Julius Caesar

Close Reading Unit

Initial Reading Quizzes:

First 5 pages Act I - Act V, 12 items each

Sixth page Answer Keys

Study Guides:

All Acts pages 1-31

Answer Keys with Explanatory Notes pages 31-58

Study Guide Generic Answer Sheets pages 59-60

Tests Based on Study Guides:

All Acts pages 61-75

Test Answer Sheets page76

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Quiz Julius Caesar Act III

1. (T-F) By the beginning of this act, most Romans already know of the assassination plot.

2. Who shows the most fear that the assassination plans will be made known to Caesar and

stopped? A. Cinna B. Artemidorus C. Brutus D. Cassius E. Calpurnia

3. The last to stab Caesar is

A. Cinna B. Artemidorus C. Brutus D. Cassius E. Casca

4. (T-F) Calpurnia's dream of Caesar's blood comes true, but not the part about men washing

their hands in it.

5. This character is most mistrustful of Antony:

A. Decius B. Trebonius C. Brutus D. Cassius E. Casca

6. This character shows Antony the most trust:

A. Decius B. Trebonius C. Brutus D. Cassius E. Casca

7. (T-F) Brutus tells the crowd that he hated Caesar for his crimes against Rome.

8. Brutus says he killed because he loved

A. Rome B. Portia C. the citizens D. honor E. democracy

9. Brutus tells the Romans that he killed Caesar because of the man's

A. greed B. decision to abolish democracy C. hatred of Rome D. crimes E. ambition

10. After Brutus speaks to the Romans, the crowd wants him

A. killed B. crowned emperor C. arrested D. banished E. to wait until Antony speaks

11. (T-F) When Antony begins his speech, the crowd sees him as an enemy.

12. (T-F) When Antony concludes his speech, the crowd sees Brutus and the other conspirators as

enemies.

ANSWERS:

1. ____

2. ____

3. ____

4. ____

5. ____

6. ____

7. ____

8. ____

9. ____

10. ____

11. ____

12. ____

ACT I

ANSWERS:

1. F

2. F

3. F

4. F

5. E

6. D

7. D

8. F

9. T

10. T

11. F

12. B

ACT II

ANSWERS:

1. T

2. F

3. C

4. T

5. T

6. D

7. D

8. T

9. A

10. F

11. C

12. B

ACT III

ANSWERS:

1. F

2. D

3. C

4. F

5. D

6. C

7. F

8. A

9. E

10. B

11. T

12. T

ACT IV

ANSWERS:

1. E

2. F

3. F

4. D

5. T

6. T

7. C

8. F

9. A

10. B

11. E

12. F

ACT V

ANSWERS:

1. F

2. T

3. C

4. D

5. B

6. D

7. A

8. B

9. T

10. T

11. F

12. F

Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare

A Close Reading Study

Act I (168 questions) Page 2

Act II (144 questions) Page 10

Act III (146 questions) Page 17

Act IV (85 questions) Page 23

Act V (82 questions) Page 27

Answer Keys Pages 31-59

The original purchaser of this document is granted permission to edit, alter, and/or copy it for teaching

purposes only. If you are NOT the original purchaser, please download the item from my store before

making any copies. Redistributing, editing, selling, or posting this item or any part thereof on the Internet

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Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare

Close Reading Study Guide

Note: Many of these questions are best addressed from a perspective you obtain only by finishing an entire act or at

least several scenes. So read well ahead before you begin answering these questions! You will be best prepared

if you are a full act or two ahead in your reading. As you read, constantly formulate questions of your own

regarding the events, characters, conflicts, and places. You don’t need to answer every question you pose, but

you must get accustomed to focusing your attention on the details of your reading. Developing those questions

is one of the best ways to begin doing so.

AS 31 (to be read, “Act III, Scene 1”)

1. Three men greet Caesar. Each has a request or message. One of these "suits" has been written by

Artemidorus. The Soothsayer has another; he wants a moment with Caesar to "beseech him to befriend

himself." We know of his intent from the previous scene. Who has written a third suit?

2. Artemidorus says his suit "touches Caesar nearer." His meaning is that the topic of the message is of

personal interest to Caesar. What does Caesar intend to do with the message?

