Transcript Caesar
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. A protagonist is a main character who is a ________ person.
a) good
b) funny
c) bad
a) good
2. Who warns Caesar to beware the Ides of March?
a) Decius
b) Calpurnia
c) Soothsayer
c) Soothsayer
3. Portia is _________ wife.
a) Caesar’s
b) Brutus’s
b) Brutus’s
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) Soothsayer’s
Objectives
1. Read and interpret the play
Bloom's: knowledge, analysis, synthesis,
Act I, scene i
The Roman citizens celebrate the feast of
Lupercal as well as Caesar’s return and
defeat of Pompey. To honor Caesar, the
citizens decorate his statues.
The feast of Lupercal was a
Roman festival that was
celebrated on February 15.
Saddened about Pompey and fearful of
Caesar’s ambition and rise to power,
tribunes Marullus and Flavius scold and
insult the citizens and tell them to go to
work.
Typical politicians!
Marullus reminds the commoners that
not too long ago, they liked Pompey and
should not take pride in one Roman
conquering another.
Flavius tells Marullus to remove the
decorations on Caesar’s statues. They
believe that doing this will help to stop
the commoners from publicly
worshipping Caesar.
Will Caesar be angry?
Act I, scene ii
During the feast of Lupercal – Caesar
commands his wife, Calpurnia, to
stand where Antony can touch her as
he runs by.
The Soothsayer warns Caesar to
“Beware the ides of March.” Caesar
chooses to ignore the warning and
dismisses the Soothsayer, calling him a
“dreamer.”
Romans believed that a barren
woman touched by a runner
during the festivities would be
able to have children.
Talk about foreshadowing!
Cassius asks Brutus what is troubling
him; he doesn’t seem himself. Brutus
tells Cassius that he is worried about
private issues.
Determined to find out how Brutus
feels about Caesar, Cassius mentions
that some Romans are not happy with
Caesar’s rise to power.
Why does Cassius want to
know how Brutus feels about
Caesar?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Marullus and Flavius ______ and ______ the citizens.
a) encourage & enjoy b) scold & insult
c) laugh & celebrate
b) scold & insult
2. Caesar wants Antony to touch _______ during the foot race.
a) Calpurnia
b) Marullus and Flavius c) the citizens
a) Calpurnia
3. ________ warns Caesar to “Beware the ides of March.”
a) Decius
b) Brutus
c) Soothsayer
c) Soothsayer
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Act I, scene ii
Cassius tells Brutus that he knows
Brutus better than Brutus knows
himself.
Cassius is a fast talker!
Gaining Brutus’ attention, Cassius
explains that the citizens respect
Brutus and wish he would open his
eyes to “…this age’s yoke.”
This means
Shouting and yelling are heard in
the background. Brutus admits to
Cassius that he loves Caesar but
fears the citizens want Caesar to be
king.
Caesar’s
Cassius claims that Caesar does not
deserve to be king and that he was
born just as free as Caesar.
Cassius resents that he
is inferior to Caesar.
rule.
Act I, scene ii
Cassius lets Brutus know about a
time when he and Caesar swam
together in the Tiber River. Caesar
almost drowned and Cassius saved
him. Cassius describes another time
when Caesar trembled and moaned
when he had a fever.
The men hear more shouting from the
crowd. Brutus tells Cassius he will
consider everything Cassius has said.
Caesar tells Antony that Cassius is a
dangerous man because he thinks too
much, but Caesar does not fear
Cassius, or any man.
Cassius is saying that someone as
physically weak as Caesar should not
have so much power. (In other words, He
should have all the power, right?)
Boy, these Romans sure are a noisy
bunch!
See what thinking
too much can do to
you!
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. According to Cassius, Brutus is ________ by the Roman citizens.
a) laughed at
b) respected
c) not liked
b) respected
2. Brutus admits to Cassius that he loves Caesar but
a) wants the power for himself
b) can’t understand why Cassius doesn’t like Caesar
c) fears him becoming king
c) fears him becoming king
3. Caesar thinks that Cassius is
a) his friend
b) a comedian
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) a dangerous man
c) a dangerous man
Act I, scene ii
Cassius asks Casca to have dinner
with him.
