Julius Caeser
Julius Caeser by William Shakespeare
Page 708 (Guide for Reading)
1. When was Shakespeare born? When did he die?
2. Where was Shakespeare born?
3. What year did Shakespeare marry his wife? What was her name?
4. How old was Shakespeare when got married? How old was his wife?
5. How many children did Shakespeare have?
6. What was Shakespeare part owner of by 1594?
7. What is the name of the theater where most of his plays were performed?
8. What year did Shakespeare retire to Stratford?
9. Does Shakespeare have any living descendants? What are descendants?
10. On what day did Shakespeare die? Why is this an interesting coincidence?
Page 710 (Background for Understanding)
11. Who did Caeser join forces with in 60 B.C. to form the First Triumvirate? Based on the prefix, "tri," what do you believe the definition of a "Triumvirate" is? What does B.C. mean?
12. In addition to being a politician, what did Caeser demonstrate skill as?
13. Who tried to overthrow Caeser? What ended up happening to this person?
14. Who was Caeser assassinated by?
15. What years did Marcus Brutus live?
16. Who were Brutus and Cassius on the side of when Caeser fought Pompey?
17. Where did Shakespeare read about Caeser?
Page 711 (Literary Focus)
18. What is the "exposition" of a drama?
19. What is the basic situation that is going on at the beginning of the play?
Page 712 (The Tragedy of Julius Caeser)
20. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 712. How can you tell that the man standing is a man of power? (Infer)
Page 713 - The Tragedy of Julius Caeser
Act 1 - Scene 1
21. Where does Scene 1 take place?
22. Who is the first character to speak?
23. According to footnote #1, what are "commoners"?
Page 714
24. What is Flavius asking each of the commoners?
25. According to footnote #5, what is a cobbler?
26. Why does the cobbler tell Flavius that all the commoners are in the street and not at their shops working?
27. According to footnote #11, what is a "triumph"?
28. What are "tributaries" (footnote #12)?
Page 715
29. What do Marullus and Flavius order all the commoners to do?
30. What does Flavius want done to all the decorations on the statues?
Page 715 (Act 1 - Scene 2)
31. Where does Scene 2 open?
32. What is Antony about to take part in?
Page 716
33. Why does Caeser want Antony to touch Calpurnia during the race? (refer to footnote #2)
34. A soothsayer is the equivalent of a psychic. What does the soothsayer warn Caeser to beware of? How does Caeser respond to the warning?
Page 717
35. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 717. At what or whom do you think Caeser and Antony are looking? (Speculate)
36. What does Cassius tell Brutus about his behavior? How does Brutus respond?
Page 718
37. What does Cassius tell Brutus he doesn't realize about himself?
38. Literature and Your Life: Cassius claims to know Brutus better than Brutus knows himself. How do you deal with friends that think they know what you want or what you think?
39. How does Brutus respond, when Cassius asks him if he believes Caeser should be king?
Page 719
40. What does Cassius say he would rather have happen than live under Caeser's rule?
41. Cassius tells a story about Caeser and himself having a swimming contest. According to Cassius, what happened during the contest. How does this affect how Cassius views Caeser?
Page 720
42. When Cassius tells a story about Caeser becoming ill while they were in Spain, what does Cassius compare Caeser to?
What does this say about Cassius's views toward Caeser?
43. Who does Cassius tell Brutus he is just as great as? What idea do you think Cassius is trying to put in Brutus's head?
Page 721
44. Who shows up with his entourage?
45. What does Brutus notice about Caeser and his entourage?
46. Who does Caeser tell Antony makes him nervous to be around?
47. What is the meaning of the vocabulary word "spare" in the story? (Build Vocabulary)
Page 722
48. Who does Caeser ask for their true opinion of Cassius?
49. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 722. What details of Cassius's appearance can you see in this picture that might make Caeser distrust him? (Infer)
Page 723
50. Who does Brutus pull to the side and ask about Caeser?
51. The people try to offer Caeser the crown three times and he refuses it. What happens after the third time he refuses the crown? How do you think Caeser felt after this?
