julius caesar questions

Two Roman tribunes, Flavius and Murellus, see the common people parading in the streets instead of working in their shops. They demand to know why the men are not working. A cobbler informs them that the people are celebrating Caesar's victory. Murellus is infuriated by this information, and calls the workers, "you blocks, you stones" (1.1.34). He then tells them that Caesar has not defeated an enemy, but rather that Ceasar has killed the sons of Pompey the Great. Pompey previously ruled Rome along with Caesar until their alliance fell apart, at which point they went to battle over the right to rule.
Flavius's speech then causes the commoners to be ashamed of celebrating a victory party. They depart in more sober mood. Flavius and Murellus then prepare to remove the imperial crowns placed on all the statues of Caesar. Furthermore, they decide to drive the commoners back into their houses in an effort to prevent the city of Rome from celebrating Caesar's victory.
Act One, Scene Two
Julius Caesar triumphantly returns to Rome on the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15. He is followed by Antony and Brutus, the mens' wives, and many followers. Caesar tells Antony to strike his wife Calpurnia during the festival (during which two men run through the street of Rome and hit those they meet with goatskin thongs, Antony is one of them) as a way of getting rid of her sterility. Antony responds with, "When Caesar says 'Do this', it is performed" (1.2.12).
A soothsayer approaches Caesar and calls out for attention. Caesar allows him to speak, and the man tells Caesar to, "Beware the ides of March" (1.2.25). Caesar ignores this warning and calls the man a dreamer. Caesar then leaves with his assembled men.
Brutus and Cassius remain on the stage. Cassius tells Brutus that he has noticed Brutus acting more serious lately. Brutus tells him that he is "with himself at war" (1.2.48) and that Cassius should not worry about it. After a shout and cheering from offstage, Brutus remarks that he is afraid the people will crown Caesar king. Cassius is thrilled to hear this, and tells Brutus that they were both born as free men the same way Caesar was. He tells Brutus a story in which he and Caesar were holding a swimming contest across the Tiber river, and Caesar started to drown. Cassius claims that he rescued Caesar and carried him to the shore. He then complains that Caesar has become so powerful that even though he once saved Caesar's life, he must now bow before him.
Cassius then tells Brutus that "Brutus" is just as good a name as "Caesar", and that both names could just as easily rule Rome. He invokes the image of Brutus' ancestor who founded the Roman Republic and expelled the former kings. Brutus, afraid that Caesar will become a king, struggles to decide whether to take action with Cassius. However, he tells Cassius that he will not take any action at the present time.
Caesar returns, accompanied by his followers. He turns to Antony and remarks, "Let me have men about me that are fat, / Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights. / Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look. / He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous" (1.2.193-196). Antony dismisses Caesar's concern, but Caesar is not convinced that Cassius is completely trustworthy. He tells Antony to come with him and let him know if there is anything to be worried about.
Casca remains onstage with Brutus and Cassius and tells them that the three shouts they heard were because Caesar turned down the crown three times. Apparently Antony offered him the crown three times, and Caesar turned it down three times . Casca then says that Caesar swooned and fell down with his mouth foaming at the lips. (Caesar was considered to be epileptic, called the "falling sickness".) When Caesar awoke, he begged to be forgiven for his infirmary.
Casca then adds that the people forgave Caesar and worshipped him even more for turning away the crown. He says that Murellus and Flavius, the public tribunes, were removed from office for pulling the decorations off of Caesar's statues. Cassius then invites Casca to dinner the next night. Brutus also takes his leave, but agrees to meet with Cassius the next night as well. Cassius informs the audience in a soliloquy that he will fake several handwritten notes and throw them into Brutus' room in an attempt to make Brutus think the common people want him to take action against Caesar.
Julius Caesar Detailed study Questions
Act I, scene I
How does Shakespeare make the common people paper appear to be less noble?
What are the people doing that angers Marullus and Flavius? Why does this anger them?
What actions do Marullus and Flavius take to correct the situation?
Act I, Scene ii
Why does Caesar want Caphuria to stand in Anthony’s path during the race in honor of the feast of Lupercal?
What is Anthony’s response to Caesars instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?
What is Caesars reaction to the soothsayer’s warning?
What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus’s behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint?
Cassius’s story attacks what aspect of Caesars’ makeup? What is this attack supposed to say to Brutus?
What does Cassius mean by the following statement? " Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesars." (147)
How does Brutus respond to Cassius’s attack?
What astute observation does Caesars make of Cassius?
What faults does Caesars see in Cassius’s nature
What does Caesars mean by the following statement? "I rather tell thee what is to be feared/than what I fear; for always I am Caesars?
What does this statement show about Caesars nature? What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does Casca tell us by the personal remarks he adds to the story?
How did the people react to Caesars’ fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesars?
What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause?