“What wicked webs we weave!”
Before parting, Brutus and Cassius
agree to meet the next day
at Pompey’s porch.
Alone, Cassius thinks aloud about
the possibility of persuading the
noble Brutus to join the
conspirators.
Cassius knows that if Brutus joins
the conspiracy, the Roman citizens
will agree that killing Caesar is an
honorable deed for the good of
Rome.
Alone on stage? Talking?
What type of speech is this?
Brutus is Caesar’s friend!
What do you think Brutus will do?
Act I, scene ii
Through Casca, Brutus and Cassius
learn that Antony offers the crown to
Caesar three times; each time Caesar
rejects it.
Casca continues explaining that while
the crowd was cheering, Caesar fell into
a fit, foaming at the mouth. Before
falling down, Caesar pulled his dagger
and offered the crowd to cut his throat.
Why does Caesar refuse the crown, and
three times at that?
What do Caesar’s actions
say about his character?
are they sincere?
Continuing, Casca tells Cassius and
Brutus that while having the fit, Cicero
spoke in Greek.
Marullus and Flavius are punished for
pulling the decorations off Caesar’s
statues.
Have you heard the expression,
“It’s all Greek to me” ?
ἄνἄνπο
ς
θρωπος
ῥυτῖς
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Caesar is offered the crown
a) three times
b) twice
a) three times
c) once
2. Marullus and Flavius are _________ for removing the decorations
from the statues.
a) thanked
b) scolded
c) silenced
c) silenced
3. Brutus agrees to meet Cassius
a) next week
b) the next day c) never
b) the next day
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Act II, scene iii
Cicero and Casca meet in the streets late
at night; Casca talks about the strange
weather.
Casca tells Cicero about the weird
things he saw and heard such as: a lion
at the capital, a man whose hand burned
like twenty torches but wasn’t actually
burned, and women who claimed to see
a hundred men covered in fire while
walking up and down the streets of
Rome.
What might the bad weather suggest?
Cassius believes these strange events are
because the gods are displeased with
Caesar.
Cassius joins them and claims that the
strange occurrences are a sign that
something is wrong with the Roman
society.
Cinna joins them; Cassius gives him
letters written against Caesar to leave
where Brutus will find them.
Why does Cassius do this?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Casca tells Cassius about the strange _____________.
a) noises
b) heat
c) weather
c) weather
2. __________ throws the letters through Brutus’s window.
a) Cinna
b) Decius
c) Caesar
a) Cinna
3. Brutus decides that Caesar should be __________
a) assassinated
b) king
c) honored
a) assassinated
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Journal This
Summarize the events from
Act I in list form.
I.
Caesar’s defeat of
Pompey.
Predict
Make a list of three things that
you think might happen in
Act II. Write one sentence to
support your prediction.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
I. Brutus learns the letters are
forged. I think this because
Brutus is Caesar’s friend
and knows the Roman
citizens love Caesar; they
have no reason to want him
dead.
Who, What, When, Where, Why
Remember, Act I finished with
Casca, Cicero, Cinna, and Cassius
meeting somewhere in the streets
of Rome. The conspirators are
hoping that Brutus, even though
he is one of Caesar’s dearest
friends, will join their “noble”
cause.
In order to convince Brutus,
Cassius forges anonymous
messages to convince Brutus to
join them.
Act II begins on March 14, the eve
of the Ides of March. Remember, the
Soothsayer warned Caesar to beware
the Ides of March. It is late at night;
the weather is unusual.
The conspirators brave the stormy
night, moving unnoticed through the
streets of Rome, to visit Brutus.
Sunday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Thursday
Friday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday
Act II, scene i
Cassius insists the conspirators take
an oath to assassinate Caesar. Brutus
disagrees – he believes the only thing
they need is their cause because
Romans are bound by honor to keep a
pledge.
