| Explain the differences between patricians and plebeians. | A patrician is a member of the wealthy class of Rome. A plebeian is a member of the working class of Rome. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.Cobbler:Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me. Yet, if you be outsir, I can mend you.MURELLUS:What meanest thou by that? “Mend” me, thou saucy fellow?Cobbler:Why, sir, cobble you.MURELLUS:Thou art a cobbler, art thou?In this example, “mend” means “to fix,” but the cobbler uses it in a way that gives it a double meaning. Based on this interaction, what are the two ways that the cobbler can “mend” Murellus? | The cobbler used the word “mend” to compare his profession to his conversation with Murellus. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.3 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.CASCA:A common slave—you know him well by sight—Held up his left hand, which did flame and burnLike twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched. . . . And there were drawnUpon a heap a hundred ghastly women,Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.And yesterday the bird of night did sitEven at noonday upon the market-place,Hooting and shrieking. . . . For I believe they are portentous thingsUnto the climate that they point upon.What is the meaning of the symbol “the bird of night” as indicated in the excerpt above? | The night bird appears at noon, symbolizing that Rome has a darkness hanging over it. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and complete the instruction that follows.CASCA:Why, there was a crown offered him; and beingoffered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.BRUTUS:What was the second noise for?CASCA:Why, for that too.CASSIUS:They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for?CASCA:Why, for that too.BRUTUS:Was the crown offered him thrice?CASCA:Ay, marry, was’t; and he put it by thrice, everytime gentler than other; and at every putting by,mine honest neighbors shouted.put it by – v. Turned it down; refused it.thrice – adv. Three times.marry – adv. Indeed.Summarize the events of the excerpt above. | Brutus, Casca, and Cassius are talking about Caesar and how he turned down the crowd three times. The crowd applauded Caesar for turning down the crowns. |
| How has the scene and atmosphere around the Forum changed from the opening of act 1 to its close? | Act 1 opens with the Forum in celebration and ends with it in chaos. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and complete the instruction that follows.CASSIUS:Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow worldLike a Colossus, and we petty menWalk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves.Men at sometime were masters of their fates.The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,But in ourselves, that we are underlings.Identify the type of imagery used and explain its meaning. | Sight imagery is used in the passage. It is describing how big Caesar is toward everyone else. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and complete the instruction that follows.CASCA:Why, there was a crown offered him; and beingoffered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.Paraphrase the above section of the text. | Caesar was offered a crown, and he turned it down with the back of his hand. |
| What is not an example of conflict in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar? | symbolism |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.BRUTUS:What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!He was quick mettle when he went to school.blunt – adj. Not smart.mettle – n. Wit; intelligence.Which statement paraphrases this excerpt best? | This man, who was smart in school, has grown up to be unintelligent. |
| Which character is willing to deceive his friends for his own ambition? | Cassius |
| What is the date of the Ides of March? | March 15 |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.BRUTUS:And so it is. For this time I will leave you.Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,I will come home to you; or, if you will,Come home to me, and I will wait for you.CASSIUS:I will do so. Till then, think of the world.Which statement summarizes this passage best? | Brutus and Cassius plan to meet tomorrow at either of their homes. |
| By the end of act 1 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, what do we know about the soothsayer’s omen, “Beware the Ides of March”? | Caesar is in danger on the Ides of March, especially in light of Cassius’ plot against him. It means Caesar’s life is in danger on that day. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.3 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.CASCA:A common slave—you know him well by sight—Held up his left hand, which did flame and burnLike twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched. . . . And there were drawnUpon a heap a hundred ghastly women,Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.And yesterday the bird of night did sitEven at noonday upon the market-place,Hooting and shrieking. . . . For I believe they are portentous thingsUnto the climate that they point upon.portentous – adj. Predicting the future.What does this passage foreshadow? | Rome will suffer danger and destruction. |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.3 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.CASSIUS:Now know you, Casca, I have moved alreadySome certain of the noblest-minded RomansTo undergo with me an enterpriseOf honorable-dangerous consequence. . . .[F]or now, this fearful nightThere is no stir or walking in the streets,And the complexion of the elementIn favor’s like the work we have in hand,Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible.Based on this excerpt, how does the weather reflect the play’s mood by the end of act 1? | The threatening, destructive weather reflects the dark and dangerous mood of the play. |
| How is a paraphrase similar to a summary? | They both require other writers to restate the information in their own words. |
| Select the symbol that indicates best that the conflict in Rome is a political one. | the lion walking around the Capitol |
| Read the excerpt below from act 1.2 of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and answer the question that follows.CASSIUS:Brutus, I do observe you now of late.I have not from your eyes that gentlenessAnd show of love as I was wont to have.You bear too stubborn and too strange a handOver your friend that loves you.Which statement summarizes this excerpt best? | Cassius has noticed that lately Brutus seems to be angry with him instead of being the loving brother-in-law and friend he has always been. |
| How are conflict and plot related? | Conflict occurs within the plot structure and involves a struggle between two characters, forces, or situations. |
| Why does Cassius offer to be Brutus’ mirror in act 1.2? | Cassius wants to control what Brutus sees in order to manipulate him into thinking Caesar is worse than he really is. |
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare: Act 1 Practice and Quiz
April 14, 2020