Act I, scene i
1. What is the feast of Lupercal?
2. How many puns can you find in the passage in the lines 10-26?
3. How does Shakespeare make the common people appear to be less than noble?
4. What are the people doing that anger Marullus and Flavius? Why does this anger them?
5. What 2 external conflicts are revealed?
6. What actions do Marullus and Flavius take to correct the situation?
7. What is Shakespeare’s main purpose in the scene?
Act 2, scene ii
8. As the scene begins, what attitude do various characters take toward Caesar?
9. Why does Caesar want Calphurnia to stand in Antony’s path during the race in honor of the feast of lupercal?
10. What is Antony’s response to Caesar’s instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?
11. What is Caesar’s reaction to soothsayer’s warning?
12. What is the effect of the soothsayer repeating the warning?
13. Does Caesar show any signs of being superstitious?
14. What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus’ behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint?
15. What does Brutus mean when he says he is “with himself at war”?
16. What is Cassius telling Brutus in lines 54-79?
17. What internal conflict does Brutus reveal in line 82?
18. What do lines 85-90 say about Brutus’ character?
19. Cassius’ story attacks what aspect of Caesar’s makeup? What is the attack supposed to say to Brutus?
20. What is Cassius suggesting by comparing Caesar to Colossus, and Brutus and himself to petty men who “peep about” under his legs?
21. Where does Cassius reject the classical notion of fate?
22. Summarize what Cassius is telling Brutus in lines 143-153?
23. How does Brutus respond to Cassius’ attack on Caesar?
24. What astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius? What does the observation reveal about Caesar’s character?
25. What faults does Caesar see in Cassius’ nature?
26. Lines 198-214: How do these lines show another side of Caesar (this contradicts the previous lines about Cassius)?
27. Do you believe that Caesar is not afraid of Cassius?
28. What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius?
29. How did Caesar act when he refused the crown?
30. How did the people react to Caesar’s fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar?
31. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to present Casca’s lines in the prose instead of blank verse?
32. What anachronism is given about Marullus and Flavius?
33. What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
34. At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause?
Act I, scene iii 35. What wondrous things has Casca seen on this night? What does this foreshadow?
36. What reason does Cassius give for the terrible storm?
37. Cicero claims that men may manipulate supernatural signs for their own purposes. How might these events in scene iii be constructed?
38. What important news does Casca give Cassius about the Senate’s plan?
39. What instruction does Cassius give Cinna that will help sway Brutus to their cause?
40. What reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause?
41. What previous statement do lines 100-102 echo?
42. What is compared in lines 126-130?
43. Why are supernatural happenings reported?
44. What ideas does this emerge from Cassius’ reflections on Caesar?
45. How are Brutus and Antony contrasted as each appears for the first time?
46. What character drives the action?
47. What is the irony of Casca’s description of the populace?
48. Who is the central conflict between?
49. What is the political mood and behavior of the Roman populace?
Characterization
Brutus-
Antony-
Cassius-
Caesar-
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