Julius Caesar Act I: Post Reading Questions

Act I Scene 1

1. In talking with the tribunes do the commoners show:

  1. a cringing fear
  2. a scornful contempt
  3. a good-natured desire to annoy the officials?

2. With which group of people do you sympathize- the commoners or the tribunes? Why?

3. Would you say Shakespeare’s main purpose of the scene was :

  1. to provide a touch of humour for the beginning of the play
  2. to foreshadow a serious conflict
  3. to introduce the main characters?

Act I Scene 2

1. As the scene begins ,

  1. What attitude do various characters seem to take toward Caesar?
  2. What physical weaknesses of Caesar are revealed later in the scene? How is each one brought out?
  3. Does Cesar show any signs of being superstitious?
  4. How good is he at sizing up individuals?
  5. Of  the men around him, which could he safely trust?
  6. How do we know the common people of Rome loved and idolized him

2. What ideas does Cassius develop that would be  most likely  to influence Brutus?

3. Does Casca , later on,help or hinder Cassius  in influencing Brutus? How?

4. What is the conflict that was foreshadowed in Scene I and that is now taking more definite form?

5. On which side do you think Brutus will decide to be?

Act I Scene 3

1. What subject is bothering Casca , when he first encounters Cassius?

2.How does Cassius cleverly turn the conversation to the subject that he considers most important?

3. Why does Cassius  Think the Roman People themselves are responsible for Caesar’s growing ambition?

4. How does Cassius plan to use Cinna in advancing the conspirators’ plan?

5. Why are he and the others so eager to have Brutus join them?Quote atleast three passages that show the conspirators’ opinion of Brutus.

One thought on “Julius Caesar Act I: Post Reading Questions

  1. Ans1 : The tribunes accost a group of commoners and ask them to name their trades and to explain their absence from work. The cobbler answers them that he and the other commoners have gathered to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph over Pompey. Marullus accuses the them of forgetting that they are desecrating the great Pompey, whose triumphs they once cheered so enthusiastically. He upbraids them for wanting to honor the man who is celebrating a victory in battle over Pompey’s sons, and he commands them to return to their homes to ask forgiveness of the gods for their offensive ingratitude. He reminded them of the days when they use to gather to watch and cheer for Pompey’s triumphant and now due to mere twist of fate they rust out to celebrate his downfall. Flavius orders them to assemble all the commoners they can and take them to the banks of the Tiber and fill it with their tears of remorse for the dishonor they have shown Pompey. This scene highlights the disloyalty and fickle nature of the public’s devotion.

    Ans 2: I sympathize with the group of tribunes. Although the play opens with Flavius and Murellus noting the fickle nature of the public’s devotion. The crowd now celebrated Caesar’s defeat of Pompey when once it celebrated Pompey’s victories. They ordered them to assemble together and go to the banks of the Tiber and ask for forgiveness. Despite being right Flavius and Murellus are later punished for removing the decorations from Caesar’s statues.

    Ans 3 : Shakespeare made it clear that the struggle for power will involve a battle among the leaders to win public favor with displays of bravery and convincing rhetorics

Leave a Reply


WordPress.com Logo


Twitter picture


Facebook photo


Google+ photo


Connecting to %s