Rich – Sophomore English - Staff Web Server

Name: ____________________________ Period: ____
Rich – Sophomore English

The Roman Empire-PowerPoint Presentation
Directions: This assignment is designed to show your ability to research an aspect of t he Roman
Empire and create a PowerPoint slide show to share with the class teaching them what you have
learned. Here are the guidelines.
1. This slide show will be worth 40% of your fourth quarter grade. You
MUST be present in class the day your topic is designated scheduled
to present. Absences will result in a grade of zero points (even excused
or school-related are not allowed). Only extreme emergency will be
considered.
2. Your slide show must be a minimum of seven slides but no more than
ten slides. Your presentation must be no more than ten minutes long.
3. The first slide (of your required seven to ten slides) must be a title slide, which contains
your name, your topic, and the date of your presentation. Feel free to add creative
visuals to this as well.
4. The last slide (of your required seven to ten slides) must be a Works Cited page in
MLA format, which includes all sources used for your text/graphics. Refer to your
graded Works Cited page from the debates and your public speaking unit packet for
information on MLA format.
5. At least five sources must be used in creating this slide show-at least two for your text
and at least three for your graphics.
6. All content slides must have a title line at the top with text listed in bulleted for
numerical format. Avoid full paragraphs and even complete sentences. Remember
less is more with text, so be concise using short phrases. Make all text easy for the
class to read.
7. All slides must use a consistent and pleasing background that does not interfere with
text/graphics.
8. All content slides must have a graphic/picture that aids in the understanding of the
text on that slide. Be creative here-remember readability and visual appeal as well.
9. When presenting your slide show, do NOT merely read the slide to the class. You can
use note cards to aid you, but this presentation should be given in the manner of a
speech with eye contact. No need to dress up, though.
10. Avoid timed slides because this interferes with your presentation. Also, be careful using
sound effects and custom animation. Make sure these enhance instead of detract from
your slide show.
11. On the day of your presentation, turn in a printed handout version of your slide
show with SIX SLIDES per page. You may print in color of black/white. You will
also turn in a photocopy of all sources (articles) used in creating your slide show to
verify the accuracy of your Works Cited page.

Topic List for Roman PowerPoint Presentation
1. Biography of Marcus Brutus
2. Biography of Caius Cassius
3. Roman money
4. Roman architecture
5. Roman aqueducts and sewer system
6. Roman shopping and marketplace
7. Education
8. Roman military battles, soldiers, and
weaponry
9. Roman baths
10. Feast of Lupercal
11. Taxes
12. Roman calendar
13. Biography of Octavius (Agustus)
Caesar
14. Gladiator and gladiator games
15. Chariot races
16. Early medical science
17. Death and burial
18. Transportation (Roman roads)
19. Travel outside of Rome
20. Trade and relations with foreign
governments
21. Superstitions, omens, and ghosts
22. Roman clothing styles of the
different classes
23. Women’s roles in Roman society
24. Biography of Marc Antony
25. Biography of Queen Cleopatra
26. Roman orators (speakers)
27. Roman literature and authors
28. Roman republic vs. Imperial Rome
29. Religion, worship, and sacrifice
30. Theaters and music
31. Family life and housing
32. Food and cooking
33. Holidays
34. Roman Emperors after Augustus
35. The fall of the Roman Empire

Name: _______________________
An Introduction to Shakespeare’s Language
Since Shakespeare wrote nearly four hundred years ago, some of the conventions that he uses in his plays
present problems for modern readers. Most of Shakespeare’s lines are written in poetry. Although these lines
do not usually rhyme, they do have a set rhythm (called meter). To achieve the meter, Shakespeare arranges
words so that the syllables, which are stressed or said more loudly than others, fall in a regular pattern: dah
HUM dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM dah DUM. For example, read the following lines from Hamlet aloud:
♣
Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For lean oft loses both itself and friend.
♣
nei THER a BOR rower NOR a LEN der BE,
for LOAN oft LO ses BOT it SELF and FRIEND.
♣
The pattern of one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, dah DUM, is called an iamb. Each pattern is
referred to as a foot. Because Shakespeare uses five iambic feet to a line, this pattern is known as iambic
pentameter.
In order for Shakespeare to maintain the set meter of most lines, he often structures the lines differently than
normal English speech. He may change the normal order of words so that the stresses syllables fall in the
appropriate place. For example, the following sentence has no set meter:
♣
You WON’T GO till I SET up a GLASS for YOU.
♣
However, Shakespeare turns these words around a bit to maintain the meter in Hamlet:
This above all — to thine ownself be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Polonius, Act I, scene iii
Hamlet
Where’s Where in Julius Caesar
This map lists the Roman kingdom during Caesar’s
time as ruler. Refer to it as necessary, especially
during your reading of Acts IV and V.
4

The First Triumvirate (Before play begins)
Julius Caesar
Crassus
Pompey
Who’s Who in Julius Caesar
*Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome—Calpurnia, his wife
*Marcus Brutus, Roman praetor—Portia, his wife
Servants to Brutus
Claudius
Clitus
Dardanius
Lucius
Strato
Varro
Comrades in Arms (w/
Brutus)
Young Cato
Messala
Titinius
Volumnius
Lucilius
*Pindarius, servant of Cassius
*Artemidorus, teacher of rhetoric and a soothsayer
Senators
Cicero
Popilius
Publius
The Second Triumvirate (after Caesar dies)
Octavius Caesar
Mark Antony
M. Lepidus
Tribunes
Flavius
Marullus
*Other senators, citizens, guards, attendants, and another poet
Let’s start by going
around the room—say
your name and your
favorite gladiator.
Conspirators against
Caesar
Marcus Brutus
Decius Brutus
Casca
Metellus Cimber
Cassius
Cinna
Ligarius
Trebonius
5

