Name_______________________________________Date_______________Period________
Julius Caesar Study Guide
Terms
1. Gallery –
2. Yard –
3. Tiring house (attiring house) –
4. Staging area –
5. Stage –
6. Frons scenae (front scene) –
7. Balcony –
8. Attic –
Author Background and Information
1. What were the three types of plays that Shakespeare wrote?
2. What are some of the ways in which Shakespeare’s plays are similar to Greek drama? What are
some of the ways they differ from Greek drama?
3. What was the first theater in which actors owned shares?
4. When was Shakespeare born? When did he die?
5. Where was Shakespeare born?
6. How many sonnets did he write?
7. What was the name of Shakespeare’s theater?
8. Shakespeare’s career occurred during the reign of which two English monarchs?
Characters – See your book for character list. Review these for test.
Act I: Scene 1 Commoners gather to rejoice in Caesar’s victorious triumph over Pompey.
1. What important background information is revealed in this scene?
2. How do the commoners respond to Caesar’s return?
3. What is Marullus’s attitude toward Caesar’s reception? Why does he feel this way?
4. What attitude does Flavius and Murellus have toward Caesar?
5. What does Flavius want the commoners to do?
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6. How do Flavius and Marullus act toward the commoner’s attitudes?
7. How does the commoners’ attitude differ from that of Flavius and Marullus regarding Caesar’s
return?
8. After the commoners have left, what does Flavius decide he and Marullus need to do?
9. Why does Marullus question whether or not they should do so?
10. When does this occur?
11. Why does Flavius say he and Marullus need to “drive away the vulgar from the street” (break up the
commoners)?
12. Why do Marullus and Flavius speak in iambic pentameter and the commoners do not?
Act I: Scene 2 Caesar enters the Feast of Lupercal to see a race. Caesar is approached by the soothsayer.
Cassius and Brutus have a personal conversation. Casca explains the events of Caesar being offered the
crown.
13. What does Cassius mean when he asks to be the mirror into which his friend Brutus can look to see
himself?
14. What is Brutus’s attitude toward Caesar’s popularity? Explain why he feels this way.
15. Why is Caesar distrustful of Cassius?
16. What are Caesar’s evident weaknesses (include two physical infirmities)? What potential dangers
may he encounter?
17. Why did Caesar want Antonio to touch Calphurnia as he raced by?
18. What does Antony mean when he says, “When Caesar says, ‘Do this,’ it is performed”?
19. How does Caesar react to the soothsayer’s warning?
20. Whom does Caesar accuse of being dangerous and having a “lean and hungry look”?
21. Why are Murellus and Flavius “put to silence”?
22. How many times does Antony offer Caesar the crown?
23. What does Caesar do when the crown is offered to him?
24. How do the people in the crowd respond?
25. What is Caesar’s reaction to the people’s response?
26. Why does he react this way?
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27. Why does Caesar want Antony to touch Calpurnia when he runs by?
28. What does Antony’s response to Caesar say about their relationship?
29. After Soothsayer yells for Caesar, Caesar says he has “turned to hear.” Aside from literally turning
his head, what does this mean?
30. What does Soothsayer say to Caesar?
31. How does Caesar respond to the soothsayer’s warning?
32. What does this say about Caesar?
33. What concerns Cassius, regarding Brutus?
34. What is Brutus’ “excuse”?
35. What does Brutus say when the trumpets sound and people shout?
36. After Cassius becomes excited at Brutus’ comment, how does Brutus try to recover from appearing
to be against Caesar?
37. In Lines 90-131, Cassius tells two stories. What two stories does Cassius relay to Brutus?
38. What is the purpose of telling Brutus these two stories?
39. Allusion is a literary term in which a reference is made toward something in history, literature, art,
etc. What example of allusion is made during Cassius’ stories?
40. What conclusion does Cassius come to when he compares Brutus’ and Caesar’s names?
41. What is Cassius’ purpose in speaking about the names, complaining that one man hovering over
Rome is ruining Rome, and referring to Brutus’ ancestors?
