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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Study Questions

Act I Scene 1

1. Where does the first scene take place?
2. What are Flavius and Marullus doing?


3. Who claims to be a "mender of bad soles," a "surgeon to old shoes," and one who lives by the

"awl?"
4. According to a laborer, why have the people left their shops and assembled?

5. Why do the tribunes become angry when questioning the cobbler?

6. Who was Pompey?

7. How do Marullus and Flavius scold the people?


8. What character establishes the notion that Caesar is ambitious, that he flies too high, and

is a danger to free men?

Act 1 Scene 2

1.  The purpose of the Feast of Lupercal was to secure purification and fertility for the spring planting.

What other purpose did it serve for women as well?

2.  In scene two, who, in particular, is instructed to stand in Antony's way and why?

3.  What warning does the fortuneteller give to Caesar?

4.  What is Caesar’s response to the fortuneteller’s warning?

5.  What do Cassius and Brutus discuss immediately after Caesar and his followers leave?

6.  Who is Brutus upset with and why?

7. Cassius openly works on contrasting Brutus’ humility to Caesar’s presumptuousness and

arrogance. Why?

8. How do you feel about Brutus’ reaction, “Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, that you

would have me seek into myself for that which is not in me?”

9. Reread lines 71- 78. What does this make you think about Cassius?

10. What fear does Brutus blurt out when shots are heard and a trumpet sounds?

11. What does Cassius’ story about the Tiber River tell you about Caesar and Cassius’ feelings

toward him?

12.  In lines 135-161, Cassius compares Caesar to “a Colossus” and then compares the names

“Brutus” and “Caesar.” What are Cassius’ reasons for doing so?

13.  Describe Brutus’ reaction to Cassius’ ideas.

14.  When Caesar returns from the race, which character’s countenance seems to disturb him?

15.  What boast does Caesar make about himself?

16.  Why does Antony have to speak to Caesar from his right side?

17.  Why does Brutus grasp Casca’s cloak? What does he want to know?

18.  What does Casca tell him has happened?

19.  What other physical impairment does Caesar have?

20. According to Casca, did the Roman people seem to want Caesar to be king?
21. What dramatic action had Caesar taken in front of the people before his fainting?

22. What has happened to Marullus and Flavius and why?

23.  How does Cassius describe Casca and his ability to persuade others?

24.  In his soliliquoy, Cassius says, “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.” What does this

mean?

25.  Cassius’s major plan involves Brutus. What is it?


26. What secretive means does Cassius intend to use to persuade Brutus he is more noble than

Caesar?

Act 1 Scene 3

1.  At the beginning of this scene, it is the evening of the Ides of March. Describe the weather.


2. What does this weather tell you about the disposition of the gods (according to people in

Shakespeare’s time)?

3. Casca meets Cicero on the streets and relays some strange events. Describe two of them.


4. What is Caesar to do tomorrow?
5. To whom does Cassius compare the storm?

6.  According to Casca, what do the senators plan to do tomorrow?
7. What way, does Cassius explain, can be used to free oneself from the rule of a tyrant?

8. How does Casca respond when Cassius speaks freely of his disgust and dislike of Caesar?

9. How does Cassius describe the upcoming “enterprise of honorable-dangerous consequence”

that he and other “noble-minded Romans” are to undergo?

10. Is Cinna a conspirator with Casca and Cassius? How do you know?

11. According to Cinna, who else needs to join them?


12. Cinna is to deliver the forged letters to what three places?


13. Name the three other men that are involved in the plan.

14. According to Cassius, what fraction of Brutus remains to be won over?


15. Who "sits high in all the people’s hearts?"