WorksheetsJulius Caesar Act I-V
Total questions: 80
Worksheet time: 44mins
Act I of a play provides basic information about the characters and their situation. What is this part of a play called?
the drama
the turning point
the climax
the exposition
Flavius' conversation with the commoners in the beginning of Act I gives important information. What else does it provide?
conflict
tragedy
humor
crisis
In Act I, scene i, why do Flavius and Marullus try to stop people from celebrating?
They think the celebration disrespects the feast of Lupercal.
They resent the fact that Caesar has defeated and murdered Pompey.
They worry that Caesar will be offended by the smell and manners of the crowd.
They feel that Caesar will be embarrassed by all the attention paid to him.
At the beginning of Act I, scene ii, what warning does a soothsayer give?
He warns Caesar to beware of a date in March.
He warns Caesar to beware of Brutus, his friend.
He warns Caesar to beware of his wife, Calpurnia.
He warns Caesar to beware of plotters in his midst.
In Act I, scene ii, why does Cassius flatter Brutus?
He fears that Brutus may try to kill him or Casca.
He needs Brutus to support his plot against Caesar.
He wants Brutus to leave Rome so Caesar will retire.
He wants Brutus to marry his daughter in March.
What internal conflict does Brutus face in Act I?
He is Caesar's friend, but he does not want to live under a king.
He is Cassius' enemy, but he agrees with Cassius about Caesar.
He wants to be king himself, but he does not want to hurt Caesar.
He wants to be king himself, but he does not want to offend Cassius.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/but in ourselves, that we are underlings." According to Cassius, who is to blame for Caesar's rise to power?
Destiny, which no one can avoid
Caesar's mad desire for power
Romans like Cassius and Brutus
Inferior people like Flavius and Marullus
Why does Caesar distrust Cassius?
Cassius is lazy and daydreams too much.
Cassius is powerful and owns too much land.
Cassius talks too much is and is eager to please.
Cassius thinks too much and is too clever.
According to Casca, how did Caesar react when he was offered the crown?
He rejected it three times, but he really wanted to accept it.
He accepted it three times, but he really wanted to reject it.
He rejected it twice but finally accepted it when the crowd insisted.
He accepted it, but only because Calpurnia would get a crown, too.
At the beginning of Act I, scene iii, when Casca describes the thunderstorm, why is he upset?
He is afraid that he will be hit by lightening and will be killed.
He is worried that the thunderstorm is really the sound of fighting.
He is afraid that the gods are angry and something bad will happen.
He is afraid that Caesar is angry and will blame him for the weather.
Why does Cassius believe that Brutus should be a part of the plot against Caesar?
People fear Brutus and will not dare challenge him.
People respect Brutus and will accept what he does.
Brutus is the strongest man in Rome, including Caesar.
Brutus is the smartest man in Rome, except Cassius.
Which phrase best describes blank verse?
five accented syllables per line with rhyme
five accented syllables per line, no rhyme
six accented syllables per line with rhyme
six accented syllables per line, no rhyme
In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, how often does Shakespeare use blank verse?
only in a few dramatic passages
only in the first scene of each act
in most of the speeches by major characters
in all of the speeches by minor characters
On what day does Act II begin?
February 15
February 16
March 15
March 16
Why does Brutus decide to join the conspiracy against Caesar?
He wants to protect Rome from tyranny.
He hopes to become king himself.
He seeks revenge for Pompey's death.
He wants to see Cassius on the throne.
How would you paraphrase the following advice that Brutus gives the conspirators about their plot in Act II, scene i? "Hide it in smiles and affability..."
Keep the plot a secret by acting friendly and normal.
Hide a copy of the secret plans with a smiling neighbor.
Reach out with smiles to anyone who can help us.
Be pleasant when you announce our plot to the public.
Why do the conspiracy members agree to not attack Marc Antony?
They cannot be sure that Antony will be at the Senate that day.
They fear that Antony will appear with armed troops that day.
They are afraid of turning public opinion against them.
They hope that Antony will agree to take the throne.
Why do the conspirator want Caesar to go to the Senate on the ides of March?
so that they can accuse him of tyranny.
so that they can have soldiers arrest him.
so that they can kidnap him
so that they can kill him
Which is the best paraphrase of the following line? "For he is superstitious grown of late..."
Lately, he has become someone who listens to omens.
Later, he will know it was important to listen to omens.
He was told by omens to try to avoid being late.
Lately, he was used information from omens to gain power.
Why does Calpurnia ask Caesar not to go to the senate?
She has heard rumors of a dangerous conspiracy.
She feels sick and needs his loving attention.
She believes her frightening dreams are bad omens.
She knows that Caesar is going to demand the crown.
When Caeasar says the following words, what personal characteristics does he convey?
"Cowards die many times before their deaths;/ The valiant never taste of death but once./ Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,/ It seems to me most strange that men should fear,/ Seeing that death, a necessary end,/ Will come when it will come."
He seems reckless and wild.
He seems timid and superstitious.
He seems sneaky and suspicious.
He seems brave and dignified.
How does Decius persuade Caesar to go to the senate?
