Julius Caesar - Theme Questions

1. The qualities of a good leader is one of the play's important themes. To explore this theme, students can do one or more of the following:

• Discuss the qualities possessed by a good leader. Generate a list of these qualities
Qualities of a good leader:
• Task-oriented
• Honest (actions)
• Charismatic
• Able to take control
• Serious
• Spokesman
• Reliable
• Self-sacrificing (people first)
• Intelligent
• Foreign policy
• Not greedy
• Equality for all (treatment)
• Think before acting
• Prioritize issues
• Out of the box

• Make a list of the leadership qualities that the class feels are legitimate. Compare and contrast the two lists and compile one list of leadership qualities that the class feels a good leader should have. Prioritize the list.

• Examine the effect a leader's domestic relationships, physical condition, and/or athletic ability may have on his or her leadership abilities. 


2. Friendship is another major theme in the play. Explore this theme by answering the following questions:

• How far would you go to stop a friend from harming your country?
I would take it in a way that if my friend were harming my country, he or she would not be my friend to begin with. Like anyone, it would be hard to go against any of your friends, but sometimes you have to do what is right to save the many lives of others.
• How far would you go to obtain revenge on someone or some group who destroyed your best friend?
If my friend was as close as family with his or her life impacting mine as well, I would do what it took to make that person feel the pain that I would have. I probably would not kill for religious reasons, but I would go far to an extent. The people in my life make me who I am, and if my best friend was destroyed, then I would be, too.
• Is there anything for which you would betray a friend?
Yes, most likely for harming anyone in my family or for love. If someone or something destroys anything that hits close to home, then there would definitely be revenge.
• Which is more important to you, friendship or personal principles? Why?
I would go for personal principals, but I believe that friendship is more important. Through friendship, you can possibly learn some of your own personal principles, such as being able to forgive, compromise, and be honest. Through friendship, you can learn a lot about yourself that you did not know in the past and become a better person by making personal principles due to that friendship.

3. One of the most sensitive issues in the play is suicide. Research attitudes toward suicide held by the following cultures: ancient Roman, modern Japanese, and modern American. Compare and contrast these attitudes in class presentations or in written essays.
In ancient Rome, suicide was often used for execution where you either choose to commit suicide or have a secondary option, which was usually torture. It was considered honorable and it was the ultimate sacrifice where you either died for God or for your country. You would never surrender to your opponent either. In modern Japan, a type of suicide, known as Seppuku, is seen frequently to end shame (such as losing a job, etc.). In the past, the Seppuku ritual was seen as honor towards the samurais. Like ancient rome, suicide was seen as honorable, an ultimate sacrifice to die for God or your country and to never surrender to your opponent. In modern America, suicides occur because of depression or possessing a mental disorder. It may also be for freedom, love, and to relieve stress and confusion. In modern America, suicide is not seen as honorable because it questions the persons' morality and sanity. From the Bible, people who commit suicide in America would be considered as being sinful and eventually lead to going to Hell.

4. The role of fate and superstition is another theme.
• To what extent can we control the future?
We can control parts of our future due to our actions in the present, but because our world is a difficult place, our actions in the present can change what we expect to occur in the future. We do have control over our future, but I believe that God, due to predetermination, has the overall control towards the end of our life.
• How superstitious are you? Do you have any good luck rituals that you perform before important occasions?
I do not consider myself to be superstitious, but I sometimes do pray before I do anything that is important like tests or making decisions hoping that I pass or that the decision goes as I planned.
• Do you watch for omens before important events?
At times, I would try to find signs to see if an event would end up a success or a failure. Usually if I have an important event in my life and I find the first sign of bad luck or if things do not go as planned, then it almost always ends up ruining the rest of the event.
• Do you read your horoscope every day, and do you follow its advice?
Because of my religion, I am not supposed to be reading the horoscope, but I do for my own curiousity. Occasionally, I read my horoscope at the end of the day to see if it was actually true, and sometimes it is, but I do not believe in horoscopes. I basically just read my horoscope for amusement.

Julius Caesar Review Questions

JOURNAL DUE AT THE END OF THE PLAY-DEBATE
1. Consider the question: Are the conspirators justified in killing Caesar?
• Divide the class into two groups. Individuals in each group will keep journals during the course of their reading.
Group one will look for evidence supporting the conspirators' actions. For example:
Caesar's physical limitations (I ii 95-131)
Why should Caesar be king? (I.ii. 135-141)
The fate of Marullus and Flavius (I.ii. 281-287)
Brutus's reasons for killing Caesar (I.i. 10-34)
Group two will look for evidence refuting the conspirators' actions. For example:
Caesar refuses the crown (I. ii. 220-246)
Caesar's will (III.ii. 240-244 and 249-254)
• At the end of Caesar's speech (III. i. 58-73), have students vote to decide if he should be assassinated. Have them
defend their votes in a short essay.
2. Consider the question: What are the qualities of a good leader? Divide the class into two groups. Individuals in each group
will keep journals during the course of their reading. Group one will look for evidence documenting the leadership
qualities displayed by Caesar and the weaknesses of Brutus as a leader. For example:
• Caesar's strengths as a leader:
An able general (I.i. 32-24)
A shrewd judge of people (I.ii. 192-195 and 198-210)
• Brutus's weaknesses as a leader:
Not a shrewd judge of people (I.ii. 307-322)
Rigid ethics (IV.iii. 65-83)
Group two will look for evidence documenting the leadership qualities displayed by Brutus and the weaknesses of Caesar
as a leader. For example:
• Brutus's strengths as a leader:
Puts the good of the country ahead of his own feelings (II.i. 10-34)
Inspires loyalty (V.v. 68-75)
• Caesar's weaknesses as a leader:
Susceptible to flattery (II. ii. 83-90)
Excessive pride (III. i. 59-73)