Notes on William Shakespeare and Julius Caesar
I. Shakespeare’s Life
A. Born: ___________________ Died: ____________________
He died almost ___________________ years ago.
B. Born in __________________________________ in
Warwickshire in the country of _________________________
C. Regarded as “___________________________________”
D. Wrote _____________ plays in ________________ years and
Numerous __________________________
E. Better than any other writer before him because he understood _____________________
____________________
F. Lived during the _____________________ (1350-1600)
1. Time of ________________________ in Europe
2. When Europe made the first expeditions to the ___________________
___________________
3. ____________________________ advanced and the ____________________
flourished
4. Ancient ____________________ and __________________ were being
rediscovered by archeologists
G. Lived during __________________ ___________________ Reign (1558 –1603)
1. ____________________ became very powerful
2. People knew little about life in ancient _____________; therefore details of
_______________________ life are mixed in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
H. Family life
1. Married ___________ ________________
2. Father of _______________ children ______________, ___________________,
and _______________
I. Actor and playwright at the age of ___________
1. Wrote four types of plays:
_______________________, __________________, ___________________,
and _________________
2. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is _________________ that is bases on
__________________
3. His plays were performed in three theaters most often the
______________________.
4. _______________________ watched the plays from the ground, not seats in the
theater
5. _____________________ played female roles in his plays.
6. _____________________ is one of the first plays to be performed in the U.S.
II. Shakespearean Conventions
A. A convention is an ___________________ between the artist and the audience.
B. _________________________: character speaks alone on stage, used to convey
character’s thoughts and feeling directly to the audience.
C. ______________________: remarks made by characters to audience or another
character on stage; not meant to be heard by other characters on stage.
D. ____________________: when characters speak in poetry
E. ____________________: when characters speak in regular sentences that form
paragraphs
6

1. __________________: unit of rhythm in poetry where one unstressed syllable is
followed by a stressed one
(U I)
2. ____________________ _____________________:
unrhymed poetry with five iambs to a line. Also known as _____________________
____________________
III. Shakespeare’s Dramatic Structure
A. his plays have a definite _____________________.
Act III _________________
Act II _______________ Act IV ________________
Act I _______________ Act V _______________
B. A tragedy must have a figure of high status with a
______________ ______________ in his/her personality
C. This tragic hero is a ____________________________
_________________________________________________
D. ________________ and _________________ are tragic characters.
IV. Historical background of The Tragedy of Julius Cesar
A. Takes place in ______________ in ___________ Century B.C.
B. Play based on the book ____________________________
C. Play is more than a collection of facts; it is a _______________________ and
___________________ of history
D. Julius Caesar—the man
1. Lived _________________-_______________ B.C.
2. Called “ __________________________________” because of his influence on
Rome
3. Banished from Rome because of an _____________ __________________
4. Trained for a ____________________ career by studying
____________________ _________________
5. On his way to _______________________ to study, he was
captured by _________________________
6. Returned to Rome and set out to _________________
_______________________
7. He did this by:
a. __________________________________________
b. __________________________________________
8. Raised ___________________ __________________ to a position of wealth and
power
9. Brilliant military _____________________________
10. After defeating ________________________ forces in Africa and Spain, he
returned to __________________
11. Rome wanted to make him ______________________ for life
E. ____________________________________, Romans expelled their last king named
_______________________ who was a ________________________ and set up a
___________________________ government
F. This is where the play begins. Caesar just arrived in Rome with
_____________________ ___________________ among the people. However, others
_______________________ and _______________________ for the republic should he
be named _________________________
7

Literary Terms
Directions: Write a definition of each literary term below. You will need to apply these
definitions during our unit on The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The definitions can be found in the
back of your literature book pp. 995-1,006.
1. Anachronism:
2. Antagonist (look under protagonist):
3. Aside
4. Blank verse
5. Iamb (look under meter):
6. Iambic pentameter:
7. Protagonist:
8. Pun:
9. Situational Irony:
10. Soliloquy:
11. Theme:
12. Tragedy:
13. Tragic flaw:
14. Verbal irony:
8

Fun with Puns
A pun is a play on words. It is the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to
suggest two or more of its meanings, or the meaning of another word similar in sound.
For example: During the recent near-hurricane in New York, a business man
looked out of his window and remarked, “It’s raining cats and dogs today.” “I know,”
said his partner, “I just stepped into a poodle!” (Get it—--poodle/puddle? ☺)
Shakespeare used puns often in his plays. For this RN, you will practice recognizing puns from a
variety of different places.
1. Let’s start with an easy one from advertising. Have you ever heard the radio commercial for the
company The Glass Doctor? It goes: “Call The Glass Doctor; we’ll fix your panes.” Explain the pun
here:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. Read the comic below:
Explain the pun here:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Have you seen the Spongebob Squarepants episode called “Frankendodle”? It’s the one where
Spongebob has to battle his evil, messily drawn twin. There are many puns in this episode, here are two:
First example: “Well, Doodle, it looks like this is a draw.”
Explain pun here:_________________________________________________________
Second example: “You’ve made your point.”
Explain pun here:_________________________________________________________
9

