English
154/180
Harlan
STUDY QUESTIONS FOR JULIUS CAESAR
Introduction
1. When did Shakespeare write Julius Caesar and what other plays did he compose around that same time?
2. What are three major reasons why Shakespeare's audience would be interested in a play about the assassination of a Roman general in 44 BC
3. Why were educated Englishmen so familiar with the story of the play?
4. The work of what Roman historian furnished Shakespeare with details for the play?
5. How did the English seek to show a historical connection between their country and ancient Rome? Why?
6. Why was there such concern about political assassination when the play was written?
7. What was the Roman Senate? How were they elected? Who were the plebians?
8. Why was Pompey so important in the rise of Julius Caesar?
9. What was Julius Caesar's ultimate political goal?
Act I, scene 1
10. In this scene how does Shakespeare reinforce social differences among the characters in the language they use?
11. What was the job of the tribunes and what was their political agenda?
Act I, scene 2
12. Identify three different foreshadowings in the first 24 lines of this scene
13. What was Caesar's response to the warning of the Soothsayer? Why?
14. How does Cassius begin his manipulation of Brutus? Why is it particularly effective in terms of psychology?
15. When Cassius asks Brutus if the eye can see itself at line 53, how is he attempting to manipulate Brutus?
16. Why does Cassius appeal to Brutus' ambition around line 66? What does this tell us about Cassius?
17. What offstage event causes Brutus to reveal his feelings to Cassius? How?
18. What two examples does Cassius cite to dispute Caesar's fitness to lead?
19. What psychological weakness in Brutus does Cassius take advantage of between lines 151 -- 161?
20. How does Brutus reveal his true feelings about Caesar's grab for power at line 172?
21. Find two physical defects in Caesar revealed in this scene. Explain how Caesar is trapped in his role as leader.
22. Find three things Caesar distrusts about Cassius. Is he right in his suspicions?
23. What was Caesar's purpose in the political drama of refusing the crown three times?
24. What are four things Casca finds physically disgusting about the plebians?
25. Despite Casca's supposed cynical indifference to Caesar's political drama, how do we know he is really interested in what happened?
26. What did Caesar do when he recovered from his fit? How is this a foreshadowing?
27. How does Cassius play on the phrase for epilepsy: "falling sickness"?
28. Who is Cicero and why is Cassius so concerned about his reaction to Caesar's political drama? What is the political significance of Cicero speaking Greek?
29. What happened to the tribunes, Marulles and Flavius, from the first scene?
30. Why does Cassius pretend that Casca has already joined the conspiracy around line 297?
31. In Cassius' soliloquy at the end of the scene, what attitude toward Brutus does he reveal?
Act I, scene 3
32. Explain the connection between the macrocosm and the microcosm and what the storm signifies?
33. List five "prodigies" Casca associates with the storm. How does he explain them? How does Cicero explain them?
34. How does Cassius interpret the storm? Why does he allow Casca to draw the connection at lines 72 -- 78?
35. What honor does the Senate plan to bestow on Caesar on the ides of March? What is Cassius' reaction to the proposed honor? Where else in the play does Cassius react in a similar manner?
36. Why does Cassius ask Cinna twice, "Am I not stayed for?"
37. What political "dirty trick" does Cassius plan to have Cinna play on Brutus?
38. Why do the conspirators especially want Brutus to join them?
Act II, scene 1
39. What arguments does Brutus raise in his inner debate that favor killing Caesar? What reservations does he express about committing the murder?
40. What emotionally appealing conceit does Brutus use to justify killing Caesar to prevent potential evil?
41. Where in this scene does Brutus make his only reference to the terrible storm? What does this tell us about Brutus?
42. Why is Cassius political "dirty trick" effective in swaying Brutus' decision?
43. Explain the cause of the inner turmoil that Brutus describes at lines 61 -- 69.
44. Why is Brutus bothered by the fact the conspirators have hidden their faces when they arrive? Why does he come to accept their hiding their identities?
