Julius Caesar: Act II Reading and Study Guide

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-to become smaller or thinner towards one end

tyranny- Arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power/ abuse of power

lest- used afterwards expressing fear or danger

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

anachronism-something that is not in its correct time period

Example: A sword in mordern warfare

complication- A complex combination of elements or things

personification- giving non humans human like triats

example: the flowers danced in the medow

irony- a meaning that is the opposite of its actual meaning


Example: sarcasm

I. dramatic irony- an outcome of evenst copntray to what was or might have been expected

Example: the audience or reader knows something someone else doesn't

II. situational irony- an outcome that turn out to be very different that might have been expected

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

aside- the part of an actors lines supposedly not hear by others on the stage.

example: the main character steps aside and talks to the audience
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 will 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 Burtus 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 circero, because he is older and the people never question his judgement

6. Why does Brutus say they should not ask Cicero to join the conspiracy?
-he doesn't trust him with his 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 superstitious by his dreams and his fortune, tellers will keep him at home.

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

10. Why is Portia, Brutus’s wife, worried about Brutus?
-because he doesn't eat, sleep or talk anymore
11. How does she prove her strength to Brutus?
-she tells him that she is his other half and argues with him for the truth


Scene 2:
12. Why does Calpurnia want Caesar to stay home?
-she has a nightmare
13. Describe Calpurnia’s dream.
-A lioness gave birth in the streets, corpses come out of their fraves fiery warriors 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 washing signifys that Rome will resieve Caesar.

15. What arguments does Decius use to change Caesar’s mind about going to the Capitol?
-he thinks that maybe her dream is a sign but he also thinks that she is foolish and he will be crowned

Scene 3:
16. What does Artemidorus plan to do?
-warn caesar with a letter telling him about the consfpiricy
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 him caesar of wat may happen to him