Study Guide
Q: Select an allusion and analyze its significance (how does the speaker use it to illustrate a specific point?). Cite the lines.
A: An allusion in the book is when Cassius would try to get Brutus to join him in the killing of Julius Caesar. Cassius says, “Like a Colossus, and we petty men/Walk under his huge legs and peep about” (1.2.143-144). Cassius mentions a Colossus, which is usually a bronze statue of a God, he uses this to compare Julius Caesar to a God, and he must be defeated. He then follows by saying, “To find ourselves, dishonorable graves.” (1.2.145) By saying this, he makes Brutus feel dishonorable. Brutus’s main belief is about staying honorable, so Cassius will try to manipulate that by making it seem honorable to kill Julius Caesar, which is why this is so significant.
Q: Analyze: How does Cassius use his understanding of Brutus' character to manipulate him? Does Brutus bear responsibility for what happens? Justify your answers with at least three pieces of cited evidence.
A: So far, we’ve seen Cassius as being manipulative and cunning. What Cassius does to recruit the conspirators is to understand the person’s character and use their beliefs against them to manipulate them. He uses this skill against Brutus by calling him dishonorable and comparing him to his great ancestors. Cassius says, “The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome/As easily as a king.” (1.2.169-170). Cassius is trying to diss him and says that he hasn’t done anything worth honor, but his great ancestors did. This reminds Brutus of his family's honor. Cassius says, “I am glad that my weak words/ Have struck but thus much show of fire from/Brutus” (1.2.185-188). He falsely humiliates himself to Brutus to manipulate him, because the audience knows he isn’t weak, but he is a master manipulator, giving us a sense of dramatic irony. Cassius says,” Be further moved. What you have said/ I will consider.” (1.2.176-177) This evidence says that Cassius has already persuaded Brutus enough. He understands what he suggests and doesn’t need to be persuaded anymore, further proving that Cassius uses his understanding of Brutus’s character to manipulate him.
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Q: List the eight conspirators and some key information about each one (how/why is he significant so far). Provide at least one cited snippet per conspirator.
A: Cassius is the mastermind behind the plan. He came up with it and would try to persuade other people to follow his plan. The audience sees him as manipulative and ambitious, and he would plot the murder of Julius Caesar. He understands that the conspirators need Brutus as a way to convince all of Rome that killing Julius Caesar was for the best. He says, “And let us swear our resolution.” (2.1.124) Cassius wanted everyone to commit, and when Brutus says no, he would agree because he knew that they needed Brutus.
Casca is the conspirator that notices all the strange things happening in the capitol. He says, “Against the capitol, I met a lion,/Who gazed upon me and went surly by/Without annoying me.” (1.3.20-23). He randomly meets a lion in the capital who doesn’t even attack him. This is not the only weird sighting; he sees a common slave with his hand on fire, and one hundred women saw men on fire walking down the streets. His significance will be to notify the audience that something bad will happen.
At first, Ligarius had a terrible sickness that prevented him from joining the rest of the conspirators; he later met Brutus and said his sickness was cured because of how much he respected Brutus. He says, “And with a heart new-fired I follow you/ To do I know not what; but it sufficeth/That Brutus leads me on.” (2.1.360-362) This evidence reveals that Ligarius will follow Brutus and is ready to do whatever he says, proving his loyalty and playing a part in the murder of Julius Caesar.
Metellus didn’t play a large part until they decided to manipulate Julius Caesar into looking like a bad person by being stubborn. Metellus asks Julius Caesar, “To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear/For the repealing of my banished brother?” (3.1.55-56) The conspirators already know that Julius Caesar will deny their request to allow his brother to return, so they would use it to make him look like a selfish, stubborn leader.
Trebonius would be one of the first conspirators to directly threaten Julius Caesar. He says, “And so near I will be/ That your best friends shall wish I Cinna delivered the forged letters from Cassius to Brutus. He says, “Well, I will hie/ And so bestow these papers as you bade me.” In this quote, he’s talking about the forged letters. The letters are from the “citizens of Rome” telling Brutus that killing Julius Caesar is the honorable thing to do, persuading him even further.
Publius is Metellus’ brother who was banished by Julius Caesar. The other conspirators use Publius’ banishment as a way to make Julius Caesar seem stubborn. Caesar says, “Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause/ Will he is satisfied.” (3.1.52-53) Caesar will not change his mind about the banishment, proving that he’s obstinate.
Brutus is probably one of the most important conspirators. He’s Caesar's closest friend, but he allowed himself to get manipulated into killing Caesar. Caesar says, “Et Tu, Brutus?”(3.1.85) Which means “And you, Brutus?” This evidence would explain his significance being a part of the massive betrayal.
Q: Examine the two marriages the play presents, make a claim about what type of marriage each is, and support each claim with three pieces of cited evidence.
A: There are two marriages, one between Portia and Brutus, and another between Julius and Calphurnia. Portia is a strong woman who snaps back at Brutus a lot. When Brutus can’t sleep because he’s ‘sick’, she says, “Brutus is wise and, were he not in health/ He would embrace the means to come by it.” (2.1.179-180) She can tell when Brutus is lying and made a comeback. She says, “I should not need if you were gentle Brutus./ Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus.” (2.1.300-301) Portia knows Brutus is hiding something, she gets him to tell her what’s going on by saying, “Here, in the thigh. Can I bear with that patience/And not my husband’s secrets?” Portia stabbed herself in the thigh to show how strong she was. Brutus then shows respect for his wife and says how he is not worthy of her, so it seems as if Portia takes more command in their marriage. In Julius and Calphurnia’s marriage, Julius doesn’t really listen to her. She says, “You shall not stir out of your house today.” (2.2.9) When she tells Julius not to leave because it’s dangerous outside, he says “Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me.../ The face of Caesar, they have vanished.” (2.2.10-12) Julius Caesar decides not to listen to his wife and goes out anyway because he has a huge ego. This contrasts with Portia and Brutus’ marriage, as he listens to her. Calphurnia says, “Say he is sick.” (2.2.69) She comes up with an excuse for Caesar to not go out today. This could be a contrast to Portia’s and Brutus’ interaction, as Brutus says he is sick and Portia doesn’t believe him.
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