Brutus only disagrees with
the oath; he still thinks
Caesar should be
assassinated. Some friend!
Brutus does not want Cicero to join the
conspirators; Cassius does.
The conspirators discuss killing
Antony. Cassius wants to kill him, yet
Brutus claims he is harmless and does
not want the Romans to think they are
bloodthirsty.
What’s one more murder if they are
already plotting against Caesar?
Decius promises he can talk Caesar
into going to the capital.
Portia knows Brutus is upset; she
wants Brutus to confide in her. He tells
her he isn’t feeling well.
What does Portia do to try and
convince Brutus to confide in
her?
Act II, scene ii
The violent weather continues.
Calpurnia dreams that Caesar is
murdered and wants him to stay home.
Calpurnia persuades Caesar to send
word to the capital that he is sick.
Decius arrives at Caesar’s home to take
him to the capital. Caesar explains
Calpurnia’s dream.
Decius tells Caesar the dream means
that he is the lifeblood of Rome and that
the Senate won’t give him the crown if
he doesn’t go to the capital today.
Caesar likes Decius’s translation of
Calpurnia’s dream. He leaves with
Decius.
Caesar hesitates because he doesn’t
want anyone to think he’s a sissy. Again,
Shakespeare adds a touch of
foreshadowing just in case we forgot what
the play was about!
If you were
Calpurnia,
how would you feel?
Never
ignore a
woman’
s
intuition
!
Is it just the dream translation or do you
think Caesar wants the crown?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Cassius wants the conspirators to take an oath and
a) everyone agrees b) Decius disagrees
c) Brutus disagrees
c) Brutus disagrees
2. Who disagrees with Cassius about killing Antony?
a) Brutus
b) Caesar
c) Cicero
a) Brutus
3. ______ talks Caesar into going to the capital.
a) Brutus
b) Decius
b) Decius
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) Calpurnia
Act II, scenes iii and iv
Scene iii
Artemidorus plans to read his
letter to Caesar. The letter warns
Caesar that there is a conspiracy
to kill him.
Do you think Caesar will believe
Artemidorus?
Scene iv
Portia is worried about Brutus and
instructs Lucius to find Brutus and
make sure he is okay.
Portia sees the Soothsayer who
tells her that he is on his way to
warn Caesar that something bad is
going to happen.
Why is Portia
worried about
Brutus?
Caesar gets another
warning? How many does a
man need?
1 2 3 ?
Who, What, When, Where, Why
Remember, in Act II, Caesar
refuses to listen to Calpurnia
and stay home. Decius
convinces Caesar that the
senators will crown him king
today.
Act III begins with Caesar on the way
to the capital to receive the crown.
The Soothsayer reminds Caesar that
the Ides of March have not gone.
(This foreshadowing stuff is really easy!)
AHEAD
Act III, scene i
On his way to the Senate, Caesar passes
the Soothsayer. He warns Caesar that
the Ides of March have arrived.
Caesar rejects Artemidorus’ letter.
Caesar thinks he’s going
to be crowned – not
killed! This is situational
irony.
Publius comments that he wants the
conspirators to be successful. Brutus is
concerned that the plot will be exposed.
The conspirators prepare to assassinate
Caesar as planned. Trebonius takes
Antony away.
Does this mean one of the conspirators
cannot be trusted?
Metellus kneels to give Caesar a
petition to request that his brother’s
banishment be lifted.
Brutus and Cassius join Metellus;
Caesar denies the request again.
Run, Caesar, run!
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. ___________ warns Caesar about the conspiracy to kill him.
a) Brutus
b) Artemidorus
b) Artemidorus
c) Casca
2. The soothsayer warns Caesar about
a) Ides of March
b) the bad weather
a) Ides of March
3. Brutus is concerned about
a) the weather
b) his wife
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) Antony’s plans
c) someone exposing the plot
c) someone exposing the plot
Journal This
The conspirators are
certainly committed to their
cause—don’t you agree?
