The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: Act II Study Guide

Name: ______Period ______

Scene i

A soliloquy is a long speech made by a character who is alone on the stage in which the character reveals his/her private thoughts and feelings to the audience.

In Brutus’ soliloquy (on pages 48-49) he says of Caesar: “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg, Which hatched, would as his kind grown mischievous, And kill him in the shell.”

1. To what is Brutus comparing Caesar?

2. What does Brutus mean by these lines?

3. What does he plan to do?

Dramatic irony occurs when a character fails to recognize realities that are clear to the audience. (in other words, the audience knows something important that a character in a story or drama does not know.)

4. How are the letters Lucius gave to Brutus an example of dramatic irony? (In other words, what do we know that Brutus does not?)

5. Why does Metellus Cimber feel they should ask Cicero to join the conspiracy? What benefit would he bring to their cause? (Refer to lines 155-160)

6. Why does Brutus oppose including Cicero? (Refer to lines 161-163) 7. Why does Brutus oppose the recommendation by Cassius to kill Mark Antony? (Refer to lines 174-196)

8. Which conspirator volunteers to bring Caesar to the Capitol?

9. Why is Portia upset with Brutus?

10. What unusual thing does Portia do herself? Why might she do this? (Refer to lines 324-325)

Scene ii

11. According to Caesar, what did Calpurnia dream about?

12. What are some of the strange things reported by Calpurnia (in Lines 15-28)?

13. What does Caesar mean when he says (in lines 31-32): “Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions Are to the world in general as to Caesar.” 14. Caesar says: “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once…:

Do you agree with Caesar? Explain your response.

15. According to the servant, do the augurers (soothsayer/prophet) think should Caesar go out on March 15th? Explain why or why not. (Refer to lines 43-45)

16. What does Calpurnia suggest both Mark Antony and Decius tell the Senators? (Refer to lines 58-59; 71)

17. For Decius’ “private satisfaction” what reason does Caesar give him about why he won’t come? (Refer to lines 80-89)

18. What does Decius say to change Caesar’s mind about going to the Senate? (Refer to lines 100-103)

Scene iii

19. What is in the note Artemidorus wants to give Caesar? (Refer to lines 1-9)

Scene iv

20. How would you describe Portia at the beginning of this scene? Literary Elements

21. How is Calpurnia’s dream an example of dramatic irony?

22. Give an example of foreshadowing in Act II.

23. How does Shakespeare build suspense during scenes iii and iv?

Act II—Quotes

Caesar Calpurnia Cassius Brutus Portia

Using the names above, identify the speaker of the following quotes:

“I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crowned; ______How that might change his nature, there’s the question…”

“I think it is not meet Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar… Let Antony and Caesar fall together…” ______

“For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. Let’s be sacrificers, but not butchers…” ______

“Make me acquainted with your cause of grief… You have some sick offense within your mind, Which by the right and virtue of my place I ought to know of…” ______

“You shall not stir out of your house today… Call it my fear That keeps you in the house and not your own…” ______