4. Have you ever watched Aladdin? Most of the kiddie humor comes in the form of puns.
See how many puns you can catch in this video clip.
________________________ _______________________ _____________ ________
________________________ _______________________ _____________________
Now it’s your turn. Complete the rest of the handout on your own.
5. Even string cheese sticks have puns on the packages to entertain the kids as they eat. These puns are in
the form of riddles. Can you figure these out?
First example: “What has a thousand ears but can’t hear? – a cornfield.
Explain: _____________________________________________________________________________
Second example: “What kind of bank has no money?” – a river bank.
Explain: _____________________________________________________________________________
Third example: “What kind of phone never rings?” – a saxophone.
Explain: _____________________________________________________________________________
Now for the hard part. Turn to your literature book, pg. 777, and see if you can find at least three
puns at the beginning of the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
First example quote: “_________________________________________________________” line #____
Explain the pun here: ___________________________________________________________________
2nd example quote: “__________________________________________________________” line #____
Explain the pun here: ___________________________________________________________________
3rd example quote: “__________________________________________________________” line #____
Explain the pun here: ___________________________________________________________________
10

Directions:
To help you better understand and follow Shakespeare’s play, read the summary of specific scenes
immediately before you begin to read the original. If you get lost during the scene, refer to the summary again.
Act I: Scene i
Flavius and Marullus, two tribunes who are the elected representatives of the people of Rome, meet a carpenter
and cobbler in the streets. The tribunes ask the citizens why they have taken the day off from work. They
reply that Caesar is returning after defeating Pompey’s sons. Flavius and Marullus scold the citizens and
remind them that they once also celebrated Pompey’s return. Flavius and Marullus then decide to remove the
scarves that decorate the statues of Caesar throughout the city.
Act I: Scene ii
During the foot race to celebrate the Feast of Lupercal, Caesar directs his wife Calphurnia to stand close to the
racecourse, so that Mark Antony can touch her and cure her barrenness. The Soothsayer warns Caesar to
beware the Ides of March (March 15).
Cassius asks Brutus to explain what has been bothering him lately. Brutus, who is at the first reluctant to
reveal his concerns, admits finally that he’s afraid the people of Rome will make Caesar their king. If Caesar
becomes king, the Roman Republic will come to an end. Cassius points out how human Caesar is. First,
Cassius tells how he saved Caesar from drowning once, saw Caesar catch a fever, and witnessed one of
Caesar’s epileptic seizures. They hear the crowds cheer three times. Cassius then points out that Brutus is as
honorable a man as Caesar, but Caesar is gaining power. Brutus promises to think about what Cassius has said
and discuss it with him further at a later time.
Caesar admits he doesn’t trust Cassius, for he “thinks too much” and doesn’t show his thoughts or feelings
openly. Casca then tells Brutus and Cassius how Caesar has declined the crown three times. They also learn
that Caesar had another seizure and that Caesar has had Marullus and Flavius killed for removing the
decorations from Caesar’s statues.
Once Cassius is alone, he comments that although Brutus is Caesar’s friend, he may be ready to change.
Act I: Scene iii
The same evening Casca and Cicero meet during a violent thunderstorm. Although Cicero sees the storm as
wonderful; Casca describes the frightening omens he has seen since he escorted Caesar home. Casca has never
seen a storm that dropped fire until tonight. Casca saw a slave hold up his hand have it catch fire, yet not be
burned. When Casca passed the Capitol, he met a lion that ignored him. A group of women claimed to have
seen men “all in fire” walking the streets. Finally, he adds that an owl (the bird of night) was seen in the
market at noon.
Cicero asks if Caesar will come to the Senate the next day. Casca replies that Antony has planned to send for
Caesar.
Casca then meets Cassius. Cassius has dared the storm to strike him and been spared. Cassius suggests that
the world is out of order because an ordinary man (Caesar) has grown too powerful. Even Casca can guess
that Cassius means Caesar, whom the Senate plans to name king the next day. Cassius, who opposes giving up
the representative republic form of government to Caesar, suggest that his dagger will keep Cassius a free man.
Casca also vows to fight to retain his freedom. Cassius then convinces Casca that Caesar is a tyrant and enlists
Casca’s support.
When Cassius meets Cinna, Cassius promises to get Brutus’ support for the plot against Caesar. Cassius
instructs Cinna to take a note to Brutus and then meet him and the other conspirators at Pompey’s theater.
Cassius and Casca promise to meet the others after they’ve spoken with Brutus.
11

Julius Caesar Act I Study Guide Questions
Directions: After reading the act, supply a complete answer to the following questions.
1. How do the common people (the carpenter and cobbler) feel about Caesar?
2. How do the noble men Marullus and Flavius feel about Caesar?
Name __________________
3. The noble men can’t believe the commoners have so quickly forgotten about the previous great leader
who Caesar defeated in battle. Who was he?
4. What do Marullus and Flavius plan to do with Caesar’s statues? Why?
5. What two events are the people celebrating on this day?
6. What is the date (month, day, and year) of this first scene of the play?
7. In scene ii, the superstitious side of the people is shown when Caesar asks his wife Calpurnia to stand
so that Marc Antony can touch her when he runs by. Why does he ask her to do this?
8. There is foreshadowing in this scene. Who warns Caesar? __________________________ What does
he say? ________________________________________________________ What does this mean?
9. How does Caesar react to this warning?
10. In line 46 of scene ii, Brutus says he is at war with himself. This is the main conflict of Act I. What is
Brutus struggling with in his mind?
11. In the early part of scene ii, Cassius attempts to get Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Why
doesn’t Cassius just ask Brutus directly?
12. How does Cassius say he saved Caesar’s life?
Feast of Lupercal Foot Race
12