Make a list of the evidence
that supports the accusation
that Caesar is too ambitious.
I. He refuses to listen to
the many warnings.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Act III, scene i
Prideful for the fact that he does not
change his mind, Caesar compares
himself to the north star.
While Decius and Cinna object to
Caesar’s decision, Casca stabs
Caesar and the others join him.
Brutus is the last man to stab
Caesar.
The North Star was used by
explorers to navigate. What is
Caesar saying about himself?
“Et tu, Brute?- Then fall Caesar!”
What does Caesar mean?
Cassius and Cinna tell those who
witnessed the assassination to run
Into the streets and shout that
tyranny is dead and liberty and
freedom live.
Trebonius enters to report that
Antony has run to his house and
news of Caesar’s assassination has
made the city chaotic.
Bad news spreads quickly, doesn’t it?
Act III, scene i
Antony returns to the capitol asking
for permission to speak with the
conspirators.
That’s pretty brave!
Brutus and Cassius assure Antony
they do not plan to harm him.
Antony asks for permission to speak
at Caesar’s funeral and Brutus grants
Antony permission to speak. But
Cassius disagrees, he is fearful that
Antony may turn the citizens against
them.
Brutus is confident that if he speaks
first to explain why they killed Caesar,
the citizens will understand.
Wait a minute! How many times are
Brutus and Cassius going to
disagree with one another?
Why doesn’t Cassius stand up to
Brutus?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Caesar compares himself to
a) a king
b) the big dipper
c) the north star
c) the north star
2. Who is the first man to stab Caesar?
a) Casca
b) Brutus
a) Casca
c) Decius
3. Who is the last man to stab Caesar?
a) Decius
b) Brutus
b) Brutus
c) Casca
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Act III, scene i
Antony takes Caesar’s body with
the understanding that he lets the
citizens know that he is speaking
with the permission of the
conspirators.
Alone now, Antony reveals his
true feelings, promising to
revenge the death of his friend,
Caesar.
Why would Brutus want Antony to do this?
What kind of speech is this?
Octavius sends a message to say
he is on his way to Rome.
Antony plans to turn the citizens
against the conspirators.
Do you think Antony will be able to
convince the citizens to agree with him?
Act III, scene ii – The Speeches
Brutus explains to the citizens that
while he loved Caesar, he loved Rome
more.
To justify the assassination, Brutus
asks the citizens if they want Caesar
alive and be slaves under his rule, or
have Caesar dead and be free.
Brutus claims Caesar was killed
because of his ambition. He asks,
“Who does not love his country?”
The citizens wildly support Brutus; he
finishes by stating that he can have
offended no one by his act. Brutus
instructs the citizens to stay and listen
to Antony.
Do you think the Roman
citizens believe him?
Caesar alive and the
citizens slaves, or
Caesar dead and the
citizens free-which
would you choose?
Wow! Some speaker that Brutus!
He’s seems pretty confident that
Antony must not have much to say.
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. The conspirators let Antony
a) join them
b) run away
c) speak at funeral
c) speak at funeral
2. Brutus explains that he loved Caesar but loved
a) Rome more
b) money more
c) power more
a) Rome more
3. The citizens ___________ Brutus.
a) disagree
b) wildly support
b) wildly support
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) want him punished
Act III, scene ii
Antony carries Caesar’s bloodied
body with him to speak to the crowd.
He tells the citizens many times that
Brutus is an honorable man and
reminds the citizens that Caesar
rejected the crown three times, but
Brutus calls Caesar ambitious.
Antony points out that the citizens
benefited from the prisoners’ money
that Caesar brought to Rome, that
Caesar cried with and felt sorry for
those who suffered, and Caesar
turned down the crown three times.
Antony asks the crowd if they
loved Caesar at one time, shouldn’t
they mourn him?
Uh oh, do we smell
trouble in paradise?
Perhaps you’ve heard this one before.
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend
me your ears.”
But people are fickle; they change their
minds often.
