Julius Caesar: Act 1 Reading and Study Guide

I. Vocabulary



wherefore - for that reason



exeunt - used as a stage direction to indicate



vulgar - rude, offensive



What part of speech is vulgar when used by Flavius in line 72? noun



construe - deduce; explain



II. Literary Terms



blank verse - highly expressive, rhythmical literary piece



List of characters who speak in verse: Caesar, Brutus, Marullus, Flavius



prose - written, nonrhythmic literature



List characters who speak in prose: Marullus, Brutus, Flavius



*What possible reason do some characters speak in prose and some speak verse?



Because its their way of making their characters more alive.



Tragedy - disater, costastophe, disappointment



Pun - play on words

Example from Act I, scene I: Flavius says "Go on good countrymen"



Conflict: fight, warfare

External: 1. Caesar vs. Brutus

2. Cassius vs. Caesar

3. Antony vs. Casca

4. Soothsayer vs. Caesar



Soliloquy - speech by one, apostrophe

Example: Caesar says a log speech to his civilians about being a king for Rome



Iambic Meter - metric foot used in various types of poerty



Iambic Pentameter - a common meter in poetry consisting of



Meatphor - figure of speech, implied comparison

Example: Caesar is talking to Antony about his habits



Simile - uses words "like" or "as"

Example: Brutus is talking to Cassius about his plan to kill Caesar



III. Questions



1. Where and when was Shakespeare born? 1564, England



2. What theatre did Shakespeare help build? The Lord Chamberlain's Men



3. When did he die? 1616



4. In what historical period was Shakespeare living? Who was the ruler of England at that time? The Renaissance, Queen Elizabeth I



5. What three types of plays did Shakespeare write? Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet



6. What was it like to go to a play during Shakespeare's time? Royalty, casual, Roman like culture



7. What historian did Shakespeare use as a source for writing Julius Caesar? Plutarch



8. When and where did Julius Caesar live? Suburna, Rome 100 B.C.



9. Who is Pompey? Although he is not a character in the play, why is he important to the plot? Rivalry to Caesar. He doesn't like Caesar to be king.



Scene 1:



10. what is the setting? What holiday is being celebrated? Rome, Lupercal



11. who are Marullus and Flavius? two tribunes



12. Why do they want to drive the commoners from the street? To see Caesar's celebration of defeating Pompey.



13. What else do Marullus and Flavius do to further hinder the celebration of Caesar's victory? To cheer on.



Scene 2:



14. What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia? To touch her to lose the curse of sterility.



15. Why might Caesar ask Antony in front of everyone else? Because it's a ritual.



16. What is a soothsayer? Of what does he warn Caesar? A symbol of the omens, The Ides of March.



17. What does ides mean? March 15th



18. Does Marcus Brutus like Caesar? What does Brutus think of Caesar's rise to power? Use lines from play to support your answer. No, he thinks that it's too much for Caesar to be king with his power. "No Cassius for the eye cannot see itself except when it's reflected by something else."



19. Brutus says, " For let the gods so speed me as I love/ The name of honor more than I fear death." What do these lines imply about Brutus's most important value in life? He rather save his people than to let Caesar ruin this city.



20. What story does Cassius tell Brutus? He's planning to assasinate Caesar.



21. What is Cassius point in telling the story? Caesar's power is growing more on the streets.



22. What is Caesar's opinion of Cassius? Why does he feel this way? He doesn't trust him, He's afraid that Cassius is not his friend he seemed to be.

23. What handicap does Caesar reveal about himself when speaking to Antony? He's suspicious about his ambition of becoming king.

24. How many times was Caesar offered a coronet, or a small crown? Three times

25. What was Caesar's reaction to the offering, according to Casca? He refused to accept the crown because it holds too much power.

26. What sickness does Caesar have? He might get betrayed by his friends when the ides of March comes.

27. What happens to Marullus and Flavius? They left because of the storm and Caesar was being crowned king.

28. What does Cassius plan to do to convince Brutus to conspire against Caesar? He tells that Caesar will be king if he gets the crown and have so much power.

Scene 3:

29. What unusual events occur during the storm? Thunder and lightning

30. What meaning does Cassius interpret from the storm? The bad qualities of how Caesar must die.

31. According to Casca, what are the senators planning to do to Caesar tomorrow? to crown him king, and then kill him.

32. Who is definitely part of the conspiracy?
1. Brutus 4.Casca
2. Cassius 5.Cinna
3. Caius 6. Trebonius