13. What does Cassius’s quote in lines 139-141 mean?
14. Read lines 154-161 to see how does Cassius persuade Brutus to feel guilty and consider it his duty to
get rid of Caesar before he is crowned King?
15. What does Caesar’s quote in lines 194-195 mean?
16. Casca explains what happened while Cassius and Brutus were off talking. What happened with
Caesar?
17. What two physical handicaps do we learn Caesar has in scene ii?
18. What does Casca’s quote, “It was Greek to me” on line 284 mean?
19. What has happened to Marullus and Flavius?
20. In his soliloquy at the end of scene ii, what does Cassius reveal that he will do?
21. What end result do you think Cassius hopes to achieve?
22. Scene iii takes place almost one month after scene ii. It is a very late and very story night on the
evening of March 14, 44 B.C. Why do you think Shakespeare uses this type of weather here?
23. In this scene, what strange occurrences are Casca and Cassius discussing?
24. In scene iii, Cassius asks Casca about joining the conspiracy, just as he had Brutus earlier in the play.
How is his approach different with Casca than it was with Brutus?
25. Cassius has had one month since the play began to get others to join his conspiracy. He has also given
whom one month to consider joining?
13

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act I
William Shakespeare
Who Is Caesar?
In Act I we learn many things about Caesar, and most of what we learn comes from what other characters say about
him. Use the web below to study how Caesar is portrayed by other characters as you read Act I. In each character’s
oval below, record the scene and line numbers of a passage spoken by that character about Caesar. Below each
Oval, summarize (briefly give the main idea of) that character’s opinion of Caesar. Then answer the questions that
follow.
Cassius:
Marullus:
Caesar
Casca:
Flavius:
Brutus:
1. Choose one of the passages you quoted above. What king of imagery does the character use to portray
Caesar? What effect do these images have on you?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Whose portrayal of Caesar do you find most believable? Why? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
14

Act II: Scene I – Brutus sends him servant Lucius to light the lamp in his study. Alone in his garden, he
realizes that the only way to control Caesar is to kill him. Although Brutus has no personal reason to kill his
friend, Brutus realizes Caesar’s nature might change for the worst if he were to become king. He believes the
only way to prevent Caesar from becoming a tyrannical king is to kill him before he can be crowned.
After lighting a lamp, Lucius returns with Cassius’ letter for Brutus. Lucius cannot recall putting the letter in
window. Brutus takes the letter and asks Lucius to check the calendar to see if tomorrow is the Ides of March.
The storm is so bright that Brutus reads the letter that urges him to wake up and redress the wrongs of Rome.
Cassius, along with Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius, come to see Brutus. After Cassius
takes Brutus aside, Cassius asks all to take an oath. Brutus argues that they need no secret oath for their cause
is just.
As the group considers others that they might enlist for support, Brutus argues against including them. Cicero
will not join anything that he did not begin. Cassius urges the conspirators to kill Antony also, but Brutus
argues to leave Antony out because the plot will seem too bloody.
Cassius points out that Caesar has become more suspicious lately and may not come to the Senate. They all
agree to accompany Caesar, whom the believe will not be able to refuse all of them. At dawn, they leave;
Brutus warns the conspirators not to let their faces betray the plan.
Portia, Brutus’ wife, comes to ask what is troubling him. He has not slept, talked, or eaten since the day
before. Brutus tries to pass it all off with a simple “I’m not well.” Portia knows that if he weren’t well he
would seek help. She knows that something he is thinking about is the trouble and, as his wife, he needs to
share it with her. He promises to tell her soon. Caius Ligarius, who has risen from his sick bed to join Brutus
and the others, arrives.
Act II: Scene ii – Meanwhile, the storm continues and disrupts Caesar’s house as well. During the night,
Caesar’s wife Calphurnia has called out in a dream that Caesar has been murdered. Caesar sends a servant to
make a sacrifice and let him know if the priests feel it is successful in appeasing the gods.
Caesar, who has always faced his fears, is determined to go to the Senate today. Calphurnia urges Caesar to
stay home because of evil omens she and others have seen. A lioness gave birth in the streets; graves have
come open, the strange storm has dropped fire, blood has dripped from the Capitol. Caesar, however, points
out that fate cannot be avoided. Calphurnia begs Caesar to send Antony to the Senate in his place.
When Decius comes for Caesar, Caesar tells Decius to inform the senators that he will not come today.
Although Calpurnia urges Decius to say her husband is ill, Caesar insists that he owes the Senate no
explanation but explains privately that Calphurnia wishes him to stay home because of her dream. In the
dream Caesar’s statue spouted blood and many Romans came and bathed their hands in it. Decius offers a
flattering interpretation: Caesar’s blood will revive Rome. Once Caesar is crowned, many Romans will come
to seek advice and wisdom from Caesar. Decius then tells Caesar that the Senate indeed plans to offer the
crown to him today and that he must be there to receive it. Caesar decides to go with the others when they
come for him.
Act II: Scene iii – Outside Caesar’s house, Artemidorus reads a letter warning Caesar about Brutus and vows
to give it to Caesar as he passes.
Act II: Scene iv – Outside Brutus’ house, Portia is worried about Brutus because she knows of his plans. She
asks Lucius to run to the Senate and check on Brutus. She thinks she hears noises but Lucius hears none. As
the Soothsayer passes, Portia asks if he has seen Caesar yet. The Soothsayer says no, but that he has to see
Caesar before he goes to the Senate. The Soothsayer leaves to find Caesar elsewhere because the narrowness
of the street in front of Brutus’s house could cause the crowds to crush him.
15