42. Brutus realizes what Cassius is saying. What does he promise?
43. What does Brutus notice about Caesar, Calpurnia, and Cicero as they re-enter the scene?
44. What kind of men does Caesar want about him?
45. Why doesn’t he want Cassius around him?
46. Does Antony agree with Caesar?
47. How does Caesar continue to express his dislike for Cassius? .
48. Julius Caesar begins and ends his monologue to Antony with “But I fear him not” (Line 198) and
“for always I am Caesar” (Line 212). What does this say about Caesar?
49. What infirmity is confirmed in Line 213?
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50. According to Casca, why did Caesar “look so sad”?
51. Explain exactly what happened, according to Casca. (Lines 234-250)
52. What does Brutus believe is wrong with Caesar since he fainted and foamed at the mouth?
53. What did Caesar do immediately before and after fainting? (Lines 263-275)
54. What happened to Flavius and Marullus? (Lines 285-286)
55. In scene i, we learn that the commoners speak in prose instead of iambic pentameter because of
social ranking. If Casca is a Senator, why does he not speak in iambic pentameter? What supports
this? (Lines 281-285)
56. At the end of scene ii, what does Cassius decide to do in his soliloquy? What does he hope to
accomplish? (Lines 315-319)
Act I: Scene 3 A month has passed. This scene takes place on March 14. The night is very stormy and
citizens notice odd sights. Cassius learns some very important news that makes him speed up his plot.
57. Cicero expresses the tendency in human nature to “construe things after their fashion, clean from
the purpose of the things themselves.” What does this mean and how does it relate to the action in
this scene?
58. How does the weather parallel the action in this scene?
59. What conspiracy is forming? Who are members of the conspiracy so far? Who is the leader? Whom
do they want to join them?
60. How does Cassius use deceit to accomplish his purpose?
61. Describe the storm, as Casca tells it? (Lines 5-10)
62. What does Casca attribute to the storm? (Lines 11-13)
63. What else does Casca tell that has occurred throughout the night? (Lines 15-28)
64. What does Casca predict about these “omens”? (Lines 31-32)
65. Cassius describes the night as one that is “very pleasing” to “honest men.” What has he done to
“prove” that he is an honest man? (Lines 48-51)
66. In Cassius’ monologue to Casca, he states that he believes the gods are using the signs to warn
Romans of the monstrous state in which Rome is heading. He uses the events of the night to
compare the forthcoming disaster of Rome to whom?
67. What important information does Casca deliver to Cassius?
68. Why do Casca and Cassius shake hands?
69. Who are gathered at Pompey’s Theater?
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70. What does Cassius want Cinna to do?
71. Why does Casca believe having Brutus join the conspiracy is so important? (Lines 157-160)
Quotes
72. “Beware the ides of March.” ______________________________________________
73. “Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”____________________________________
74. “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.”________________________________
75. “…..it was Greek to me.” _______________________________________
Act II: Scene 1 On the same stormy night, Brutus makes a very important decision. Much is discussed
among the conspirators. Portia talks with Brutus.
1. Why do the conspirators at first want to have Cicero join them? Why do they later changer their
minds?
2. How do the conspirators justify killing Caesar?
3. What does Cassius think should be done to Mark Antony? What does Brutus say about this?
4. Near the end of Scene 1, what does Portia ask of Brutus?
5. About what is Brutus discussing in his soliloquy in Lines 10-34?
6. Explain the comparison of Julius Caesar and a snake. (Lines 32-34)
7. What is “tomorrow”? (Line 40)
8. What is the importance of this day? (refer to Act I, Scene 2)
9. Lucius brings Brutus the forged letters from Cassius (although he does not know they are either
forged or from Cassius). What does the letter he reads say? (Lines 46-48)
10. What decision does Brutus make after reading the letter? (Lines 56-58)
11. Cassius introduces Brutus to all of the conspirators who are present and think Brutus is a noble man.
Name the conspirators who are introduced. (Lines 94-96)
12. In Lines 98-99, Brutus asks Cassius what keeps him and the conspirators up so late. Cassius speaks
to Brutus in private. What do you suppose Cassius tells Brutus?
