Scene 2: Why did the augurers (priests) tell Caesar not to go to the Capitol that day?

There was no heart in the beast that was sacrificed.

They interpreted the supernatural events as signs that were warning Caesar.

The smoke from the sacrifice formed a message warning of harm to Caesar.

They learned of the plot to assassinate Caesar and wanted to try and save him.

What can you infer about Brutus’s state of mind based on II.i.1–9?

Brutus is awake at an unusual hour. While he is alone on stage, Brutus says, “I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly” (line 4). Brutus may be unable to sleep because he is preoccupied thinking about something or he feels troubled.

Brutus is awake at an unusual hour. While he is alone on stage, Brutus says, “I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly” (line 4). Brutus may be unable to sleep because there is too much commotion in his home.

Brutus is awake at his normal. While he is surrounded by others on stage, Brutus says, “I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly” (line 4). Brutus may be unable to sleep because he is preoccupied thinking about his friendship with Caesar and how it must end.

Brutus is awake at an unusual hour. While he is alone on stage, Brutus says, “I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly” (line 4). Brutus may be able to sleep if Cassius shares his plans to assassinate Caesar with him.

What do Brutus’s reflections in II.i.64–93 suggest about his state of mind? (Select all that apply).

Brutus uses similes that develop his inner turmoil.

Brutus’s reflections show that he is tormented by internal conflict over his decision to join the conspiracy against Caesar.

Brutus's reflections reveal that he is physically and mentally torn apart by his indecision.

Brutus’s reflections show his profound excitement towards the act of killing Caesar in lines 84–93, as he personifies the conspiracy and addresses it directly.

Brutus expresses his deep satisfaction and sense that the conspiracy is honorable and deserving of praise.

What does Brutus’s response to the letter suggest about Cassius?

His passionate reaction shows how Cassius has been able to use language in the letter to manipulate Brutus.

His passionate reaction shows how Cassius has been unable to use language in the letter to manipulate Brutus.

His unbothered reaction shows how Cassius has been unsuccessful in his mission of manipulating Brutus.

His eager reaction shows how Cassius has been able to use language in the letter to manipulate Brutus.

What does the interaction between Portia and Brutus in II.i.253–288 suggest about their relationship?

The interaction between Portia and Brutus in lines 253–288 establishes a caring relationship with concern for each other’s well-being.

The interaction between Portia and Brutus in lines 253–288 establishes a spiteful relationship with no concern about each other's well- being.

The interaction between Portia and Brutus in lines 253–288 establishes a distant relationship with a lot of strain and frustration.

The interaction between Portia and Brutus in lines 253–288 establishes an obsessive relationship with too much concern for each other's well- being.

How does Portia’s explanation of her gesture of “constancy” (II.i.322) advance her purpose?

Portia uses her “voluntary wound” as a way of proving her strength and demonstrating to Brutus that she is strong enough to be considered equal to noble Roman men (line 323), and therefore worthy of his trust.

Portia uses her “voluntary wound” as a way of showing her weakness and demonstrating to Brutus that she is not strong enough to be considered equal to noble Roman men (line 323), and therefore, unworthy of his trust.

Portia uses her “voluntary wound” as a way of proving her arrogance and demonstrating to Caesar that she is strong enough to be considered equal to noble Roman women (line 323), and therefore worthy of his trust.

Portia uses her “voluntary wound” as a way of proving her wisdom and demonstrating to Brutus that she is smart enough to be considered equal to noble Roman men (line 323), and therefore worthy of his trust.

How does Shakespeare develop Caesar’s character in II.ii.1–137? (Select all that apply.)

Decius's Decius’s manipulation of Caesar demonstrates that Caesar’s weakness lies in his vanity. Decius flatters Caesar by reinterpreting Calphurnia’s dream, in which Caesar’s statue “like a fountain with an hundred spouts, / Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans / Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it” (lines 82–84), as a “vision fair and fortunate” (line 89).

