Julius Caesar Act I Scene 1 & 2

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(Part A) How does Shakespeare establish the relationship between the Tribunes and the Commoners in Act 1.1, lines 1–9?

• Shakespeare demonstrates the relationship between the Tribunes and the Commoners through the orders the Tribunes give to the Commoners and the demanding questions they ask that the Tribunes are or perceive themselves to be in a position of authority over the Commoners.

• Shakespeare uses dialogue between Cassius and Brutus to establish a relationship among the Tribunes and the Commoners by use of demanding questions and statements that require the Tribunes to perceive themselves to be in a position of authority over the Commoners

• Shakespeare uses a pleasant, comical tone toward the Commoners on the part of the Tribunes to establish the relationship between the Tribunes and the Commoners.

• Shakespeare creates a working relationship between the Tribunes and the Commoners through conflict caused by the demanding questions posed by the Commoners.

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(Part B) What evidence from the text supports the fact that the Tribunes felt superior to the Commoners

• The Cobbler says he and the other Commoners are out to “make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph”, suggesting the Commoners view Caesar’s success as a positive development in Rome.

• Flavius orders the Commoners “Hence!” and tells them, “Speak”. He asks them a series of questions but does not give them an opportunity to respond. He asks, “Is this a holiday? … know you not, / … you ought not walk / … without the sign / Of your profession? … what trade art thou?”.

• Marullus accuses the Commoners of being disloyal. After reminding the Commoners of how eagerly they used to cheer for Pompey, he asks, “And do you now put on your best attire? / And do you now cull out a holiday? / And do you now strew flowers in his way / That comes in triumph over Pompey’s blood?

• Marullus demands, “Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? / What dost thou with thy best apparel on? / You, sir, what trade are you?” as he asks the Carpenter why he is out on the streets but not in working clothes.

• The Cobbler uses a pun when he says he hopes he practices a trade that he “may use with a safe conscience” and that he is “a mender of bad soles”. Flavius thinks the Cobbler means he practices a trade having to do with correcting souls, but the Cobbler really means that he fixes the bottoms of shoes.

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What tone does Shakespeare create through Flavius’s words to the Commoners?

• Shakespeare’s word choice creates an angry, assertive tone toward the Commoners on the part of the Tribunes.

• Shakespeare’s word choice creates a comical, humorous tone toward the Commoners on the part of the Tribunes.

• Shakespeare’s word choice creates a sad, depressing tone toward the Commoners on the part of the Tribunes.

• Shakespeare’s word choice creates a friendly, encouraging tone toward the Commoners on the part of the Tribunes.

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How does the language of Marullus and Flavius differ from the language of the Cobbler and the Carpenter?

• Marullus and Flavius usually speak in rhyme, or song, but the Cobbler and Carpenter speak in verse, or poetic form.

• Marullus and Flavius usually speak in short, choppy sentences, but the Cobbler and Carpenter speak in rhyme and longer sentences.

• Marullus and Flavius usually speak in verse, or poetic form, but the Cobbler and Carpenter speak in prose, or longer unmetered sentences.

• Marullus and Flavius usually speak in blank verse, but the Cobbler and Carpenter speak in foreign languages, or incomplete sentences.

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What is the effect of the Cobbler’s use of the multiple meanings of the word cobbler in line 11? [9-10.L.VAU.4]

• The Cobbler means that he is a man who makes and mends shoes, but Marullus thinks that the Cobbler uses the word to mean “bungler,” or someone who makes many mistakes. The two meanings of the word add humor to the scene.

• The Cobbler uses the multiple meanings of the word cobbler to

  make the Tribunes look foolish. The crowd knows that the Cobbler uses the word to describe his trade, but the Tribunes continue to

  misunderstand the Cobbler’s response and think that the Cobbler means he is someone who does a poor job at his trade.

• The Cobbler means that he is a man who destroys and replaces shoes, but Marullus thinks that the Cobbler uses the word to mean “bungler,” or someone who makes many mistakes. The two meanings of the word add tension to the scene.

