English 10 Julius Caesar Review – Flashcards
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Two tribunes are trying to get people to return to work rather than celebrate Caesar's return. Why is Flavius critical of the workers he encounters?
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They are treating Caesar's return as a holiday, even though many of them previously supported Pompey.
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What pun does Shakespeare make on the word cobbler?
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Cobble has two meaning: "shoemaker" and "bungler".
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Why does Shakespeare start the scene with a humorous tone as the tribunes speak with the carpenter and the cobbler?
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To keep the audience's attention
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Marullus is clearly sympathetic to Pompey, the man who was defeated by Caesar and whose sons went down in defeat as well. How does Marullus feel toward Caesar?
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He is bitter towards him and the fact that people switched their loyalties so easily.
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After the crowd disperses, what does Flavius do? What does Marullus do?
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They plot to vandalize Caesar statues and Marullus reminds Flavius of the festival
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Caesar is compared to a bird. What details are used in this comparison, and how do they affect the reader?
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Metaphor. Feathers plucked from his wings - feathers birds are ugly and cant fly. He would become an ordinary person.
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What is the political situation in Rome as the scene ends?
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Some people don't respect Caesar and don't want him as a leader, while others praise him and welcome his homecoming
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At the Feast of Lupercal, women who cannot conceive are told that if a runner touches them, they will be able to have a child. What do we learn about Calphurnia in this scene?
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She is not already fertile
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A soothsayer tries to warn Caesar about the Ides of March. What does Caesar say and what is the tone of his answer?
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He doesn't take him seriously; dismisses him.
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What has Cassius heard people say about Brutus?
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People respect Brutus. He is a good person and a great leader
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What does Brutus think of Cassius' compliment?
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He is flattered, but cautious
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Caesar sees Cassius in the crowd. What does he notice? How does Caesar feel about Cassius?
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Caesar thinks he has a "young and hungry" and that he thinks too much. He has a bad feeling about him.
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What happens to Caesar after he refuses the crown a third time?
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He faints
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Why does Casca say, "It was Greek to me"?
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He didn't understood Cicero's vocabulary or way of speaking.
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What does Cassius plan to do, and why? Why does he need Brutus?
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Cassius wants Caesar out of power because he thinks he will be Rome's downfall as he is too ambitious. He needs Brutus because people trust Brutus and will follow him. Also, if the plan goes wrong, Brutus could be Cassius' blame guy.
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What sights does Casca say he has seen before? What four sights are new to Casca?
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Tempests, split trees, and the ocean swelling. A common salve putting his hand in fire and remaining un-scorched, a lion leaving him alone, women seeing men of fire walk up the street, and an owl hooting in the daylight.
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Casca believes these sights are omen. What does he expect will happen?
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Bad things will happen in the capital/city
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What is Cicero's reaction to Casca's description?
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At first he tells him that he is silly. He says that men sometimes have confused thoughts.
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What, according to Cassius, is the reason behind the storms?
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It is a sign of Caesar's growing power
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Why does Cassius compare Caesar to a lion?
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Lions are powerful and he is making a metaphor to the Romans being taken advantage of
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Why does Cassius compare Caesar to a wolf?
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To show Caesar's ambition and that he is attacking the weak, the way that wolves attack sheep
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How does Cassius convince Brutus to join the cause with him?
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He uses rhetoric and persuasive speech. Things like compliments and igniting Brutus' passion and honor.
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What is Brutus worried Caesar will do if crowned king? What promise does he make to Rome?
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He's worried that Caesar would become corrupt and grow to become a problem. He promises to stop Caesar and to be Rome's protector
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How does Brutus Characterize ambitious people?
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The serpent's egg analogy
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What reason does Brutus give for not wanting to swear an oath?
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They are honorable men doing the honorable thing and people that swear oaths are not trustworthy and honorable. Their word is enough.
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What reason does Metellus give for wanting to include Cicero? What answer does Brutus give and why?
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Cicero's older age invokes wisdom and a certain appeal and liking to the conspirators. Brutus says not because Cicero won't follow another man's cause.