45. What is the psychological effect on Brutus when each conspirator reveals himself at line 86 following?
46. At what point does Brutus formally agree to join the conspiracy? What is unusual about the way his acceptance is staged?
47. Who is in charge of the conspiracy at line 86? Who is in charge at line 233? What happened?
48. Why does Brutus oppose swearing an oath at lines 114 -- 140?
49. Explain Brutus' idealistic vision of the assassination around line 140.
50. Why does Brutus oppose getting Cicero into the conspiracy?
51. Give two reasons why Brutus opposes killing Antony.
52. Explain what I mean in the lecture about Brutus' disembodied view of the murder.
53. How does Decius Brutus propose to get Caesar to come to the Capitol, despite the "prodigies" of the storm and the advice of the augurers?
54. How does the recruitment of Caius Ligarius represent a significant step in Brutus assuming leadership of the group?
55. Explain the leadership struggle over the symbolism of having the last word at line 223 and following.
56. What are four symptoms of Brutus' inner struggle which Portia has noticed?
57. Why does Portia's kneeling make Brutus feel uncomfortable?
58. Why has Portia cut herself? Why is it effective? What does her action foreshadow?
59. Why does Caius Ligarius agree to join the conspiracy? How does Brutus' recruitment technique differ from that of Cassius?
Act II, scene 2
60. What two things cause Caesar to be afraid to leave his house on the ides of March?
61. Identify at least three different places in this scene where Caesar struggles with his personal fear versus his role as the fearless leader.
62. Why does "fearless leader" Caesar argue that it is pointless to fear death?
63. Explain how in lines 60 -- 75 Caesar undermines his own decision to stay home.
64. What was Calphurnia's dream? What event does it foreshadow? How does Decius interpret its significance?
65. What is Decius' most compelling argument to get Caesar to go?
66. Describe Caesar's behavior as the leader in the last 25 lines of this scene?
67. Where does Brutus reveal his genuine feelings about the assassination in this scene?
Act II, scene 3
68. According to Artemidorus what motivates the conspirators?
69. What dramatic purpose does this scene serve?
Act II, scene 4
70. Where in this scene does Portia almost reveal the secret about the conspiracy? What dramatic purpose does this scene serve?
Act III, scene 1
71. Identify three places in the first 78 lines where Shakespeare builds suspense.
72. Why doesn't Caesar read Artemidorus' warning?
73. What does Cassius threaten to do when he thinks Popilius has told Caesar about the plot?
74. Find three examples of dramatic irony in the first 78 lines of this scene.
75. How does Caesar show contempt for Mettelus?
76. As the conspirators kneel in support of Mettelus' suit, Caesar expresses surprise about one man in particular. Who? Why?
77. To what does Caesar compare himself in his most famous speech in the first 78 lines of this scene? How did Shakespeare's audience probably respond to the argument behind this comparison?
78. Why did Shakespeare give Caesar his famous last words? According to Plutarch, what did Caesar actually say and do at the moment of his death? What was ironic about where in the Capitol Caesar actually died?
79. What are the three mottoes the conspirators come up with following the assassination?
80. In the immediate aftermath of Caesar's death what is Brutus' first concern? What does this tell us about his character?
81. Why does Brutus propose that the conspirators bathe their hands in Caesar's blood and walk into the marketplace?
82. Why do Cassius and Brutus believe the ritual of bathing in Caesar's blood will be re-enacted in years to come?
83. To whom does Antony address his message, delivered by messenger, right after the murder? Why is his choice of addressee significant?
84. What is Antony's hidden agenda when he comes to meet the conspirators? Where does he almost reveal his real feelings? Why is his act of coming in at this time courageous?
85. What does Brutus offer to reconcile with Antony? What does Cassius offer?
86. According to the lecture, why does Antony go around and shake hands with each of the conspirators?
87. What "serious" pun does Antony use around line 204?
88. What reassurance does Brutus offer the other conspirators when Antony asks to speak at Caesar's funeral?
89. Explain how in Antony's vision between lines 254 and 275 the death of Caesar will affect all of the Roman Empire.
90. What is the significance of the phrase "Cry havoc"?
91. What is Antony's plan before he takes the body into the marketplace and gives his oration?
Act III, scene 2
92. What single line in this scene marks the turning point of the whole play?
93. Give one example of parallel structure Brutus uses in his funeral speech. Give one example of balanced structure. One example of rhetorical question.