• The Cobbler uses an analogy when he says he hopes he practices a trade that he “may use with a safe conscience” and that he is “a mender of bad soles” (lines 13–14). Flavius thinks the Cobbler means he practices a trade having to do with correcting souls, but the Cobbler really means that he fixes the bottoms of shoes.

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How does Shakespeare's use of different speech patterns for the characters develop his depiction of Rome?

• Using verse/poetic form for the Commoners and prose/ordinary speech for the Tribunes emphasizes that Roman society is composed of groups with different ways of speaking that reflect differences in social standing, values and attitudes.

• Shakespeare's use of different speech patterns allows the reader to know if the speaker is a Roman or an outsider.

• Using verse/poetic form for the Tribunes and prose/ordinary speech for the Commoners emphasizes that Roman society is composed of groups with different ways of speaking that reflect differences in social standing, values and attitudes.

• Shakespeare uses verse and prose to emphasize that the Roman society is a democracy which votes on laws and individual freedoms.

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How do Cassius’s stories and comments express his view of Caesar?

• Cassius’s stories show that he views Caesar as a hero. He tells Brutus of the time Caesar beat all odds to swim across the Tiber in freezing temperatures.

• Cassius’s stories show that he views Caesar as weak. He tells Brutus of the time Caesar challenged Cassius to swim across the Tiber.

• Cassius’s stories show that he views Caesar as a dictator. He tells Brutus of the time Caesar demanded all citizens to assist him in swimming across the Tiber.

• Cassius’s stories express a deep love and admiration for Caesar. He tells Brutus of the time Caesar rescued him from the raging waters of the Tiber.

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Evaluate Cassius’s sincerity when he says, “I am glad that my weak words / Have struck but thus much show of fire from / Brutus.”

• Cassius is genuinely displeased that his words have had some effect on Brutus, and his reference to his “weak words" causes tension between Brutus and Cassius.

• Cassius is angry that his words have had minimal effect on Brutus, his reference to his “weak words "emphasizes his anger because he has worked very hard to influence Brutus.

• Cassius is genuinely pleased that his words have had some effect on Brutus, but his reference to his “weak words” is ironic because he has worked very hard to influence Brutus.

• Cassius is genuinely happy that his words have had some effect on Brutus, but his reference to his “weak words” ironic because he has not worked very hard to influence Brutus.

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How does the use of metaphors in Act 1 lines 108–115 develop Cassius’s view of the people of Rome? (Select all that apply.)

• When discussing the conspiracy itself, Cassius calls it “an enterprise / of honorable-dangerous consequence” undertaken by “certain of the noblest-minded Romans”.

• Cassius uses metaphor to criticize Romans for their weakness, which, in his view, has created a dangerous situation. He compares them to “sheep” and “hinds” whose weakness has allowed Caesar to become a “wolf” or a “lion”.

• Cassius says that Romans may serve as “base matter to illuminate / so vile a thing as Caesar”.

• The dialogue develops the central idea of ethics of honor because through the dialogue, Cassius and Casca frame the plan to assassinate Caesar as a matter of honor.

• Cassius further develops the idea that Romans would allow Caesar to control them by describing the Roman people as “weak straws”, “trash”, “rubbish,” and “offal” who serve as “base matter" to fuel the “mighty fire” of Caesar’s ambition.

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What does Casca believe is the meaning of the omens?

• Casca says the omens are “portentous things / unto the climate that they point upon”. He believes the omens foreshadow what will happen in Rome.

• Casca says the omens are “portentous things / unto the climate that they point upon”. He believes the omens are there to distract the people of Rome from current issues.

• Casca says the omens are “portentous things / unto the climate that they point upon”. He believes the omens cannot predict what will happen in Rome.

• Casca says the omens are “portentous things / unto the climate that they point upon”. He believes the omens were created by Brutus and Cassius to get the attention of the Roman people.

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