Julius Caesar Flashcards
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What is the setting? What holiday is being celebrated?
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The race; the feast of Lupercal.
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Who are Marullus and Flavius?
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They are guards.
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Why do they want to drive the commoners from the street?
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They don't like Caesar and they don't think that he should be celebrated.
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What else do Marullus and Flavius do to further hinder the celebration of Caesar's victory?
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They make commoners clean the statue.
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What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia?
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To touch her while he's running in the race.
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Why might Caesar ask Antony in front of everyone else?
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So Antony would definitely say yes.
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What is a soothsayer? Of what does he warn Caesar?
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One who predicts the future; he warns him of the Ides of March.
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What does Ides mean?
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Middle; the 15th of the month.
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Does Marcus Brutus Like Caesar? What does Brutus think of Caesar's rise to power? Use lines from the play to support your answer.
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Brutus likes Caesar but doesn't want him to be king. "I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well."
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Brutus says, "For let the gods so speed me as I love / The name of honor more than I fear death." What do these lines simple imply about Brutus's most important value in life?
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He'd rather die for honor than for the wrong cause.
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What story does Cassius tell Brutus?
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He tells Brutus about Caesar's falling in epilepsy in Spain & not being able to swim across the river.
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What is Cassius point in telling the story?
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To prove that Caesar isn't fit for KING, and to flatter Brutus.
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What is Caesar's opinion of Cassius? Why does he feel this way?
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He doesn't like him because he has a keen eye for things & is educated, he's an analyzer because he knows what Caesar's intentions are & he can clearly read people like a book. Basically Caesar doesn't like him because he's sharp and he thinks he's onto him.
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What handicap does Caesar reveal about himself?
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That he's deaf in his left ear.
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How many times was Caesar offered a coronet, or a small crown?
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Thrice, by Marc Antony.
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What was Caesar's reaction to the offering, according to Casca?
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He denied it every time& the third time he was offered, he fainted & opened his jacket to reveal a knife to cut his throat.
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What sickness does Caesar have?
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Fainting spells; epilepsy.
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What happens to Marullus and Flavius?
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They are put to silence (either banished or killed).
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What does Cassius plan to do to convince Brutus to conspire against Caesar?
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Cassius is going to send Brutus forged letters from the "people of Rome," letting him know that the people of Rome need help, when he really just wants Brutus on his side so he can kill Caesar "with honor."
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What unusual events occur during the storm?
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1) Slave walking around with a burning hand (flesh not burning) 2) Lion roaming around the capitol 3) 100 women see a group of burning men walking around 4) An owl shrieking
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What meaning does Cassius interpret from the storm?
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That the storm was a sign from the Gods to warn them about something happening in the capital (lion roaming = Caesar)
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According to Casca, what are the senators planning to do to Caesar tomorrow?
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They intend to make him king (on the Ides of March).
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Who is definitely part of the conspiracy?
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1) Cassius 2) Casca 3) Cinna 4) Decius 5) Metellus 6) Trebonius
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According to Brutus, why is it necessary that Caesar be killed?
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For the public's well being, because he will (we never get to know for sure) abuse his power.
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What actions does Lucius perform that help the plot unfold?
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He "finds the letters" written by Cassius, and gives them to Brutus.
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What is Brutus's internal conflict?
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Whether he should kill Caesar or not.
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Why does Brutus disagree about taking an oath?
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It would make them seem bad & it would seem like they're doing a bad deed & oaths are easy to break. They shouldn't do a deed by making an oath.
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Why does Metellus thing it would be a good idea to ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
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He is wise.
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Why does Brutus say they should not ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
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Because Cicero is a leader, not a follower.
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What does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony?
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There will be too much bloodshed. Marc is not powerful without Caesar. Plus they can't look like butchers, they must look like they sacrificed Caesar for the good of the city. They think he won't be significant when Caesar is gone.
