Julius%20Caesar%20Act%201%20Review

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Julius Caesar Act 1 Review
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Why are the commoners are celebrating in the
first scene? (Two reasons)

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Why are the commoners are celebrating in the
first scene?

• The Feast of Lupercal
• --What is the Feast of Lupercal?
• Caesars triumph over Pompeys sons war victory
• Who was Pompey? Why did Caesar fight his sons?

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Why is Marullus upset with the commoners?
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Why is Marullus upset with the commoners?

• They will use any excuse for a holiday
• They are fickle- they used to love Pompey
• You blocks, you stones, you worse than
  senseless things! O you hard hearts, you cruel
  men Rome, Knew you not Pompey?

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Summary Act 1, Scene i

• On February 15, the Feast of Lupercal, the people
  take a holiday to celebrate Caesar's victory over
  Pompey in a civil war.
• Marullus and Flavius, two government officials
  who supported Pompey, attempt to discourage
  celebrating workers.

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What is the setting of Act 1, Scene 2?
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What is the setting of scene II?

• A public place in Rome

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What warning does the soothsayer give Caesar, and
what is Caesars response?
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What warning does the soothsayer give Caesar,
and what is Caesars response?

• Beware the ides of March (March 15)
• Dismisses him as a dreamer

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Implications of Scene 1

• What does this suggest about the Roman mob?
• What are the two social classes represented in
  Act 1, Scene 1?
• What is the consequence of removing garlands from
  Caesars statues for Flavius and Marullus?

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Explain what Cassius wants to convince Brutus of
in Scene II.
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Explain what Cassius wants to convince Brutus of
in Scene II

• That Caesar is dangerous and needs to be stopped
  before it is too late
• That Brutus should decide to join the conspiracy
• That they are just as capable leaders as Caesar

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Why does Caesar think Cassius is dangerous? What
qualities about Cassius disturb Caesar?
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Why does Caesar think Cassius is dangerous? What
qualities about Cassius disturb Caesar?

• Cassius has a lean and hungry look and he
  thinks too much (1.2.94)
• Cassius envies Caesar
• O, he sits high in all the peoples hearts
• And that which would appear offense in us
• His countenance, like richest alchemy,
• Will change to virtue and to worthiness.
• Men like Cassius are never at ease when they see
  someone with more power.
• Men at some time are masters of their fates.
• The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
• But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
• (1.2.208-210)

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What happens when Caesar is offered the crown in
Scene II?
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What happens when Caesar is offered the crown in
Scene II?

• He denies the crown three times
• The crowd cheers his refusal of the crown
• He falls into a brief epileptic seizure

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Caesar is probably the most powerful man in the
world at the time of the play, yet he suffers
from personal weakness? Name 4 weaknesses.
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Caesar is probably the most powerful man in the
world at the time of the play, yet he suffers
from personal weakness? Can you name what these
are?

• Deaf in the left ear
• Superstitious (but doesnt admit it)
• Suffers from epilepsy
• Had to have help while swimming the Tiber,
  according to Cassius

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At the end of Scene II, how does Cassius say he
will pursue his plan to involve Brutus in the
conspiracy against Caesar?
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At the end of Scene II, how does Cassius say he
will pursue his plan to involve Brutus in the
conspiracy against Caesar?

• He has already tried to flatter him it worked a
  little
• He will write letters and deliver them to Brutus.
  
• He will visit Brutus again

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People in Shakespeares day beleived that nature
mirrored the disorders in human lives. How does
he demonstrate this in the play as the
conspirators gather to discuss their plans?
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Shakespeare beloved that nature mirrored the
disorders in human lives. How does he
demonstrate this in the play as the conspirators
gather to discuss their plans?

• There is a terrible storm- this is when the
  conspirators meet to discuss their plans
• Fire drops from the skies, bodies spontaneously
  combust, lions roam the capitol, ghosts walk and
  the night owl shrieks in the daylight.

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At the beginning of Scene II, Brutus pronounces
his love for Caesar, but by the end of Scene II,
it appears that Brutus may join the conspiracy to
kill Caesar. What steps has Cassius taken (as
the moving force) by the end of Act I to
achieve his goals?
Gaius Cassius Longinus
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Cassius has

• Begun recruiting Brutus
• Has already recruited Casca
• Forged the letters to Brutus
• Called a meeting of the conspirators

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Cassius

• Cassius, who fears Caesar's ever growing power,
  begins to recruit Brutus, a close friend of
  Caesar's, towards his conspiracy by implying that
  Caesar is becoming too powerful. What are his
  personality traits?

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Brutus

• Brutus is suspicious of Cassius' motives but
  tells Cassius that he will think it over.
• Describe Brutus

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Casca

• Cassius' conspiracy gains momentum when he
  recruits a suspicious Casca to their cause
  against Caesar by pointing out that several
  recent strange occurrences are omens warning them
  against Caesar.
• Casca reveals information to Brutus that suggests
  Caesar may be getting more ambitious.

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Cinna

• To ensure Brutus joins his conspiracy, Cassius
  has Cinna place some forged letters where Brutus
  will find them convincing Brutus to join their
  cause.
• Cinna reveals that Brutus' good name will be an
  asset to their conspiracy.

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The Plebeians

• The commoners are easily swayed and shift
  loyalties according to the moment.
• They love festivals and celebrations and
  therefore are susceptible to colorful, theatrical
  and showy leaders.

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What is the conflict in this act?

• Citizens and Senators vs. the conspirators
• (external conflict)
• Brutus indecision about joining the conspirators
  (internal conflict)