94. Comment on the use of specific details in Brutus' speech. Where does Brutus refer to the corpse of Caesar? Why is Brutus' speech in prose?
95. Why does Antony enter with Caesar's body in the middle of Brutus' speech?
96. Why does Brutus offer his life at the end of the speech? What other events does this offer of suicide recall? What does it foreshadow? Why were the English so fascinated by the Roman custom of suicide?
97. List ten abstractions that Brutus uses in his speech. Which speech was more effective, Brutus or Antony's? Why?
98. How do we know at least one plebian didn't understand the point of Brutus' speech?
99. Explain what Antony is trying to do when he utters the famous lines, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!"
100. How does Antony "play by the rules" established by Brutus? What one word in his speech does Antony use in an ironic way? Why? How many times does Antony use that word in his speech?
101. What are the five assertions that Antony makes in attempting to resurrect Caesar's reputation? How does Antony use the rhetorical device of repetition at the end of each assertion?
102. What were Caesar's motives in parading large numbers of prisoners through the streets of Rome? What does Antony say was the reason?
103. Why is the statement "When the poor have cried/ Caesar hath wept" an indirect attack on the patricians in the Senate?
104. How does Antony interpret the political drama of refusing the crown back in I, 2?
105. What is the possible hint in Antony calling the plebians "brutish beasts" for forgetting their love for Caesar?
106. What are two reasons why Antony says he is overcome with emotion at line 107?
107. Explain the psychology behind Antony saying he would rather wrong the dead, himself and his audience than to wrong the honorable men at line 128.
108. Where did Antony probably get the copy of Caesar's will he shows the crowd at line 131? What US political figure used the same device in the 1950's?
109. Why does Antony tell the plebians what their reaction would be if he were to read the will rather than just reading it at line 134?
110. Where do the plebians show they understand the special meaning of "honorable" which Antony has shaped? Why is it psychologically significant that the plebians "compel" Antony to read the will?
111. How does Antony use the body of Caesar to manipulate the emotions of the crowd? What are the two steps of his manipulation?
112. How and why does Antony give a sentimental value to Caesar's "mantle"?
113. Of what crime, besides murder, does Antony accuse Brutus? How does he use the image of Caesar's blood at line 180 to dramatize his accusation?
114. Throughout his speech what group has Antony allied himself (and Caesar's memory) with? What is the rational basis for such an alliance?
115. How does Antony "play the body card" according to the lecture?
116. Why does Antony compare himself unfavorably to Brutus as an orator at line 219?
117. How does Antony make doubly sure the mob will not change its mind about being revenged for Caesar's murder?
118. What hints are there that Antony may be limiting some of the inheritance coming from Caesar's supposed will?
Act III, scene 3
119. In what way does this scene show the violence happening Antony had predicted back in Act III, scene 1, at lines 255 -- 275? In what ways does this scene provide comic relief?
120. What are three reasons why the mob will beat Cinna the poet to death?
121. What does Shakespeare's portrayal of the mob tell us about his political philosophy?
Act IV, scene 1
122. Which of the three characters in this scene would Shakespeare's audience find most interesting from a historical perspective? Why?
123. Explain why the drawing up of lists in the opening lines of this scene reveals a cynical amorality, according to the lecture.
124. Why does Antony send Lepidus to Caesar's house?
125. What extended comparison does Antony use to describe Lepidus' relationship with himself and Octavius? How does Octavius respond to what Antony suggests?
126. To what is Octavius referring when he says they are "at the stake" at line 48?
Act IV, scene 2
127. What are two significant events in the story that Shakespeare skips over and does not show in the play? Why does he do this?
