THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ACT 2

Read the excerpt below from act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. CASSIUS: Let Antony and Caesar fall together. . . . BRUTUS: Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius . . . . Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. What does this interaction between Cassius and Brutus reveal about Brutus' motivations? Brutus is motivated by fear: he disagrees with the assassination plot. Brutus is motivated by his friendship with both Caesar and Mark Antony to protect them from the assassination plot. Brutus believes the assassination is a noble act: a necessary sacrifice for the good of Rome. Brutus believes he should be emperor of Rome.

Brutus believes the assassination is a noble act: a necessary sacrifice for the good of Rome.

What ultimately motivates Brutus to join the conspiracy? Lucius tells Brutus that it is the ides of March. The anonymous letters sent by "Rome" ask for his help. Portia talks him into it. Cassius is Brutus' brother-in-law, and Brutus will do anything he asks.

The anonymous letters sent by "Rome" ask for his help.

Which phrase defines "apostrophe" best? a direct comparison between two things; saying one thing is the other a comparison between two unlike things using like or as a direct address to an inanimate object or deceased person as if it could respond giving human qualities to an idea or an inanimate object

a direct address to an inanimate object or deceased person as if it could respond

Which phrase defines "metaphor" best? a direct comparison between two things; saying one thing is the other giving human qualities to an idea or an inanimate object a comparison between two unlike things using like or as a direct address to an inanimate object or deceased person as if it could respond

a direct comparison between two things; saying one thing is the other

Read the excerpt below from act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: O then by day Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy. Hide it in smiles and affability. Which form of figurative language is used in the bold lines of the above example? personification simile plot character

personification

Read the excerpt below from act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and complete the instruction that follows. BRUTUS: O then by day Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy. Hide it in smiles and affability. Identify the figurative language used in this example. personification: "mask thy monstrous visage" apostrophe: "then by day" metaphor: "Seek none, conspiracy." simile: "a cavern dark enough"

personification: "mask thy monstrous visage"

What is not one of the purposes of Brutus' soliloquy in act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar? to explain his rationale for participating in the assassination plot against Caesar to reveal his thoughts to reveal his values to show his relationship with his wife, Portia

to show his relationship with his wife, Portia

In act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Portia uses her marriage vows to manipulate Brutus into telling her about the assassination plot. What does this interaction reveal about Brutus' character? He does not trust his wife. He wants his wife to join the conspirators. He thinks his wife is funny. His naiveté and idealism prevent him from seeing when he's being manipulated.

His naiveté and idealism prevent him from seeing when he's being manipulated.

Molly wonders if she should cheat on the test to pass the class or if she should risk failing because she knows she hasn't really learned the material. Which issue does Molly face? external conflict moral dilemma situational irony personification

moral dilemma

What is not one of Brutus' values? loyalty stoicism tyranny honor

tyranny

Read the excerpt below from act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: And therefore think him as a serpent's egg Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell. Based on the bolded simile, what is Brutus' reason for assassinating Caesar?

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: By comparing Caesar to "a serpent's egg," he suggests the characteristics of a serpent are part of Caesar's personality. Uncertain of the reaction Caesar would have to increased power, Brutus suggests that it would do more harm than good. Because a serpent can not only poison any enemies but also swallow its prey whole, the metaphor suggests that Brutus wants to prevent such a beast from ever being hatched: "kill him in his shell."

Read the excerpt below from act 2.4 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. PORTIA: Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol? Soothsayer: Madam, not yet. I go to take my stand To see him pass on to the Capitol. PORTIA: Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not? Soothsayer: That I have, lady. If it will please Caesar To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, I shall beseech him to befriend himself. PORTIA: Why? Know'st thou any harm's intended towards him? Soothsayer: None that I know will be; much that I fear may chance. . . . I'll get me to a place more void, and there Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. . . . PORTIA: O Brutus, The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise! What does this interaction reveal about each character's motives?

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: In this character interaction, the two characters have warring motivations. The soothsayer wants to warn Caesar again; this is evidenced by his statements, "I shall beseech him to befriend himself," meaning to protect himself. When he says, "I'll get me to a place more void and there/Speak to great Caesar as he comes along," we find that the soothsayer wants to get Caesar alone, probably because he doesn't know who around him can be trusted. Conversely, Portia wants Brutus to succeed in his assassination of Caesar. When the soothsayer tells her he is going to warn Caesar to protect himself she replies, "Why? Know'st thou any harm's intended towards him?" in an effort to find out what he knows. By her lines "O Brutus,/The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise!" we see that she wants him to hurry and commit the act before Caesar can be warned.