Julius Caesar Act II Study Guide Questions
Directions: After reading the act, supply a complete answer to the following questions.
Name: __________________
1. As Brutus begins his soliloquy in Scene i, it is clear he has already decided that Caesar must die. What
reasons does he give for his decision?
2. At the end of Brutus’ soliloquy on pg. 799, he uses a simile to describe Caesar. What is that simile,
and what does it mean?
3. After reading the forged letters, Brutus feels it is his duty to get rid of Caesar just like his ancestors did
to which tyrannical king out of Rome?
4. All of the conspirators secretly meet. List all eight conspirators. (You do not need to write in complete
sentences for this question.)
________________________ ________________________ ______________________
________________________ ________________________ ______________________
________________________ ________________________
5. When and where do the conspirators decide to kill Caesar?
6. Why does Brutus believe that there is no need to swear an oath between them?
7. During their meeting, what two changes does Brutus make to the plans of the conspirators?
8. Read margin note #200 on page 804: What are augurers?
9. Portia appears at the end of scene I; and she wants to know why Brutus is meeting so late at night with
cloaked men. Does Brutus tell her? Why/Why not?
10. What does Portia do to her own body to show her devotion to Brutus?
11. In Scene ii, Calpurnia begs her husband to not go to the Capitol. Why is she so upset?
16

12. After reading Caesar’s quote on lines 32-33, what impression do you get of him?
13. To make his wife happy, what does Caesar agree to do?
14. Decius, one of the conspirators, enters to make sure Caesar gets to the Capitol. How does he
reinterpret Calpurnia’s dream? What does Caesar now decide to do?
15. What does Trebonius’ aside on lines 124-125 mean?
16. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that a character in the play does not know.
What is the example of dramatic irony in this scene?
17. In scene iii, what does Artemidorus, a teacher, write a note to Caesar telling him what?
18. How will he get the letter to Caesar?
19. In scene iv, Portia is very upset because she has found out what is going to happen to Caesar. How do
you think she found out about the conspiracy?
20. Portia talks to the soothsayer who will try to do what as Caesar passes by?
17

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ACTIVE READING
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act II
William Shakespeare
Who is Brutus?
In Act II we see Brutus take a leading role. Use the web below to construct
a picture of Brutus’s character. In each oval, write quotations and lines from
the play that reveal what he is life. These may include Brutus’s own words
and actions, as well as the words and actions of others.
Name: ________________________
His Own Actions His Own Words
Brutus
Other’s Words Other’s Actions
1. What does Brutus’s soliloquy at the opening of Act II reveal about his character?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. At this point in the play, whom do you consider the play’s hero? Who is the villain? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
18

