Julius Caesar Act One – Flashcards
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Act 1 of a play provides basic information about the characters and their situation.What is this part of a play called?
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the exposition
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Flavius' conversation with the commoners in the beginning of Act 1 gives important information. What else does it provide?
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humor
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In Act 1, Scene 1, why do Flavius and Marullus try to stop people from celebrating?
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They resent the fact that Caesar has defeated and murdered Pompey
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When is the feast of Lupercal?
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February 15
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At the beginning of Act 1, Scene ii, what warning does Soothsayer give?
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He warns Caesar to beware of a date in March
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In Act 1, Scene ii, why does Cassius flatter Brutus?
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He needs Brutus to support his plot against Caesar
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What internal conflict does Brutus face in Act I?
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He is Caesar's friend, but he does not want to live under a king
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According to Cassius, who is to blame for Caesar's rise to power?
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Romans like Cassius and Brutus
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Why does Caesar distrust Cassius?
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Cassius thinks too much and is too clever
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According to Casca, how did Caesar react when he was offered the crown?
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He rejected it three times, but he really wanted to accept it
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At the beginning of Act 1, Scene iii, when Casca describes the thunderstorm, why is he upset?
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He is afraid that the gods are angry and something bad will happen
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Why does Cassius believe that Brutus should be part of the plot against Caesar?
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People respect Brutus and will accept what he does
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On what day does Act II begin?
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the ides of March
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Why does Brutus decide to join the conspiracy against Caesar?
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He wants to protect Rome from tyranny
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Hide it in smiles and affability...
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Keep the plot secret by acting friendly and normal
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The conspiracy members agree not to attack Mark Antony. Why do they make this decision?
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They are afraid of turning public opinion against
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Why do the conspirators want Caesar to go to the Senate on the ides of March?
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so that they can kill him
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For he is superstitious grown of late....
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Lately, he has become someone who listens to omens
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Why does Calpurnia ask Caesar not to go to the Senate?
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She believes her frightening dreams are bad omens
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Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come
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He seems brave and dignified
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How does Decius persuade Caesar to go to the senate?
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He says the Senators are planning to offer Caesar the crown
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At the end o f Act II, what plans do Artemidorus and the soothsayer have?
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They both want to warn Caesar that he is in danger
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At the beginning of Act III, the conspirators gather around Caesar and ask him to pardon someone. How does Caesar answer them?
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proudly and arrogantly
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What is the real reason that the conspirators gather around Caesar at the beginning of Act III?
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They are about to kill him
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When Antony speaks to the conspirators right after Caesar's death what does he say?
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He says he will support them if they explain their actions
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When Antony delivers a dramatic speech over Caesar's body, he is alone on stage. What is the name of this kind of speech?
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soliloquy
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In his speech over Caesar's body, Antony says that Caesar's wounds "beg" him to do something. What do they beg him to do?
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get revenge for Caesar's death
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Brutus is first to speak at Caesar's funeral. How would you describe the feelings he expresses?
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sincere
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Which term is the name for a long speech by one character and heard by the other characters on stage?
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monologue
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In his funeral speech, which line does Antony repeat several times?
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"Brutus is an honorable man"
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Despite his words, what does Antony convince the crowd of in his funeral speech?
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that Brutus is a villain without honor
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What does Antony mean when he tells the crowd that a good speaker could accomplish the following deed,"Put a tongue in every wound of Caesar's that should move, the stones of Rome to rise and mutiny"?
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A good speaker could convince Romans to seek vengeance for Caesar's death
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Why does a group of plebeians attach Cinna, the poet, at the end at the end of Act III?
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He has the same name as one of the conspirators
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What impression of the plebeians does Shakespeare give in Act III?
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They are easily manipulated
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At the beginning of Act IV, what do Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus reveal?
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They will kill their own relatives in order to stay in power in Rome
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What is the conflict between Antony and Octavius in Act IV, scene i about?