Act III, scene ii
The citizens agree with Antony.
Antony reminds the citizens that
Caesar left a will, but Antony says he
won’t read it because the citizens will
realize how much Caesar loved them.
Excited, the citizens beg Antony to
read the will. Antony agrees to read
the will, but the citizens must gather
around Caesar’s dead body.
What? Didn’t they just agree with Brutus?
Ah! So it’s all about then money then?
Greedy people, aren’t they?
While pointing to each stab wound,
Antony identifies each conspirator
who stabbed Caesar.
Pausing at the wound that Brutus
made, Antony cries that this wound
is “...the most unkindest cut of all.”
Clever guy, that
Antony!
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Antony tells the crowd that Brutus is
a) an angry man
b) a good man
2. The citizens beg Antony to
a) read Caesar’s will
a) read Caesar’s will
b) agree with Brutus
3. Antony agrees to read the will if the citizens
a) settle down
b) revenge Caesar’s death
c) gather around the body
c) gather around the body
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) an honorable man
c) an honorable man
c) stop talking
Act III, scene ii
Antony tells the citizens that he is not a
great speaker like Brutus. He calls the
assassination an act of treason.
Now Antony pulls back Caesar’s
mantel and the citizens want revenge.
Antony reminds the citizens that those
who killed Caesar are “honorable”
men.
The citizens cry out in support of
Antony. He reminds them that he
hasn’t read the will yet.
The citizens learn that Caesar left each
one seventy-five drachmaes, his
orchards, and his forest for everyone
to enjoy.
What type of irony is this?
Verbal? Why?
“The will, the will, read the will!”
A little greedy, don’t you think?
I, the great
Caesar, hereby
leave the citizens
of Rome...
What a nice guy;
is this ambitious?
Act III, scenes ii and iii
Scene ii cont’d.
The angry citizens want revenge
for Caesar’s death.
Antony is pleased that his speech
turned the citizens against the
conspirators.
Scene iii
How would you have responded?
Wait a minute, didn’t Antony
say he wasn’t a good speaker?
In the streets of Rome, the angry
crowd confronts Cinna, the poet.
Assuming that he is Cinna, the
conspirator, the crowd wants to
kill him.
Cinna, the poet, protests but the
crowd will not listen. They drag
him off.
Ever hear of mob mentality?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Caesar leaves each citizen
a) nothing
b) seventy-five drachmaes
b) seventy-five drachmaes
c) a theatre
2. The citizens want ___________.
a) revenge
b) the money Caesar left them
a) revenge
c) nothing
3. The citizens drag ___________, the poet, off.
a) Brutus
b) Cinna
b) Cinna
c) Antony
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Act IV, scene i
Octavius and Lepidus meet at Antony’s
home. They discuss who should be killed.
Lepidus agrees his brother should be
killed and Antony agrees his nephew
should be killed.
After Lepidus leaves, Antony complains
that Lepidus does not deserve to rule the
Roman Empire with them.
Boy, these guys sure don’t have a
conscience, do they?
And they aren’t too bad at stabbing
each other in the back, either!
Octavius defends Lepidus. Antony
compares Lepidus to a horse – he is a
follower, not a leader.
Octavius learns that Brutus and Cassius
are building an army to fight them.
These Romans sure do conspire a lot!
Act IV, scene ii
Talking with his generals, Brutus
indicates that his relationship with
Cassius is not as good as it was.
Well, what do you expect?
General Lucilius informs Brutus that
Cassius was not as friendly as usual
but treated him respectfully.
Brutus takes this to mean that he can
no longer rely or depend on his
friendship with Cassius.
Cassius arrives and accuses Brutus
of wronging him. Brutus talks with
Cassius privately because he does
Not want the generals to hear them
argue.
See what a little
treachery
can do to a friendship?
