The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Study Guide - Act 1
Name _________________
1. Background of the play:
See Notes
scene 1
1. What is the purpose of the interchange between Marullus and the commoners?
2. Why are the Roman commoners of Holiday?
3. Why are Marullus and Flavius upset?
4. How do they show their displeasure?
5. Summarize the final speech of scene 1 (spoken by Flavius): (These growing feathers….)
scene 2
1. When are the Ides of March?
2. This incident is an example of what literary device?
3. How are Antony and Brutus contrasted as each appears for the first time?
4. What is the literary term for characters contrasted in this way?
5. How is Cassius characterized?
6. What thematic statement is voiced by Cassius in scene ii?
7. What qualities appear in Caesar?
8. Why is Brutus at war with himself?
9. What metaphor dominates Cassius’ estimate of Brutus?
scene 3
1. Why are there supernatural happenings reported in scene 3?
2. What is Cicero’s attitude about the cause of the storm?
3. What is Cassius’ explanation for why the heavens are raging?
4. What ideas emerge from Cassius’ reflections on Caesar in scene 3?
5. In the passage below, why does Casca use the word “alchemy” in assessing the value of
Brutus to the conspiracy?
O, he sits high in all the people’s hearts,
And that which would appear offence in us
His countenance, like richest alchemy,
Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
What is Cassius saying to Brutus in the following passage?
And it is very much lamented,…
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
That you might see your shadow.