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how to treat Lepidus
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What can you infer about Antony from these lines, "Octavius. You may do your will: But he's a tried and valiant soldier. Antony. So is my horse, Octavius, and for that I do appoint him store of provender?
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Antony is unsentimental
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What do these lines reveal about Brutus' concerns in Act IV, Thou has described, a hot friend cooling?
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Brutus may no longer be able to trust Cassius
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Which of the following is a source of conflict between Cassius and Brutus?
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Brutus believes that Cassius has taken bribes
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Which of the following best illustrates the change in Brutus and Cassius' friendship?
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Brutus and Cassius argue and accuse each other
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How are Brutus and Cassius characterized in Act IV, Scene iii?
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suspicious, petty, quarrelsome
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How can Brutus' reaction to Portia's death best be explained?
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He is devoted to practicing the philosophy of Stoicism
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How do the temperaments of Brutus and Cassius differ?
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Brutus is stocial, while Cassius is emotional
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What does the conflict between Brutus and Cassius suggest about their ability to face the challenges that lie ahead of them?
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If they cannot form a united front, they may not be able to defeat Antony
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Which of the following best summarizes Brutus' argument in Act IV, Scene iii, in which he urges Cassius to be honest?
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We killed Caesar to end corruption; we do not have a right to be corrupt ourselves
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Why does Brutus want to go meet Antony's troops at Philippi?
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He is afraid that Antony will gather new recruits if they wait for him
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What do these lines say about Cassius' feelings towards Brutus, How scaped I killing when I crossed you so?
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admiration for his self-control
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What is the best illustration of Brutus' internal conflict?
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his reaction to Caesar's ghost
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What is the significance of the ghost's promise to see Brutus at Philippi?
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It is a bad omen for Brutus
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How does Act V of Julius Caesar begin?
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with both sides trading insults sand accusing each other
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For what mistake does Cassius still blame Brutus in Act V?
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for not killing Antony when they killed Caesar
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At the beginning of Act V, why does Cassius think he is going to die that day?
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because he has seen bad omens
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What different attitudes do Brutus and Cassius have toward the coming battle?
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Cassius fears the worst, while Brutus refuses to look ahead
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Why does Cassius ask of one of his men to kill him?
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He feels guilty because his best friend has been captured
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Why is Cassius not considered a tragic hero?
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He is greedy and dishonest rather than noble
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How do Antony and Octavius treat Brutus' followers after capturing them?
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They keep all of the captives safe
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What convinces Brutus that he should not have killed Caesar?
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Caesar's ghost
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What is Brutus' tragic flaw?
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He trusts everyone
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Why is Brutus considered a tragic hero?
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He was noble, but his own flaws caused his downfall
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What does Caesar mean when he refers to his infirmity?
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his physical weakness
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What does Casca mean when he says that the strange happenings in Rome are portentous?
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They are signs of bad events to come
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What does Caesar mean when he describes Cassius as spare?
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Cassius is thin
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When Cassius invites the conspirators to "swear our resolution", what does he mean?
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"swear our determination"
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When Brutus says that Caesar's power may be augmented, what does he mean?
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It may increase
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Which character in the play has a reputation among others for great integrity?
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Brutus
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At the beginning of Act III, and old man is confounded by what is going on. Which word means the same as confounded?
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confused
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When Antony predicts strife in Rome, to what is he referring?
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war
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What kind of relationship is a superficial friendship?
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shallow
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Why are military strategies usually covert?
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so the enemy will be surprised by them
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Which of the following would a person expecting chastisement most likely feel?
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dread
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Which of the following statements best describes a rash decision?
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It is a decision that has not been considered for a long time
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When do people become disconsolate?
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when something tragic happens
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What happens when an event is misconstrued?
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It is not interpreted correctly
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Which sentence contains an ADJECTIVE clause?
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The shirt that I bought is green
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Which sentence contains an NOUN clause?
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Whoever arrived first won a prize
