Caesar

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Study Guide

Preliminary

1. The most important character in the play is probably Brutus. He plays a pivotal position in the play between good and bad. Another important character is Cassius, Caesar's political foe. These two characters are the main conspirators and are involved in most of the events, which occur in the play. Brutus acts on what he believes is best for the state, while Cassius acts out of jealousy. Both these characters are involved in the death of Caesar and die at the end of the play. Other two important characters, although they don't have as many lines as Brutus and Cassius, are Mark Antony, Caesar's close personal friend; and Octavius Caesar, Caesar's adopted son.

2. Shakespeare remains indifferent to the sympathy of both Brutus and Cassius or Caesar. He allows the audience to decide which character is righteous. Brutus can be viewed as either an honest man of high principles and integrity, or a hardhearted, self-righteous villain. In the same way that Brutus has two potential sides, Caesar has his own two potential sides. Caesar can be a tyrant whose dream is a threat to the nation, or he can be the only ruler strong enough to maintain the integrity of the republic.

3. Marcus Brutus is the main character of the play in that he is the most affected by all of the events that occur in the play. He is a praetor who is noble to Caesar, but later joins the conspirators because he feels that Caesar will turn out to become a tyrant and ruin the state of Rome. This is due to his high morals and his integrity. Decius Brutus is a conspirator who misinterprets Calpurnia's dream in order to get Caesar to go to the Senate House on the Ides of March. Publius the Senator is an elderly senator who arrives at Caesar's home to escort him to the Capitol for the Ides of March. He is not part of the conspirators and is shocked by the assassination of Caesar. Publius Cimber has been banished from society. He is the brother of Metallus Cimber who is the one to distract Caesar and the other conspirators surround Caesar and stab him to death. Cinna the conspirator is the one to advise Cassius in trying to bring Brutus into their group since he is fairly close to Caesar. He does this in order for them to overtake Caesar and kill him. Cinna the poet is a minor character who dies because he is mistaken for Cinna the conspirator. He dies on his way to Caesar's funeral and is caught up in the riots caused by society because of Antonius' speech.

Act 1

1. The puns stated by the Second Commoner are about his profession. First he says he is cobbler, then he says a mender of soles, then at last he says he is a surgeon to old shoes. Saying he is a cobbler means he is a clumsy worker, then saying he mends souls means he mends the souls of people. The tribunes take it as if the Second Commoner is trying to fix them up and straighten their priorities. Shakespeare shows the distance between the commoners and the tribunes to show that the tribunes seem to be at a much higher social level than the tradesman and therefore can boss them around.

2. Pompey is the Roman leader, which Marullus reminds the tradesman of in the beginning while conversing with Flavius.

3. The tribunes are so concerned that the tradesman taking a day of because they do not want Caesar to be honored and be king. The tribunes are enemies of Caesar and fear that he will become a godlike tyrant and ruin the city of Rome. Flavius intends to drive away the vulgar from the streets because he is taking it as an insult to the great Pompey and the streets are filled with joyous celebration in triumph for Caesar's victory over Pompey's sons.

4. The conversation between Marullus and Flavius reveal their feelings toward Caesar. They are upset to hear of Caesar's victory and scold the commoners for celebrating. This conversation prepares the idea that some people, like Cassius and Brutus, fear Caesar becoming king and of the idea that he will have many conspirators against him.

5. Cassius' thesis in the conversation between him and Brutus about the imagery about eyes is that Brutus was keeping his feelings of hatred towards Caesar inside him and that it has overtaken him, that's all he can think about and concentrate on. Cassius is trying to tell Brutus that the gentleness and love that he once saw in his eyes is gone. He says that he is being stubborn and distant towards Cassius.

6. Leaders like Brutus fear that the people's choosing Caesar for their king because it would take away from their power, leadership, and authority. Brutus is struggling between his friendship with Caesar and his loyalty to his country that doesn't want Caesar to get power. He wants to do what is good for his country, but he feels torn between that and his friendship towards Caesar.

7. When Cassius says "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/ But in ourselves (1.2, 140-141)," he means that men create their own fates. He is trying to convince Brutus to join in the conspiracy against Caesar by stirring up the worst in Brutus. The last part of the quote says, "But in ourselves, that we are underlings" He is saying that it is not their fate that they are to be at fault, but rather, it is because of their inferior status to Caesar.

