Julius Caesar: Act II Reading and Study Guide

I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in
The play.

Taper- candle

tyranny (tr-n)- a government in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power.

Lest- For fear that less that, so that not

II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the play.

anachronism(-nkr-nzm)- One that is out of its proper or chronological order
Example: a sword in modern warfare

Complication- A confused or intricate relationship of parts

Personification- Artistic representation of an abstract quality or idea as a person example: the flowers dance in the breeze

Irony: The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning

Example: Sarcasm

I. dramatic irony- The dramatic effect achieved by a speech the show an incongruity of which a characters in the play remain unaware

Example: Sarcasm

II. situational irony An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected

III. verbal irony: What is said is the opposite of what is meant

Aside- The part of an actor’s line supposedly not heard by others on the stage it intended only for the audiences

example: the main character steps aside and talks to the audiences

III. Questions: answer the following questions.

Scene 1:
1. According to Brutus, why is it is necessary that Caesar be killed?
Brutus is afraid that Caesar with abuse his power and turn his back on Rome
2. What actions does Lucius perform that help the plot unfold?
Lucius found a paper in Brutus’ study when he went to go light the candle

3. What is Brutus’s internal conflict?
He doesn’t want to kill Caesar, but he must for the good of Rome

4. Why does Brutus disagree about taking an oath?
Because he doesn’t think it is right for honorable men to take an oath on killing another

5. Why does Metellus think it would be a good idea to ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
The people trust Cicero because he is older and the people never question his judgment

6. Why does Brutus say they should not ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
He doesn’t trust him with the secret
7. What does Brutus say about killing Marc Antony?
There is no need to kill Marc Antony. He does not want to be a butcher, hacking off people but a sacrifice
8. What reason does Cassius give for why Caesar might not come out of his house today?
Caesar has become super studious by his dreams

9. By what method does Decius say he will use to get Caesar out of the house?
He is going to manipulate Caesar into coming to the capitol

10. Why is Portia, Brutus’s wife, worried about Brutus?
Because he doesn’t eat, sleep or talk to her anymore
11. How does she prove her strength to Brutus?
She cut herself
Scene 2:
12. Why does Calpurnia want Caesar to stay home?
She had a nightmare
13. Describe Calpurnia’s dream.
A lioness gave in the streets corpses come out of their graves fiery worries came from the clouds and drizzled blood on the capitol
14. How does Decius interpret the interpret Calpurnia’s dream?
That the spouting of blood from the structure a smiling Romans whishing signifies that Rome will revive Caesar
15. What arguments does Decius use to change Caesar’s mind about going to the Capitol?
By giving a positive interpretation of Calpurnai’s dream

Scene 3:
16. What does Artemidorus plan to do?
Warn Caesar with a latter telling him about the conspire
Scene 4:
17. Why is Portia so nervous?
She is worried about Brutus
18. What does Portia want Lucius to do?
go to the capitol and spy on Brutus and Caesar, then come back to her with news

19.What does the soothsayer tell Portia?
That he is going to try one more time to warn Caesar of what may happen to him