Act III: Scene i – On the steps of the Capitol, both the Soothsayer and Artemidorus attempt to warn Caesar
but fail. Metellus Cimber begs Caesar to repeal the decree that banished his brother. Caesar refuses. The
conspirators gather around Caesar and stab him; Brutus is last. Caesar’s final words are to his friend Brutus.
“And you too, Brutus?”
The assassins declare their reason for killing Caesar: so Rome could remain a Republic rather than become a
monarchy. Antony, who has fled, sends his servant to Brutus. Asking not to be harmed, Antony offers to
come to Brutus to allow Brutus to explain why Caesar was killed. And if he finds the arguments believable, he
promises to support Brutus. Brutus agrees.
When Antony arrives, he says goodbye to Caesar and offers to let the assassins kill him too. Brutus asks
Antony to listen to the reasons they give the crowd for killing Caesar. Antony promises and takes the bloody
hands of each of the assassins as a token of sharing their actions. Brutus promises to let Antony speak at the
funeral, but only if Antony promises not to blame Brutus and the others.
Left alone with Caesar’s body, Antony reveals that he shall seek revenge for Caesar’s death. When Octavius
Caesar’s servant tells Antony that Octavius is approaching Rome, Antony warns Octavius not to come until
Antony has convinced the crowd to take revenge upon the assassins.
Act III: Scene ii – Outside the Capitol in the Forum, Brutus and Cassius appear before the citizens of Rome to
speak at Caesar’s funeral. Because the people respect Brutus, they allow him to speak. Brutus points out that
he was Caesar’s friend and admired his bravery. He argues that Caesar was too ambitious and had grown too
powerful. The only way to stop Caesar was to kill him in order to preserve the Roman Republic. Brutus
introduces Antony who carries in Caesar’s body. Brutus seems to have succeeded, for the people accept his
arguments, stop calling for his death, and begin to praise him.
Antony, who has promised not to blame Brutus and the others, then speaks to the people. Throughout the
speech, Antony refers to Brutus and the others as honorable men who said Caesar was ambitious. Antony
points out that if Caesar were ambitious he’s paid for his ambition by dying. To Antony, Caesar was a loyal
friend and not an ambitious man. Antony points out that Caesar brought many captives back to Rome who
were ransomed and filled the public treasurer. Antony states that Caesar was sympathetic to the poor; an
ambitious man would have ignored them. As final proof that Caesar wasn’t ambitious, Antony reminds the
crowd that Caesar refused toe crown of king when it was offered to him three times.
The crowds support for Brutus and the others begins to waiver. They begin to state that Cesar may have been
murdered unjustly.
Antony continues. Antony points to the body that no one honors. Antony says that if he were to incite a riot,
he would wrong Brutus and Cassius; instead, he would rather wrong Caesar. Antony then pulls out Caesar’s
will buy says this is not the time to read it and tell the people of Rome what Caesar left them. The people beg
for Antony to read it and tell the people of Rome what Caesar left them. The people beg for Antony to read
the will. Antony pretends to be innocent and again suggests that he may have wronged honorable men. The
crowd has not turned against Brutus and the others; calling them traitors. They continue to urge Antony to
read Caesar’s will.
Antony asks to come down from the platform with Caesar’s body and have the crowd circle around the corpse.
Antony then uncovers the body and attributes specific wounds to individual conspirators. The crowd is
horrified and begins to call for revenge. Antony pretends to try to calm them down, knowing that he is
inflaming them. Finally Antony reads the will that gives every citizen 75 dracmas. Caesar also leaves the
people his orchards and gardens for all to enjoy. The people take Caesar’s body to burn in a holy place, which
was roman custom.
The servant of Octavius, Caesar’s nephew, then tells Antony that Octavius has arrived. (continue to pg. 15)
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Act III: Scene iii – As an example of the people’s reaction to Antony’s speech, a mob attacks Cinna, the poet.
Although the poet has had nothing to do with Caesar’s death, the mob carries him off and kills him because he
has the same name as one of the conspirators.
Julius Caesar Act III Study Guide Questions
Directions: After reading the act, supply a complete answer to the following questions.
1. What happens to Artemidorus and the soothsayer as the both try to warn Caesar?
2. Why doesn’t Caesar pay attention to the warnings given to him?
Name: ________________________
3. In order to get close enough to Caesar to be able to stab him, the conspirators gather around Metellus
CImber as he pleas for a favor. What favor is that?
4. This shows all the senators in attendance at the Capitol that Caesar is bad for Rome because of what
he replies to Metellus Cimber. What does Caesar tell him?
5. In fact, what does Caesar compare himself to in the simile on lines 60-62?
6. Now that the senators have made Caesar look like a tyrant, who stabs Caesar first? What does he say
before he stabs Caesar? What does it mean?
7. Who stabs Caesar last? What are Caesar’s final words? What do they mean?
8. Where has Antony fled? Why?
9. Who does Antony send to see the conspirators to make sure it is safe to meet with them?
10. What impression does Antony wish to give the conspirators?
11. What does Antony do with the conspirators to show them that he agrees with what they did to Caesar?
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Name: ________________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ACTIVE READING
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act III
William Shakespeare
Who Is Mark Antony?
Mark Antony has only a minor role in the play until Act III, when he becomes the
major force driving the action. In the squares below, record lines from the play that contrast how Mark
Antony is presented before Act III, and how he is revealed in Act III. Then, on the lines provided below
the squares, summarize your own view of Antony’s character. You might consider these lines from acts I
and II; Act I Scene 2, lines 9-10, 28-29, and 235-236; Act II, Scene 1, lines 155-184; and Scene 2, lines
52-53.
Anthony Before Act III Anthony In Act III
The Real Antony: _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Do you consider Antony a hero or a villain, or something in between? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Make a prediction: What will happen as a result of Antony’s having turned the crowd against the
conspirators?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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Act IV: Scene i
At home, Antony meets with Octavius and Lepidus. They agree to seek revenge upon all the conspirators even
though two of them are members of their own families (Lepidus’ brother and Antony’s nephew). Antony
sends Lepidus to fetch Caesar’s will.
Antony confides to Octavius that he doesn’t really want to share power with Lepidus. Octavius points out that
Lepidus is a good soldier and that they nee him for now, because Brutus and Cassius are gaining power and
raising an army.
Act IV: Scene ii
Many months later, Brutus and Cassius have camped their armies near Sardis. Cassius sends his servant
Pindarus to greet Brutus. Brutus feels that Cassius has mishandled some things but will accept Cassius’
explanation. Brutus pulls Lucilius aside and asks how Cassius treated Lucilius when Brutus sent a message.
Lucilius notes that Cassius was courteous but not as friendly as he normally is.
When Cassius arrives, he’s angry with Brutus and demands an explanation. Brutus urges Cassius to discuss
his grievance inside rather than in front of their armies.
Act IV: Scene iii
Once inside Brutus’ tent, Cassius is angry with Brutus for condemning Lucius Pella for taking bribes from the
Sardians after Cassius defended Pella in a letter. Brutus’ reply is that Cassius was wrong to defend Pella and
that Cassius has also been known to take bribes. Brutus reminds Cassius that they killed Caesar to insure
justice, so they must be more careful in their own lives not to give anyone evidence that they are corrupt.
Cassius is angry and begins to threaten Brutus. Brutus sarcastically urges him to get angry and out of control
and then go show his army what kind of a madman leads them. Brutus then accuses Cassius of denying him
the money he requested to pay his troops. Brutus would rather get the money from his friend than make it
dishonestly by paying upon the local peasants. Cassius’ reply is that the messenger got the message wrong.
Cassius then tells Brutus that friends should overlook each others’ faults. Brutus points out that a flatterer
would overlook the faults but not a friend. They both realize that they were speaking in anger and resolve their
quarrel.
Tintinius and Messala bring news that Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus have seized power and put a hundred
senators to death. Their armies now approach Philippi. Brutus suggests he and Cassius move their armies to
Philippi. Cassius would rather remain in Sardis and make the other army come to them, so Brutus’ and
Cassius’ armies will be rested and better able to fight. But Brutus points out that the people between Sardis
and Philippi have only supported them grudgingly. Antony and Octavius’ forces would probably gain support
from these people, so Cassius agrees to march to Philippi.
Once Cassius is gone, Brutus prepares to go to bed. Brutus asks Varro and Claudius to stay in his tent. To
quiet the troubled Brutus, Lucius sings a song. It relaxes Brutus and lulls Varro and Claudius to sleep. The
ghost of Julius Caesar then appears with a warning. “I’ll see you again at Philippi.” Brutus arouses the others,
but no one else saw the ghost. Brutus then sends Varro and Claudius to tell Cassius to begin the march to
Philippi.
22