8. In Caesar's speech about fat men and lean men, he reveals that he likes people who enjoy life. Caesar feels that since Cassius reads and thinks too much, he is dangerous. He seems to be fearful of Cassius but does not admit it. "But I fear him not (1.2, 198)." He does not like the fact that Cassius does not enjoy life for he "loves no plays, hears no music, and seldom smiles (1.2, 203)."

9. Casca reports to Brutus and Cassius that Caesar, at the procession, was offered the crown three times by Anthony, but refused it all three times. He fainted and fell to the ground in front of the crowd because he has "falling sickness" [epilepsy] (1.2, 254). Despite this fact, however, the people forgave Caesar and in fact loved him even more for not accepting the crown.

10. Communicating Caesar's desire to be crowned king offstage is effective in a way that it leaves the audience to wonder whether Caesar's desire to become king is instilled in him by no greediness or whether it is for the good of the Republic of Rome.

11. Cassius feels that Brutus is a noble man, however, he hopes that he will be able to manipulate Brutus to avert that nature. He plans to fake different hand-written notes to Brutus in a hope that he will believe that the commoners want him to action against Caesar. He seems to be saddened by the fact that he will be able to take advantage of Brutus so easily.

12. Cassius describes the "dreadful night, that thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars" and refers to Caesar so obliquely. The reason for this is because he wants Casca to think that the reason behind all of the strange events occurring in Rome is because of Caesar.

13. Casca discusses the abnormal events such as a common slave with a burning left hand, a lion in the streets, and a bird of night (an owl) sitting and hooting in the marketplace. These events could only represent a bad omen that danger is ahead. Cassius is attempting to make Brutus a part of this conspiracy although he does not know about it yet. He gives Cinna letters to place in Brutus chair where he may find it so that he will participate.

Act 2

1. Brutus believes that Caesar becoming king will lead to the destruction of the Republic because he believes that Caesar will change when he becomes king because power will corrupt Caesar.

2. Caesar instituted the calendar Brutus refers to, ironic because on March 15th, the day the soothsayer foretold, Caesar is killed.

3. Brutus objects to swearing to the resolution the conspirators suggest because he believes that their motivation is enough. Also he objects to including Cicero in the conspiracy because he believes that Cicero will never follow anything the other conspirators begin. Brutus does not agree that they should kill Antony, because he believes Antony will be powerless once Caesar is dead. In addition, he claims that killing Antony would be a brutal and bloody course of action and he reminds them that they are not butchers.

4. Anachronism is the error of placing a person or thing in period to which he or it does not belong. A clock striking is anachronistic because it represents order and seems out of place in the midst of all the confusion and rebellion that is taking place amongst the conspirators in their plan to kill the king, Caesar.

5. In the interchange between Portia and Brutus, we hear what we already knew, that Brutus is torn by doubts about whether or not he should kill Caesar because he is a man of conscience and is struggling to do what's right. Brutus does not want to tell Portia about the conspiracy, he lies to her, blaming his moodiness on bad health. Portia is able to see right through Brutus, forcing Brutus to agree to trust her with his secret. We learn that Brutus does not know what he should do, and lies to his wife to try and dodge the question.

6. The image of sickness dominates the interchange between Brutus and Cassius. This is appropriate because as Cassius reminds us, people must suffer first before things get better. Brutus acknowledges what Cassius says that people must suffer before the country will be healthy again. Sickness can also be a metaphor for way the conspirators spread over anyone who will listen, like Cassius, making Rome sink into further disorder.

7. In both scenes, the husband agrees to what his wife wishes, at least verbally and both interchanges between husband and wife reveal the fact that both are frightened about what is taking place, unsure about what they should do. Both women beg to know what is going on, and both men are reluctant to give into their wives because they wish to be viewed as manly and in control, when actually they are both frightened. This leads to both men making rash decisions that ends up getting Caesar killed.

8. In Act II, Scene 2, Caesar is actually thanking his assassins, making him look like a tragic figure, a respectable man, which makes his assassination even more horrifying. In Act III, Scene 1, the conspirators get him alone and petition him to grant a reprieve to Metallus' banished brother, Publius Cimber, which they know he will deny, allowing them to get angry at Caesar, so they can kill him.

9. Artemidorus' note gives Caesar another chance to save his life, but he may not read it. This presents a different view of Caesar from that of the conspirators. It presents two views on Caesar and it makes the reader wonder, could both be right? It makes us realize that everyone has different interpretations on people, that a friend to one person may be an enemy to another, and also that our opinions say as much about ourselves as they say about others.