3. Speculate as to why Caesar publicly deals with Artemidorus's message in this manner.

4. Caesar asks if "the fellow" is mad. Speculate as to who "the fellow" is.

5. Two of those accompanying Caesar attempt to dissuade the suitors. They only do so after Caesar calls

attention to them. What question does he ask in calling attention to them?

6. Cassius is one of the two who scold the suitor or suitors. Who is the other?

7. How does Popilius strike fear into Cassius?

8. What occurs to confirm that Cassius is indeed fearful?

9. What does Cassius fear?

10. Speculate as to what "enterprise" (meaning "planned action") Popilius might be referring, other than the

assassination.

11. Brutus advises Cassius to watch closely what transpires as Popilius speaks with Caesar. Nothing disturbs

their plans to proceed. Read very carefully between this passage and the striking down of Caesar by the

conspirators. Casca clearly has a special role in the assassination. What is Casca's role?

12. What part has been planned for Trebonius in the plot?

13. What part does Metellus Cimber play in the plot?

14. Who, according to Caesar, has been banished?

15. Caesar actually commits a violent act against Metellus. In his own words, he treats him "like a cur" - or

dog. What does Caesar do to Metellus?

16. Explain very briefly (eight words or less) what the conspirators have planned to do in order to shock

Caesar into distraction.

17. It appears that Brutus has a very special role. He provides the signal, and a final distraction to Caesar,

which initiates the actual killing. How does Brutus signal the moment when the killing is to occur?

18. Just before that moment, Caesar makes some claims about his character. At one point he says, "I am

constant as the Northern Star," meaning, he is unwavering in his judgment and commitments to act. Name

one event to show that this claim is a lie.

19. Speculate on how one might attempt to defend Caesar's claim that he is, in fact, "constant" after all.

20. The conspirators attack. Who is first to attack?

21. Does any evidence so far suggest that some of the conspirators might take special pleasure in killing

Caesar?

22. Caesar remains standing through the attacks by the various conspirators. What in the dialogue makes it

clear that Caesar does not fall until after Brutus's attack?

23. Two of the characters want to spread news of the assassination immediately. In modern terms, they want

to issue "sound bites" to the crowd and "put their spin" on the event. Why do they wish to do so?

24. What is "enfranchisement"?

25. Who stops those two characters from running out and spreading the news?

26. Why does he stop them?

27. Who advises them all to prepare themselves from attacks by Caesar's friends?

28. Brutus interrupts this person in the middle of his speech. He is unable to complete his statement. Speculate

as to how he might have completed it if he were given the opportunity.

29. "Talk not of standing," says Brutus. What does he mean by that remark?

30. Just before Trebonius re-enters the stage, Brutus indicates awareness that the mob could at any time turn

on them and avenge Caesar's death. He makes that point clear in his instructions to Publius. How does

Brutus make that clear?

31. What does Publius say?

32. After Trebonius enters and speaks, Brutus makes a philosophical comment on life and death. Why does he

make this remark right after Trebonius's comments?

33. Brutus and Cassius then have a philosophical exchange. Cassius agrees with Brutus, offering his own

argument. Does Brutus agree with Cassius's argument?

34. When Brutus says, "... [W]e are Caesar's friends," does he mean those words literally, or is he speaking

sarcastically?

35. Brutus instructs the others to spread Caesar's blood on their hands, arms, and swords. He tells them they

will now go out and deliver the "sound bite" and "spin" their story to the crowd. (See item #21 above.) He

tells them what to shout. What word does he leave out of that "sound bite"?

36. Cassius and Brutus next discuss the fact that their actions will be portrayed in dramatic performances for

many ages afterward. Is Cassius's opinion of that fact positive or negative?

37. What does Cassius believe people will say about the assassination?

38. What does Brutus believe will be portrayed inappropriately in future dramatic performances of their

actions?

39. How does Cassius hope to be portrayed in those performances?

40. Speculate: Was Brutus right? Does Shakespeare's play portray events inappropriately, as Brutus fears?

41. Speculate: Is Cassius remembered as he hopes in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

42. Antony's servant enters. At first, he kneels. Then he offers another gesture of surrender. What is that other

gesture?