Page 724
52. What condition does Brutus suggest that Caeser has?
53. What does Casca say they are becoming under Caeser's rule?
54. According to Casca, what have Marullus and Flavius been "silenced" for? What could this possibly mean (according to footnote #84).
55. What does Cassius invite Casca to do with him? How does Casca respond?
Page 725
56. Cassius knows that Caeser does not like him. What are his thoughts about how Caeser feels about Brutus?
57. What does Cassius want to do to Caeser?
Page 725 (Act 1 - Scene 3)
58. What type of weather is going on in this scene? How does this affect the mood?
59. Which two characters greet each other at the beginning of the scene?
Page 726
60. How does Casca describe the world around him?
61. What does Cicero say Caeser is on his way to tomorrow?
62. After Cicero leaves, who enters the scene?
Page 727
63. What do Casca and Cassius believe is causing all of the bad weather?
64. What does the word, "prodigious" mean? (Build Vocabulary)
Page 728
65. What does Cassius believe is making them "womanish"?
66. What do Cassius and Casca decide to join forces to do?
Page 729
67. Who enters the scene as Cassius and Casca are speaking?
68. Who does Cinna want Cassius to recruit for their plan to kill Caeser?
Page 730 (Check Your Comprehension)
69. What warning does the soothsayer give Caeser? How does Caeser respond?
70. Summarize Casca's report of what happened at the games?
71. Where are Cassius and Casca going as the act closes?
Act 2 - Scene 1
Page 733
72. Where does scene 1 take place? Who is the first character to enter the scene? Who is the second?
73. On page 733, Brutus is giving a soliloquy. What is a soliloquy? What is the subject of Brutus's soliloquy?
Page 734
74. What does Brutus compare Caeser to in line 32? Is this an example of a simile or a metaphor? How do you know?
75. What does Lucius hand Brutus? What does Brutus then ask Lucius? Why is this significant?
76.What does letter urge Brutus to do?
77. What day does Lucius tell Brutus it is?
Page 735
78. What does Brutus compare the time between when Cassius suggested he kill Caeser and now?
79. Who shows up at Brutus's door?
Page 736
80. What does Brutus ask the conspirators to give him?
81. What does Cassius suggest they swear?
Page 737
82. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 737. What do you think the group is saying to Brutus here?
83. Who does Cassius ask if they should find out their opinion?
84. Why does Metellus say they should include Cicero in their plan?
85. Why does Brutus say they should not include Cicero in their plan?
86. Literature and Your Life: Explain why you think people should or should not be judged by the company they keep.
Page 738
87. Who does Cassius say should also be killed along with Caeser?
88. How does Caeser feel about killing Mark Antony also?
Page 739
89. What does Cassius say about Caeser that explains why he may not be at the Capitol on that day?
90. What does Decius say he will be able to do?
91. Who does Metellus say they should recruit for their cause?
92. Why does Brutus say Lucius sleeps so soundly?
Page 740
93. Who enter the scene at the top of page 740?
94. What does Portia tell Brutus in line 255? How does Brutus respond?
95. What does Portia want Brutus to tell her?
Page 741
96. Why does Portia say she deserves to know what's going on? Do you agree?
97. Who enters after Portia exits?
Page 742
98. Who agrees to join Brutus, regardless of knowing the full details of the plan?
99. Build Vocabulary: What does the word "exploit" mean?
Scene 2 - Page 742
100. How is the weather described in scene 2? What might this be symbolic of?
101. What does Calpurnia tell Caeser not to do?
Page 743
102. What does Calpurnia say she never paid any attention to until now?
103. What does Calpurnia say she witnessed a lioness do in the streets?
104. Why does Caeser say it is pointless to worry about these omens? (Lines 27-28) How does Calpurnia respond? (Lines 30-32)
105. According to the servant, what were the augurers (priests) unable to find when they were pulling apart the insides of the sacrificial animal?