Caesar’s willingness to be flattered and to go the Capitol upon hearing that he is to receive a crown suggests that he was insincere in his earlier refusal of kingship in Act 1.2, (and that he is indeed as ambitious as the conspirators suspect.).

Shakespeare has various speakers orate speeches in which they reveal different aspects of Caesar's character directly to the audience. The way that the author does this is also known as direct characterization.

Caesar's conversation early in Act II with Cassisus reveals that Caesar is more interested in becoming a father than the king of Rome.

How does Caesar’s response to Decius develop Caesar’s character? (Select all that apply.)

Caesar’s response to Decius suggests that he is easily flattered and swayed. At first, Caesar relents to Calphurnia, but when Decius reinterprets Calphurnia’s dream to mean that Caesar will be a great ruler from which “great Rome shall suck / Reviving blood”, and that the Senate plans to give “mighty Caesar” (II.ii.99) a crown, Caesar changes his mind.

Caesar changes his mind after Decius suggests that “the Senate have concluded / To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar”, implying that Caesar may be as ambitious as the conspirators suspect, and that his refusal of the crown in Act I.ii may have been an act.

Caesar’s reaction to Decius develops his character further by demonstrating Caesar’s cowardice. Decius convinces Caesar that he would appear to be “afraid” if he failed to attend the Senate. Faced with the prospect of appearing weak or nervous, Caesar concludes that Calphurnia’s fears are “foolish”.

Caesar’s brief response to Decius affirms Decius’s opinion of Caesar: “But when I tell him he hates flatterers, / He says he does, being then most flatterèd”. In other words, Caesar is a strong individual who is not easily impressed by compliments of others.

What do Shakespeare’s specific word choices in II.ii.65–68 suggest about Caesar’s character?

Shakespeare’s specific word choice shows Caesar’s pride. Shakespeare’s choice of verbs emphasizes that Caesar chooses to refrain from going to the Capitol not because he is weak or afraid, but because he does not wish to.

Shakespeare’s specific word choice shows Caesar’s anger. Shakespeare’s choice of verbs emphasizes that Caesar is annoyed by the pressure from Calpurnia to stay home from the Capitol.

Shakespeare’s specific word choice shows Caesar’s cowardice. Shakespeare’s use of "graybeards" demonstrates that he is fearful of the wisdom and authority of the other senators.

Shakespeare’s specific word choice shows Caesar’s self- doubting attitude. Shakespeare’s use of "graybeards" demonstrates that he is not aware of the wisdom and authority of the other senators.

What does Caesar’s response to the omens suggest about his character?

Caesar's disregard for the omens shows that he is arrogant. Instead of taking the omens as a warning, Caesar sees them as being a challenge from the gods, who, he believes, provide the bad omens "in shame of cowardice" or to test his courage.

Caesar's disregard for the omens show that he is actually afraid of giving credence to them because he fears they are foretelling his downfall.

Caesar's disregard for the omens show that he does not believe in superstition, and he ridicules Calpurnia for sharing her observations with him.

Caesar's disregard for the omens show that he makes hasty decisions and does not pay attention to those around him who should be offering him help and guidance.

What does Caesar’s response to the omens suggest about his character?

Caesar's disregard for the omens shows that he is arrogant. Instead of taking the omens as a warning, Caesar sees them as being a challenge from the gods, who, he believes, provide the bad omens "in shame of cowardice" or to test his courage.

Caesar's disregard for the omens show that he is actually afraid of giving credence to them because he fears they are foretelling his downfall.

Caesar's disregard for the omens show that he does not believe in superstition, and he ridicules Calpurnia for sharing her observations with him.

Caesar's disregard for the omens show that he makes hasty decisions and does not pay attention to those around him who should be offering him help and guidance.

