| 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” andcomparing himself to Olympus. He is destroyed just after proclaiming his magnificenceand 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 safely comesee 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 Antonyspeak 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 bytheir permission, and speaks last (after Brutus). |
| What did Brutus say to the people at the funeral? | He said he loved Caesar, but he loved Rome more. He asked them if they would “ratherCaesar were living and die all slaves then that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen.” Heasked for anyone he had offended to step forth. (No one did.) Brutus attempted to appealto the crowd’s reason, to show them that the assassination was the only logical way to dothe best thing for the people. |
| 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 does not obviously attempt todegrade the crowd’s new-found heroes. Instead, he begins pointing our examples ofCaesar’s behavior which clearly contradict the accusations made by the conspirators. Henotes that Caesar shared the spoils of war, showed compassion for the common people,and denied acceptance of the crown three times. These were not deeds of an ambitiousman, so Antony said. Throughout the speech, he masterfully manipulates the crowd’semotions until, at the end, they praise him and Caesar and are ready to riot. |
| Why did Brutus and Cassius flee Rome? | Their lives were in danger after Antony’s remarks at the funeral. |
| What is the point of Act III Scene III? | It graphically shows the violent mood of the crowd. Even when told they have the wrongCinna, they want to destroy him anyway for his bad verses and for having the same nameas Cinna the conspirator. |
Julius Caesar Act 3 Questions
April 10, 2020