106. Who does Caeser say is more dangerous than danger itself?
Page 744
107. What does Calpurnia accuse Caeser of being? (Line 49)
108. Who does Calpurnia suggest they send to the Senate House instead of Caeser?
109. What does Caeser tell Brutus that Calpurnia dreamt about the night before (Lines 76-79)?\
Page 745
110. What does Decius tell Caeser people will think of him if he stays home and doesn't attend the Senate House? (Lines 100-101)
Page 746
111. Critical Viewing: Look at the photo on page 746. Based on what you've read so far, how sincere do you think these men are in kneeling before Caeser (Connect)
112. Who feels bad knowing what is about to happen to Caeser?
Scene 3 - Page 746
113. Where does scene 3 open?
114. What does Artemidorus plan on giving Caeser?
Scene 4 - Page 747
115. Where does scene 4 open?
116. What does Brutus's wife, Portia, ask their servant, Lucius, to do?
Page 748
117. What does Portia want Lucius to give Caeser on her behalf? (Line 44)
Check Your Comprehension - Act 2
118. Why is a meeting held at Brutus's house and who attends the meeting?
119. What reasons does Calpurnia, Caeser's wife, give for wanting him to stay home?
120. Who persuades Caeser to go to the Capitol and how?
Act 3 - Scene 1
Page 751
121. Where does scene 1 open?
122. What does the soothsayer (fortune teller) say when Caeser points out that the ides of March (March 15) are come, and nothing has happened to him?
123. What happens when Artemidorus tries to get Caeser to read his letter?
124. What does Cassius say he will do to himself if Brutus does not successfully kill Caeser?
Page 752
125. What does Metellus Cimber request from Caeser? What is Caeser's response?
Page 753
126. When the conspirators stab and kill Caeser; Caeser says, "Et tu, Brute?" What does this mean (Footnote 29) Why do you think Caeser singles out Brutus when he says this?
130. What is the definition of the word "mutiny"? (Build Vocabulary)
Page 754
131. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 754. Explain how this picture captures the deception of the conspirators. (Analyze)
132. Paraphrase Brutus' justifications for killing Caeser. (Reading Strategy)
Page 755
133. How does Cassius believe he and the other conspirators will be viewed by future generations?
134. Reading Strategy: The servant carries a message from Mark Antony to Brutus. Paraphrase the message only.
135. What does Brutus tell the servant to tell Marc Antony?
Page 756
136. What does Marc Antony tell the conspirators he wants them to do if they plan on killing him?
137. What does Brutus tell Marc Antony must happen before he can explain why he murdered Caeser?
138. Build Vocabulary: What does the word "malice" mean?
Page 757
139. Read lines 209-210. What is Caeser's dead body compared to? Is this a simile or a metaphor? How do you know?
140. What does Marc Anthony request he be able to do with Caeser's body?
Page 758
141. Why does Cassius tell Brutus in private that he does not want Marc Antony to speak at Caeser's funeral?
142. What does Brutus tell Marc Antony he is not allowed to do during his speech at Caeser's funeral?
143. What does Antony's soliloquy reveal that other characters do not know? (Literary Focus)
Page 759
144. What does Marc Antony tell Octavius' servant to tell Octavius. How far away is Octavius?
Scene 2 - Page 759
145. Where does scene 2 open?
146. What do the plebeians (commoners) demand after the death of Caeser?
147. What do Brutus and Cassius decide to do? Why might they have decided to do this?
Page 760
148. Why does Brutus tell the crowd that he killed Caeser?
Page 761
149. What does Brutus say he will do to himself if it is what the people of Rome want?
150. How do the plebeians react to Brutus's speech?
Page 762
151. What does Marc Antony make it a point to mention that Caeser refused three times? (Lines 97-98) Why do you think he does this?
Page 763
152. How do the commoners respond to Marc Antony's speech?
153. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 763, how does this actor portray Antony's passion in delivering Caesars eulogy?