Isn’t it about time that Cassius
speaks up to Brutus?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius meet to decided who should
a) be in charge
b) be king
c) be killed
c) be killed
2. Antony compares Lepidus to a
a) horse
b) frightened man
a) horse
c) cow
3. Brutus and Cassius __________ with one another.
a) are pleased
b) disagree
c) celebrate
b) disagree
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Act IV, scene iii
Cassius and Brutus argue and Brutus
accuses Cassius of taking bribes.
Will these two ever get along?
Brutus reminds Cassius that they killed
Caesar in the name of justice and
questions if it is right to accept bribes.
Cassius warns Brutus to stop, but
Brutus is not afraid of Cassius. The two
Argue over who is a better soldier.
Cassius tells Brutus that Caesar never
would have angered him as Brutus has.
Brutus reminds Cassius of a letter he
sent requesting money to pay his
soldiers and wants to know why
Cassius refused to give him money.
Denying any wrongdoing, Cassius
blames his messenger for not
delivering the letter.
Do you remember saying these things
when you were young? “I’m better than
you are!” “No you’re not, I am!”
The check is in the mail! Maybe
he should have sent it special delivery.
Act IV, scene iii
Cassius tells Brutus that he is tired
and weary and asks Brutus to kill him
with his own dagger.
Brutus confesses that he spoke out
of anger; the two make-up. Brutus
promises not to take Cassius’s anger
so seriously from now on.
Talk about being over dramatic. How many
times have they argued?
Finally, they kiss and make-up!!
The men hear noises outside and a
poet encourages the men to stop
fighting.
Brutus confesses that he is sad
because his wife, Portia, killed herself.
She missed Brutus and worried that
Antony and Octavius will defeat him.
How does Portia kill
herself?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Brutus accuses Cassius of
a) being too nice
b) working too hard
c) taking bribes
c) taking bribes
2. Cassius asks Brutus to
a) kill him
b) surrender
a) kill him
c) be his friend
3. Brutus tells Cassius that his wife, Portia
a) waited for him
b) killed herself
b) killed herself
c) wants a divorce
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
Journal This
Summarize the events from
Act IV in list form.
I. Octavius and Lepidus meet at
Antony’s home to talk about
who they need to kill.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Predict
Make a list of three things that
you think might happen in
Act V. Write one sentence to
support your prediction.
I. Brutus and Cassius will
win the battle. This is
because they have stopped
arguing and can focus on
winning the war.
Act IV, scene iii
Pleased with their discussion, Cassius
and Brutus decide to drink wine.
Titanius and Messala inform Cassius
and Brutus that Antony and Octavius
are marching toward them with their
armies and that over one hundred
Roman senators have been put to
death.
Romans use to mix
honey with their
wine!
Brutus had been told that 70 senators were
Killed—what’s 30 politicians among friends?
Brutus suggests marching their army
to Philippi. Cassius disagrees – he
believes that if they stay where they
are, Antony’s and Octavius’ armies
will be tired when they reach them.
Brutus does not agree, he explains
that the opposing forces will pick up
new recruits along the way, building
their forces.
Here we go again, will
Cassius do what Brutus
wants…again?
Act IV, scene iii
Cassius agrees with Brutus. They
are no longer mad with one
another, and
Cassius leaves.
Lucius, Brutus’s servant, plays
music then falls asleep while
Brutus reads.
Caesar’s ghost appears and tells
Brutus that he will reappear at
Philippi.
Brutus is shocked; he wakes his
servants, but they did not see or
hear the ghost.
Wine? Music? Now all they need is a song!
Perhaps Brutus had too much
wine!
What do you think, did
Brutus really see Caesar’s
ghost?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Brutus and Cassius learn that Antony and Octavius are
a) arguing
b) going back to Rome
c) marching toward them
c) marching toward them
2. Brutus and Cassius agree to march their army to
a) Philippi
b) back to Rome
c) to Greece
a) Philippi
3. Who tells Brutus he will see him at Philippi?
a) Casca
b) Caesar’s ghost
b) Caesar’s ghost
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) Cassius
Act V, scene i
At Philippi, Antony and Octavius
disagree about how to get ready for
battle. Both Antony and Octavius
want the to be on the right side of the
battlefield.
Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and
Octavius meet before the battle
begins and exchange insults.
Cassius criticizes Brutus for not
killing Antony when they killed
Caesar.
Octavius asserts he will avenge
Caesar’s death. Cassius calls him a
schoolboy and says he does not
deserve to be killed by Brutus.
They take leave and prepare for
battle.
A little grumpy, wouldn’t you say?
Finally, Cassius speaks up to Brutus—
what does this say about their relationship?
These are pretty strong fighting
words.
Act V, scene i
It is Cassius’ birthday. He tells his
servant, Messala, about an omen:
while they traveled from Sardis, two
eagles flew down and perched on top
of their banner. They stayed there
until arriving at Philippi. Ravens,
crows and kites looked down upon
Cassius’s army like they were prey.
OMEN
Messala tells Cassius not to believe
it.
Cassius informs Brutus that this will
be the last time they speak if they
lose the battle. Cassius asks Brutus
what he will do if they lose.
Brutus claims he will not commit
suicide. They say good bye to each
other.
What WILL happen to them if they loose?
Will they be captured?
Romans believed that committing
suicide was honorable.
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Antony and Octavius disagree about who should have
a) all the money
b) more men
c) which side of the battlefield
c) which side of the battlefield
2. Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and Octavius meet before the battle begins and
a) throw insults
b) laugh
c) draw straws
a) throw insults
3. Cassius tells Messala that it is his
a) time to win
b) birthday
b) birthday
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) wife’s birthday
Act V, scenes ii and iii
Scene ii
Brutus believes that if they move
quickly, they can defeat Antony and
Octavius. He sends word to advance
immediately.
How quickly was it? He moved so
quickly that...
Scene iii
Cassius and his men are losing the
battle. He learns that some of his men
are running away from the enemy.
Brutus and his men are doing well, but
some of his soldiers are looting.
Pindarus informs Cassius that he
needs to leave because Antony’s
troops are close. Cassius won’t leave.
He sends Titinius to find out if what
Pindarus reported is accurate.
Pindarus informs Cassius that Titinius
was captured.
What might this suggest? Has Brutus
lost control of his men?
Act V, scene iii
Cassius knows he is defeated and
commands Pindarus to kill him with
the same sword that he killed Caesar
with.
Why with the same sword that killed Caesar?
Cassius dies.
Messala and Titanius arrive to report
that while Brutus’s army has defeated
Octavius, Cassius’s army was
defeated by Antony.
Hold on, isn’t Titanius dead?
Messala and Titanius learn that
Cassius is dead.
Titanius explains that Cassius did not
understand - he was not captured by
the enemy – in fact, Antony and
Octavius welcomed him.
Now wait a minute—who is and isn’t
dead?
Comprehension Check
Directions: select the best answer to each question
1. Cassius orders ________ to kill him.
a) Romeo
b) Brutus
2.
Cassius’s army was
a) won the battle
b) was defeated
b) was defeated
3. Titanius explains that
a) he did not die
b) Antony hated him
a) he did not die
Bloom’s: knowledge, comprehension
c) Pindarus
c) Pindarus
c) ran away
c) he was tired
Act V, scenes iii and iv
Scene iii cont’d.
Saddened that Cassius is dead, Titanius
kills himself.
Brutus learns that Cassius is dead and
declares that Caesar is still mighty; it is
Caesar’s spirit that caused their defeat.
Why is everybody dying? Things
are spiraling out of control. This
is why the play is considered a
tragedy!
He grieves for the death of two good
Romans before telling the generals to
prepare for more battle.
If you were Brutus, what would you do?
Scene iv
Cato is killed and Lucilius is captured
while pretending to be Brutus. Antony
tells his soldiers that they have captured
the wrong man; Lucilius informs Antony
that Brutus is safe.
Antony demands that his men treat
Lucilius kindly as he prefers to have
Lucilius as a friend, not an enemy.
Keep your friends close and your
enemies closer!