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What does Brutus suggest they do about Antony and why?
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Leave him be because once Caesar is gone, Antony will have no power and will be harmless. Cassius, however, wants to kill him.
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What is the anachronism in Act Two Scene One?
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The clock
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What does Portia ask Brutus? What did she do to prove her self-control?
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She asks him to tell her what's wrong. She stabbed herself in the thigh.
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What is the purpose of Ligarius's arrival and interview with Brutus?
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To talk about the conspiracy
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Capurnia has dreamed that Caesar is killed and tries to warn her husband from going to the Capitol. What is Caesar's reaction to her concerns?
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He is prideful and more worried about his image and appearing scared.
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What does Caesar say that shows he viewed unrealistically his personal power in the face of danger?
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"Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he."
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Why does Caesar disregard the advice of the priests?
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He thinks he has nothing to fear because he is more dangerous than danger.
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Why does Caesar refer to himself as a lion?
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He is making a metaphor between himself and Danger. He refers to himself as the older, scarier lion
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What is Decius' interpretation of Calpurnia's dream?
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The blood pouring from Caesar is reviving blood for the people of Rome. Romans will gain power and strength
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What arguments does Decius use to persuade Caesar to come to the Capitol?
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The dream was interpreted wrong, people will think he is a coward, and the senate wanted to crown him that day at the capitol and they might change their minds if he doesn't show up
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Why is Caesar's comment to Metellus and Trebonius, "Be near me that I may remember you," ironic?
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Because Metellus and Trebonius are plotting to kill him
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Why does Artemidorus write the letter to Caesar instead of talking to him?
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He can't just walk up to him and say it
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Describe Portia's behavior with Lucius.
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Frantic, nervous, anxious
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What does the soothsayer hope to accomplish?
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To speak to Caesar as he passes and to warn him
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What "suit" is it that "Caesar will not grant"?
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He doesn't want to appear weak and cowardly
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What is the function of scene 4 in Act 2?
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To show unease in Portia and to foreshadow and add a nervous and anxious energy to the story
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Explain the knowledge each of the following has about the conspiracy at the end of Act 2: Portia, Calpurnia, and Artemidorus.
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Portia - knows her husband is acting strange, Calpurnia - doesn't know about the conspiracy but has a bad feeling in the form of a dream, Artemidorus - knows of the plan
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What does Brutus's soliloquy at the opening of Act Two reveal about his character?
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He is struggling about joining the conspiracy and Caesar's growing power.
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Why does the Soothsayer say, "But not gone" to Caesar?
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The day is not over. There is still time left for something to happen.
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What does the line, "What touches us ourself shall be last served," show about Caesar?
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A false sense of humility. He is putting others before himself.
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Why does Caesar ignore Artemidorus' letter?
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He is putting other's needs before his own
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What does Metellus ask of Caesar? What does Caesar's response reveal about his self-image?
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Metellus wants Caesar to return his brother from exile. Caesar's response reveals his cold heart and cruelness
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Who is the first to stab Caesar? Who is the last? Why does Caesar stop defending himself?
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Casca. Brutus. Brutus had betrayed and Caesar thought Brutus was his friend.
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What does "Et tu, Brute?" mean?
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And you also, Brutus? Betrayal
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What is the irony in Caesar falling at the foot of Pompey's statue?
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Pompey had fallen at the hands of Caesar. Pompey had the last laugh
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How do Cassius and Brutus approach Antony after the assassination?
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Brutus approaches him as a friend, while Cassius is wary of him and his reaction to Caesar's death
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What is Antony's attitude toward the conspirators?
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He appears to respect them and understand their reasoning.
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How do Brutus and Cassius explain Caesar's death? What do they offer Antony?
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They say that Caesar's ambition got him killed and that it was for the good of Rome. They offer him a good title and spot in the government.
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What does Antony want to do with Caesar's body? What are the reactions of Cassius and Brutus? Why does Brutus allow Antony to speak and under what conditions?