43. Antony's message, as delivered by the servant, does not sound very much like a commitment to Caesar or

Brutus. Instead of defending his honor, or Brutus's, or Caesar's, Antony seems mostly concerned with

saving his own life. To do so, Antony is willing to make a major change. What change does Antony offer

to make for Brutus?

44. What information does Antony hope to obtain from Brutus in a personal conversation with him?

45. What promise does Brutus instruct the messenger to give Antony?

46. Cassius discusses the message with Brutus. Considering the circumstances, particularly the nature of the

message itself, speculate as to why Cassius is uncomfortable about permitting Antony to live.

47. Does Cassius tend to believe in the general goodness of most people, or is he more inclined to believe they

are evil?

48. Does Brutus prefer to show Antony trust, or does he decide to greet him with suspicion?

49. Does Brutus tend to believe in the general goodness of most people, or is he more inclined to believe they

are evil?

50. Shakespeare also appears to be taking a position on this issue. Speculate as to whose beliefs about human

nature are more accurate from Shakespeare's point of view, Cassius's or Brutus's. Is it possible that

Shakespeare rejects both?

51. Just before Antony comes on stage, Cassius delivers a speech. He still would rather see Antony

assassinated as well as Caesar. A director might instruct the actor playing his part to reach for his dagger

as he speaks. Speculate: At what word during that speech would the actor be instructed to reach for his

dagger?

52. Does Brutus greet Mark Antony as he enters the stage?

53. As he enters, does Antony greet Brutus?

54. Does Antony tell the Conspirators that he found fault in Caesar?

55. After Antony praises Caesar and says goodbye to him, he invites the conspirators to act. What does he

invite them to do?

56. When Antony invites them to "fulfill [their] pleasure," he is making a thinly veiled attack on their

character. What cruel accusation is he making about their character?

57. Speculate: Does Antony expect the conspirators to do as he asks at this point?

58. Brutus explains their crime by speaking of "pity." Speculate as to what he means to accomplish by saying

that it was "pity" that killed Caesar.

59. At the end of that same speech, Brutus speaks reassuring words to Antony. Formulate a brief argument as

to why those words might be considered a lie.

60. Cassius then adds his reassurance. In it, he shows that he has made a mistaken assumption about Mark

Antony's main concerns. What is Cassius's mistaken assumption?

61. Read again to the end of the scene and then answer this question: What actually is Antony's main concern

from the moment he enters the presence of Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators?

62. Brutus promises Antony that he will explain why he conspired to kill Caesar, but he will do so only after

he has "appeased" someone. Whom must he "appease"?

63. To "appease" means to calm down for the time being rather than to explain as one might to a worthy

friend. Brutus's here seems to be promising that he will explain the circumstances to Antony afterward in a

much more careful way. Why is his purpose of "appeasement" out of character for one who claims to be as

honorable as Brutus?

64. After Antony shakes hands with the conspirators, he tells them they might define him by applying one of

two labels. What are those labels?

65. Speculate as to which of the two labels fits more appropriately, or find a better one if you can.

66. Next, Antony speaks to Caesar's spirit, apologizing for shaking hands with his killers. At the end of the

speech, which is really a conceit comparing the killing to a hunt, he compares Caesar to a slain animal.

What is the animal?

67. Antony uses a pun to suggest Caesar was much more than just prey in a hunt, but the most vital part of the

world. What two words does Antony use in his pun?

68. Cassius doesn't like the way Antony carries on about making the assassination look like a slaughter. He

demands to know the answer to one question from Antony. What is Cassius's question?

69. What is Antony's answer?

70. Brutus again promises that he will explain the reasons why Caesar needed to be killed. Does Brutus

supply those reasons now?

71. What request, regarding Caesar's funeral, does Antony now offer?

72. Does Brutus agree to Antony's request?

73. Who raises objections regarding Brutus's response to Antony's request?

74. Explain why Brutus thinks his decision will be more to their advantage than a danger to them.

75. Explain why Brutus's reasoning on this point is out of character for one as honorable as he professes to be.

76. What does Brutus forbid Antony to say in his funeral speech?

77. After the others exit the stage, and in his monologue with Caesar's body, Antony reveals that he has been

hiding a very different state of mind than he showed the conspirators. Name at least two details from his

speech that clearly indicate the truth of his state of mind.

