Fall Final Study Guide
Julius Caesar
- In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act I, scene I, why do Flavius and Marullus try to disrupt the festivities?
- The soothsayer warns Caesar, “Beware the Ides of March.” Thinking of Cassius’ actions and discussions up to this point, what is the soothsayer warning?
- In Act I, scene ii, Cassius characterizes Caesar as
- When Brutus delivers a soliloquy in his orchard at the beginning of Act II what is he doing?
- What is Brutus’ motivation for joining the conspiracy?
- What is suggested by Brutus’ image of Caesar as a snake?
- In Act II, the conspirators agree not to attack Antony, why do they make this decision?
- In Acts I and III there are reports of strange occurrences in Rome what kind of atmosphere does it create?
- Why does Calpurnia ask Caesar not to go to the Senate?
- How does the fact the audience, but not Caesar, knows that his ‘friends’ plan to kill him make Caesar appear?
- Paraphrase the following passage from Act III, scene i starting with :
“Antony:
O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,........Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!”
- When Antony delivers a dramatic speech over Caesar’s body, he is alone onstage. A speech delivered under these circumstances is called a(n) ___________.
- How are Antony’s true feelings about the conspirators first revealed after the death of Caesar?
- In his oration in Act III, scene I how does Antony shoe that the conspirators are not honorable?
- After Caesar’s death, why does Antony point to the wounds on Caesar’s body and the tears in Caesar’s cloak and identify which conspirator dagger made each wound?
- What do Antony’s speeches in Act III reveal about his character?
- Explain the purpose/reason for Act III, scene iii, in which a group of plebeians attack Cinna the poet?
- What impression does Shakespeare five of the plebeians in Act III (the funeral speeches)?
- At the beginning of Act IV, Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus are meeting. What are they discussing?
- What is a source of conflict between Cassius and Brutus?
- How do the temperaments of Brutus and Cassius differ?
- Summarize Brutus’ argument in Act IV, scene iii, when he urges Cassius to be honest?
- In Act IV, scene iii, what is the significance of the ghost’s promise to see Brutus at Philippi?
- When the ghost appears to Brutus in his tent, what does it (the ghost) symbolize?
- According to the following statement made by Cassius late in the play, what is the cause of Cassius’ problems in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself;/ The tongue had not offended so today,/ If Cassius might have ruled.
- Based on the definition of a tragic hero, is Cassius a noble/tragic hero? why or why not?
- What is the main reason why Brutus does not want to be captured and taken back to Rome as a prisoner?
- What is an important effect of Brutus’ death in Act V, scene v, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?
- Why is The Tragedy of Julius Caesar considered a tragedy?
- Based on the definition of a tragic hero, is Brutus the tragic/noble hero? why or why not?
- What is the theme of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar?
- What literary device does Calpurnia’s dream serve as?
- In order to get Caesar to go to the capitol, Decius must re-interpret Calpurnia’s dream. How does he explain the dream to Caesar?
- Why is Antony kind to the conspiracy when he meets with them following the death of Caesar?
- Why does Brutus join the conspiracy?
Literary Terms
The following is a list of literary terms that you will need to understand in order to be successful with this portion of the exam.
aside antagonist
atmosphere dialogue
characterization characters
climax conflict
drama dramatic irony
exposition falling action
figurative language figure of speech
foil foreshadowing
hyperbole imagery
metaphor monologue
mood motivation
plot point of view
protagonist resolution
simile situational irony
soliloquy suspense
symbolism tone
tragic hero turning point
verbal irony