13. Why does Brutus say, “No, not an oath” when they shake hands forming the conspiracy? (Lines
114-140)
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14. Why does Metellus support including Cicero in the conspiracy? (Lines 144-149)
15. Brutus opposes. Why? (Lines 150-153)
16. Cassius thinks they should kill Antony when they kill Caesar. He believes Antony will cause the
people to harm the conspirators. Why does Brutus disagree on killing Antony? (Lines 162-183)
17. Why is Cassius concerned Caesar might not come to the Senate? (Lines 193-201)
18. Portia is upset with Brutus. Explain how he has behaved strangely toward her? (Lines 237-256)
19. How does Portia know that Brutus is not sick, as he says he is? (Lines 261-267)
20. Why does Brutus say, “Render me worthy of this noble wife”? (Line 303)
Act II: Scene 2 At Caesar’s home in the morning. Calpurnia has had dreams. All the conspirators come
to Caesar’s home.
21. How is Caesar’s superstitious nature indicated?
22. How does Calpurnia convince Caesar to stay home?
23. Why does Caesar change his mind and decide to go to the Senate anyway?
24. What reason does Caesar tell Decius to tell the Senators that he will not come to the senate?
25. How does Decius attempt to persuade Caesar to go to the Senate?
26. After Caesar was told of Calphurnia’s dream and the servant’s omen of the missing heart, why was
he determined to go to the Senate? What changes his mind?
27. Calpurnia begins to beg Caesar to not go to the Senate. What does she say the watchman reported?
(Lines 16-26)
28. What do the augurers predict for Caesar? (Lines 38-40)
29. Even after Calpurnia’s dreams and the augurer’s forewarning, Caesar still refuses to stay. How
does he try to explain his decision to go? (Lines 41-48)
30. Describe the dream Caesar says Calpurnia had. (Lines 75-79)
31. In the previous scene, Decius gives himself a task. How does he complete this task in this scene?
(Lines 85-90)
32. Why does Caesar accept this?
33. What does Trebonius mean by “and so near will I be,/That your best friends shall whish I had been
further”? (Lines 124-125)
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Act II: Scene 3 Artemidorus reads a letter.
34. Why did Artemidorus write a message to Caesar?
35. What letter does Artemidorus read? (Lines 1-9)
Act II: Scene 4 Portia has followed Brutus out of the house. She stands on the street, watching.
36. What is Portia’s purpose in sending the boy, Lucius, to the Capitol?
37. How does this scene heighten the suspense in the play?
38. In Scene 1, what is the main reason that Brutus gives for killing Caesar?
39. Why did Brutus veto Cassius’s proposal that Mark Antony be killed with Caesar?
40. What does Portia send Lucius to do?
41. How does the soothsayer answer Portia’s question if he knows if Caesar is in any harm? (Line 32)
42. What is Portia’s concern at the end of the scene? (Lines 42-43)
Quotes
43. “Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream.” ____________________________________________44. “For he will never forget anything
That other men begin.” ____________________________________________________
45. “…..for he is given
To sports, to wildness, and much company.” ____________________________________
46. “When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”______________________________
47. “Cowards die many times before their deaths:
The valiant never taste of death but once.”__________________________________________
Act III: Scene 1 On the way to the Senate meeting, Julius Caesar is approached by Artimedorus. In
the senate house, Caesar is entreated by Metellus Cimber. Caesar falls victim to the plot. Brutus allows
Mark Antony to speak.