Julius Caesar Act IV Study Guide Questions
Name: _____________________________
Directions: After reading the act, supply a complete answer to the following questions.
1. Seven months have now passed. How does each of the members of the new triumvirate (the three
leaders) of Rome behave in Scene i?
2. Contrast between the Antony in Act III and the Antony in Act IV. How is he different?
6. How do you think Brutus is feeling about Caesar’s murder?
3. What does Antony want to do by the end of the scene?
4. Cassius is upset because Brutus condemned a man for taking
bribes even though Cassius wrote letters defending the man.
What does Brutus accuse Cassius of doing?
5. In scene iii, the men decide to continue their argument in
private. What does Brutus tell Cassius to remember?
7. Now the argument turns soap-opera like as Brutus accuses Cassius of denying him something.
What?
8. Finally, Cassius opens his shirt and tell Brutus to do what?
9. What does this argument foreshadow? Why?
10. How would you characterize their relationship at this point of the play?
11. Brutus ends the argument by telling Cassius about Portia. What happened to her? Why did she do
it?
23

12. How does Brutus feel about his wife’s death? Why does he not show it on the outside?
13. Where do we learn that Antony and Octavius’ armies are headed?
14. What does Brutus want to do next?
15. What does Cassius want to do? Why?
16. Cassius gives in to Brutus here as he has done throughout the play. Why does he do this?
17. The two men say goodnight and vow that they will never again do what?
18. In his tent, Brutus starts to fall asleep and sees a ghost. What does
Caesar’s ghost say?
19. What does this symbolize to Brutus?
20. What does it foreshadow for the audience?
21. Do you think Brutus is dreaming or do you think he really sees a
ghost? Why?
22. The act ends with Brutus commanding his men to go tell Cassius to do what?
24

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ACTIVE READING
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act IV
William Shakespeare
Name: __________________
Who is Cassius?
At the beginning of act IV, Scene 3, Brutus is angry with Cassius and makes several accusations
against him. What are they? Create a “Wanted” poster for Cassius by filling in the lines below.
Wanted: Cassius
Physical Description: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Crimes: ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Brief History: _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Personality Traits: ______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Attitude Toward Government: ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
1. How have Brutus’s feeling changed by the end of Scene iii? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How have your feelings about Cassius changed through the play so far? _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
25

Act V: Scene I – Months later on the plain near Philippi Octavius and Antony discuss the coming battle with
Brutus and Cassius. Octavius will lead the right flank and Antony the left. Antony had thought that Brutus
and Cassius would remain in the hills rather than come to the plains to fight. But Antony, knowing these
mean, knew they would come.
Brutus and Cassius and their friends Lucilius, Tintinius, and Messala come to discuss the battle issues.
Octavius wants to start the battle now, but Antony stops him. Nothing is resolved, for Octavius and Antony
believe the murder of Julius Caesar to be the cowardly act of traitors. Brutus still defends his actions.
Cassius and Brutus realize that the battle is inevitable. Cassius tells Messala that he feels as forced into battle
against Roman armies as Pompey was against Julius Caesar. He also confides that he has seen an omen: at
Sardis, two eagles came and landed in the camp and let soldiers feed them by hands. Now the eagles are gone
and have been replaced by ravens, crows, and kites, all birds that scavenge on the bodies of the dead after
battle.
Brutus and Cassius vow that they will not be taken alive if they lose the battle. As lifelong friends, they bid
goodbye.
Act V: Scene ii – Brutus sends Messala to give the orders to fight. His forces oppose Octavius’.
Act V: Scene iii – Cassius tells Tintinius that their forces are winning against Antony’s. Cassius himself
retrieved his ensign when the standard bearer fled. Tintinius reports that Brutus’ forces attacked too soon,
overtook Octavius’, and then began looting while Antony’s forces surrounded Cassius’. Pindarus, Cassius’
servant, reports that Antony has taken Cassius’ camp, so he must flee.
Cassius asks Tintinius to take Cassius’ horse and ride to the camp to investigate. Cassius then asks Pindarus to
keep a watch and report what is happening. Pindarus sees Tintinius ride into the camp and become surrounded
by horsemen and hears them shout for joy. Cassius concludes that Antony’s troops have taken his friend
Tintinius. Feeling that the battle is lost, Cassius makes one last request of Pindarus who became his slave at a
battle in Parthia to hold his sword as he kills himself with it. Pindarus does so and flees rather than be a slave
to Antony or Octavius.
Tintinius and Messala come to report that Brutus’ forces are overtaking Octavius’ while Cassius’ are defeating
Antony’s. They discover Cassius’ body and go looking for Pindarus. Messala goes to inform Brutus.
Meanwhile, Tintinius explains that it was Cassius’ victorious troops, not Antony’s, that Pindarus saw surround
Tintinius when he rode into Cassius’ camp. Brutus enters and eulogizes Cassius before he returns to battle.
Act V: Scene iv – During battle, Cato and Lucilius decide to tell Antony’s soldiers that they are Cato’s son
and Brutus. Antony’s soldiers, thinking they have taken Brutus, report this to Antony. Antony knows that
Lucilius is not Brutus, but that he is a prize captive anyway.
Act V: Scene v – In another part of the field, Brutus and his servants are tired of fighting. Brutus asks Clitus to
hold his sword, so he can kill himself. Clitus refuses, so Brutus asks Dardanius. Brutus reveals to Volumnius
that he has again seen the ghost of Caesar the night before and knows that it’s time to die. Before Brutus can
get Volumnius to help the sword, another attack comes. Finally, Brutus turns to Strato and kills himself.
Antony, Octavius, and Messala come too late. Strato tells them that Brutus took his own life. Antony
eulogizes Brutus as “the noblest Roman of them all,” for Brutus believed to the end that he killed Caesar out of
honor while the others killed Caesar out of envy. Antony and Octavius take Brutus’ body to Octavius tent and
give him an honorable burial.
26

