| What is ironic about the timing of Caesar’s murder (in relation to the preceding events)? | He has just finished saying how he is one who is as “constant as the Northern Star” and comparing himself to Olympus. He is destroyed just after proclaiming his magnificence and indestructibility. |
| In the moments following Caesar’s death, what do the conspirators proclaim to justify their deed? | “Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!” |
| Antony’s servant brings a message to Brutus. What does he say? | Antony praises Brutus for being honest and noble and requests to be able to safety come see Brutus to hear why Caesar was murdered. |
| Antony wants to speak at Caesar’s funeral. What reaction does Brutus have? Cassius? | Brutus would let him speak. Cassius thinks it is too dangerous for them to let Antony speak to the people. |
| Under what conditions will Antony speak at the funeral? | He will be allowed to speak if he doesn’t blame the conspirators, admits he speaks by their permission, and speaks last (after Brutus). |
| What did Brutus say to the people at the funeral? | He said that he loved Caesar, but he loved Rome more. He then said if Caesar was not killed everyone would have died a slaves, but with Caesar dead everyone will be free. He asked if he had offended anyone (No one said anything). Brutus attempted to appeal to the crowds reason to show them killing Caesar was the only logical thing to do. |
| What did Antony say to the people at the funeral in his now famous “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” speech? | Antony called the conspirators “honorable men” and doesn’t obviously attempt to degrade the crowd’s new-found heros. Instead he points out examples of Caesar’s behavior which clearly contradict the accusations made by the conspirators.-Caesar shared spoils of war-showed compassion for the common people-denied the crown three timesThese are not deeds of an ambitious man. Antony manipulates the crowd’s emotions and makes the crowd ready for riot. |
| Why did Brutus and Cassius flee Rome? | Their lives are in danger after Antony’s remarks at the funeral. |
| What is the point of Act 3 scene 3? | It shows the mood of the crowd. Even though they have the wrong Cinna, they kill him anyway. |
| puissant | powerful |
| malice | ill-will |
| appeased | soothed |
| strife | struggle |
| oration | formal speech |
| base | devoid of high values or ethics |
| coffers | public treasury |
| mantle | cloak |
| conspirator | one who plans with others to commit an illegal act |
Julius Caesar Act 3
April 13, 2020