Questions, Quotes, and Assignments

Shakespeare's famous Roman play opens to the scene of two Tribunes, Marullus and Flavius scolding Roman citizens for blindly worshipping Caesar. Their conversation reveals deep-seated fears that Caesar is growing too powerful, too arrogant and must be stopped.

Hoping to reduce the blind hero worship of Caesar, the two men remove ceremonial decorations off Caesar's "images" (statues) despite the obvious dangers of doing so...

A little later, we see Caesar leading a procession through the streets of Rome. A Soothsayer or fortune teller tells Caesar to beware the "ides of March [the 15th of March]" a warning that Caesar will die on this day. It is ignored. Cassius, who fears Caesar's ever growing power, begins to recruit Brutus, a close friend of Caesar's, towards his conspiracy by implying that Caesar is becoming too powerful...

We also learn that Marullus and Flavius, the two tribunes pulling decorations off Caesar's statues have been put to silence for "pulling scarves off Caesar's images [statues]." Brutus is suspicious of Cassius' motives but tells Cassius that he will think it over... Casca, another conspirator, reveals information to Brutus that suggests Caesar may be getting more ambitious...

Cassius' conspiracy gains momentum when he recruits a suspicious Casca to their cause against Caesar by pointing out that several recent strange occurrences are omens warning them against Caesar...

To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius has Cinna place some forged letters where Brutus will find them convincing Brutus to join their cause. Cinna reveals that Brutus' good name will be an asset to their conspiracy...

1. Who are Flavius and Marullus?2. Why was the crowd assembled on the street?3. Why are Flavius and Marullus angry with the

crowd?4. By what method do they convince the crowd to go

home?5. What characteristics of the crowd are seen here?6. How do Flavius and Marullus feel about Caesar?7. What conflict is presented in this scene?8. What feast is being celebrated and what is its

purpose?9. What does Flavius suggest to Marullus at the end

of the scene?

1. What does Caesar ask of his wife and why? 2. What type of person Caesar appear to be?3. What first impressions do we get of Antony?4. What is a soothsayer? Explain what the

soothsayer says to Caesar.5. What “thoughts” might be troubling Brutus?6. What is Cassius’s goal in this scene? How

does he go about it?7. How does Cassius flatter Brutus?8. How does Brutus react to the shouts of the

crowd at the forum?9. What type of personality does the

protagonist have thus far? Explain.

10. Cassius belittles Caesar in lines 90-130. What weaknesses of Caesar’s are mentioned?

11. What word best describes Cassius’s attitude towards Caesar? (lines 125-131)

12. Cassius again flatters Brutus in lines 140-160. Give two examples of this flattery.

13. What is Brutus’s reaction to Cassius’s flattery?14. What does Caesar say about Cassius? What

does this show about Caesar?15. What information does Casca provide?16. From what disease does Caesar suffer?17. What has happened to Flavius and Marullus?18. Explain Cassius’s soliloquy concerning Brutus.

1. What is happening as this scene opens? What is the significance?

2. List the strange and supernatural things mentioned by Casca in this scene.

3. What does Cicero say about Casca’s interpretation?4. How does Cassius interpret these sights? (lines 57-78)5. Explain Cassius’s remark about suicide. (lines 89-95)6. To what things does Cassius compare Romans? Why are

they so?7. What finally wins Casca over to the conspiracy?8. What do we learn from Cinna? What task does Cassius

give him?9. Why do they need Brutus?

1. ”Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home?”2. “O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Knew you not

Pompey?”3. “These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing will

make him fly an ordinary pitch, Who else would soar above the view of men And keep us all in servile fearfulness.”

4. “Beware the Ides of March”5. “Set honor in one eye and death in the other, And I will

look upon both indifferently, For let the Gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”

6. “It doth amaze me, a man of such feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic world And bear the palm alone.”

7. “He thinks too much, such men are dangerous.”8. “I will this night in several hands in his window throw, as if

they come from several citizens, writings. . .”

Brutus cannot sleep, revealing for the first time his own true fears that Caesar may be growing too powerful. A letter is discovered, which Brutus reads, convincing him to join the conspiracy. The complete group of conspirators meets at Brutus' house, discussing Caesar's assassination. Brutus argues against Caesar's right hand man, Mark Antony being assassinated as well. Cassius and Trebonius have their doubts but go along with Brutus. Brutus' troubled wife Portia tries to find out what her husband is planning, worried for him...

Calphurnia, Caesar's wife, wakes Caesar up after herself awakening from a terrible nightmare. She tells Caesar, that her dream foretells doom and succeeds in convincing Caesar not go to the Senate (also referred to as The Capitol) on the "ides of March" which is tomorrow. Decius Brutus arrives and hearing that Caesar will not be at the Senate tomorrow, flatters Caesar into going so as not to show fear (allowing Brutus and company to kill him there).

Artemidorus waits in a street with a letter warning Caesar of the conspiracy, hoping to avert Caesar's assassination...

Portia worries for her husband, hoping his "enterprise" today will succeed. The Soothsayer who warned Caesar about the "ides of March" in Act I, waits in a narrow street hoping to warn Caesar of his imminent danger...