10. Portia knows Brutus' secret because she is a strong woman and can see through his lie when she first confronts him about why he's been acting strangely. She say she has a man's mind, so she know what Brutus' secret is whether he tells her or not.

Act 3

1. The irony in Caesar's word is that previous to this quote Artemidorus had requested that Caesar read his schedule first, for he says that "for mine's a suit that touches Caesar nearer" (3.1, 7-8). However, Caesar brushes aside the warning, and what does touch himself is at last served to him, for the assassination does occur. This quote has a double meaning because of word choice as well. This could mean that Caesar puts himself after the state, and that he himself shall be the last served out of everyone.

2. There are two possible purposes to Popilius Lena's remark to Cassius. First, it could be that he is talking to Cassius aloud in an effort to surreptitiously warn Caesar, for afterwards he does "make to Caesar (3.1, 20)" and the conspirators' fear that their purpose is discovered. Another purpose is that he may very well be wishing Cassius luck in his enterprise, and he wants to be rid of Caesar. The significance to the plot is that it shows that everyone is hearing of their plan, so there's a possibility that it may be found out, or that it shows that the conspirators must begin being wary of everyone and keeping tabs on them, because if they kill Caesar who trusted them, how can they trust anyone?

3. The irony of this quote is that Cinna is saying to Casca that he is the first to second the suit raised by Metallus Cimber, but it is foreshadowing and ironic that he is also the first one who will strike Caesar.

4. Caesar thinks that all the kneeling and subservient acts by the conspirators are in an effort to get the decree on the banishment of Cimber's brother repealed. He repeatedly tells them that their efforts are in vain and that he will no budge on his position. He says, "If thou doest bend and pray and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way (3.1, 50-51)," "Wilt thou lift up Olympus? (3.1, 81)" and "Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? (3.1, 83)" as saying that they are trying to do the impossible. He is totally unaware of their plot.

5. Caesar is surprised by Brutus' appeal. In Act 3, Scene 1, line 60, after Brutus' appeal he says, "What, Brutus?" This makes it seem as if Caesar was taken aback by Brutus' appeal and he is mildly surprised. These words are similar to what he says when Brutus stabs him, which is, "Et tu, Brutè? (3.1, 85)." Thus it is like Caesar also was surprised that Brutus was in the scheme and asked him if he really was a part of the conspiracy.

6. The word "Then" suggests that after Brutus does stab him, that is the reason for Caesar's death. Because Brutus his friend stabbed him, then Caesar falls.

7. Cinna and Cassius want to run out into the public and proclaim that their deed was good, and they have triumphed over tyranny, for they say "Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets (3.1, 86-87)." and "some to the common pulpits and cry out "Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement (3.1, 88-89)." They want to run, but Brutus wants them to "Fly not; stand still (3.1, 91)." He reacts as if he wasn't a moment of silence for the fall of a great man and mourns for his friend while the others celebrate.

8. Antony first sends a servant to be sure that it is safe for him to approach Brutus, for he is afraid that they will kill him for being a friend of Caesar. He wants Brutus to vouchsafe that he "may safely come to him (3.1, 146)." Antony claims to be willing to die because he was a loyal subject to Caesar and was so mournful at his death that he wanted to die too. However, it could also be taken that Antony was merely claiming that he wanted to die so that the conspirators would be less willing to kill him, because he probably doesn't trust him. He also compliments them while asking them to kill him in the presence of such great men.

9. The unspoken message is that Antony remembers Trebonius's role, which was to lure Antony out of the Senate House. Antony may be threatening Trebonius in a way, in that he was the last person in on the plot because he did not actually stab Caesar, but Antony is saying that his role was not the least important.

10. The pun could be about the hart, or "heart." Antony is comparing the death of Caesar to the hunting of a deer, but he could be punning on the word hart, and the killing of the "heart" of Caesar.

11. Cassius is against allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's wedding, for he fears that the people will be moved by what he says. However, Brutus is willing, since he will speak before Antony and Antony will only speak with their permission. Brutus attempts to control Antony's rhetorical effectiveness by telling Antony that he cannot blame the conspirators, but can only praise Caesar and say it was with their permission. He sets guidelines for Antony's speech. Antony agrees to Brutus' stipulations because he is merely pretending to go along with their plan and he plans to turn the people against the "butchers."

