CAESAR     

List of Characters

Julius Caesar—Dictator of Rome

Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony)—Friend of Caesar and one of the leaders of Rome after Caesar’s death

Marcus Brutus—Friend of Caesar who kills him “for the good of Rome”

Cassius—Leader of the conspiracy against Caesar and brother−in−law of Brutus

Casca—The first conspirator to stab Caesar

Trebonius—Member of the conspiracy against Caesar

Caius Ligarius—Final member of the conspiracy, a sick man who joins them when Brutus asks him to help

make Rome well

Decius Brutus—Conspirator who uses flattery to get Caesar to the Senate House

Metellus Cimber—Conspirator and brother of Publius Cimber who was banished from Rome

Cinna—Conspirator who urges Cassius to bring Brutus into the conspiracy to gain favorable public opinion

Flavius and Marullus—Tribunes who guard the rights of Roman citizens

Octavius Caesar—Nephew of Julius Caesar and first Roman Emperor

Lepidus—Ally of Antony and Octavius and one of the three rulers of Rome after Caesar’s assassination

Cicero—Roman senator and orator later killed by Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus

Publius—Elderly senator and witness to Caesar’s death

Popilius Lena—Senator who was opposed to Caesar

Calphurnia—Wife of Caesar who tried to keep her husband home on the day of his assassination

Portia—Wife of Brutus, daughter of Cato and sister of Young Cato

Lucilius—Officer in Brutus’ army who is captured by Antony

Titinius—Officer in Cassius’ army who commits suicide after Cassius’ death

Messala—Officer in Brutus’ army who gives Brutus information from Rome, including news of Portia’s

suicide

Young Cato—Brother−in−law of Brutus who dies in battle

Varro and Claudius—Soldiers under Brutus’ command who wait in his tent in Sardis before the battle at

Philippi

Volumnius, Clitus, and Dardanus—Soldiers under Brutus’ command who refuse to help him commit suicide

after the battle of Philippi

Strato—Loyal friend of Brutus who assists him in his suicide

Lucius—Servant of Brutus

Pindarus—Servant of Cassius who helps his master commit suicide

Artemidorus—Friend of Caesar who writes a letter warning him of the plot

Soothsayer—Seer into the future who tries to warn Caesar about the plot to kill him

Cinna the Poet—Poet on his way to Caesar’s funeral who is killed by an angry mob out for revenge

Another Poet—Jester who enters Brutus’ tent while Brutus and Cassius are arguing

Labeo and Flavius—Soldiers in Brutus’ army

Act I, Scene 1:

1. How does Shakespeare use humor in the opening scene?

2. A pun is a play on words, two words that sound alike but have different meanings. Find two examples of

puns in the opening lines of the scene.

3. How does Shakespeare show the political conflict in Rome?

4. What is the reason the cobbler tells Flavius and Marullus he is leading the people through the street?

5. What is the real reason the people are out in the street?

6. What about Pompey is revealed in this scene?

7. What information is given about Caesar?

8. How does the scene show the fickleness of the crowd?

9. Shakespeare often uses comparisons (metaphor and simile) and figurative language. What is the

comparison Flavius makes in the final lines of the scene?

10. What are the intentions of Flavius and Marullus as the scene ends?

Act I, Scene 2:

1. How is Caesar’s power indicated in the scene?

2. What was the soothsayer’s warning?

3. What reason does Brutus give Cassius for his coolness towards him?

4. What two stories does Brutus tell about Caesar?

5. What does Cassius compare Caesar to in lines 142–45?

6. What reasons does Caesar give Antony that Cassius is dangerous?

7. Why does Casca say Caesar fell?

8. What does Brutus mean when he says Caesar has the “falling sickness”?

9. What does Cassius mean when he says, “But you, and I / And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness”?

(266–67)

10. How does Cassius plan to trick Brutus into joining the plot against Caesar?

Act I, Scene 3: 1. Why does Casca have his sword drawn?

2. What two “supernatural” events does Casca describe to Cicero?

3. What unusual “natural” event does he tell about?

4. Why does Casca think these unusual things are happening?

5. What information about Caesar is revealed in their conversation?

6. How is Cassius’ conduct in the storm different from Casca’s?

7. How does Cassius interpret all that is happening in Rome?

8. What news does Cinna bring to Cassius?

9. Why does Casca think it is important for Brutus to join with them in the plot against Caesar?

10. How does Cassius plan to put extra pressure on Brutus at the end of Act I?

Act II, Scene 1

1. What reason does Brutus give in his soliloquy for killing Caesar?

2. What do the letters addressed to Brutus say?

3. Why can’t Lucius identify the men with Cassius?

4. Why does Brutus oppose the idea of swearing an oath?

5. Why does Brutus object to Cicero joining the conspiracy?

6. Why does Brutus oppose killing Mark Antony?

7. How does Decius plan to get Caesar to the Capitol?

8. What advice does Brutus give the conspirators as they leave his house?

9. Why does Portia think she is strong enough to share in Brutus’ plans?

Act II, Scene 2:

