The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Act I Study Questions
1. What are Flavius and Murellus doing?
a. Clearing the commoners from the streets
2. According to a laborer, why have the people left their shops and assembled?
a. To see the return of Caesar from battle
3. How do Murellus and Flavius scold the people?
a. By accusing them of being disloyal to Pompey
4. Which character establishes the notion that Caesar is ambitious and is a danger to free
men?
a. Flavius
5. What warning does the soothsayer give to Caesar? What is Caesar’s response?
a. Beware the ides of March; Caesar calls him crazy
6. Who is Brutus upset with and why?
a. Himself because he has some inner turmoil that makes him act differently
7. Reread lines 71- 78. What does this make you think about Cassius?
a. He is a loyal and trustworthy friend who is good at manipulation
8. What fear does Brutus blurt out when shots are heard and a trumpet sounds?
a. That the people have mace Caesar king
9. What does Cassius’ story about the Tiber River tell you about Caesar and Cassius’
feelings toward him?
a. Caesar is physically weak; Cassius doesn’t think Caesar is any better than anyone
else
10.In lines 135-161, Cassius compares Caesar to “a Colossus” and then compares the names
“Brutus” and “Caesar.” What are Cassius’ reasons for doing so?
a. To show that Caesar is no better than Brutus and should not be king
11.Describe Brutus’ reaction to Cassius’ ideas.
a. He says he understands and they will speak further later
12.When Caesar returns from the race, which character’s countenance seems to disturb
him?
a. Cassius
13.What boast does Caesar make about himself?
a. He is fearless
14.Why does Antony have to speak to Caesar from his right side?
a. He is deaf in his left ear
15.Why does Brutus grasp Casca’s cloak? What does he want to know?
a. To get his attention; to find out why Caesar looks so serious
16.What does Casca tell him has happened?
a. Antony offered Caesar the crown three times and each time, he refused
17.According to Casca, did the Roman people seem to want Caesar to be king?
a. yes
18.What dramatic action had Caesar taken in front of the people before his fainting?
a. He opened his shirt to let the people cut his throat
19.How does Cassius describe Casca and his ability to persuade others?
a. He acts like a commoner so the commoners will like him and listen to him
20.Cassius’s major plan involves Brutus. What is it?
a. To forge three letters about Brutus, pretend they’re from the commoners, and
deliver them
21.What does the storm in Scene 3 tell you about the disposition of the gods?
a. The gods are angry
22.Casca meets Cicero on the streets and relays some strange events. Describe two of
them.
a. A man with flames on his hand but the flesh wasn’t burning
b. A lion walking around the Capitol
c. Three men walking around on fire
d. An owl in the market in the middle of the day
23.What is Caesar to do tomorrow?
a. Go to the Capitol
24.According to Casca, what do the senators plan to do tomorrow?
a. Crown Caesar king
25.What way, does Cassius explain, can be used to free oneself from the rule of a tyrant?
a. Suicide
26. How does Casca respond when Cassius speaks freely of his disgust and dislike of
Caesar?
a. He agrees and wants to help with the conspiracy plan
27.Is Cinna a conspirator with Casca and Cassius? How do you know?
a. Yes; he includes himself when talking about the consipracy
28.According to Cinna, who else needs to join them?
a. Brutus
29.Cinna is to deliver the forged letters to what three places?
a. Brutus’s praetor’s chair
b. Through Brutus’s window
c. To the statue of Brutus’s ancestor
30. Name the three other men that are involved in the plan.
a. Decius, Trebonius, Metellus Cimber