Act 3 Study Guide (Julius Caesar)

Julius Caesar: Act III Reading and Study Guide

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


vouchsafe (vouch-s f ): to grant or give, by favor, graciousness, or condescension.

conspiracy (k n-spîr -s): an evil, unlawful, treacherous or surreptituous plan formated in secret by two or more persons.


foe: a person who feels enimity, hatred, or macile toward another; enemy.

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

climax: the highest or most intense point in the developments or resolution of something.

allusion: a passing or casual reference; and incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.

imagery: mental images, figures, or likeliness of things.

verbal irony: in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant.

III. Questions: answer the following questions.

Scene 1:
1. What reason does Caesar give for not reading Artemidorus’s letter?
-He will serve his own needs last.
2. What Roles do the following characters play in the conspiracy?
Trebonius: He is the one who lures Antony away before they murder Caesar.
Metellus Cimber: Made a fake appeal to Caesar to let his banished brother into the city again.
Casca: He was supposed to stab Caesar in the heart by sneaking up behind him.
3. What is Caesar’s opinion of himself?
-He was unbreakable and powerful. He had the people falling for him and thought he could do anything.
4. What does “Et tu, Brute?” mean? How do these words relate to the theme of friendship in the play?
-You to Brutus.
5. Where does Caesar’s dead body lie? How is this ironic?
-He was laying infront of the statue of a man he defeated in battle. He died infront of a man he killed.
6. What does Brutus tell the conspirators to do after killing Caesar?
-To bathe their hands in Caesar's blood.
7. What promise does Brutus tell the servant to relay to Antony?
-Not to say anything bad about the conspirators at the funeral.
8. What does Antony say about the possibility of being killed by the conspirators?
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9. After being assured he is in no danger, what favor does Antony ask of the conspirators?
-To be able to make a speech at Caesar's funeral.
10. What does Cassius think about granting Antony this favor?
-Cassius is against it. He doesn't trust Antony.
11. What restrictions does Brutus set?
-Antony has to speak after Brutus, and not say anything bad about the conspirators.
12. Summarize Antony’s main points in his speech to Caesar’s body?
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13. Who is coming to Rome to meet with Antony?
-Octavius and Lepidus

Scene 2:
14. According to Brutus’s speech to the commoners, what reasons does he give for Caesar’s death?
-Caesar was ambitious.
15. What is the mood of the crowd as Brutus finishes his speech?
-They all believe that Caesar was a bad person, who wanted to become a dictator.
16. What does Brutus offer at the end of his speech?
-That he will kill himself if what he did was wrong.
17. List three points of Antony’s speech that work to persuade the crowd to turn on the conspirators.
-Caesar's will
-He refused the crown 3 times.
18. What reason does Antony give for why he cannot read Caesar’s will?
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19. What has Caesar bequeathed the Romans in his will?
-He left them land and money.
20. How does the crowd react to Antony’s speech?
-They are outraged and start an angry mob.

Scene 3:
21. What happens to Cinna the Poet? Why?
-She was killed. Because they were upset and just because his name was Cinna, they wanted him dead.