128. What is Shakespeare's theme in the last two acts as it pertains to Brutus?
129. How does the relationship between Brutus and Cassius changed since the last time we saw these characters?
130. What does Brutus mean by the phrase "enforced ceremony" at line 21?
Act IV, scene 3
131. Why is Cassius angry with Brutus? Why is Brutus angry with Cassius?
132. Where on the stage did this scene probably take place? What has probably happened to all the other original conspirators, like Cinna and Casca?
133. How many times in this scene do we hear Cassius threaten Brutus, directly or indirectly?
134. By what moral standard does Brutus examine Cassius behavior? Why does he use that standard? How might Cassius answer the charge of immoral behavior? Who is correct?
135. How does Brutus taunt Cassius around line 38 -- 39?
136. What specific complaint about Cassius' inaction does Brutus make beginning at line 69? What is ironic about Brutus' charge against Cassius?
137. What emotional revelation does Cassius make about his relationship with Brutus beginning at line 104?
138. What happens to Brutus' anger around line 115? On what does Cassius blame his "rash humor"?
139. How do Brutus and Cassius react to the disruption of the poet who urges them to make peace? Why do they react like this?
140. What apparently caused Brutus' uncharacteristic emotional outburst?
141. What does the manner of Portia's death tell us about her state of mind?
142. Why does Brutus propose that their armies march to Philippi? Why do his associates defer to him in this strategy decision? In what famous speech does Brutus articulate his decision to force fate by confronting Antony and Octavius? How is his decision about where to fight similar to other decisions Brutus has made?
143. Why does Brutus want others to sleep in his tent that particular night?
144. What event signaled the presence of a ghost just before Caesar appeared?
145. In terms of the outcome of the battle, what is the significance of Caesar's ghost appearing and saying he would meet Brutus at Philippi? How does Brutus react to the news?
Act V, scene 1
146. How does Antony explain the unexpected appearance of their enemies' army at Philippi?
147. What is the source of tension between Antony and Octavius?
148. What is Shakespeare's pattern for showing major battles on stage with such a small cast of actors?
149. Why were the honeybees of Hybla so famous? Why does Cassius compare Antony to them? How is the comparison of the bees extended in order to insult Antony further?
150. Where and how does Cassius offer the only recrimination against Brutus about his wrong-headed decisions in the past?
151. How does Cassius really feel about the decision to stake everything on a single battle at Philippi? What supernatural sign does Cassius believe means their cause is doomed?
152. What is ironic about Brutus' line at 122?
Act V, scene 2
153. What is the battle situation in this scene? What does Brutus want Cassius to do?
Act V, scene 3
154. According to Titinius, Cassius' right-hand man, what mistakes has Brutus made in the battle already?
155. What makes the day of the battle significant for Cassius? When Pindarus sees Titinius surrounded by the strange horsemen, what do he and Cassius assume has happened? Why do they assume that?
156. What are Cassius' dying words?
157. Why is the comparison Titinius makes at line 60 appropriate in this situation? What has been the effect of Cassius' suicide on the fortunes of his army? What does Brutus have done with Cassius' body to try and reduce that effect?
158. How does Brutus inspire the men who fight for him?
Act V, scene 4
159. Why does Brutus' friend declare that he is Brutus on the battlefield?
160. Why does Antony go out of his way to befriend enemy soldiers like Lucilius after their capture?
161. According to the lecture what is the significance that the men with Brutus in this final scene are all new to us?
162. Why does Brutus tell Volumnius about seeing Caesar's ghost? What does he say is the significance of the ghost's appearance before the battle? Why does Volumnius refuse Brutus' request to hold the sword for him?
163. At line 33 when Brutus says farewell to his men, what does he say about the people with whom he had worked? What does he believe will be history's verdict of the outcome of this battle? According to the lecture how accurate was Brutus' final assessment and why?
164. How is Brutus able to convince Strato to hold his sword? What are Brutus' final words and how do they relate to the political argument that has run throughout the play about what Caesar represented for the Roman people?
165. What are the three most important elements in Antony's eulogy for Brutus at line 68?
166. Generally what is the significance of who has the final words in a Shakespearean tragedy? What is the specific significance of who has the final words in this play and what they say?