Read the excerpt below from act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and complete the instruction that follows. BRUTUS: We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, And in the spirit of men there is no blood. Oh, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit And not dismember Caesar. Explain the irony in Brutus' wish to kill Caesar's spirit as indicated in the passage above.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Irony occurs when what occurs and what is expected to occur are different. Brutus desires to kill his spirit "[a]nd not dismember Caesar" physically. Caesar's spirit, however, lives on even after his physical body is killed by the conspirators. Even today, he remains a pivotal historical figure.

Read the excerpt below from act 2.3 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. ARTEMIDORUS: "Caesar, beware of Brutus. Take heed of Cassius. Come not near Casca. Have an eye to Cinna. . . . There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you. Security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, Artemidorus." What does this excerpt reveal about Artemidorus' motivations regarding the assassination plot against Julius Caesar? Artemidorus wants to take part in Caesar's assassination. Artemidorus wants to warn Caesar about the conspiracy against him. Artemidorus wants to become Caesar's body guard. Artemidorus wants to trick Caesar.

Artemidorus wants to warn Caesar about the conspiracy against him.

Which statement is true? Cassius is considered the protagonist because he orchestrates the conspiracy, which restores honor to Rome. Cassius is considered both the protagonist and the antagonist because he kills Caesar, a tyrannical leader, to save Rome, but he also murders Rome's leader. Brutus is considered both the protagonist and the antagonist because he kills Caesar, a tyrannical leader, to save Rome, but also because he murders Rome's leader. Brutus and Cassius are considered the antagonists because they assassinate Caesar, the popular leader of Rome, in cold blood simply to gain for themselves the power Caesar and Antony had.

Brutus is considered both the protagonist and the antagonist because he kills Caesar, a tyrannical leader, to save Rome, but also because he murders Rome's leader.

In act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, why do the conspirators not swear an oath? They intend to take an oath but forget to do so. Brutus thinks they are dishonest men and knows an oath will not mean anything to them. In ancient Rome, the law stated that they could only take an oath if their fathers were present. Brutus thinks that honest men will follow through on their intentions; therefore, they do not need to swear an oath.

Brutus thinks that honest men will follow through on their intentions; therefore, they do not need to swear an oath.

Read the excerpt below from act 2.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. CAESAR: What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions Are to the world in general as to Caesar. What does this excerpt reveal about Caesar's attitude regarding the forewarnings of his death? Caesar feels intense fear about his fate and the predictions. Caesar does not believe in predictions or the gods. Caesar thinks that the world should be afraid of these predictions. Caesar ignores the forewarnings of his death because if it is his fate, he can't defeat the gods.

Caesar ignores the forewarnings of his death because if it is his fate, he can't defeat the gods.

Read the excerpt below from act 2.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. CAESAR: Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear, Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come. What does this excerpt reveal about Caesar's attitude toward death? Caesar thinks that the valiant bravely face death, which should not be prevented or feared. Caesar thinks that men should run and hide from death to avoid it. Caesar thinks that only cowards face death with acceptance and joy. Caesar cannot accept his death.

Caesar thinks that the valiant bravely face death, which should not be prevented or feared.

Read the excerpt below from act 2.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. CAESAR: Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me home. She dreamt a dream tonight she saw my statue, Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it. What does Calpurnia's dream foreshadow? Caesar's victory over the conspirators Caesar's brutal assassination Caesar's last military victory Caesar's feelings about Rome

Caesar's brutal assassination

What is the main rationale that Brutus gives in his act 2.1 soliloquy in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar to explain his involvement in the assassination plot against Caesar? Caesar will not become a tyrant because Brutus has never seen Caesar behave as a tyrant. Caesar will become a tyrant because Caesar has the hallmarks of a tyrant and power will allow him to behave as a tyrant. Caesar will not become a tyrant because Caesar is a nice guy without any tyrannical tendencies. Caesar will definitely become a tyrant because Caesars' gentle personality will allow him to be corrupted.

NOT Caesar will not become a tyrant because Brutus has never seen Caesar behave as a tyrant. Caesar will become a tyrant because Caesar has the hallmarks of a tyrant and power will allow him to behave as a tyrant.

Read the excerpt below from act 2.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows. BRUTUS: We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, And in the spirit of men there is no blood. Oh, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit And not dismember Caesar. Which reason explains the irony in Brutus' speech best? The conspirators' plot involves killing Caesar's body, but not his spirit. The conspirator's plot involves killing Caesar's spirit, but not his body. Caesar's spirit will save Caesar's body from the conspirators' plot. Caesar's spirit is not killed with his body.

NOT The conspirators' plot involves killing Caesar's body, but not his spirit.