Act I scene iii
What wondrous things has Casca seen on this night
What reason does Cassius give for the terrible storm?
What important news does Casca give Cassius about the Senate’s plan?
What does Casius mean by the following statement? "He were no lion, were not Romans hinds." (106)
What instruction does Casca give Cinna that that will help sway Brutus to their cause?
What reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause?

Act II, scene i.
What question is Brutus pondering at the opening of the scene?
For what information does Brutus want Lucas look at a calendar? What is the significance of what Lucas finds?
Why do the conspirators want to do the next day?
Why does Brutus reject Cicero? What is Cassius’s reaction and what does this show about his and Brutus’s relationship?
What do the conspirators plan to do the next day?
How does Decius say he will make sure that he will make sure that Caesars will come to the Capitol?
What has Portia done to show Brutus that she is worthy of knowing his secret?

Act II, scene ii.
32. What Strange and horrible things does Calphurnia report to Caesars that have been seen that night?
What does Calphurnia mean by the following statement? "When beggars die, there are no comets seen;/ The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."(3031)
How does Decius convince Caesars to go to the Capitol?

Act II, scene iii.
What is Artemidorus’s Plan?

Act II. Scene iv.
Why is Portia so nervous and upset? On what errand does she send Lucias?

Act III, scene i.
In regard to Artemidorus’s request, how does Caesars’ nobility doom him?
What is Metellus Cimber’s petition to Caesars? What is Caesars’ response and why does he give this response?
What does Brutus instruct the conspirators to do before they go before the public? Why does he instruct them to do this?
What request does Anthony’s servant bring to Brutus? What is Brutus’s response?
What does Cassius object to letting Anthony speak at Caesars funeral? What reassurance does Brutus give him?
What promise does Anthony give Brutus about his funeral speech?
After being left alone with Caesars body, what does Anthony promise to do?

Act III scene ii.
What reason does Brutus give for murdering Caesar? What is the crowd’s reaction?
What final mistake does Brutus make in letting Anthony speak?
Why does Anthony read Caesar’s will to the people?
At the end of the Scene what are the fates of Brutus and Cassius

Act III, scene iii.
What is the significance of this scene?

Act IV. Scene i.
What are Anthony, Octavius, and Lepidus doing at the beginning of the Scene?
Why do they want Caesars will? What is ironic about this?
What is Anthony’s Plan for Lepidus? What is his reason?

Act IV. Scene ii.
What does Brutus tell Lucilius about dying love?
What practical instruction does Brutus give Cassius about their disagreement? What is unusual about this?

Act IV, scene iii.
What wrong Does Cassius say Brutus has done him?
In response, what does Brutus condemn Cassius for doing?
What does Cassius threaten to do if Brutus continues to "urge" him?
According to Brutus, how has Cassius wronged him? What is ironic about Brutus’s Accusation?
To prove that he has been wronged, what does Cassius tell Brutus to do to him?
What is the real reason for Brutus’s ill temper? Give all of the Details
Messala brings what ill news of the triumvirate’s actions in Rome?
What reason does Cassius give for going directly to Philippi?
What reason does Brutus give for going directly to Philippi? Who prevails?
What happens to make Brutus speed up his plan to go to Philippi?

Act V, scene i.
What hope of Octavius and Anthony is answered? What does this say about Brutus?
What does Cassius mean by the following statement?
"Flatterers! Now Brutus thank yourself;/This tongue had not offered so today,/If Cassius might have ruled."(45-47)
What ominous sign has Cassius seen that causes him to fear the coming battle?
What does Brutus say he will do if they lose the battle? Why is he reluctant t do this?

Act V, scene iii.
What horrible mistake does Cassius make? What is the outcome of this mistake?
What is Titinius’s reaction to Cassius’s action?
What is Brutus’s response to Cassius and Titinius’s actions?

Act V, scene iv.
What role does Licilius take upon himself? What was Anthony’s response to his masquerade?

Act V, scene v.
What request does Brutus make of Clitus? What is his response?
What does Brutus ask Volumnius to do? What reason does he give? What is Volumnius’s response?
What does Strato do for Brutus? What does Strato ask Brutus to do First? Why?
What overture of peace does Octavius make to Brutus’s men?
How do Anthony and Octavius honor Brutus?