Act V, scene v
Defeated, Brutus and his men stop to
rest.
Brutus informs those around him that
he wants to be killed. Dardanius and
Clitus refuse to kill him.
Brutus confesses to Volumnius that
he has seen Caesar’s ghost two times
and understands this to mean it is his
turn to die. Volumnius refuses to kill
Brutus.
The men flee, and Brutus tells them
that he will follow; Strato stays with
Brutus.
No Brutus, no! With Brutus dead, what
would this do to the noble cause?
Is Brutus just giving up or is he
realizing that his goals were different
from Cassius’?
Strato holds the sword and Brutus
runs into it and dies.
Antony and Octavius arrive; Antony
declares Brutus the noblest Roman of
them all.
Alright, I get it…everyone dies, right?
Journal This
Summarize the events from
Act V in list form.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Antony and Octavius argue
What do you know about The Tragedy of Julius Caesar? Find
the “K” on the chart below and write down everything you
know about the play. Next, in the column labeled “W,” write
down what you want to learn about Julius Caesar. Identify
what you learned by writing in the “L” column.
K
What I KNOW
Julius Caesar
was a Roman.
Bloom’s: knowledge
W
What I WANT to
Know
What happens to
Julius Caesar-didn’t he rule the
Roman Empire?
L
What I LEARNED
Julius Caesar was
killed by his friends.
Analyze This!
Compare and Contrast the Speeches
In order for you to determine who
the better speaker is, you will compare
and contrast the speeches of Brutus
and Antony.
“Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear
me for my cause, and be silent, that
you may hear…”
Brutus convinces the citizens that
Caesar’s death was necessary. He is
able to do this because he chooses his
words very carefully, or does he?
When comparing something, you show
its similarities. On the other hand,
when contrasting something, you show
the differences.
The citizens certainly forgot everything
Brutus said once Antony talked to
them.
Using a Venn diagram, write two
paragraphs to identify the similarities
and differences between the speeches.
Even though Antony claims he is not a
good speaker, he is able to turn the
Roman citizens against the
conspirators. In fact, the citizens want
revenge for Caesar’s death.
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend
me your ears!”
Those fickle Romans!
Analyze This!
Antony
Brutus
claims Caesar was
ambitious
asks rhetorical questions
tone is matter of fact
uses logic, not
emotion
Both claim
to be
Caesar’s
friend
Both appear
to be
direct or
straight
forward
refers to the conspirators
as honorable men so often
that it is obvious he
does not mean it
talks to the citizens
on their level
tone is emotional
spoken from the
heart
Predict and Connect Chart
Question
Prediction/Connection
Identifying Characters In
Julius Caesar
Character’s Actions: What actions tell about the character
Character’s Actions: What actions tell about the character
Caesar:
Octavius:
Brutus:
Decius:
Antony:
Cassius:
Soothsayer:
Plebians:
Calpurnia:
Cinna:
Portia:
Conspirators:
TRACE THIS
While reading the play, make a list of who is for and who is
against Caesar’s assassination.
Caesar Beware!
Fall Caesar, fall!
I. Cassius
I. Calpurnia
II.
II.
III.
III.
IV.
IV.
V.
V.
You Conspirator!
So, you’ve decided to turn
against the great Caesar and
join the conspirators.
However, you’ve heard that
they won’t accept just
anyone. Well, what did you
expect?
What qualities does a good
conspirator need?
Perhaps when you send
them your resume and cover
letter that identifies your
superior qualities, they will
take you into their
confidence. Good luck!
II.
Make a list of the qualities or
traits of a good conspirator.
I. Keep a secret
III.
IV.
title
Name
Address
Phone Number, Email Address
Objective: to save the Roman Republic
Qualifications:
Education:
Relevant Experience:
References:
Last Will and Testament
I, Julius Caesar, leave to my
dear wife, Calpurnia, our
home and for their
unwavering support and
love I leave each Roman
seventy-five drachmas, and
my arbors to enjoy.