Julius Caesar Study Guide – Act 4
1. What is the difference between internal and external conflict? Which characters in Julius Caesar
have external conflicts? Which character(s) have internal conflicts? What are these conflicts?
2. What does Antony reveal about himself in the beginning of Act 4? How do we see this?
3. What ignites the conflict between Casssius and Brutus? How does Cassius respond to Brutus’
charges?
4. Which conflict seems to be most heated, Antony and Octavius or Brutus and Cassius? How
would you interpret the strength of the two sides based on this?
5. What news does Brutus receive about Portia? What significance does this news have on Brutus?
What could we possibly interpret about the state of the conspiracy based on Brutus receiving
this news twice?
6. Do Brutus and Cassius finally resolve their differences?
7. Discuss the two military strategies that Brutus and Cassius debate? What are the advantages
and disadvantages of each?
8. What does Brutus see at the end of Act 4? What affect does this have on him?
9. Give some examples of foreshadowing that we see in Act 4.
10. What are some ways that superstition and the supernatural have affected the actions of the
characters?
Julius Caesar Study Guide – Act 5
1. What is a tragic flaw? What is Caesar’s tragic flaw? What is Brutus’ tragic flaw?
2. On whose birthday does the final battle take place?
3. What is ironic about Cassius’ death?
4. Why does Brutus think it is his time to die?
5. Where does the final battle take place?
6. What does Brutus mean by his final words, “Caesar be still…, now/I killed not thee with half
so good a will”?
7. How and why does Antony’s attitude towards Brutus change from the beginning of the act
to the end?
8. Who is the tragic hero of this play—Caesar or Brutus? Be prepared to back-up your answer.
Possible Essay Questions
1.
What would you say is the main reason the conspirators are defeated?
Think About:
The role of fate or chance in determining events
The moral rightness of the conspirators’ cause or methods
Character traits of Brutus and Cassius
Tactical errors made by Brutus and Cassius
2.
Who, in your opinion, is the best leader—Brutus, Cassius, Antony, or Caesar? Support you view with
details from the play
3.
In your opinion, who has done most harm to the state of Rome: Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, or Antony?
Support your view with details from the play.
4.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle defined a tragic hero as a character whose basic goodness
and superiority are marred by a tragic flaw—a fatal error in judgment that leads to the hero’s
downfall. Tragic heroes perceive before their fall how they have contributed to their own destruction.
To what degree do you think Brutus fits this definition of a tragic hero? Explain.
5.
What does this play say to you about the idea of manipulation?
Think About:
The methods used to manipulate people
The ease or difficulty of manipulating events
The moral light in which manipulation is shown