12. In Brutus' speech, he says that he loved Caesar as much as any man, but he loved Rome first. Brutus' chief point was that he acted for the good of the country as a whole, and placed society above the individual. Brutus appeals to the crowd by asking who is evil and vile enough to say they do not love their country, and thus he plays to their nationalism and pride. The crowd reacts by applauding his actions and saying that he should be Caesar, for he loves his country and is honorable. They also belittle Caesar because they say that Caesar's better parts will be crowned in Brutus.

13. Antony's speech is effective because he:

-Repeats Brutus' charge and calling Brutus honorable. This gets the crowd on his side as well and also makes Brutus lower his guard because he thinks that Antony is going along with the plan, allowing Antony more time to reveal his true assertions.

-Pauses during his speech. This allows the plebeians time to reflect on his words and compose their thoughts. They also have time to reply and get involved in the aspects of the speech, such as the reading of the will, which gives Antony more control and power over the crowd. Also, when they see him weeping during his pause, they again side with him and say that he is the most honorable man.

-Refuses to read Caesar's will. This way he can say whatever he wants about Caesar's wishes, including that he wanted the plebeians to become his heirs. This incites the crowd and allows Antony to segue into turning the public against the conspirators. This also gives more power over the people to Antony for he is the only one who has the will. By reluctantly agreeing to read Antony draws the crowd even more onto his side, because they believe that he listens to their demands and complies. By agreeing to read it over Caesar's corpse, the crowd cuts him off from the conspirators, allowing Antony to speak freely.

-Asserting that he is no orator like Brutus. This shows his modesty and honesty, and makes the crowd think that he is truthful and straightforward with them, which makes them trust him all the more.

14. The purpose of the scene with Cinna the poet is to show the power Antony's speech had over the people. They all were riled up and were seeking vengeance for Caesar's death. They are incensed even by the mentioning of the name of one of the conspirators, and kill Cinna the poet because they are angry with Cinna the conspirator. Also, this anger and desire for retribution allows a transition to the next act where the conspirators are sought after.

Act 4

1. Antony and Octavius get together with Lepidus and decide which Romans will live and which will die. Lepidus will allow the death of his brother, while Antony consents to the death of a nephew. Lepidus is then sent to get Caesar's will, and Octavius and Antony discuss him. Antony says that Lepidus may be fit to run errands but is not ready to rule one third of the world. He says that when they are done with him, they will take over power he currently holds. Octavius does not want to quarrel with Antony, but he says that Lepidus is a good and brave soldier. Antony responds by saying that his horse also has these qualities, and therefore Lepidus will be trained and used. Lepidus and his capabilities are the focus of their argument. The audience learns that each man is extremely power hungry and willing to ignore ethical considerations in order to get their quests accomplished.

2. Cassius claims that Brutus has wronged him, and Brutus complains that Cassius has offended him, and wants an explanation. Pindarus says that the explanation will be good enough for Brutus. Lucilius says that Cassius received him with proper manners, but he adds that Cassius's greeting was not with his usual affection. Brutus claims that Lucilius described a cooling friendship, and suggests that Cassius may not perform well when put to the test. Cassius comes in with soldiers and accuses Brutus of having wronged him. Brutus says that he would never wrong a friend and wants to go inside his tent so that the armies don't hear him. They are finally arguing about the trustworthiness of each other, and the audience learns that they are very serious about their quest to defeat the opposing forces, and are even suspicious and distrusting of each other in regards to winning the battle.

3. He reveals that his motivations were to prevent tyranny and also prevent any corruption, which he fears has become apparent. He killed for justice and feels that anybody who did not kill for justice is a horrible person. Brutus' honor has been revealed as the dominant force in guiding his actions. He feels that it would be honorable to prevent tyranny and equates killing Caesar with a religious act in order to make, in Brutus' eyes, the death of Julius more honorable. Other people consider him very honorable, such as Cassius. He is at first hailed as honorable by the Plebes, who then change their minds and go along with Antony.

4. The anachronism is that Brutus finds a book that he has lost, and then moments later recaps where he left off in the reading of this book. This is slightly out of chronological order, and has Brutus placed in a situation that would have been more relevant at a different time.

5. The ghost represents his fear of what he has done and brings to mind the fact that Caesar was not cut up as suggested. It represents insecurity in what he has done and inspires regret in the mishandling of Caesar's death. He now anticipates the battle with more curiosity that the ghost has inspired by making predictions of the future. Brutus knows he cannot get away with murder, and this ghost brings this to his attention.

