Julius Caesar

One of the most famous of William Shakespeare’s plays is “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.” The play tells of the murder of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar by Roman officials, many of whom were once Caesar’s friends. In the scene below, Caesar is walking in public with Casca, other friends and supporters. Many citizens are following the group. Read the passage, paying special attention to the underlined words.

ACT I. Scene II.

Soothsayer: Cæsar!

Caesar: Ha! who calls?

Casca: Bid every noise be still: peace yet again!

Caesar: Who is it in the press that calls on me?

I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,

Cry “Cæsar!” Speak; Cæsar is turn’d to hear.

Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.

Caesar: What man is that?

Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Caesar: Set him before me; let me see his face.

Casca: Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Cæsar.

Caesar: What say’st thou to me now? speak once again.

Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.

Caesar: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.

1. Define bid.

A) offer

B) order

C) suggest

D) price

2. Define still.

A) silent

B) stable

C) fixed

D) lifeless

3. Define press.

A) media

B) assault

C) crowd

D) pressure

4. Define shriller.

A) thinner

B) more high-pitched

C) more thrilling

D) more mild

5. Define turn'd.

A) bending

B) listening

C) rotating

D) turnt-up

6. Define soothsayer.

A) fortune-teller

B) doctor

C) drunk

D) madman

7. Define say'st thou.

A) did you shout

B) did you say

C) muttering

D) did you whisper

8. Define a dreamer.

A) asleep

B) snoring

C) strange

D) insane