Study Questions Act Iii Julius Caesar

STUDY QUESTIONS ACT III JULIUS CAESAR

Scene 1 1. Why isn’t Artemidorus successful in delivering his notes to Caesar? Caesar says that the letter touches him and that which touches him should be saved until after the concerns of the people are taken care of. What does Caesar’s behavior show about him? Caesar is falsely humble – he is trying to appear as if all of his thoughts are about the people. This is one of two last minute warning that Caesar receives – the soothsayer speaks to him again and Caesar haughtily says that the Ides of March 29 has come and he is still alive. 2. Why does Cassius fear the conspiracy has been discovered? Popilius says to him that he hopes that his enterprise may thrive – Cassius interprets this to mean that he is speaking of the death of Caesar instead of the crowning of Caesar. 3. What request does Metellus make of Caesar? Metellus asks that Caesar pardon his brother Publius Cimber and enfranchise him – give him back the rights of citizenship. 4. What does Caesar’s response to Metallus, Brutus, and the others tell you about his self-image? Quote a line from the play, which supports that opinion. He thinks of himself as more than an ordinary man. “I could be well moved, if I were as you” 5. Who is the first to stab Caesar? Casca Who is the last? Brutus (shows his continued reluctance to do this) 6. Why does Caesar stop defending himself and utter, “Et tu, Brute. Then fall Caesar,” when sees the dagger in Brutus’ hand? When Caesar sees that Brutus is part of the conspiracy, he feels the betrayal, almost as if he is saying that if Brutus wishes him dead then it must be necessary and he gives up and dies. 7. Where is Caesar when he dies? What is the irony of this? Caesar is at the foot of Pompey’s statue and the irony of this is that it is Caesar’s part in Pompey’s death that probably led to Caesar’s own death. 8. What favor have the conspirators done for Caesar according to Brutus and Cassius? They cut off years of having to fear death. 9. What does Brutus feel every Roman has gained by the assassination? Peace, freedom and liberty have been gained by Caesar’s death. 10. How does Cassius feel he and the other men will be remembered? They will be remembered as the men who gave their country freedom – there is irony in Shakespeare’s words here when he speaks of how many times this scene will be acted out in years to come – Shakespeare’s own play enabled this to be so. 11. What message does Antony’s servant bring to the conspirators? Antony wishes to talk to Brutus about Caesar’s death if Brutus can guarantee his safety. 12. What is Antony’s attitude toward the conspirators as he first appears to them? Antony is humble before the conspirators. He says if they are going to kill him too, do it now, there is no better time. He only wants answers from them. 13. What does Cassius offer Antony? Cassius says that Antony’s voice will join with theirs in the aftermath of Caesar’s death. He will be satisfied with their reasons and he will join them. There is irony in this because it is Cassius who did not want Antony to live when Caesar died and also Cassius is trying to appeal to Antony’s self-interest when he offers him a place in the new government. 14. Antony’s second speech serves as a thinly veiled eulogy for Caesar. To what does Antony compare the conspirators in the speech? He compares Caesar to a male deer and the conspirators to a group of hunters. 15. What request does Antony make of the conspirators? Antony wishes to speak at the funeral of Caesar.

16. How does Cassius react to this? What does Brutus resolve to do? Cassius is opposed to this; he does not yet trust Antony. Brutus says he will speak first and he will tell the people that whatever Antony says he says with their permission. (This is another time when it is dangerous that Cassius let Brutus win this argument.) 17. After the conspirators leave, Antony prophesies over Caesar’s body. Summarize that prophecy in your own words. Antony lets the audience know that he has only appeared to be on the side of the conspirators so that he can have time to get his revenge in place. He says he will bring down a civil war on Rome and war will be such a natural state of affairs that no one will expect anything otherwise. The war will last until the conspirators have paid. 18. What news does Antony send to Octavius Caesar? Antony sends word to Octavius that Caesar is dead and it may not be safe for him to enter Tome. He is to stay on the outskirts of the city until further word is sent.

Scene 2 1. What two conspirators speak to the people? Where do they speak? Cassius and Brutus both speak to the crowd. We hear Brutus’ speech but not Cassius”. They speak in the public square. 2. How does Brutus explain the conspirators’ actions? Is he truthful? Brutus explains that as long as Caesar was a good leader they honored and respected him; however, whenever it appeared he was becoming ruthless and power hungry it was necessary to kill him. Yes, he is truthful. 3. Note how Brutus builds his self-defense on two series of parallel statements. Fill in the conclusion to the first series.

a. As Caesar loved me, I weep for him. b. As he was fortunate, I rejoice at it. c. As he was valiant, I honor him; but d. As he was ambitious, I slew him.

Fill in the second series, a. There is tears for love. b. Joy for fortune. c. Honor for valor. d. Death for ambition.

(Note: Brutus speaks in prose – he is trying to be direct and sincere with the people – he is expressing his true feelings and is not trying to fool the people) 4. What does Brutus say he will do if the good of the country calls for it? He will slay himself. 5. What affect does Brutus’ speech have on the people? They are for the conspirators; they are (quite ironically) ready to crown Brutus. They have learned nothing from what Brutus has said. 6. What mistake does Brutus make as he allows Antony to speak? Brutus gives Antony permission to speak and then he leaves and does not stay around to see what he says. Once again it is Brutus’ honor that makes him naïve. He cannot imagine that Antony would deceive him. 7. How does the crowd first react to Antony’s speech and why? They are quick to judge Antony and warn him to not say anything against the conspirators. Brutus has just convinced them that what was done was necessary, and they do not want to hear anyone speak against Brutus. 8. State three reasons Antony gives to disprove Brutus’ charge that Caesar was ambitious. Caesar brought many captives home to Rome (conquered many lands). Caesar wept with the common people (he was always for the common people). Caesar filled the treasury with the money from his conquests. Caesar refused the crown three times. 9. What is the irony of Antony’s words? When Antony says “But Brutus says Caesar was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man” it sounds more and more ironic because in the next breath he will say something that disproves Caesar’s ambition. 10. What two other ploys does Antony use to stir the people to action? He pauses in his speaking because he is overcome by emotion and must take a moment to compose himself. He shows them the body of Caesar with all of the stab wounds and even points out the stab wound of Brutus. He shows them Caesar’s bloody garment. He also reads them the will to show them how Caesar thought of them. These are all emotional ploys on Antony’s part. 11. What has been the effect of the speech on the people? The people are mad; they have become a mob and they want the blood of the conspirators. 12. What do Brutus and Cassius do after Antony’s speech? They flee Rome to save their lives.

Scene 3 1. What personality of the mob is brought out in Scene 3? They are truly a mob. They are irrational and there is no stopping them. They turn on an innocent man and kill him because he has the name of one of the conspirators. (Note – Cinna poet was actually a friend of Caesar’s in real life and was in the street leading to the funeral).