1. Why is Caesar concerned when the scene begins?

2. What is Calphurnia’s request of Caesar?

3. What is Caesar’s response to Calphurnia’s concern he might be killed?

4. What was the result of the sacrifice performed by the augurers?

5. What reasons does Caesar give Decius for staying home?

6. What was Calphurnia’s dream?

7. How does Decius use flattery to get Caesar to change his mind?

8. How does Decius interpret Calphurnia’s dream?

9. What does Trebonius say when Caesar tells him to stay by?

Act II, Scenes 3 and 4:

1. How does Shakespeare add the element of suspense in these two short scenes?

2. What is Artemidorus’ warning?

3. What does Artemidorus mean when he says, “Security gives way to conspiracy”? (Sc. 3, 7–8)

4. How does he plan to give Caesar his letter?

5. Why doesn’t Lucius carry out Portia’s request?

6. What does Portia mean in her aside, “O constancy, be strong upon my side; / Set a huge mountain ‘tween

my heart and tongue. / I have a man’s mind but a woman’s might. / How hard it is for women to keep

counsel!” (Sc. 4, 7–10)?

7. What does she tell Lucius to do?

8. What does the soothsayer tell Portia he plans to do?

9. What is Portia’s wish for Brutus?

10. How does Portia try to cover up being overheard by Lucius?

Act III, Scene 1:

1. Why does Caesar not read Artemidorus’ letter?

2. Why does Cassius think their assassination plan has been discovered?

3. Why does Caesar get angry at Metellus?

4. What does Brutus tell the frightened senators after Caesar’s assassination?

5. How does Calphurnia’s dream come true?

6. What does Antony want from the conspirators?

7. What restrictions does Brutus place on Antony when he allows him to speak at the funeral?

8. What does Antony predict in his soliloquy?

9. What information does the messenger bring to Antony?

10. What are Antony’s intentions as the scene ends?

Act III, Scenes 2 and 3:

1. How does Brutus justify the killing of Caesar to the people of Rome?

2. What is the crowd’s reaction to Brutus’ speech?

3. What two reasons does Antony give to prove Caesar wasn’t ambitious?

4. How does Antony use irony in his funeral speech?

5. What is the pun Antony uses in line 114 of Scene 3?

6. How does Antony use Caesar’s cloak to manipulate the crowd?

7. How does Antony say that Caesar died?

8. What is the news that the messenger brings to Antony at the end of the scene?

9. Why is Cinna out on the streets?

10. What is the excuse the mob uses to kill Cinna?

Act IV, Scene 1:

1. Why are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus together in the scene?

2. How does Shakespeare show their callousness?

3. Why does Antony send Lepidus to Caesar’s house?

4. What is Antony’s true opinion of Lepidus?

5. Why did Antony pick Lepidus as one of the new leaders of Rome?

6. What does Antony compare Lepidus to?

7. What is Octavius’ assessment of Lepidus?

8. What is Antony’s response to Octavius?

9. What news does Antony tell Octavius about Brutus and Cassius?

10. Why does Octavius agree with Antony’s plan to go after Cassius and Brutus?

Act IV, Scenes 2 and 3

1. Why is Brutus concerned about Lucilius’ account of his meeting with Cassius?

2. Why does Brutus tell Cassius to come into his tent?

3. Why is Cassius angry with Brutus?

4. Why is Brutus angry with Cassius?

5. Why does Brutus say he is not afraid of Cassius’ threats?

6. What is the advice given to Cassius and Brutus by the poet?

7. What is the news from Rome?

8. What are Brutus’ and Cassius’ battle plans?

9. What reasons does Brutus give for his plan?

10. What does the ghost of Caesar tell Brutus?

Act V, Scene 1:

1. What does Octavius report to Antony in the opening lines of the scene?

2. What is the cause of the disagreement between Antony and Octavius?

3. How does Antony insult Cassius and Brutus?

4. What is Cassius’ response to Antony’s insult?

5. Why is Cassius reluctant to fight the battle?

6. What are the omens he has observed?

7. Why would it be ironic if Cassius dies in the battle?

8. What is Brutus’ attitude concerning suicide?

9. What is Brutus’ response when Cassius asks if he is “contented to be led in triumph / Thorough the streets

of Rome?” (119–20)

10. Why is Brutus anxious for the battle to begin?

Act V, Scenes 2 and 3

1. What order does Brutus give Messala in the battle?

2. How does Cassius try to prevent the retreat?

3. What news does Pindarus bring the retreating Cassius?

4. Why does Cassius ask Pindarus to describe Titinius’ ride instead of doing so himself?

5. What does Pindarus describe?

6. What request does Cassius make of Pindarus?

7. What is ironic about the way Cassius dies?

8. What is the message Titinius has for Cassius?

9. How does Titinius show his high regard for Cassius?

10. Why does Brutus plan to send Cassius’ body to Thasos for burial?

Act V, Scenes 4 and 5:

1. What happens to young Cato?

2. How does Lucilius try to confuse the enemy troops?

3. What does Lucilius request of the two soldiers?

4. What does Antony do when he recognizes Lucilius?

5. Why does Brutus say he wants to commit suicide?

6. What is the one thing Brutus says he is happy about before he dies?

7. How does Brutus die?

8. How does Strato answer Messala’s inquiry about Brutus?

9. How does Octavius restore order to Rome after the battle?

10. How does Antony regard Brutus at the end of the play?

NOTES