1. Explain Brutus’s soliloquy on page 57. 2. In Brutus’s soliloquy, what reasons does he give for

deciding to kill Caesar?3. What do the “false” letters call upon Brutus to do?4. What three proposals are made by Cassius? Why

does Brutus object to each?5. Why might Caesar decide to stay at home?6. By what method does Decius persuade Caesar to

go to the Senate?7. What does Portia wish to know from Brutus?8. How does Portia show her strength “withal a

woman”? Does she succeed with Brutus?

1. What shows that Caesar is superstitious?2. Explain why we can say that Caesar is a fatalist.3. What strange and supernatural happening have

been reported to Calpurnia?4. Explain Caesar’s remark “Cowards die many times

before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once.”

5. Find an example of Caesar’s over-confidence.6. What did Calpurnia dream? How does Decius

interpret the dream? Why does his interpretation please Caesur?

7. What two other methods besides the dream does Decius use to persuade Caesar to go to the senate?

1. Who is Artmedorus?

2. How does he happen to know of the conspiracy is such detail?

1. Why is Portia agitated? What does she want Lucius to do?

2. Why does Lucius stay behind so long?

3. Who else is in the scene and what is his significance?

1. “Think of him as a serpent’s egg which, hatch’d, would, as his kind, grow mischievous and kill him in the shell.”

2. “And let us swear our resolution.” 3. “Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers.”4. “Cowards die many times before their

deaths, the valiant taste of the death but once”

5. “Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous the he”

6. “This dream was all amiss interpreted. It was a vision faire and fortunate”

Caesar arrogantly tells the Soothsayer that today is the "ides of March", but the Soothsayer tells him the day is not over yet... Artemidorus nearly warns Caesar but Decius Brutus prevents this. Popilius wishes the conspirators good luck, scaring them that Caesar may already know their plans.

Metellus Cimber petitions Caesar to lift his brother's banishment order. Caesar refuses and the conspirators kill Caesar. Mark Antony flees. Mark Antony pretends to treat Caesar's murderers as friends. He asks to speak at Caesar's funeral. Cassius thinks this is dangerous, Brutus, disagreeing, lets Mark Antony speak at the funeral.

Mark Antony reveals his true hatred for the conspirators. Octavius, Mark Antony's ally is remain safely outside of Rome a little longer... Brutus and Cassius explain to the citizens of Rome why they killed Caesar, gaining their support.

Using the immortal words, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;" Mark Antony turns the citizens of Rome against Brutus and Cassius by making the citizens feel remorse for Caesar's cruel death and by bribing then with the news that Caesar's will gifts each citizen money from his will. Mark Antony uses this fact to suggest Caesar was a great man who should not have been murdered.

The crowd, now an angry, crazed mob, go after the conspirators including Brutus and Cassius who flee in fear...

A poet called Cinna who bears the same name as one of the conspirators is killed by the angry mob which shows Shakespeare's insight into the senselessness of the mob mentality...

1. Why will Caesar not read Artemidorus’s petition?

2. What does Popilius say to Cassius? Why do Brutus and Cassius become momentarily fearful?

3. What task does each of the following have:a) Treboniusb)Metellus Cimber c) Casca

4. What does Caesar say to Metellus Cimber?5. What are Caesar’s dying words and what are

their significance?

6. What is Anthony’s purpose in sending his servant? What three things are made clear by the servant?

7. To whom does Antony direct his opening speech? What in your own words is he saying?

8. a. Antony makes two requests – what are they?b. What does Cassius fear?c. What five conditions does Brutus give to Antony?

 9. Summarize Antony’s soliloquy.

10. Who has arrived in Rome? Who is he?

1. Why is Brutus’s funeral speech in prose?

2. a. What reasons does Brutus give for killing Caesar?b. What is the reaction of the crowd after Brutus’s speech?c. What is their attitude toward Antony at this time?

3. Analyze Antony’s speech to the crowd page 79-80, lines 78-257. Consider this as one speech.

4. Using the above quotation, how does Antony sway the crowd to his side?

5. What has happened to Brutus and Cassius at the end of this scene? 

1. List the questions that the citizens ask Cinna.

2. Why do the citizens want to tear Cinna to pieces?

3. Who was this Cinna? Who was the other Cinna?

1. “I wish your enterprise today may thrive.”2. “Et tu, Brute?”3. “Let each man render me his bloody hand.”4. “Know you how much the people may be mov’d By

that which he will utter?”5. O! Pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that I am

meek and gentle with these butchers.”6. “…as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I

have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.”

7. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”8. “This was the most unkindest cut of all.”9. “Now let it work: mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou

what course thou wilt!”

Act Four Scene Four

Reading Comprehension Assignment

You may only use your BOOK and may not work with a partner.

The Triumvirs (Octavius, Mark Antony and Lepidus) decide which of the conspirators shall live and which shall die. Mark Antony assures Octavius that Lepidus does not and will not ever have any serious power... The two men start planning their attack on Brutus' and Cassius' forces.

Brutus learns that Cassius has finally arrived. Brutus is angry with Cassius, Cassius saying he has done his friend no wrong. Brutus wanting privacy from his troops, tells Cassius to step into his tent where he will discuss the issue further...

