Julius Caesar

1
Julius Caesar

• Sample Test Questions

2
ACT ONE

• Write two adjectives that describe each of these
  men
• Cassius
• Brutus
• Casca
• Antony
• Caesar

3
Discuss Write at least 2 complete sentences per
question

1. Discuss how the tribunes spoke to the commoners
   in Act I, Scene I.
2. What did the commoners say about Caesar in Act I,
   Scene I?
3. Do you think it is important that Brutus be part
   of the conspiracy? Why or why not?
4. Do you think Cassius will be successful in
   winning over Brutus to his secret plan?
5. Do any of the characters in Act One remind you of
   each other? Explain your answer and give direct
   examples.

4
Discussion Questions Metaphor

• Act One, Scene I, Flavius compares Julius Caesar
  to a high-soaring bird, and in Scene 2, Cassius
  compares him to a wolf and a lion. What do you
  think these metaphors suggest about Julius
  Caesars personality and behavior? Explain

5
Analysis

• Compare and contrast Caesar to a modern-day
  political or military leader.

CAESAR
MODERN LEADER
6
ACT II

• At this point, do you believe there is just cause
  to kill Caesar?

7
Group Discussion

1. Whom do you side with at this point, Caesar or
   the conspirators? Why
2. Do Brutus and Cassius have different motives for
   wanting to kill Caesar? Explain.
3. What is your opinion of the plot against Caesar?
   Do the plotters have enough evidence to back up
   their claims? Do their plans seem justified?
   Explain.

8
Discussions Continue

1. Who is the true leader of the conspirators?
   Support your opinion with facts from the play.
2. Do you think that Caesar has any suspicion that
   there is a plot to kill him? Explain your answer
   and what it says about Caesar as a ruler.

9
Literary Concept Figurative Language

• What do you think is the most striking example of
  figurative language used in Act Two? What is the
  meaning of the example you chose?

10
Compare and Contrast

• Compare and contrast Brutus and Portias
  relationship with a modern-day political leader
  and his or her spouse.
• Compare and contrast Caesar and Calpurnias
  relationship with a modern-day political leader
  and his or her spouse.

11
ACT III Characters-Write two descriptive words
to signify the following

• Brutus
• Lucias
• Portia
• Cassius
• Metellus
• Decius
• Trebonius
• Caius

12
ACT III

• Did you find ACT 3 exciting and suspenseful? Why
  or why not?
• What do the conspirators believe they have
  accomplished by killing Caesar? Do you agree?
  Explain.
• Why do you think the citizens are so easily
  swayed from one side to the other.

13
Act III Commoners Reactions

• Consider
• their response directly after the killing
• their reaction to Brutus speech
• their reaction to Anthonys speech

14
Act III Discussion Continued

• What views about friendship do you think
  Shakespeare might be conveying in this act?
• Consider
• the friendship of Brutus and Cassius
• the friendship of Anthony and Caesar

15
Exam Questions

• What evidence does Antony use during his speech
  to persuade the Roman citizens to support his
  opinion of both Caesar and the conspirators? Has
  Antony presented the evidence fairly? Explain
  and provide at least two direct quotes.

16
ACT IV

• Think about the two groups preparing for war.
  Which side would you rather be on? Write at
  least two sentences explaining your reasons.
• Do the Romans seem better or worse off under the
  triumvirate than they were under Julius Caesar?
• Has Mark Antony changed since Act 3? Give
  examples-compare and contrast.

17
Act IV Continued

• Many readers think that Cassius becomes a more
  likeable character than Brutus by Act 4-Scene 3.
  Do you agree or disagree? Support your answer
  with facts from the scene.
• Compare and contrast your opinion of Brutus in
  Act one with your view of him now. Has your
  opinion changed?