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He wants to speak at Caesar's funeral. Brutus agrees, while Cassius remains way and distrusting of Antony's intentions. Brutus says he can refute anything bad he says and restricts him by saying that he cannot speak ill of the conspirators, he cannot talk badly of Caesar, and Brutus must speak first
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Why does Brutus tell Cassius to split the group and talk half with him?
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There are too many people and they want to keep it organized
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Describe the parallel structure in Brutus' speech. How does it build his self-defense?
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He uses repetition and a similar way of phrasing his words to add emphasis on certain points
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Why does Brutus repeat the word honor three times in his speech?
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He is very honorable and thinks her is doing to honorable thing so he is trying to emphasize that part of his actions to the crowd
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Why does Brutus say about Mark Antony, "Though he had no hand in his [Caesar's] death, shall receive the benefit of his dying"?
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Mark Antony didn't play a part in the assassination, but he is still benefiting from it.
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How does the crowd respond to Antony's speech?
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They are angry at the conspirators and want revenge for their leader.
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What is the anachronism in Antony's speech?
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The coffin
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Why do the plebeians ask Cinna so many questions?
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They want to know if he is a part of the conspiracy
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Which characters make up the second triumvirate?
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Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus
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How has Antony changed as a character?
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Antony has become more outspoken and more of a leader, rather than Caesar's puppy dog
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Who is Antony complaining about in Act IV Scene i? Why?
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Lepidus; he is beyond his time and not a good leader
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Where are Brutus and Cassius stationed?
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Sardis, the capital of ancient Lydie
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How does Brutus claim to know that Cassius is no longer a true friend?
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Cassius lost his sense of honor; his ideals changed
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Why are Cassius and Brutus fighting?
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Brutus accused Cassius of taking bribes
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What does Brutus remind Cassius about their cause?
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That what they did was honorable. He wants to remind Cassius that their goal has always been to be honorable Romans.
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According to Brutus, why is he in a bad mood?
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"He is sick of many griefs", Portia is dead
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What happened to Portia?
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She killed herself by putting hot coals in her mouth
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What has the second triumvirate done in Rome that shows they don't intend on maintaining a republic?
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They put the death a hundred senators
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What is the difference between Brutus' and Cassius' plan for engaging the opposing forces?
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Brutus wants to march on and attack while Cassius wants to wait it out and let the enemy come to them
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Who is the ghost at the end of Act IV?
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Caesar
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What the ghost tell Brutus?
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That Brutus will die at Philipi
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"You know not what you do: do not consent that Antony speak in his funeral. Know you much the people may be moved by that which he will utter?" (Act III;I;232-235)
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Cassius is speaking. He is saying that Brutus should not allow Antony to speak because the people will be moved by what he says.
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"Oh let us have him, for his silver hairs will purchase us a good opinion; and buy men's voices do commend our deeds." (ActII; I; 144-146)
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The conspirators are talking about Cicero and whether or not they should allow him into the conspiracy. This specific quote is saying that his age will bring the conspirators a more respectable stance as age is usually associated with being wise.
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"This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He, only in general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them." (Act V; IV, 68-72)
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Antony is speaking about Brutus. He is saying that Brutus was a very noble Roman who had honorable intentions in all of his deeds. All of the other conspirators acted out of envy, while his intentions were truly honest and for the good of all people.
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"No sir; their hats are plucked about their ears, And half their faces buried in their cloaks, That by no means I may discover them By any mark of favor" (Act II; I, 73-76)
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Lucius, Brutus' servant, is speaking. He is telling Brutus that he doesn't know who his visitors are because they are hiding themselves.
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You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Knew you not Pompey? (Act I;i39)
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Merillus is speaking in this quote. He is scolding the plebeians in the street in the first scene of the play. He is appalled that people had changed their loyalties so quickly. People that once supported Pompey now support Caesar.
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But, for my own part, it was Greek to me. (Act I ;ii.283)
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Casca is speaking about Cicero in the scene. After hearing Cicero speaking in public, Casca states that he could not understand Cicero's way of speaking as he is a famous speaker and uses different words and vocabulary.