Page 764 - Page 765
154. What does Marc Antony say he found in Caeser's closet?
155. Why does Marc Antony tell the crowd of commoners that he is hesitant to read Caeser's will to them?
Page 766
156. Of all the conspirators who murdered Caeser, who does Marc Antony say Caeser loved the most?
Page 767
157. Whose house do the plebeians (commoners) suggest should be burned down?
Page 768
158. What does Marc Antony tell the people that Caeser left them in his will? (Lines 248-251)
159. What does the commoners say they will use their torches for after burning Caeser's body?
160. Literary Focus: How does Marc Antony's aside indicate the true intentions behind his monologue?
161. Who does the servant tell Marc Antony is in town?
Page 768 - Scene 3
162. Where does scene 3 take place. Who is the first character to speak?
Page 769
163. When Cinna is asked by the plebeians (commoners) if he is a bachelor, what is his response? When he is asked were he is going what is his response? Is he going to this event as a friend or an enemy?
Page 770
164. Why do the commoners attack Cinna? What do they say they will do next?
Act 3 - Check Your Comprehension
165. What petition is presented to Caeser, and how does he respond to it?
166. What justification for Caeser's assassination does Brutus give to the people?
167. What effect does Antony's oration have on the common people?
Act Four - Scene 1
Page 773
168. Where does scene 1 open?
169. Which three characters does scene 1 open with?
170. What are the three characters deciding?
171. Build Vocabulary: What does the word "slanderous" mean. What do you think it would mean to "slander" somebody?
Page 774
172. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 774. What details in this picture indicate that these are important, powerful men? (Draw Conclusions)
173. Who does Marc Antony say Brutus formed an alliance with?
174. Who does Marc Antony form an alliance with? Who do they leave out of their alliance?
Page 775- Scene 2
175. Where does scene 2 take place?
176. Who arrives to greet Brutus's army at the bottom of page 775?
Page 776
177. Who does Cassius accuse of doing him wrong?
Page 776 - Scene 3
178. Why does Cassius tell Brutus he is upset with him?
Page 777
179. What does Brutus remind Cassius that Caeser died for? (Line 19).
180. What does Brutus say he would rather be than corrupt? (Line 27)
181. Which two characters are trading insults on page 777?
182. Build Vocabulary: What is the meaning of the word "chastisement." What does it mean to "chastise" somebody?
Page 778
183. While he was alive, what does Cassius say Caeser never did to him as much as Brutus? (Lines 59-60)
184. Literary Focus: How does this conflict between Brutus and Cassius reflect Brutus' internal conflict over his participation in the conspiracy?
185. What does Brutus accuse Cassius of denying him?
186. What does Cassius say Brutus has broken?
Page 779
187. When Cassius pulls out his dagger, what does he offer to let Brutus do? Who does Cassius say Brutus loved more than him?
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188. Critical Viewing: How do the expressions and body language of these actors playing Brutus and Cassius indicate conflict? (Analyze)
189. What does Brutus tell Cassius he will do from now on when Cassius says something offensive to him?
190. What does the poet tell Cassius and Brutus? How does Brutus respond to the poet?
Page 781
191. Brutus' philosophy in life was Stoicism. According to footnote #48, what does a Stoic believe?
192. Who does Brutus say died? What does he say she died from?
193. What does Brutus tell Messala he has received?
Page 782
194. Whose armies are marching toward Cassius and Brutus?
195. According to Messala, how many senators have Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus?
196. What does Brutus suggest to Cassius that they do? What is Cassius' response?
Page 783
197. What does Brutus say will happen to Marc Antony and Octavius' army if they wait to attack them?
198. Who does Cassius wish to never argue with like that again?
Page 784
199. What does Brutus invite Varro and Claudius to do inside his tent?
200. Who does Brutus ask to play some music for him before he goes to sleep?
Page 785
201. Whose ghost appears and begins speaking to Brutus?
202. Where does the ghost tell Brutus it will see him again?
203. What does Brutus do after seeing the ghost?
Page 786
204. What does Brutus tell Claudius to go and do?
Check Your Comprehension - Act 4
205. What three men rule Rome after Caeser's death?
206. What is the immediate cause of the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius? How does Cassius defend himself?