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What reason does Cassius give for why Caesar might not come out of his house today?
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Caesar is very superstitious and refuses to come out because of all of the weird things happening in the city.
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By what method does Decius say he will use to get Caesar out of the house?
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He will flatter Caesar & tell him that the bad things happening are actually a good sign.
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Why is Portia, Brutus's wife, worried about Brutus?
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He is acting strange & she can tell that something is bothering him.
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How does she prove her strength to Brutus?
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She stabs herself in the thigh.
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Why does Calpurnia want Caesar to stay home?
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She's worried about the dreams that she kept seeing.
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Describe Calpurnia's dream.
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Caesar's statue was bleeding out and people were bathing their hands in his blood, celebrating his death.
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How does Decius interpret Calpurnia's dream?
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Through Caesar's blood, the citizens are revived again & that they are actually rejoicing.
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What arguments does Decius use to change Caesar's mind about going to the Capitol?
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Triumphant, cheering for Brutus.
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What does Artemidorus plan to do?
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Write a letter to Caesar telling him of the conspirators & their plan.
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Why is Portia so nervous?
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She's anxious to know if the conspirators did kill Caesar. She's worried about Brutus.
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What does Portia want Lucius to do?
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To go tell her what is happening at the capitol & because she was worried.
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What does the soothsayer tell Portia?
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That he feared something; he feared that someone knows of the conspiracy & the tragedy coming true on the Ides of March.
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What reason does Caesar give for not reading Artemidorus's letter?
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He calls him mad.
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What roles to the following characters play is conspiracy?
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1) Trebonius: Pulls Marc Antony away from Caesar, so they can get Caesar alone. 2) Metellus Cimber: He irritates Caesar, by his presence to catch him off guard. 3) Casca: Stabs Caesar first (his hands spoke for him).
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What is Caesar's opinion of himself?
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He is as perfect as the north star.
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What does "Et tu, Brute?" mean? How do these words relate to the theme of friendship in the play?
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"And you, Brutus?" That he's been betrayed by his best friend.
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Where does Caesar's body lie? How is this ironic?
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He had never gotten to the top of the stairs to get the crown. He fell right in from of Pompey's statue, the very man he had defeated.
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What does Brutus tell the conspirators to do after killing Caesar?
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To bathe their hangs in Caesar's blood up to the elbows.
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What promise does Brutus tell the servant to relay to Antony?
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That they will not hurt him & they just want his answer to why Caesar was killed.
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What does Antony say about the possibility of being of being killed by the conspirators?
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There's no better spot than right there to be killed by the same knives & day of Caesar.
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After being assured he is in no danger, what favor does Antony ask of the conspirators?
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To speak at Caesar's funeral.
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What does Cassius think about granting Antony this favor?
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He doesn't think that it's a really good idea.
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What restrictions does Brutus set for Antony?
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1) You won't speak I'll of us. 2) You speak before us. 3) You speak good of Caesar. 4) You must say that you are speaking with permission.
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Summarize Antony's main points in his speech to Caesar's body.
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Bloodshed will be so common that people will not bat an eyelash at it. "I will avenge your death."
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Who is coming to Rome to meet with Antony?
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Octavius (distant relative of Caesar's who was called to Rome for Caesar's inaguration).
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According to Brutus's speech to the commoners, what reasons does he give for Caesar's death?
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He was thinking of the fate of Rome, not ANYTHING else. (no jealousy probz)
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What is the mood of the crowd as Brutus finishes his speech?
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They believed that Caesar was a tyrant.
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What does Brutus offer at the end of his speech?
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If it is ever his turn to die for his country, he gladly will, with the same dagger.
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List three points of Antony's speech that work to persuade the crowd to turn on the conspirators.
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1) He didn't go against the conspirators. 2) He proved Caesar not ambitious. 3) He moved the crowd emotionally.
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What reason does Antony give for why he cannot read Caesar's will?