Julius Caesar Act V Study Guide Questions
Directions: After reading the act, supply a complete answer to the following questions.
1. It is now about nine months later in 42 B.B.; where does this act take place?
2. What are Antony and Octavous arguing about at the beginning of
scene i?
3. Who wins and gets away?
4. The four enemies talk before they fight. How does each of the four men behave?
a. Brutus
b. Cassius
c. Antony
d. Octavius
5. What important day is it for Cassius?
6. What types of birds did Cassius see flying overhead in Sardis?
What types of birds does he see now in Philippi?
What does this foreshadow?
Name: __________________
7. What does Brutus says he would rather do, than be captured by the enemy and be dragged through the
streets of Rome? What does this foreshadow?
8. Why do you think that Brutus and Cassius both bid “farewell” and “if we do not meet again” before
the battle?
9. Which of the four men seems most in control of his emotions at this point? Why?
27

10. What does the audience learn in Scene ii?
11. In Scene iii, Titinius claims that Brutus made what error?
This error leaves Cassius’ troops to open to be surrounded by whose army?
12. What has Antony done to Cassius’ tents?
13. Where has Cassius gone to be safe?
14. Why does Cassius send Titinius ahead on horseback?
15. Pindarus, Cassius’ slave, watches Titinius ride ahead. What does he tell Cassius he sees? What does
Cassius assume has happened to Titinius?
16. Cassius assumes they have lost the war. What does he ask Pindarus to do?
17. What is ironic about the weapon that Pindarus uses?
18. We learn that Titinius is actually celebrating with Brutus’ troops. What does Messala say they were
celebrating?
19. What does Titinius do because he feels guilty about Cassius’ death?
20. When Brutus sees the two dead bodies, he is saddened but determined to do what? Why?
21. In Scene iv, Antony’s troops capture Brutus but realize that it is someone who has disguised himself
to look like Brutus to distract Antony? Who is it, and what does Antony do to him?
28

22. What does Brutus mean when he says, “I know my hour is come,” on line 20?
23. What does Brutus have Strato do?
24. As Antony and Octavous find Brutus’ dead body, they know they have won. What does Octavius say
he will do to Cassius and Brutus’ troops?
25. What does Antony call Brutus? Why?
26. Showing mercy, what does Octavius say he will do with Brutus’ dead body?
27. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, defined a tragic hero as a person more noble than evil, whose
fortunes go from good to bad. Which character in the play is the BEST example of a tragic hero?
29

Name: __________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ACTIVE READING
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act V
William Shakespeare
Who’s Who Now?
In the outlines below, write your final evaluation of the characters
of Anthony, Brutus, and Cassius based on their action in the last
act. Include at least one quotation from the act to support your
opinion.
Antony Brutus Cassius
1. At the end of the play, which of the three characters do you admire most? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Which do you consider the most villainous? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
30

Review
Julius Caesar, Shakespeare, and The Globe
Know the following facts:
1. When Julius Caesar lived
2. When Shakespeare lived and died
3. What the era was called in England during Shakespeare’s life.
4. Women’s roles in the theater
5. What a soliloquy was and who did/did not speak them in the play
6. What an aside is and why it is used
7. What type of play Julius Caesar is classified as.
8. What a tragic hero is
9. How the play begins
10. How long Brutus has been concerned about Caesars faults.
11. Who wants/does not want Antony killed.
12. What iambic pentameter is and who doesn’t use it in the play.
13. What Antony intended with his speech to the people.
14. Who was “the noblest Roman of them all”?
15. Who warned Caesar and how?
16. What id Caesar leave in his will and to whom?
17. Who was the first to stab Caesar?
18. Who did/didn’t want Antony to speak to the people?
19. How and why Portia dies.
20. How and why Cassius dies?
21. How and why Brutus dies?
22. Why Brutus joins the conspiracy.
23. Why Caesar goes to the capitol.
24. What two changes to the conspirators’ original plans are made and by whom?
25. When the play starts.
26. When the Ides of March are.
27. Who is “fickle”? Why?
28. Why Cassius want Brutus in the conspiracy?
29. What Brutus’ inner conflict is.
30. Reason for conspirators’ success.
31. What foreshadows Brutus and Cassius’ defeat.
32. Central theme?
33. Brutus addressed crowd based on what? Antony addressed them based on what?
34. What ghost visits whom?
35. Who the new triumvirate is
36. Examples of foreshadowing
37. Who doesn’t speak in soliloquies?
31

Quotes to know. Who spoke them and, where applicable, who is the quote referring to?
1. “O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,/That I am meek and gentle with these
butchers.”
2. “Speak, hands, for me!”
3. “Beware the Ides of March.”
4. “Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar./I come to fetch you to the Senate-house.”
5. “Men at some time are masters of their fates; the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our starts, but
in ourselves, that we are underlins.”
6. “And Brutus is an honorable man.”
7. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”
8. “Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once.”
9. “If I could pray to move, prayers would move me./But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality/There is no fellow in the firmament.”
10. “Et tu, Brute?”
11. “Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may
hear.”
12. “To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi.”
13. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise
him.”
14. “This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the conspirators, save only he, did that they
did in envy of great Caesar.”
15. “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.”
16. “It was Greek to me.”
17. “Thou are the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived the tide of times.”
18. “Shall in the confines with a monarch’s voice cry “Havoc” and let slip the dogs of war.”
19. “Friends, I owe more tears to this dead man than you shall ever see me pay.”
20. “So call the field to rest, and let’s away/To part the glories of this happy day.”
21. “Dwell I but in the suburbs of your good pleasure? If it be no more, ______ is ______’s
harlot, not his wife.”
32