1. How is Caesar’s pride illustrated in this scene?
2. How does Antony respond to Caesar’s death?
3. What warning does Cassius give Brutus concerning Antony’s funeral speech?
4. Why does Julius Caesar not read the letter from Artemidorus? (Line 9)
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5. What “enterprise” is Popilius referring? (Line 14)
6. What is Cassius fearing? (Lines 16-22)
7. What is Trebonius’ job? (Lines 25-26)
8. In Lines 27-30, the conspirators are making final adjustments to the plot. What does Caesar say that
is ironic? Explain how this is ironic.
9. What has Metellus Cimber approached Caesar about? (Lines 44-51)
10. During the discussion, all the conspirators begin to crowd around Caesar. How is Caesar tricked
into believing that nothing is amiss? (Lines 33-57)
11. What two objects does Julius Caesar compare himself to as he describes how indestructible he is?
(Lines 58-75)
12. After proclaiming his magnificence and indestructibility, ironically, Julius Caesar is stabbed. Who
is the first to stab him? What words does this person say to describe he stabbed Caesar? What do
these words mean?
13. Julius Caesar is stabbed thirty-three times by all of the conspirators. Why does he only speak to
Brutus: “Et tu, Bruté”? (Line 78)
14. What do all the conspirators proclaim immediately after killing Caesar to support their action?
(Line 79)
15. Explain how on Page 864, shortly after the murder, the conspirators are demonstrating conflicting
reactions.
16. What do the conspirators do that Calpurnia prophesied in her dream (Lines 105-110)
17. What is the joke that Brutus and Cassius make? (Lines 111-118)
18. What message does Antony’s servant bring to Brutus and the rest of the conspirators? (Lines 123137)
19. How do Brutus and Cassius differ toward Antony’s intentions? (Lines 143-146)
20. What is the double meaning of Caesar lying “so low”? (Line 148)
21. When Antony first speaks to Brutus and Cassius, what does he say to them? What do they say in
return? (Lines 151-178)
22. What three requests does Mark Antony make of the conspirators? (Lines 221-230)
23. On the third request, how do Brutus and Cassius again disagree? (Lines 231-243)
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24. What are the conditions of Mark Antony speaking at the funeral? (Lines 244-250)
25. What does Mark Antony say to Caesar’s body when he is alone? (Lines 254-275)
26. Why does Mark Antony think Octavius Caesar should wait before he comes to Rome? (Lines 287297)
Act III: Scene 2 In the market place at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus makes an appealing speech to the crowd,
just before Mark Antony gives his famous “Friends, Romans’, Countrymen…” speech.
27. How does Brutus explain the assassination of Caesar? How does the crowd respond to Brutus’s
speech?
28. What does Antony say in his funeral speech? How does the crowd respond to him?
29. Although Antony claims that he is not trying to stir up the people, what does he do to stir them up?
30. Brutus puts loyalty to Rome before loyalty to a friend; Antony puts loyalty to a friend before loyalty
to Rome. With whom do you most agree and why? What is wrong with both positions?
31. Why do Brutus and Cassius speak at two separate places?
32. Why does Brutus say he killed Caesar? (Lines 20-29)
33. How does Brutus leave his speech with a foreshadowing to the end? (Lines 45-48)
34. How do the commoners react to Brutus’ speech? (Lines 49-71)
35. How does Mark Antony counteract Brutus’ accusations that Caesar was ambitious? (Lines 89-98)
36. What does Mark Antony mean when he says “…Bear with me;/My heart is in the coffin there with
Caesar,/ And I must pause till it comes back to me”? (Lines 106-108)
37. How do the commoners now react to Mark Antony’s speech? (Lines 109-118)
38. Why does Mark Antony say he will not read the will after he mentions it to the people?
39. Before Mark Antony even reads the will, the people are in a rage and ready to mutiny. What does
Mark Antony reveal is in the will? (Lines 242-253)
40. What did Brutus and Cassius do? Why? (lines 269-270)
Act III: Scene 3 Cinna the Poet is approached by angry commoners.