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That it will greatly upset them and cause them to turn on the conspirators, & it's not in his place to do that b/c of the restrictions set upon him.
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What has Caesar bequeathed the Romans in his will?
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75 silver coins and his entire property to the citizens.
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How does the crowd react to Antony's speech?
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They turn against the conspirators & to go burn/bury Caesar's body at the site of the most sacred Roman temple.
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What happens to Cinna the poet and why?
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He is killed by the citizens because he had the same name as Cinna the conspirator and because of his bad poetry.
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Who are the members of the second triumvirate?
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1) Marc Antony 2) Octavius 3) Lepidus
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What kind of list are the three making at the beginning of the scene?
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A HIT LIST, a list of who must die.
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What does Antony say they will do to Caesar's will?
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They will etermine how to reduce the amount of money left to the people in Caesar's will. They will change it to their benefit (power has corrupted them).
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What is Antony's opinion of Lepidus?
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He's less than him and Octavius; an errand boy.
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What reason does Antony give letting Lepidus help in cheesing who shall die?
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He says he has to because he is of the 3 (triumvirate).
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Why does Brutus suggest that he and Cassius talk inside the tend?
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Brutus doesn't want them to argue in front of the troops.
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Why is Cassius mad at Brutus?
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Cassius is mad that Brutus didn't side with him & that left him embarrassed by himself.
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What does Brutus accuse Cassius of?
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An itching palm; taking a bribe & associating with people who take bribes, being greedy & dishonest.
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For what has Brutus asked Cassius that he did not receive?
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The money for the army/troops.
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What does Brutus refuse to do as a means to raise money for the army?
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Anything dishonest that makes the army look bad (e.g. accept bribes/anything that makes them look questionable)
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How does Portia die?
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Became insane and swallowed burning coals.
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Explain the disagreement that Brutus and Cassius have about the battle strategy?
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Brutus wants to go straight to Phillipi, while Cassius wants to wait for the triumvirate to come to Sardi.
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Who wins the argument?
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Brutus because if the triumvirate comes to Phillipi, they will pick up manpower along the way.
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What unexpected visitor does Brutus see when everyone else is asleep?
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The ghost of Caesar.
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About what to Octavius and Antony argue?
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About if they should stay in Sardi or go to Phillipi.
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What is significant about this day for Cassius?
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It's his birthday and also his death day.
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What are two things that Brutus says he will never do, even if he loses the war?
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He will never answer to the triumvirate or walk the streets as a prisoner.
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How does Brutus feel about the battle at this point?
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That there's an opportunity for them to gain an advantage & that the triumvirate has weakened a bit.
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Who wins the first battle?
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The conspirators.
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What does Cassius send Titinius to do.
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To go see what was happening.
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Why does Cassius decide to kill himself?
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Because he felt guilty that Titinius "died" because of him, but Titinius didn't really die; Cassius misunderstood and reacted quickly
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How does Cassius's death help Pindarus?
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He helped him to be set free because he was a slave servant.
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What mistake cause Cassius's death?
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The misinterpreted success of the battlefield as the conspirators losing the battle; He reacted quickly again.
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What does Titinius do when Messala goes to inform Brutus of Cassius's death?
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Titinius felt guilty so he killed himself with the same sword that Cassius used.
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What happens to Cato?
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He dies.
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Who does Lucilius pretend to be?
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He pretends to be Brutus.
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What happens to Lucilius?
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The soldiers capture him, but Antony tells them not to kill him because he's just as important and honorable.
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What does Brutus ask Clitus, Dardanius, and Volomnius to do?
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He asked them to kill him.
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How does Brutus die?
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He walked STRAIGHT-O into the sword that STRATO was holding out for him (one of the soldiers).
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According to Marc Antony, why is Brutus better than the other conspirators?
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Because he was the only conspirator who didn't kill Caesar out of envy, but killed him for the good of the country alone. He wasn't thinking of himself.
