin reading Caesar’s will?11. At the end of scene 2, what are the fates of Brutus and Cassius? Find supportto prove this.Scene 312. What is the significance of this scene? What does this show about the Romanpeople?Act IVScene 11. What are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus doing at the opening scene?

2. Why do they want Caesar’s will? What is ironic about this?3. What is Antony’s plan for Lepidus? What is his reason?Scene 24. What practical instructions does Brutus give Cassius about theirdisagreement? Why?Scene 35. What wrong does Cassius say Brutus has done to him?6. In response, what does Brutus condemn Cassius for doing? Provide evidencefrom the text.7. What does Cassius threaten to do if Brutus continues to “urge” him?8. According to Brutus, how has Cassius wronged him? What is ironic aboutBrutus’s accusation? Examine lines 65-82 and provide support.9. To prove that he has been wronged, what does Cassius tell Brutus to do tohim?

10. What happens to Portia after Brutus fled from Rome? What does this sayabout her character?11. Messala brings what ill news of the triumvirate’s actions in Rome?12. What reasons does Cassius give for not going directly to Philippi?13. What reasons does Brutus give for going directly to Philippi? Who prevails?14. What happens to make Brutus speed up his plans to go to Philippi?Act V1. What hope of Octavius and Antony is answered? What does this say aboutBrutus2. What does Cassius mean by the following statement:“Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself;This tongue had not offended so today,If Cassius might have ruled” (45-47)

3. What ominous sign has Cassius seen that causes him to fear the comingbattle?4. What does Brutus say he will do if they lose the battle? Why is he reluctant todo this?5. What horrible mistake does Cassius make? What is the outcome of thismistake?6. What is Titinius’s reaction to Cassius’s actions?7. What role does Lucilius take upon himself? What was Antony’s response tohis masquerade?8. What is Brutus’s response to Cassius and Titinius’s actions?9. What request does Brutus make of Clitus? What is his response?10. What does Brutus ask Volumnius to do? What reasons does he give? What isVolumnius’s response?

11. What does Strato do for Brutus? What does Strato ask Brutus to do first?Why?12. What overture of peace does Octavius make to Brutus’s men?13. Read lines 68-75 and explain the significance?

Study Guide: Julius Caesar Act I Scene ii 1. What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia? Why? 2. What warning does the soothsayer give Caesar? 3. What does Marcus Brutus think about Caesar? What does he think about Caesar’s rise to power? Support your answers with lines from the play. 4.