Name: ________________________ Julius Caesar​
Act II Study Guide Vocabulary Words: 1. taper (n) 2. spurn (v) 3. base (adj) 4. augmented (adj) 5. insurrection (n) 6. visage (n) 7. affability (n) 8. redress (n) 9. constancy (n) 10. imminent (adj) 1. What is the setting of Act II, Scene 1? (date, time, place) 2. What reasons does Brutus have for thinking that Caesar should be killed even though Caesar has not done anything wrong yet? 3. What letter does Lucius bring to Brutus? What does it say? 4. How are Cassius and Brutus related? 5. Why is it suggested that Cicero ​
not​
be asked to join the conspiracy? 6. Why does Brutus say that the conspirators should ​
not​
kill Antony? (2 reasons) 7. Why does Portia suspect that something is wrong with Brutus? 8. What reason does Brutus give Portia for his strange behavior? 9. Portia tries to convince Brutus to tell her his secret. How does she try to convince him? 10. Who comes to see Brutus at the end of scene 1? Why does Brutus want to talk to him? 11. In scene 2, who else has had trouble sleeping? Why? 12. What does Calpurnia want to convince Caesar to do? What are her reasons? 13. Who arrives at Caesar’s house? Why is he there? 14. What is Calpurnia’s dream? How does Decius interpret it? 15. Identify an instance of dramatic irony at the end of scene 2. 16. In scene 3, what does Artemidorus’ letter say? 17. Whom does Portia meet in scene 4? What is he doing? 18. What task does Portia give to Lucius at the end of Scene 4? Quotations: Identify who said each of the following quotes. Also make sure you know what the speaker is talking about. “In the early stages of ambition, that humility is a ladder, on which the climber mounts with his face turned upward. Once he gets to the top rung, however, He turns his back to the ladder.” “O let us have him, because his silvery hair will win us everyone’s good opinion and buy men’s speeches to praise our deeds.” “Antony is only a limb of Caesar.” “We shall be called purgers, and not murderers.” “I have made strong proof of my constancy, Giving myself a voluntary wound Here in the thigh.” “I am not sick any longer if Brutus has some action worthy of the name of honor.” “What do you mean to do, Caesar? Are you thinking of going out? I won’t allow you to stir from the house today.” “Adjourn the Senate to another time when Caesar’s wife has better dreams.” “Beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna…” “How weak a thing the heart of woman is!” Julius Caesar Act III Study Guide Worksheet Name: __________________________ Julius Caesar​
Act III Study Guide Vocabulary 1. valiant (adj) 2. firmament (n) 3. malice (n) 4. apprehensive (adj) 5. censure (v) 6. interred (adj) 7. legacy (n) 8. orator (n) 9. plebeians (n) 10. beseech (v) 1. In scene 1, there is still a chance that the conspiracy might be foiled. Explain why Artemidorus fails to get Caesar to read his warning. 2. What petition serves as an excuse for the conspirators to gather around Caesar immediately before the assassination? 3. In scene 1, why does Cassius argue against allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral? 4. In order to make a compromise, what rules does Brutus give Antony about what he can and cannot do in his speech at Caesar’s funeral? 5. How does Antony’s speech at the end of scene 1 (lines 254­275) reveal his true feelings about the assassins? 6. For a moment after the assassination, the action seeps to stop since the protagonists (the conspirators) have achieved their goal. However, a new protagonist appears who will drive the action for the rest of the play. Who is he, and what is his goal? 7. In scene 2, how does the crowd react to Brutus’ speech at the funeral? 8. Antony’s funeral oration in Scene 2 is one of the most famous pieces of rhetoric in literature. How is Antony able to follow the rules that Brutus gave him while still ruining the conspirators’ reputations? 9. What are four rhetorical devices that Antony repeatedly uses in his speech? 10. What does Antony disclose to the crowd concerning Caesar’s will? How does the crowd react? 11. How has the crowd’s attitude changed from the beginning of scene 2 to the end? 12. How were the mob’s madness and the murder of Cinna foreshadowed earlier in the play? 13. How do you feel about Brutus in this act? Is he still an admirable character or not? Is he a victim or a villain? Explain. How do you feel about Antony in this act? Has he surprised you in any way? Be specific.