Act 5

1. The significance is that each side feels that the opponent is all talk and appears to be confident of a victory. However, Brutus and Cassius are haunted with doubt, and Brutus even asks for some sort of conciliation. Antony and Octavious, however, will not negotiate. This exchange shows the uneasiness of the killers of Julius in winning the battle, yet they seemed so sure of themselves when they killed Julius and decided to take over as leaders.

2. Cassius rebukes Brutus because he did not get his way in his desire to have Antony killed with Caesar, since he viewed Antony as a threat to completely rid of Caesar. Cassius reminds Brutus that if he had his way, they would not have to listen to Antony saying that he could defeat them and that he was ready to fight, for he would be dead.

3. It is implied that this conversation may be their last one together, for they are about to face dangers and may die. Conversing apart is a sort of separation, which they will face when they go into battle and live their last moments of life on the battlefield.

4. He tells Messala that the ravens, overhead, look down on them and that their armies are under the raven's shadows that forecast death. Thus, their fortunes are that of death because of the sort of omen of the ravens that Cassius believes. Even if the opinion is abstaining from omens, Cassius seems to have faith that this one is forecasting their future.

5. Titinius says that Brutus gave word to attack too early. He had a slight advantage over Octavious and overreacted, and this caused his defeat. His soldiers started to loot while Antony's troops surrounded them, and they were defeated.

6. Pindarus mistakenly told Cassius that the enemy had captured the scout Titinius when the victorious forces of Brutus had actually greeted him. Thinking that all is lost, Cassius has Pindarus help him in committing suicide. When Cassius took Pindarus prisoner in Parthia, where Pindarus is from, he spared his life on the condition that whatever Cassius told Pindarus to do, he would do it. Pindarus doesn't take his own life because Cassius made him promise to make himself a free man, and so he does because of their agreement.

7. Brutus' remark brings to mind when the ghost of Caesar visited him and frightened him. He told Brutus that he would see him at Philippi, and though Caesar is dead, he has a strong spirit who is very angry. When Cassius kills himself, he does so to revenge the murder of Caesar. Brutus sees him dead and realizes what a "mighty" spirit Julius has, and the ghost was right when he said that he would see him at Philippi.

8. What Brutus is saying is that he never met a man who was untrue to him. This does not characterize Brutus, for it is untrue. Cassius used him before becoming his friend, and Mark Antony was dishonest with him when he promised that he wouldn't blame Brutus and the other conspirators for killing Caesar. The idea in this line is his downfall, for it shows how naive he is, which causes his defeat. Antony took advantage of this, and this demonstrates his fatal flaw in the quote. His love, and only his love are what make him admirable, for there are other qualities about him, such as hypocrisy and the previously mentioned naiveté that are not at all admirable. He does demonstrate a love for his wife, servants, country, and in a way Caesar, all of which make him admirable in this respect. Brutus is different than the other characters, for he is the only one intensely committed to making his behavior obey a strict moral and ethical code. He is also very concerned with honor and justifies his killing Caesar through viewing it as a semi religious ritual instead of cold-blooded murder. Antony, however, is superior because he is able to get the better of Brutus and be victorious at Philippi. He has the shrewdness to deal with Brutus, and uses flattery to work upon the personal qualities of Brutus that seem to be moral strengths but are also his weaknesses. Antony knows that Brutus wants to believe that he will join the conspirators cause, and takes advantage of this hope when he falsely tells them that he loves them. Thus Antony is superior because of his quick thinking and ability to defeat Brutus in the battle at the end that was so important.

9. Antony gives the distinction of being the noblest Roman of all, who led a noble life and was indeed "a man!" His assessment, however, is not to be believed, for he has the ability to use words to persuade people to do what he wants and to believe what he thinks. He persuaded the Plebes to go with him and against the killers of Julius using great language in Act III, Scene 2. His rhetoric is quite fooling at times, and in the final act this is especially clear.

10. He gives Octavious the last word because he is higher ranking, which follows the pattern of Shakespeare allowing the higher-ranking person to have the final word. His triumph signifies the historical fact that he would become Emperor Augustus whom would soon have Lepidus's brother and Antony's nephew killed. This signifies at least a promise of order, for the person who talks last is the one who most will remember, and thus who will have more influence. It is orderly because power is essentially something that you take, and Octavious would soon get that power as Emperor Augustus. The highest ranking person spoke last, and thus as the highest rank was next to claim the power, which is a pattern that does signify some promise of order.