Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
~ Questions on the Play and Essay Topics ~
Complete your answers neatly on a separate sheet of paper. Explain fully your responses to each.
Act 1 Scene 1
1. Describe the setting of the play. Setting is background, time, place, circumstances & scenery.
2. What might Flavius be referring to when he asks, “…the sign of your profession?” (Lines 4 & 5)
3. Explain the puns “cobbler, soles, mend, and awl” as they are used in the scene. A pun is a play on words with
similar pronunciations but different meanings.
4. How does this breaking-up-the-party mood in Scene One foreshadow the feelings of the people towards Caesar?
5. What does this scene reveal about loyalties among Roman citizens towards their leaders?
Act 1 Scene 2
1. Throughout the scene, Caesar speaks several times. Look over his lines carefully and tell what is revealed about
Caesar’s attitudes and beliefs through his own words? What is your impression of Caesar?
2. As the conversation between Brutus and Cassius begins, Brutus is troubled by something, but doesn’t say what.
How do lines 85 through 89 change Cassius’ tone?
3. Patrick Henry is famous for a 1778 speech in which he demanded, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Brutus’
words in lines 95 through 96 have a similar message. What is it?
4. In lines 97 through 138, Cassius claims that Caesar is weak and not fit to be a king. Do you agree? Is political
strength based on physical strength?
5. What clever techniques and words does Cassius use that show his persuasiveness as he recruits Brutus?
Act 1 Scene 3
1. Why would the conspirators think that the prodigies might give away their assassination plans?
2. In lines 60 through 80, what is Cassius interpreting the prodigies to mean?
3. How is Cassius using forged letters to help the conspiracy?
4. What do the conspirators think Brutus will do for them if he joins? ( Lines 162 through 167)
5. Go over Cassius’ lines in this scene. How would you describe his attitude and mood?
Act 2 Scene 1
1. What does Brutus think will happen if Caesar is crowned? (Lines 10 through 36)
2. If we were to take lines 64 through 65 literally, how long has it been since Brutus slept?
3. As the conspirators meet and discuss their plans, how is Brutus different than the others? What do you think
they might decide if he were not there? (Lines 124 through 203)
4. What is meant by the “voluntary wound” Portia speaks of on line 323? What does this reveal about Portia’s
character?
5. Describe the relationship of Brutus and Portia based on their conversation in this scene.
Act 2 Scene 2
1. Caesar refers to himself as “Caesar.” He does not use “I” or “me.” Why? What does this reveal about him?
2. The warnings so far are many: soothsayers’ “Beware the Ides of March,” Caesar’s suspicion of Cassius, the
prodigies, the meteor shower, Calpurnia’s dream, and Augurs’ reports. What more does this tell us about
Caesar?
3. How is Calpurnia treated in this scene by both Caesar and Decius? Give specific quotes to support your answer.
4. How do we know that Caesar trusts Decius, based on the conversati on they have in this scene?
5. How does Caesar feel about death? (Lines 34 through 39)
