Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Study Guide
Homework Questions
Directions: The following questions will be assigned for homework after each act has been read in class and discussed in study groups. Each question will require at least three complete sentences. Write the answers on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure you head your loose leaf paper with the proper act number.
Act I
1. In scene 3 Cassius says of Caesar: "I know he would not be a wolf/But that he sees the Romans are but sheep." Explain what he means.
2. Scene 3 describes many strange happenings in Rome. Why are such events appropriate to the action of the play at this moment?
3. What kind of person is Casca?
Act II
1. What are Brutus' reasons for deciding that it is right to assassinate Caesar?
2. What picture does Shakespeare give us of Brutus' marriage?
3. What does Caesar's habit of referring to himself in the third person tell us about him? (For example, he says, "Shall Caesar send a lie?")
4. What evidence is there in this act that shows both Caesar and Brutus can be influenced by flattery?
Act III
1. Explain how Antony is able to work the crowd up into a frenzy with his speech?
2. What impression does Shakespeare give of the crowd's character in this act?
Act IV
1. How does Brutus react to Portia's death? What do we learn about him from his reaction?
Act V
1. What is said and done in Act V that supports the comment: Brutus' and Cassius' defeat is revenge for Caesar's murder?