Study Guide Questions- Due at the End of each Act
ACT I, SCENE II.
4. Why does Caesar want Calphurnia to stand in Antony's path during the race in honor of the feast of Lupercal?
5. What is Antony's response to Caesar's instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?
6. What is Caesar's reaction to the soothsayer's warning?
7. What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus's behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint?
8. Cassius's story attacks what aspect of Caesar's makeup? What is this attack supposed to say to Brutus?
9. What does Cassius mean by the following statement? “ 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar.' “(147)
10. How does Brutus respond to Cassius's attack on Caesar?
11. What astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius?
12. What faults does Caesar see in Cassius's nature?
13. What does Caesar mean by the following statement? “I rather tell thee what is to be feared/Than what I fear; for always
I am Caesar.” (211-12)
14. What does this statement show about Caesar's nature?
15. What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does Casca tell us by the personal remarks he adds to the story?
16. How did the people react to Caesar's fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar?
17. What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
18. At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause?

ACT I, SCENE III.
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19. What wonderous things has Casca seen on this night?
20. What reason does Cassius give for the terrible storm?
21. What important news does Casca give Cassius about the Senate's plan?
22. What does Casius mean by the following statement? “He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.”(106)
23. What instructions does Cassius give Cinna that will help sway Brutus to their cause?
24. What reason does Casca give for wanting Brutus to join their cause?

ACT II, SCENE I.
25. What question is Brutus pondering at the opening of the scene?
26. For what information does Brutus want Lucius to look at a calendar? What is the significance of what Lucius finds?
27. Why do the conspirators want Cicero to join them?
28. Why does Brutus reject Cicero? What is Cassius's reaction and what does this show about his and Brutus's relationship?
29. What do the conspirators plan to do the next day?
30. How does Decius say he will make sure that Caesar will come to the Capitol?
31. What has Portia done to show Brutus that she is worthy of knowing his secrets?

ACT II, SCENE II.
32. What strange and horrible things does Calphurnia report to Caesar that have been seen that night?
33. What does Calphurnia mean by the following statement?
“When beggars die, there are no comets seen;/The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”(30-31)
34. How does Decius convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?

ACT II, SCENE III.
35. What is Artemidorus's plan?

ACT II, SCENE IV.
36. Why is Portia so nervous and upset? On what errand does she send Lucius?

ACT III, SCENE I.
37. In regard to Artemidorus's request, how does Caesar's nobility doom him?
38. What is Metellus Cimber's petition to Caesar? What is Caesar's response and why does he give this response?
39. What does Brutus instruct the conspirators to do before they go before the public? Why does he instruct them to do this?
40. What request does Antony's servant bring to Brutus? What is Brutus's response?
41. Why does Cassius object to letting Antony speak at Caesar's funeral? What reassurance does Brutus give him?
42. What promise does Antony give Brutus about his funeral speech?
43. After being left alone with Caesar's body, what does Antony promise to do?
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ACT III, SCENE II.
44. What reason does Brutus give for murdering Caesar? What is the crowd's reaction?
45. What final mistake does Brutus make in letting Antony speak?
46. Why does Antony read Caesar's will to the people?
47. At the end of the scene, what are the fates of Brutus and Cassius?

ACT III, SCENE III.
48. What is the significance of this scene?

ACT IV, SCENE I.
49. What are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus doing at the opening of the scene?
50. Why do they want Caesar's will? What is ironic about this?
51. What is Antony's plan for Lepidus? What is his reason?

ACT IV, SCENE II.
52. What does Brutus tell Lucilius about dying love?
53. What practical instructions does Brutus give Cassius about their disagreement? What is unusual about this?

ACT IV, SCENE III.
54. What wrong does Cassius say Brutus has done him?
55. In response, what does Brutus condemn Cassius for doing?
56. What does Cassius threaten to do if Brutus continues to “urge” him?
57. According to Brutus, how has Cassius wronged him? What is ironic about Brutus's accusation?
58. To prove that he has been wronged, what does Cassius tell Brutus to do to him?
59. What is the real reason for Brutus's ill temper? Give all of the details.
60. Messala brings what ill news of the triumvirate's actions in Rome?
61. What reasons does Cassius give for not going directly to Philippi?
62. What reasons does Brutus give for going directly to Philippi? Who prevails?
63. What happens to make Brutus speed up his plans to go to Philippi?

ACT V, SCENE I.
64. What hope of Octavius and Antony is answered? What does this say about Brutus?
65. What does Cassius mean by the following statement?
“Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself;/This tongue had not offended so today,/If Cassius might have ruled.”(45-47)
66. What ominous sign has Cassius seen that causes him to fear the coming battle?
67. What does Brutus say he will do if they lose the battle? Why is he reluctant to do this?
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ACT V, SCENE III.
68. What horrible mistake does Cassius make? What is the outcome of this mistake?
69. What is Titinius's reaction to Cassius's actions?
70. What is Brutus's response to Cassius's and Titinius's actions?

ACT V, SCENE IV.
71. What role does Lucilius take upon himself? What was Antony's response to his masquerade?

ACT V, SCENE V.
72. What request does Brutus make of Clitus? What is his response?
73. What does Brutus ask Volumnius to do? What reasons does he give? What is Volumnius's response?
74. What does Strato do for Brutus? What does Strato ask Brutus to do first? Why?
75. What overture of peace does Octavius make to Brutus's men?
76. How do Antony and Octavius honor Brutus?