207. How does Brutus' wife, Portia, die?
208. What supernatural event occurs at the end of the act?
Act Five - Scene 1
Page 789
209. Where does Scene 1 open?
210. What does Octavius inform Antony about the armies of Cassius and Brutus?
211. What does Antony say that Cassius and Brutus' armies are trying to do?
212. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 789. What details in this sculpture indicate that the subjects are preparing for battle?
Page 790
213. Who decided to have a conference before the battle?
214. Literary Focus: Why are Brutus' words in line 29 tragic? How does Antony's response highlight the tragedy?
215. What does Antony compare Brutus and the other conspirators to that killed Caeser?
Page 791
216. What does Cassius say would have happened to Marc Antony had he had his way?
217. Who does Octavius say he draws his sword against?
218. What does Octavius say he was not born to die on?
219. Where do Marc Antony and Octavius tell Cassius and Brutus to meet them if they have the stomachs for it?
Page 792
220. Whose birthday does Cassius say it is?
221. Cassius says that he no longer believes in the philosophy of Epicurus. According to footnote #32, what is the Epicurian philosophy?
Page 793
222. What does Brutus say he would rather have happen than be captured by the armies of Marc Antony and Cassius?
223. Literature and Your Life: Do you think people should prepare for the worst or expect the best?
Page 793 - Scene 2
224. What does Brutus believe the outcome of a sudden attack will be on Octavius and Marc Antony? (footnote #4)
Page 793 - Scene 3
225. What have Cassius' men begun to do? How does Cassius respond? What does Cassius take from the ensign after he kills him?
226. What does Pindarus tell Cassius to do? Why?
Page 794
227. What does Cassius say about his life (line 26 / footnote #9)? What do you think he is now prepared to do?
228. What happens to Titinius? (Lines 30-31)
229. What does Cassius ask Pindarus to do? What does Pindarus decide to do afterwards?
Page 795
230. Critical Viewing: Look at the picture on page 795. This battle is the outcome of events that were set in motion earlier in the play. What is the original cause that leads to this battle? (Analyze)
231. Who does Messala say Octavius' army was overthrown by? Who does he say Cassius' army was overthrown by? Why does Messala say this will comfort Cassius? What does he not know about Cassius?
Page 796
232. Who does Messala want Titinius to find?
233. What does Titinius use Cassius' sword to do?
Page 797
234. Where does Brutus tell his men they must go now?
Page 797 - Scene 4
235. Why does Lucilius impersonate Brutus? (Line 8 / Footnote 3)
Page 798
236. What does Marc Antony tell the soldiers about Lucilius?
Page 798 - Scene 5
237. Where does scene 5 open?
238. What does Brutus ask Clitus to do? How does Clitus respond?
Page 799
239. Whose ghost does Brutus say appeared to him twice? What does he know now?
240. What does Brutus ask Volumnius to do? How does Volumnius respond?
241. How does Brutus view the impending victory by Marc Antony and Octavius? (Line 38 / footnote 9)
Page 800
242. What does Brutus do to himself?
243. Why does Strato tell Octavius that Brutus decided to kill himself? (Line 57 / Footnote 14)
244. What does Octavius say he will do with Brutus' men? (Line 61 / Footnote 17)
245. Who does Antony saw was the most noble Roman of them all?
246. Marc Antony says that Brutus was the only conspirator that did not kill Caeser for what reason?
Check Your Comprehension
247. On whose birthday does the battle take place, and how does this person feel about the battle?
Answer: In Act 5 Scene 1, Cassius tells Messala it is his birthday and that he has bad omens about the battle on hs birthday.
248. Explain the misunderstanding that leads to Cassius' death.
Answer: Cassius thought his friend Titinius had been overtaken by enemy hordes.
249. Why does Brutus think it is time to die?
Answer: The Ghost of Caesar has appeared to him on the battlefield, he says, and he believes that the time has come for him to die.
250. Who does Antony say is the noblest Roman of all?
Answer: Brutus alone acted for the good of Rome rather than for personal gain.