78. What promise of revenge does Antony give to Caesar's body?

79. A messenger enters and Antony converses with him. Whom had Caesar invited to Rome in a letter?

80. What does Antony advise this person to do?

81. What reason does Antony give for his advice?

82. In the last six lines or so of the scene, Antony reveals that he is not certain what he will say yet to the

crowd. What does he plan to do during his speech before he decides exactly what to say?

Many versions of the play are available online and as downloadable copies.

Here is a useful annotated and reiterated version:

http://www.enotes.com/julius-caesar-text/

Here is a source of some good background info:

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/

ANSWERS:

AS 31

1. Trebonius (delivered by Decius)

2. will attend to it last

3. makes Caesar appear unselfish, more interested in serving others; will serve himself last

4. Trebonius, Soothsayer, Artemidorus (director's choice - Any one of them might be so insistent as to be

clutching at Caesar)

5. is he mad? (probably concerning Artemidorus, although another of the characters playing the roles of

suitors could be directed to jostle Caesar, provoking the question)

6. Publius

7. wishes luck to Cassius in his "enterprise"

8. tells Brutus of his fear

9. their conspiracy has been discovered

10. crowning of Caesar; crowning of someone other than Caesar; deposing of Caesar, without killing him;

proffering of "a suit that Caesar will not grant"; normal business of the senate [Popilius may be referring

to the assassination, but it is not clear that he knows of it. All sorts of distorted rumors may be floating

about. It is clear, however, that most Romans are taken by surprise with the killing.]

11. first to strike

12. distract Antony

13. offer a suit for the pardoning of his brother's crime

14. Publius Cimber, Metellus's brother

15. kicks him

16. deliver "a suit that Caesar will not grant" [Portia's words, AS 24]

17. kneels to Caesar

18. was very disturbed about his wife's dream; has worried greatly about the "ides of March," has changed his

mind several times about going to the Senate on this day

19. Despite fears and danger, he has pursued a consistent course of action.

20. Casca

21. yes, definitely; Caesar has banished the brother of one of them and kicked him for begging mercy. Caesar

has boasted about his personal perfection. Cassius despises Caesar personally for his past attitudes and

behavior.

22. Caesar utters the word, "fall, Caesar."

23. afraid of being killed by Caesar's friends; want the assassination to appear justified

24. power, the right to vote, the right to influence what happens in government [Enfranchisement seemed to

be disappearing under Caesar.]

25. Brutus

26. They would appear to be afraid if they did so. Brutus doesn't want that. He wants to appear confident and

in control.

27. Metellus

28. ... see us here over Caesar's body

29. Don't provoke conflict by appearing to prepare for it.

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Have kids answer all questions. Select a limited number to

correct. (I've selected twelve here. I've made my own answer

sheet - next page.) Glance at their responses to other questions.

Make certain they don't mention ridiculous things like Ford

trucks or Improvised Explosive Devices. Kids will be working

hard doing close reading the first few times you try this. They

will get better at it. Eventually, they will be finishing these in a

fraction of the time. They will begin reading more closely

because it will make their work far easier. Now, that is a

LIFE LESSON!

Notice that I've provided EXTREMELY SHORT

ANSWERS! This is not a writing activity. Keep it focused on

the activity of READING, not writing. Have them write on

the tests later.

I'm slow. It takes me a while to correct these,

perhaps TWELVE SECONDS per student.

You probably can move a little faster than that.

Examine the questions. See if you're not doing these things:

1. Teaching many, many Common Core Standards.

2. Assessing progress in the learning of many, many Common

Core Standards.

3. Producing documentation that you are instructing and

assessing many, many Common Core Standards.

THE GRUELING, MISERABLE, HARDEST PART IS DONE

FOR YOU. THIS PART IS EASY AND FUN! Kids will thank

you for directing their attention and forcing them to practice

close reading skills. You can use the study guides for MANY

group activities, writing groups, speeches. You name it.