ACT 4: PLANNING, VIRTUE or GREED & REVENGE?

COMPLETE WORK HERE
Scene Worksheet Template
Audio Reading of the Play
Link to the GOOGLE DOC where you complete the assignments for each scene. Make a copy you can then reuse (and recopy) for each scene. Be sure to paste it to the Google Classroom Assignment when you finish to turn it in (otherwise I cannot find nor see your work).

SCENE 1: Now the Real Antony (Or Power Corrupts but Contrast with Caesar)

Click the Image or Scene to go to the text. The items on the left go to the original text. The link on the right goes to the "Modern Translation."

Act 4, Scene 1Love to learn it.

Act 4, Scene 1: Full Scene Modern EnglishAntony, Octavius, and Lepidus are coming up with a list of senators to assassinate, including a Lepidus' brother and Antony’s nephew. When Lepidus leaves, Antony expresses his disdain for him, to Octavius’ surprise. Antony explains that he plans to use Lepidus when fighting against Brutus and Cassius, but to deny him any real power once the conflict is over.

Act 4 Scene 1 Julius Caesar: Daily Activities

Act 4 Scene 1

Reading CHECK:

1) Who are the 3 men of the 2nd Triumvirate?

2) Who does Octavius say must be on the "hit" [proscription] list?

3) Who does Lepidus say must be on the "hit" list?

4) Antony damns Publius with what? (what word does he use to describe the killing?)

5) What does the Triumvirate hide from the public?

6) Antony compares Lepidus to a what?

7) What does Antony desire about Lepidus?

8)T/F: Octavius agrees to Antony's desire about Lepidus.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Directions: Answer 4 or more of the following questions, including ALL with a star (*) next to them. Then, develop 2 - 3 of your OWN Discussion Questions related to themes you identify. Lead the Academic Seminar with as much critical thinking and courtesy as you can. Use this SENTENCE FRAME/STARTER DOCUMENT to help guide discussion in your group. You will then present to the class each day.

What signs already reveal that Rome is already becoming an empire and is no longer a republic? Who acts like a tyrant/emperor?
Why is Antony so opposed to Lepidus? Analyze his reasons more deeply.
Analyze Antony's character. Compare / contrast his character in this scene to his character in Act 3 scene 2. Give examples & interpret his character. What do we make about the stark contrast?
Compare Caesar with Antony: what things does Antony do in this scene that we did not hear or see Caesar do? Which of the two is more noble, or fit to be a king?
Analyze Octavius's character. Give examples & interpret his character.
What does comparing and contrasting Antony -now that he has a chance at power - and Caesar show us about Caesar's character? Was Caesar like Antony - or these 3 men? Who are more like these men?

SCENE 2: Fighting in Front of the Children/Soldiers
(Note: the website combines scenes 2 & 3)

Act 4, Scene 2Love to learn it.

Act 4, Scene 2: Full Scene Modern English

Act 4 Scene 2 Julius Caesar: Daily Activities

Act 4 Scene 2

Reading CHECK:

1) Who is Brutus' servant in this scene?

2) What accusations against Cassius does Brutus speak of to Lucilius?

3) Who is Cassius' servant in this scene?

4) How has Cassius treated Brutus recently (according to Brutus in this scene)?

5) When Cassius arrives, how does he feel toward Brutus?

6) Why do Brutus and Cassius agree to go into their tent?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Directions: Answer 4 or more of the following questions, including ALL with a star (*) next to them. Then, develop 2 - 3 of your OWN Discussion Questions related to themes you identify. Lead the Academic Seminar with as much critical thinking and courtesy as you can. Use this SENTENCE FRAME/STARTER DOCUMENT to help guide discussion in your group. You will then present to the class each day.

What do the conflicts between Brutus and Cassius show us about 1) them & 2) politics? Be very precise about the differences and nuances between Cassius and Brutus. Analyze their character.
Analyze Brutus' character.
Analyze Cassius' character.
Compare and contrast Brutus & Cassius to Antony & Octavius. Are either of the groups more noble than the other?
What are (all) the possible implications (implied/inferred reasons) of Cassius' action to deny Brutus money? (Think through all the possibilities you can & list them and explain their rationale). Is Brutus level headed or is he overcome with a passion?

Scene 3: Honor & Dishonor - Brutus & Cassius Now Argue to Near Death
(note: the text is combined in scene 2 on the myShakespeare website linked above)

No Fear Shakespeare: Julius Caesar: Act 4 Scene 3 | SparkNotes

Act 4 Scene 3 Julius Caesar: Daily Activities

Act 4 Scene 3
Reading Check:

What does Cassius want to do to Brutus at the start?
How does Cassius attempt to persuade Brutus to back down?
Why is Brutus mad at Cassius? What crimes has he committed?
What does Cassius threaten after Brutus scolds him to pieces?
Do the men/soldiers hear the two men arguing? What is evidence?
Who do we learn has died?
How did he/she die?
Where do Marc Antony and Octavius plan to meet Brutus' & Cassius' armies?
How many senators have been killed by Antony & Octavius according to Brutus?
Which senator is specifically named as having been killed?
What do Brutus and Cassius argue about in terms of the battle plans? Who wins (based on what they decide)?
Who visits Brutus at night?
What does the visitor tell Brutus?
What does Lucius dream about?
Why does Brutus ask the others in his tent about their cries?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Directions: Answer 4 or more of the following questions, including ALL with a star (*) next to them. Then, develop 2 - 3 of your OWN Discussion Questions related to themes you identify. Lead the Academic Seminar with as much critical thinking and courtesy as you can. Use this SENTENCE FRAME/STARTER DOCUMENT to help guide discussion in your group. You will then present to the class each day.

What is Brutus attacking Cassius for? Analyze - is he correct and/or moral, or otherwise?
Further develop the ideas from scene 2: What do the conflicts between Brutus and Cassius here in scene 3 show us about them & about politics? Be very precise about the differences and nuances between Cassius and Brutus. Analyze their characters.
What are Cassius' arguments to fight at Sardis? What are any problems with it?
What are Brutus' arguments to fight at Phillipi? What are any problems with it?
*What is the significance of the ghost? Why does the ghost appear and what does it mean/symbolize? How should we interpret its words?
What threats to justice are represented in this scene? Who commits them? What do we need to learn from this?
Is it enough to kill tyrants? Where does evil or tyranny or injustice reside?