Act III Discussion Questions Julius caesar Act III Discussion Questions

What to look for The settings of each of scene. The characters in each scene. Popilius Publius Conspirators Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus Cimber, Trebonius, Cinna

What to look for continued How does the murder unfold. Mark Antony’s role after the murder. Foil characters: Brutus and Cassius. Octavius Caesar Brutus’ Speech vs. Antony’s Speech The Plebeians of Rome. Tragic Hero of the play. Turning point of the play.

Act Iii characters Conspirators Others Roman Plebeians Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna. Others Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, Artemidorus, Publius, Popilius, Soothsayer, Cinna the Poet. Roman Plebeians

Scene I summary At the Capital. Artemidorus pleads with Caesar to read his letter first. Caesar refuses due to the fact that it has to do with him personally. He puts Rome first. Senator Popilius wishes Cassius and Brutus good luck in today’s enterprise. Trebonius lures Marck Antony away. Metellus makes a plea to Caesar for his banished brother. The other conspirators join in (they want to surround to Caesar). Caesar refuses to be swayed, comparing himself to the North Star.

Scene i summary “Et tu Brut? Then fall Caesar!” “Ambition’s debt is paid.” “Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life cuts off so many years of fearing death.” Brutus calls everyone to wash their hands and swords in Caesar’s blood (reminiscent of Calphurnia’s dream). Antony sends his servant to make a request of Brutus.

Scene I summary Cassius declares that this bloodbath will go down in history. Brutus tells Antony’s servant that he will be safe, Cassius is not pleased. Antony makes a scene over Caesar’s body, and worries aloud who is next to die. Brutus assures Antony that only Caesar had to die. Antony is promised an explanation of Caesar’s death after Brutus addresses the crowd. Antony asks to prepare the body for the funeral. He also asks to speak at the funeral. Brutus decides he will speak first, and tells Antony not to speak of Caesar’s death, but of his life. Antony gives a soliloquy stating he plans to incite a riot.

Scene II Brutus’ Speech Ernest, honest, simple. Does anyone love Caesar more than I did? He did not rise against Caesar for lack of love for him, but for his great love of Rome. To let Caesar live would be submitting to slavery. He would turn the same dagger upon himself if Rome ever needed him to. The crowd is so happy with Brutus that there are calls to give him his own statue and make him the “new Caesar.”

Scene ii Mark Antony’s Speech Arrives with Caesar’s body. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not praise him.” Subtly insists that Caesar was killed wrongfully. Ambition Loved his people, brought money to the country, wept with the poor, refused the crown 3 times. Reverse psychology…I can not read you Caesar’s will. Caesar left the Roman people with money and recreational parks.

Scene ii conclusion The angry mob has decided to kill the conspirators and burn their homes down with the same fire used to bury Caesar. Brutus and Cassius have fled Rome. Octavius and Lepidus have arrived at home.

Scene iii The Poet Cinna is met by the angry mob of Romans. He is murdered for being a conspirator.

Important themes Foil Characters: Cassius vs. Brutus The Roman Plebeians. Tragic Hero Caesar or Brutus Turning Point of the Play Caesar’s Death or Antony’s Speech.

Important quotes “O Caesar, read mine first; for mine’s a suit that touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar.” “Trebonius knows his time; for look you, Brutus, he draws Mark Antony out of the way.” “Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!”

Important quotes continued “Brutus, a word with you. You know not what you do; do not consent that Antony speak in his funeral. Know you how much the people may be moved by that which he will utter?” “O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, that ii am meek and gentle with these butchers! Thou art the ruins of the nobles man that ever lived in the tide of times.”