41. What bit of comic relief is presented in this scene?
41. What does this scene indicate about the mob?
42. What is the first thing the conspirators do after they kill Caesar?
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43. Why does Cassius not want Mark Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
44. What effect does Antony’s speech have on the people?
45. Why are the commoners questioning Cinna the Poet?
46. Even though this is Cinna the Poet and not the conspirator, why is he killed? (Line 30)
47. What is the purpose of this scene?
Quotes
48. “Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!” __________________________________________49. “Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.”____________________________________
50. “….-Not that I have loved Caesar less, but that I have loved Rome
more.”______________________
51. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to buy Caesar, not to praise him.”____________________________________
52. “Now let it work: Mishief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt.”_____________________________________
Act IV: Scene 1 Over a month and half has passed. Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus have formed the new
triumvirate.
1. How is Lepidus characterized by Antony and Octavius?
2. What traits of Caesar has Antony now developed?
3. What are Antony and Octavius now planning?
4. What does Antony mean by “their names are pricked”? (Line 1)
5. What task does Mark Antony send for Lepidus to do? (Lines 7-9)
6. What is Mark Antony’s concern regarding Lepidus? (Lines 12-15)
7. To what does Mark Antony compare Lepidus? How? (Lines 29-40)
8. About what does Octavius worry at the end of the scene?
Act IV: Scene 2 During the months since Brutus and Cassius fled Rome, hard feelings have developed. A
meeting has been arranged for Brutus and Cassius to talk face to face.
9. What apparent change has occurred in the relationship between Brutus and Cassius?
10. What does Brutus fear? (Lines 6-10)
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11. Why does Brutus describe Cassius as “A hot friend cooling”?
12. Brutus and Cassius have not seen each other in months. How doe they first greet each other? (Lines
37-39)
13. Why does Brutus decide he and Cassius should go inside the tent to speak? (Lines 41-47)
Act IV: Scene 3 Brutus and Cassius step into Brutus’ tent to discuss differences they are having. After
arguing, the men resolve their problems and make plans for their next attack on Mark Antony and Octavius.
Brutus has a visitor.
14. What was the nature of the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius?
15. What opinion of Caesar does Brutus indicate in the quarrel?
16. How does Brutus respond to Portia’s death? Explain why he responds this way.
17. How does Brutus respond to the appearance of Caesar’s ghost? Explain why he responds this way.
18. As night falls and it starts getting late, what does Brutus do that shows compassion and kindness?
Why did he do this?
19. What role does the apparition that Brutus sees play within the plot?
20. What are Brutus and Cassius arguing over? (Lines 1-5)
21. What does Brutus accuse Cassius of? (Lines 9-10)
22. How does Cassius compare himself to Brutus? (Lines 30-32)
23. How has Cassius offended Brutus? (Lines 69-77)
23. Why does Cassius say “Come Antony, and young Octavius, come…” in Line 92?
24. Why does Brutus tell Cassius to “sheathe [his] dagger”? (Line 106)
25. The two of them stop fighting by blaming anger on their humors. A poet urges to see Brutus and
Cassius. Why? (Lines 123-125)
26. What does Brutus blame for his temper? (Lines 143-146)
27. What news does Messala send to Brutus and Cassius? (lines 166-190)
28. Why does Cassius not want to go to Philippi? (Lines 198-201)
29. What is Brutus’ reason why they should not allow Mark Antony and Octavius come to them? (Lines
207-223)
30. What does Brutus’ behavior toward his servants as demonstrated in Lines 239-265 say about him?
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31. Who comes to visit Brutus at the end of Act IV? What information does this person bring? (Lines
281-322)
Quotes
32. “Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemned to have an itching palm.”______________________________________
33. “Even so great men great losses should endure.”_______________________________________
Act V: Scene 1 Brutus and Cassius meet during the battle of Philippi and speculate its outcome. They say
a final farewell in case they do not survive the battle.