Julius Caesar Act 2 Quiz

Authored by Sherri Kilpatrick

English

9th - 12th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 1K+ times

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About

This quiz thoroughly examines Act 2 of Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar*, focusing on character analysis, literary devices, and plot comprehension. The content is appropriate for grades 9-12, requiring students to demonstrate advanced reading comprehension skills, analyze complex character motivations, and interpret Shakespeare's use of metaphor, foreshadowing, and dramatic irony. Students need a solid understanding of Shakespearean language and the ability to make inferences about character psychology based on textual evidence. The questions demand critical thinking skills as students analyze Brutus's internal conflict, Caesar's tragic flaws of vanity and ambition, and the dramatic tension created through various characters' attempts to save or doom Caesar. Students must also recognize literary techniques such as extended metaphors (Caesar as a serpent's egg) and understand how Shakespeare develops character through both direct speech and the responses of other characters. Created by Sherri Kilpatrick, an English teacher in the US who teaches grades 9-12. This comprehensive assessment serves multiple instructional purposes, from formative assessment during reading to summative evaluation of student understanding. Teachers can use individual sections as warm-up activities to check comprehension of specific scenes, assign the complete quiz as homework to reinforce close reading skills, or implement it as a review tool before a unit test on the full play. The varied question types—from plot recall to complex character analysis—make this quiz particularly effective for differentiated instruction, allowing teachers to assess both basic comprehension and higher-order thinking skills. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1 and RL.9-10.3, which require students to cite textual evidence and analyze complex characters, as well as CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4 for interpreting figurative language and analyzing word choice impact on meaning and tone.

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21 questions

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Scene 1: How does Brutus feel about the conspiracy to kill Caesar at the beginning of the scene?

He is searching for a way to convince the conspirators not to kill Caesar.

He is full of grief and sadness, but he knows Caesar must die.

He's trying to justify to himself why Caesar should die.

He is convinced that a "wait and see" approach is best.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.7

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Scene 1: Which extended metaphor does Brutus use to describe the danger Caesar may pose if he gains more power?

Caesar is a fox in the chicken house of Rome.

Caesar is a lion who roars in the senate and will devour the people.

Caesar is a storm that is that will soon rain down destruction on Rome.

Caesar is a snake still in an egg that will become dangerous if allowed to hatch.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Scene 1: Who is Brutus' servant boy?

Lucius

Caius Ligarius

Artemidorus

Decius Brutus

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Scene 1: "Let's be sacrificers, not butchers... We shall be called purgers, not murderers." Identify the speaker.

Decius

Cassius

Brutus

Antony

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Scene 1: Who rejects the idea of killing Antony, as well as Caesar?

Brutus

Cassius

Casca.

Portia

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Scene 1: How does Portia try to convince Brutus to tell her about the conspiracy? [Select all that apply.]

She reminds him of their marriage vows.

She says she's nothing more than his harlot if he won't share his secrets with her.

She shows him a "voluntary wound" she made on her thigh.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Scene 1: Who volunteers to convince Caesar to go to the capitol that day?

Decius

Brutus

Caius Ligarius

Lucius

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.7

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Julius Caesar Act 2 Quiz

Scene 1: How does Brutus feel about the conspiracy to kill Caesar at the beginning of the scene?

Scene 1: Which extended metaphor does Brutus use to describe the danger Caesar may pose if he gains more power?

Scene 1: Who is Brutus' servant boy?

Scene 1: "Let's be sacrificers, not butchers... We shall be called purgers, not murderers." Identify the speaker.

Scene 1: Who rejects the idea of killing Antony, as well as Caesar?

Scene 1: How does Portia try to convince Brutus to tell her about the conspiracy? [Select all that apply.]

Scene 1: Who volunteers to convince Caesar to go to the capitol that day?

Scene 2: "Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once." Identify the speaker.

Scene 2: Why did the augurers (priests) tell Caesar not to go to the Capitol that day?

Scene 3: Which character plans to give Caesar a letter warning him of the conspiracy?

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