Name Jack Brunson
Block 1
Julius Caesar: Act III Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in
The play.
Vouchsafe (vouch-s
f
) to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension
Conspiracy (k
n-spîr-s
) an evil, unlawful, treacherous, or surreptitious plan formulated in secret by two or more persons
Foe a person who feels enmity, hatred, or malice toward another; enemy
II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the play.
Climax Turning point in the plot of a story.
What is the climax of this play? The death of Caesar is the turning point in the story.
______________________________________________________________________
Allusion: a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication
Example: an allusion to Shakespeare.
Imagery the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things, or of such images collectively
Verbal expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written
Irony a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.
Example:
III. Questions: answer the following questions.
Scene 1:
1. What reason does Caesar give for not reading Artemidorus’s letter?
He has no respect for the servant.
2. What Roles do the following characters play in the conspiracy?
Trebonius: Trebonius is the one who lures Antony away before they murder Caesar.
Metellus Cimber: Mettelus Cimber made a fake appeal to Caesar to let his banished brother into the city again. He did this to allow Caesar's murderers to close in without Caesar becoming worried. He used the famed lines to lure him in, "Is there no voice more worthy than my own, To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear For the repealing of my banish'd brother?"
Casca: Casca is the one who was supposed to stab Caesar in the heart by sneaking up behind him. While the others were distracting him. But Casca gets nervous and misses the heart and stabs the shoulder.
3. What is Caesar’s opinion of himself?
Caesar felt that he was unbreakable and powerful. He had the people falling for him and thought he could do anything as he desired.
4. What does “Et tu, Brute?” mean? How do these words relate to the theme of friendship in the play?
It means u too Brutus. Caesar feels betrayed by Brutus.
5. Where does Caesar’s dead body lie? How is this ironic?
He was lying in front of the statue of a man he defeated in battle.
It's ironic because he's now dying in front of a man he's killed.
6. What does Brutus tell the conspirators to do after killing Caesar?
Brutus tells them to bathe their hands in Caesar's blood, then walk to the
Marketplace with their bloodied swords to proclaim peace, freedom, and liberty.
7. What promise does Brutus tell the servant to relay to Antony?
if he wishes to come here, we will explain ourselves and leave him unharmed.
8. What does Antony say about the possibility of being killed by the conspirators?
that if it came down to that, dont worry about killing me, ill do it myself.
9. After being assured he is in no danger, what favor does Antony ask of the conspirators?
The favor that Antony asks of the conspirators is to speak at Caesar's funeral. They eventually let him, however Brutus gives him guidelines/restrictions that he must agree too or else he will not be allowed to speak at the funeral.
10. What does Cassius think about granting Antony this favor?
Cassius does not trust Antony
11. What restrictions does Brutus set?
Brutus sets these rules for Antony to abide by;
1. that Antony will not blame Brutus and the conspirators
" You shall not in your funeral speech blame us"
2. to speak only of the good things Antony can think of about Caesar "speak all good you can devise of Caesar"
3. ensure that he [Antony] informs the plebeians/people that he is only speaking at Caesar's funeral because he was given permission to, by Brutus and co.
"And say you do it by our permission"
4. that Antony will speak in the same pulpit where Brutus is going to speak
"and you shall speak in the same pulpit whereto I am going"
If Antony does not agree, then he "shall not have any hand at all about his [Caesar's] funeral"
12. Summarize Antony’s main points in his speech to Caesar’s body?
13. Who is coming to Rome to meet with Antony?
Octavius
Scene 2:
14. According to Brutus’s speech to the commoners, what reasons does he give for Caesar’s death?
that he had become to powerful, and was selfish.
15. What is the mood of the crowd as Brutus finishes his speech?
the mood is that the crowd has anger.
16. What does Brutus offer at the end of his speech?
17. List three points of Antony’s speech that work to persuade the crowd to turn on the conspirators.
Ø Caesar's will
Ø He refused the crown 3 times.
18. What reason does Antony give for why he cannot read Caesar’s will?
Antony say's reading the will of Caesar to the people will inflame them and make them mad.
19. What has Caesar bequeathed the Romans in his will?
He left them land and money.
20. How does the crowd react to Antony’s speech?
they take his side and see the conspirators as murderers. they feel pity for Casear
Scene 3:
21. What happens to Cinna the Poet? Why?
