Julius Caesar Flashcards

What is the setting of Julius Caesar? What holiday is being celebrated?
– February 15, 44 B.C. Rome
– Lupercal

Who are Marullus and Flavius?
Government officials who were supporters of Pompey

Why do Marullus and Flavius want to drive the commoners from the street?
They do not think Caesar should be celebrated with Pompey’s death

What else do Marullus and Flavius do to further hinder the celebration of Caesar’s victory?
They order to take off and strip the statues of decorations of Caesar

What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia?
To touch Calpurnia so she could have children.

What is a soothsayer? Of what does he warn Caesar?
– A fortuneteller
– to “beware the ides of March”

What does ides mean?
Middle day of the month

Does Marcus Brutus like Caesar?
Yes, he loves him.

What does Brutus think of Caesar’s rise to power?
He’s worried how it will change him

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?
They imply that to Brutus, honor is what represents him; and that to lose honor is more fearful than dying.

What story does Cassius tell Brutus?
About how he rescued Caesar from drowning and his witnessing of his epilepsy.

What is Cassius’ point in telling this story?
To tell that Caesar is imperfect; not a God

What is Caesar’s opinion of Cassius? Why does he feel this way?
– He thinks he is dangerous and suspicious as he thinks too much. – – Caesar is powerhungry, so everything he sees Cassius does seems manipulative and threatening to that

How many times was Caesar offered a coronet, or a small crown?
3

What was Caesar’s reaction to the offering, according to Casca?
He was refusing it; Casca saw it as trying to be humble.

What sickness does Caesar have?
Epilepsy

What happens to Marullus and Flavius?
They were killed/exiles (put to silence)

What does Cassius plan to do to convince Brutus to conspire against Caesar?
Leave messages at Brutus’ home that appear to be from several people to boost his ego.

What unusual events occur during the storm?
– A common slave’s hand was on fire, yet he did not react
– A lion was casually walking calmly
– Men were on fire
– Owl at noon

What meaning does Cassius interpret from the storm?
The storm is a bad omen that the Gods are dissatisfied with Caesar.

According to Casca, what are the senators planning to do to Caesar tomorrow?
Caesar is to be established king.

Who is definitely part of the conspiracy?
– Cassius
– Casca
– Cinna
– Decius
– Metellus Cimber
– Trebonius

According to Brutus, why is it necessary that Caesar be killed?
For the good of Rome

What actions does Lucius perform that help the plot unfold?
Bring Cassius’ letters to Brutus

What is Brutus’s internal conflict?
He loves Caesar, but he does not want to see Caesar arbitrarily dictate over the people.

Why does Brutus disagree about taking an oath?
Their honest faces are enough; to betray is to be honorless.

Why does Metellus think it would be a good idea to ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
Cicero is old and philosphical; trustworthy as a figure

Why does Brutus say they should not ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
He is not trustworthy; will reveal their secret as it was not his idea nor is he a follower.

What does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony?
There is no need to kill Antony; it will be bloody beyond that point

What reason does Cassius give for why Caesar might not come out of his house today?
He has become superstitious lately.

By what method does Decius say he will use to get Caesar out of the house?
By flattering and appealing to him

Why is Portia, Brutus’ wife, worried about Brutus?
He has recently seemed reclusive and agitated and his grief is worrying her.

How does she prove her strength to Brutus?
By marking and wounding her thigh

Why does Calpurnina want Caesar to stay home.
She, having a bad dream, fears that Caesar will be harmed/killed.

Describe Calpurnia’s dream.
She saw an eerie & unusual sight, that Caesar’s statue was bleeding, with the Romans bathing in it.

How does Decius interpret Calpurnia’s dream?
His blood will sustain Rome; thrive off of his blood.

What arguments does Decius use to change Caesar’s mind about going to the Capitol.
He insinuates that Caesar is cowardly that he is influenced by Calpurnia’s (a woman) “foolish” dream, and he appeals to his ego

What does Artemidorus plan to do?
Give Caesar the letter containing all the conspires to warn Caesar of the plot

Why is Portia so nervous?
She feels uneasy of how Brutus’ plot will play out; she is worried of his secret and his being

What does Portia want Lucius to do?
Go and see if Brutus is safe

What does the soothsayer tell Portia?
If Caesar listens to his warning earlier (ides of march)m, he’ll be fine; if not, he’ll be killed

What reason does Caesar give for not reading Artemidorus’s letter?
He wants to seem humble and put himself last

What role does Trebonius play in the conspiracy?
Lure Antony out of the state house

What role does Metellus Cimber play in the conspiracy?
Petition Caesar to get his attention

What role does Casca play in the conpiracy?
Stab Caesar.

What is Caesar’s opinion of himself?
He is the absolute authority

What does “Et tu, Brute?” mean? How do these words relate to the theme of friendship in the play?
“And you also, Brutus?” It means Caesar is astonished that Brutus is in on the plot. With friendship, Caesar had viewed Brutus as a friend, and so felt betrayed when Brutus kills him.

Where does Caesar’s dead body lie? How is this ironic?
The base on Pompey’s statue. This is ironic because Caesar had killed Pompey.

What does Brutus tell the conspirators to do after killing Caesar?
Bathe their hands and weapons in Caesar’s blood to Rome shouting “Peace, freedom, and liberty”

What promise does Brutus tell the servant to relay to Antony?
That he will not be harmed

What does Antony say about the possibility of being killed by the conspirators?
That it would be honorable to be stabbed with Caesar’s blood

After being assured he is in no danger, what favor does Antony ask of the conspirators?
Why they killed Caesar, take his body to pulpit (platform), and to speak at his funeral

What does Cassius think about granting Antony this favor?
He is weary that Antony will turn against them to gain the Romans’ favor.

What restrictions does Brutus set?
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