Brutus angrily attacks Cassius first for contradicting his order to remove Lucius Pella for taking bribes and then Cassius himself for his own dishonesty. Cassius is upset by this but eventually Brutus chooses to forgive his friend. We learn that Portia, Brutus' wife has died, over one hundred senators have been put to death by the Triumvirs and that a large army led by Mark Antony and Octavius is approaching their position... Brutus is greeted by Caesar's Ghost which tells Brutus he will see Caesar again at Philippi.

1. What is happening as this scene opens?2. What do we learn of Caesar’s will and what does this

show of Antony?3. What is Antony’s opinion of Lepidus? Why, then, was he

given a third share in the triumvirate?4. What do we learn about Brutus and Cassius and why is

this significant?5. What are the members of the new triumvirate? How is

each one portrayed?6. Is their rule any better then Caesar’s might have been –

prove?7. What do we learn of the triumvirate as the scene closes?

1. How does Brutus feel as this scene opens and why?

2. What are Brutus and Cassius fighting about?

3. Why does Brutus ask Cassius to dismiss his troops?

4. How does Cassius feel upon meeting Brutus?

1. What was Lucius Pella caught doing?2. How has Cassius been wronged by Brutus? 3. What criticisms does Brutus make of Cassius?4. What mention is made of the Ides of March? Why is Brutus

so upset?5. How does Cassius finally get Brutus to repent?6. What were the reasons for, and the cause of, Portias’s death?7. How many members of the senate were executed by the new

triumvirate?8. a. What military move does Brutus suggest?

b. What is Cassius’s opinion of this move?c. How does Brutus respond?

9. What happens to disturb Brutus’s recently found peace and why is this ironic? What warning is given? 

10. In what ways has Shakespeare managed to create a feeling of pathos for Brutus and Cassius?

1. “This is a slight, unmeritable man, Meet to be sent on errands:”

2. “I had rather be a dog and bay the moon, Than such a Roman.”

3. “I said an elder soldier, not a better.” 4. “I cannot drink too much of Brutus’s

love.”5. “There is a tide in the affairs of men

which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyages of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.”

On the Plains of Philippi, Mark Antony's and Octavius' forces face Brutus' and Cassius' forces. The two sides insult each other, Mark Antony and Octavius then leaving with their army.

Later in battle with Mark Antony and Octavius, Brutus sends orders via messenger Messala to Cassius' forces on the other side of the battlefield.

Cassius' forces are losing ground to Mark Antony's forces. Brutus has defeated Octavius' forces but instead of reinforcing Cassius' forces, have instead sought out spoils or bounty from the field.

Needing information, Cassius sends Titinius to a nearby hill to report if it is friendly or not. Cassius instructs Pindarus to go atop a hill to report Titinius' progress to him.

Pindarus sees Titinius pulled off his horse and fears Titinius has been captured. This would mean Brutus' forces have been beaten so Cassius kills himself on Pindarus' sword. Titinius now returns realizing that Titinius was not captured but was greeted by Brutus' victorious forces. Brutus learns of Cassius' death. Titinius, mourning Cassius, kills commits suicide.

Brutus inspires his men to keep fighting. Lucilius who is mistaken for Brutus is captured. Eventually Mark Antony realizes this. The battle rages on and Antony issues orders for Brutus to be captured, dead or alive...

Tired, weary, but still alive, Brutus finds a place to catch his breath with his few remaining followers. One by one, Brutus asks first Clitius, Dardanius and Volumnius to kill him but each refuses. Finally Brutus gets his wish by falling on his sword, killing himself.

Octavius, Mark Antony, Messala and Lucilius now arrive. Strato explains how Brutus died. Mark Antony pays tribute to Brutus' noble spirit by famously saying, "This was the noblest Roman of them all..." Octavius tells his soldiers to stand down, the battle now over...

1. What disagreement takes place between Antony and Octavius?

2. How do Cassius and Brutus attempt to show confidence?

3. What insults do the four generals hurl at each other?

4. What bad omen has Cassius worried?

5.  What will Brutus do if defeated?

6. How has Shakespeare created pathos for Cassius and Brutus?

1. What is the significance of this short scene?

1. According to Titinius, what mistake has Brutus made?

2. a. What does Cassius ask Titinius to do?b. What do Pindarus report to Cassius?c. How does Cassius react to Pindarus’s report?

3. What really happened at Cassius’s camp?

4. Why do Titinius kill himself?

5. What is Brutus’s reaction to Cassius’s death?

1. Why does Lucilius pretend to be Brutus?

2. How does Antony treat Lucilius?

3. What is the significance of this short scene?

1. What does Brutus ask of each of his officers and what are their reactions?

2. a. How many times has Caesar’s ghost appeared to Brutus?b. Where?c. How has the ghost’s appearance affected Brutus?

3. In detail, tell how Brutus’s death differs from Cassius’s.

4. How does Octavius treat his prisoners?5. What tributes does Antony pay to the dead Brutus? 6. Who emerges as the person in charge at the end of

the play? Why is this significant?