1. What dissension exists between Antony and Octavius?
2. Octavius says that Brutus and Cassius are on their way to meet his and Mark Antony’s armies.
However, Antony says he knows why they do it. What are his reasons? (Lines 8-12)
3. The stress of war is beginning to take a toll on Mark Antony and Octavius. What do they argue
over? (Lines 17-20)
4. The four men are trading early Roman “Yo Mama!” slams at each other. After Mark Antony insults
Brutus, Cassius tells Brutus that only he himself is responsible for Mark Antony’ offenses and if
Cassius had had his way, this would not have happened. (Lines 45-47) What does he mean by this?
5. When does Octavius say he will put his sword back into the sheath again? (Lines 53-55)
6. On this day, which is Cassius’ birthday, he changes his mind about omens and predicting events.
What makes him change his mind? (Lines 80-88)
7. Brutus’ stoic philosophy forbids suicide; although, he hints that he has considered it (Lines 103107). What does Brutus answer when Cassius asks if he would rather “be led in triumph through
the streets of Rome” ?(Lines 108-109)
Act V: Scene 2 Brutus sends a message to Cassius. He sees that Octavius has a weakness and one gentle
push will allow them to take over.
8. What expectation is raised here for the conspirators?
9. Before the battle, what does Brutus tell Cassius that he (Brutus) will do if his side loses?
10. In Scene 2, what is the result of after Brutus orders Cassius to attack Octavio’s forces at once?
11. What does Cassius do during the battle?
12. Why does Titinius commit suicide?
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Act V: Scene 3 A mistaken observation turns fatal for Cassius. Brutus and Titinius mourn.
13. What is ironic about Cassius’s death?
14. Why does Cassius commit suicide?
15. How does Cassius’s pessimism help to bring about his death? What lesson can be learned from this?
16. After Brutus’ troops overpower Octavius, what do Brutus’ men start to do? (Line 7)
17. Titinius reports that Cassius’ camp is taken over. Cassius send Titinius to learn if the men are
friend or foe. Pindarus watches from atop a hill and reports to Cassius. What does he report?
(Lines 27-31)
18. What does Cassius have Pindarus do? Why? (Lines 35-46)
19. Why does Titinius say the sun of Rome is set? (Line 63)
20. How is it possible for Titinius to have a speaking role on the next two pages after what Pindarus
reports? (Lines 80-90)
21. What does Titinius do? (Line 90)
22. Why does Brutus say “O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!”? (Line 94)
23. What does Brutus mean when he says he owes “moe tears” and he’ll “find time”? (Line 101-103)
Act V: Scene 4 Lucilius tries to help save Brutus’ life.
24. Who dies in this scene, and who is captured?
25. Why does Lucilius say “And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; / Brutus, my country’s friend; know me
for Brutus”? (Lines 7-8)
Act V: Scene 5 Brutus realizes he is defeated. He makes one final decision. Mark Antony praises Brutus.
26. Why does Brutus wish to be killed by his own man?
27. What opinion do Antony and Octavious have of Brutus at the end of the play?
28. When Cassius speaks to Messala before battle, what are the unsettling omens, and what does he
believe the omens represent?
29. Why does Antony call Brutus the “noblest Roman of them all” after they have just been fighting?
30. What does Brutus ask of Clitus, Dardanius, Volumnius, and Strato? (Lines 4-48)
31. Who actually grants Brutus his wish?
32. What does Lucilius mean by proving “Lucilius’ saying true”? (Line 56)
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33. Why does Antony say that Brutus is the “noblest Roman of them all”? (Lines 68-75)
34. How does Octavius intend for Brutus to be treated? Why does he do this? (Lines 76-81)
Quotes
35. “When think you that the sword goes up again?
Never, till Caesar’s three and thirty wounds
Be well avenged, or till another Caesar
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.”______________________________________
36. “This day I breathed first; time is come around,
And where I did begin, there shall I end.”___________________________________________
37. “This was the noblest Roman of them all.”___________________________________________