| Taper | diminish or reduce or cause to diminish or reduce in thickness toward one end. |
| tyranny | cruel and oppressive government or rule. |
| lest | with the intention of preventing to avoid the risk of. |
| anachronism | a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exits, especially a thing that is consciously old-fashion |
| complication | a circumstance that complicates something; a difficulty |
| personification | the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form. |
| irony | the expression of one’s meaning by the language that normally signifies the opposite typically for humorous or emphatic effect. |
| dramatic irony | irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play. |
| situational irony | irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what is intended so that the outcome is contrary to what is expected |
| verbal irony | irony is which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is opposite of the literal meaning |
| according to Brutus, why is it necessary that Caesar must be killed | he feels that Caesar will be dangerous as a king |
| what actions does Lucius perform that help the plot unfold | he brought Brutus the letter |
| what is Brutus’s internal conflict | he isn’t sure whether or not to kill Caesar |
| why does Brutus disagree about taking an oath | he thinks that their word is enough promise and that only true Romans don’t take an oath. |
| why does Metellus think it would be a good idea to ask Ciero to join the conspiracy | Cicero is older, so Metellus thinks their actions would garner more respect. |
| why does Brutus say they should not ask Cicero to join the conspiracy | Cicero is set in his ways and will not go along with another person’s plan. |
| what does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony | it will be to bloody and Malicious will take away from their original purpose. |
| what reason does Cassius give for why Caesar might not come out of his house today? | Caesar is superstitious. |
| by what method does Decius say he will use to get Caesar out of the house | Decius will flatter Caesar until he agrees to come out of the house. |
| why is Portia, Brutus’s wife, worried about Brutus | because Brutus has been acting weird lately |
| how does she prove her strength to Brutus | Portia stabs herself in the thigh and bears the wound silently. |
| why does Calpurnia want Caesar to stay home? | she had a bad dream and saw it as an omen |
| describe Calpurnia’s dream | she dreamed Caesar’s statue had blood pouring from it and fellow Romans laughing and happy. |
| how does Decius interpret Calpurnia’s Dream | Decius says it means Caesar will give new life to Rome |
| what arguments does Decius use to change Caesar’s mind about going to the Capitol. | Decius says everyone will think Caesar is a coward. |
| what does atemidorus plan to do | he plans to give Caesar a letter warning him about the danger |
| why is Portia so nervous | she suspects something is wrong perhaps the conspiracy, and is worried about her husband |
| what does Portia want Lucius to do | she wants him to check on Brutus and tell him she is fine |
| what does the soothsayer tell Portia | he doesn’t know of any plot against Caesar but fears it could. he’s going to talk to Caesar. |
julius caesar act 2 reading and study guide
April 13, 2020