He says the Senators are planning to offer Caesar the crown.
He says there is a dangerous plot that only Caesar can stop.
He accuses Caesar of being a coward who is controlled by Calpurnia.
He accuses Calpurnia of being part of a conspiracy to keep Caesar home.
At the end of Act II, what plants do Artemidorus and the soothsayer have?
They both want to warn Caesar that he is in danger.
They both want to warn Brutus that the plot is wrong.
They both want to warn Calpurnia to keep Caesar at home.
They both want to warn Portia that Brutus is involved in the plan.
At the beginning of Act III, the conspirators gather around Caesar and ask him to pardon someone. How does Caesar answer them?
proudly and arrogantly.
fearfully and suspiciously
reasonably and logically
kindly and sympathethically
What is the real reason the conspirators gather around Caesar at the beginning of Act III?
They are about to crown him king.
They are about to ask him to resign.
They are about to confess their plot.
They are about to kill him.
When Antony speaks to the conspirators right after Caesar's death, what does he say?
He vows to punish them for their terrible crime of treason.
He says he will support them if they explain their actions.
He promises to support them if they will crown him as the king.
He says he will leave Rome rather than stay in such a violent place.
When Antony delivers a dramatic speech over Caesar's body, he is alone on stage. What is the name of this kind of speech?
aside
soliloquy
monologue
dialogue
In his speech over Caesar's body, Antony says that Caesar's wounds "beg" for him to do something. What do they beg him to do?
remain silent about the conspiracy
forgive the conspirators for their crime
get revenge for Caesar's death
win the crown away from Brutus
Brutus is the first to speak at Caesar's funeral. How would you describe the feelings he expresses?
sincere
angry
fearful
confused
Which term is the name for a long speech by one character and heard by the other characters on stage?
aside
soliloquy
monologue
dialogue
In his funeral speech, which line does Antony repeat several times?
"Brutus is an honorable man"
"I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."
"Caesar was too ambitious"
"I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke"
Despite his words, what does Antony convince the crowd of in his funeral speech?
the Brutus is an honorable man
that Brutus is a villain without honor
that Caesar deserved to die
that Caesar always hated Brutus
What does Antony mean when he tells the crowd that a good speaker could accomplish the following deed? "Put a tongue/ in every wound of Caesar's that should move/ The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny."
A good speaker could convince Romans to seek vengeance for Caesar's death
A good speaker could make Romans wail and weep for Caesar's tragic fate.
A good speaker could improve the stones that were used in the streets of Rome.
A good speaker could convince Romans that Caesar was will alive in some sense.
Why does a group of plebians attack Cinna the poet at the end of Act III?
He was one of the conspirators who killed Caesar.
He has the same name as one of the conspirators.
He refuses to name the men who started the conspiracy.
He refuses to say that Marc Antony should be king.
What impression of the plebians does Shakespeare give in Act III?
They are easily manipulated.
They are intelligent and clever.
They respect all the noblemen of Rome.
They do not care about politics.
At the beginning of Act IV, what are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus discussing?
how to honor Caesar's will by dividing his wealth fairly
how to work peacefully with Brutus and Cassius
which Romans must be rewarded for their loyal service
which Romans must die so the three can keep their power
In Act IV, scene i, Antony compares Lepidus to his horse. By reading between the lines, what can you tell about Antony?
He respects Lepidus.
He fears Lepidus.
He is just using Lepidus.
He is just making a joke.
Antony and Octavius have a conflict about Lepidus. What is Octavius' opinion in the conflict?
He thinks Lepidus is a brave soldier who deserves to be rewarded.
He thinks Lepidus is an untrustworthy ally who should be killed.
He thinks Lepidus is an inexperienced child who cannot be responsible.
He thinks Lepidus is a hardworking servant who deserves a raise.
If you "read between the lines", what does Brutus mean when he says the following to Cassius in Act IV, scene ii? "Before the eyes of both our armies/(Which should perceive nothing but love from us)/Let us not wrangle."
Let us not fight in front of our men, or they might lose faith in us.
Let us ask our men to take a vote on which one of us is right.
Let us not let our men see how friendly we are, or they might envy us.
Let us hold a contest between our men to see who has better fighters.
What is the first conflict that arises between Cassius and Brutus?
Brutus thinks that Cassius is a traitor.
Brutus thinks that Cassius is taking bribes.
Cassius thins that Brutus is a traitor.
Cassius thinks that Brutus is taking bribes.
In Act IV, how has the relationship between Brutus and Cassius changed?
They are more respectful.
They are more patient.
They are more suspicious.
They are more bored.
Why is Cassius shocked when he finds out that Brutus' wife has died?
He just saw her yesterday.
He did not know Brutus was married.
Brutus threatens to kill him in revenge.
Brutus does not seem upset about it.
What conflict do Brutus and Cassius have about Philippi?
Cassius wants to go there to fight Antony; Brutus wants to wait.
Brutus wants to go there to fight Antony; Cassius wants to wait.
Cassius wants to make peace with Antony there; Brutus does not.
