final response prompts
Directions: Please choose one prompt from each category listed below. Answer each prompt in complete and detailed responses. Your responses must be written in 3rd person and should be AT LEAST a full, complete paragraph. For each response, you must incorporate TWO specific examples from the play to support your statements.
Category 1: Analyzing Character
1. Who is the main character in the play?
2. Who is the most tragic character in the play?
3. Name three qualities of Antony's that help his cause in his attempts to avenge Caesar, and give examples of them in his words and deeds.
4. Identify the qualities of a good leader and explain what character (if any) from the the play exhibits those qualities. If you can't identify a good leader, discuss the leadership shortcomings of three main characters.
Category 2: Determining a Theme or Central Idea of the Play
1. Many of the "big ideas" in Julius Caesar revolve around pride, power, ambition, and manipulation. Develop a theme statement about one of these ideas and explain how this theme is developed in the play.
2. Explain how the role of friendship is important throughout the play.
3. At the end of the play, Antony refers to Brutus as "the nobles Roman of them all." Explain how Antony's assessment is either correct or misguided.
4. In the play, how true is the statement: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"? Explain with examples from the play.
Category 1: Analyzing Character
1. Who is the main character in the play?
2. Who is the most tragic character in the play?
3. Name three qualities of Antony's that help his cause in his attempts to avenge Caesar, and give examples of them in his words and deeds.
4. Identify the qualities of a good leader and explain what character (if any) from the the play exhibits those qualities. If you can't identify a good leader, discuss the leadership shortcomings of three main characters.
Category 2: Determining a Theme or Central Idea of the Play
1. Many of the "big ideas" in Julius Caesar revolve around pride, power, ambition, and manipulation. Develop a theme statement about one of these ideas and explain how this theme is developed in the play.
2. Explain how the role of friendship is important throughout the play.
3. At the end of the play, Antony refers to Brutus as "the nobles Roman of them all." Explain how Antony's assessment is either correct or misguided.
4. In the play, how true is the statement: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"? Explain with examples from the play.
Julius caesar background webquest
Brutus vs. antony: Rhetorical analysis
BRUTUS
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:– Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. |
ANTONY
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answered it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest -- For Brutus is an honorable man; So are they all, all honorable men -- Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor had cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honorable man. I spake not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason! Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, pause till it come back to me. |
Study guides
caesar act ii extra scenes
In order to gain a better understanding of our characters, you and a small group will fill in the missing pieces of a key scene in Act 2 or imagine a different course of events. Choose one of the options below.
1. Portia and Calpurnia are the only two females in this play and both are unfairly ignored by their more powerful husbands. Imagine that Portia and Calpurnia meet during Act 2 before Scene 4 begins. Write a scene, 3.5, in which Portia and Calpurnia discuss their feelings about the portentous signs, the Ideas of March, their relationships with their husbands, and the powerlessness of being a woman in Ancient Rome. Include accurate details from Act 2 and a sense of Shakespearean voice.
2. We know that Artemidorus has learned of the plot and plans to tell Caesar. Imagine that the conspirators discover what Artemidorus is going to do before he speaks to Caesar. The conspirators would not wish to kill Artemidorus, just as they do not plan to kill Antony, because they are supposed to be fighting for their noble and just ideals. Therefore, write a scene in which the conspirators try to sway Artemidorus to join their side.
3. At the beginning of Act 2, Brutus discovers the fake letters Cassius has written in order to help persuade Brutus to join the conspirators. Write the letter that Lucius discovers and delivers to Brutus. Make sure the language you use is persuasive and includes a sense of Shakespearean voice.
4. At the end of Act 2, scene 1 Brutus decides to tell Portia his secret about the conspiracy; however, the act of Brutus revealing this to his wife happens off stage. Write the scene between Brutus and Portia in which he reveals the plan to kill Caesar. Make sure you include details about Portia’s reaction to the news.
Now, put on your acting hats! Your group will film your added scene and present it to the class. See the rubric on the back for requirements.
1. Portia and Calpurnia are the only two females in this play and both are unfairly ignored by their more powerful husbands. Imagine that Portia and Calpurnia meet during Act 2 before Scene 4 begins. Write a scene, 3.5, in which Portia and Calpurnia discuss their feelings about the portentous signs, the Ideas of March, their relationships with their husbands, and the powerlessness of being a woman in Ancient Rome. Include accurate details from Act 2 and a sense of Shakespearean voice.
2. We know that Artemidorus has learned of the plot and plans to tell Caesar. Imagine that the conspirators discover what Artemidorus is going to do before he speaks to Caesar. The conspirators would not wish to kill Artemidorus, just as they do not plan to kill Antony, because they are supposed to be fighting for their noble and just ideals. Therefore, write a scene in which the conspirators try to sway Artemidorus to join their side.
3. At the beginning of Act 2, Brutus discovers the fake letters Cassius has written in order to help persuade Brutus to join the conspirators. Write the letter that Lucius discovers and delivers to Brutus. Make sure the language you use is persuasive and includes a sense of Shakespearean voice.
4. At the end of Act 2, scene 1 Brutus decides to tell Portia his secret about the conspiracy; however, the act of Brutus revealing this to his wife happens off stage. Write the scene between Brutus and Portia in which he reveals the plan to kill Caesar. Make sure you include details about Portia’s reaction to the news.
Now, put on your acting hats! Your group will film your added scene and present it to the class. See the rubric on the back for requirements.
did you miss class? need extra help? click here for no fear shakespeare!
No Fear Shakespeare will provide you with the full text of the play accompanied by the modern translation. You will also find character, theme, and symbol analysis as well as summary videos. If you miss class, please use this resource to catch up on the reading!