Brutus wants to make peace with Antony there; Cassius does not.
On what plan of action does Cassius and Brutus finally agree?
They agree to wait for the enemies to come to them.
They agree to surrender to Antony at Philippi.
They agree to march to Philippi to fight their enemies.
They agree to retreat to Rome and defend the Senate.
Judging by the behavior of Cassius and Brutus in Act IV, what predictions might you make about their battle with Antony?
Cassius and Brutus will work well together in battle.
Cassius and Brutus will not work well together in battle.
Brutus will betray Cassius and join Antony's army.
Cassius will betray Brutus and join Antony's army.
What is Shakespeare trying to show about Brutus' character when Brutus addresses Lucius? "What, thou speak'st drowsily>/ Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou are o'er-watched./ Call Claudius and some other of my men;/ I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent."
He is fearful about battle.
He is insulting to his men.
He is kind and thoughtful.
He is careful about security.
What frightens Brutus at the end of Act IV?
a nightmare about Cassius.
a nightmare about Antony.
the appearance of Portia's ghost
the appearance of Caesar's ghost
How does Act V of Julius Caesar begin?
with Antony and Octavius trying to make peace with their enemies.
with Brutus and Cassius trying to make peace with their enemies.
with both sides trying to make peace before the fighting begins.
with both sides trading insults and accusing each other
For what mistake does Cassius blame Brutus in Act V?
for not killing Antony when they killed Caesar
for allowing Octavius to join with Antony against them
for agreeing to fight in a war they could never win
for telling everyone about the visit of Caesar's ghost
At the beginning of Act V, why does Cassius think he is going to die that day?
because he knows it is his birthday
because he has seen bad omens
because he understands Antony
because he is afraid of Brutus
What different attitudes do Brutus and Cassius have toward the coming battle?
Brutus fears the worst, while Cassius refuses to look ahead
Cassius fears the worst, while Brutus refuses to look ahead
Brutus thinks Cassius will betray him, while Cassius trusts Brutus
Cassius thinks Brutus will betray him, while Brutus trusts Cassius
Why does Cassius ask one of his men to kill him?
He feels ashamed because he knows his army cannot win.
He feels ashamed because he knows Brutus is a better general.
He feels guilty because his best friend has been captured.
He feels guilty because he knows the murder of Caesar is wrong.
Why is Cassius NOT considered a tragic hero?
He is greedy and dishonest.
He is cowardly
His death is not sad because he wanted to die
His death is not sad because it was fated by the gods.
How do Antony and Octavius treat Brutus' followers after capturing them?
They kill every one of the captives.
They keep all of the captives safe.
They force the captives to fight for them
They force the captives to kill Brutus
What convinces Brutus that he should not have killed Caesar?
Antony's speeches
Cassius' death
Portia's Death
Caesar's ghost
What is Brutus' tragic flaw?
He trusts everyone.
He suspects everyone.
He acts without thinking.
He thinks instead of acting.
According to Antony, why was Brutus a better man than Cassius?
Brutus was braver.
Brutus was smarter.
Brutus acted out of honor.
Brutus refused to give up.
Why is Brutus considered a tragic hero?
He was bad, but many people loved him anyway.
He was noble, but his own flaws caused his downfall.
He never made any mistakes and sacrificed himself.
He did what his friend Cassius asked him to do.
Which character was the first to stab Caesar?
Flavius
Brutus
Cinna
Casca
Which character plants the forged letter from Cassius?
Decius
Lucius
Cinna
Cicero
How does Portia die?
She dies from a broken heart
She takes her own life
She is murdered by a plebian
Antony murders her
Which character is Julius Caesar's heir?
Papilius
Octavius
Artemidorus
Trebonius
After Caesar is assassinated, two sides emerge, each seeking power and consolidation of Rome.
Choose the answer that correctly displays the two sides and all of their members.
Brutus, Cassius, and Lepidus
-vs-
Antony and Octavius
Antony and Octavius
-vs-
Brutus and Cassius
Brutus and Antony
-vs-
Lepidus, Octavius, and Cassius
Lepidus, Antony, and Octavius
-vs-
Cassius and Brutus
Octavius and Brutus
-vs-
Antony and Cassius
What happens during Brutus and Cassius' fight?
Cassius pulls out his dagger and offers Brutus his life
Cassius threatens to kill Brutus, but holds back out of respect for Portia
A poet bursts in and manages to get between them and break up the fight
A messenger arrives with news that Antony has created an army
Lepidus and Titinius stand guard outside the tent
Cicero's death shows that
those who conspired and assassinated Caesar are slowly being picked off, one by one
Antony has more than just revenge in mind
the plan to unite Rome after Caesar's death has failed.
a new Rome can finally begin.
When Antony asks Octavius "why do you cross me in this exigent?" he is saying
Why did you send me this message?
Why are you upset with me?
Why are you arguing with me in this important matter?
True of False - Cassius commits suicide because he miscontsrued what was happening in the battle and thought they were losing.
True
False
Who finally gave in to Brutus' wish to kill himself?
Lucius
Pindarus
Strato
Titinius
