Mrs. Gonzalez & Mrs. Moreau Language Arts II The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare Act I, scene ii Post-Reading Activity Directions: Complete the following questions after reading Act I, scene ii of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Use your script, during-reading notes, and handouts ( When Rome Ruled outline; Meaningful Quotations Explained chart) to help you. Before you begin, review some key writing elements in the chart below: Concrete Details (CD) Commentary (CM) Summarize Paraphrase Specific details that form the backbone or core of an argument (AKA facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, plot references) An educated opinion or comment about something -- not concrete detail (AKA opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, evaluation, explication, reflection) Condensing several lines into a single sentence or two; Keeps content clear by referencing context relevant to the summarized text; Providing just the facts without any quotes (CDs) or opinions (CM) Restating every word or phrase in a new way; A good paraphrase captures every single word in the original without leaving out any ideas, descriptions, or phrasing; A good paraphrase doesn t repeat parts of the original using the same words 1. What is a triumvirate? 2. Who were the members of the first triumvirate?
3. What does the Feast of Lupercal celebrate? 4. Why does Caesar want Antony to touch Calpurnia during the ceremonial race? 5. Paraphrase the soothsayer s warning. 6. Brutus states, I am not gamesome (I.ii.28). What does this tell the audience about Brutus character? Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? 7. According to Cassius, Brutus has been lately.
8. Reread lines 36-47. Find a concrete detail to prove Brutus is suffering from an internal conflict. Note: You cannot quote more than three consecutive lines. Brutus tells Cassius, which proves he is suffering from an internal conflict (I.ii. ). 9. Read the following lines: If it be aught toward the general good, Set honor in one eye and death i the other, And I will look on both indifferently; For let the gods so speed me as I love The name of honor more than I fear death. Act I, scene ii, lines 85-89 Provide commentary to prove Brutus loves Rome. (Do not select a concrete detail from the above lines. Instead, use your own words to comment on how much Brutus loves Rome.) 10. Summarize the following lines: I cannot tell what you and other men Think of this life, but for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. Act I, scene ii, lines 93-96
11. Cassius recalls two stories about Caesar. What happens in the first story? What happens in the second story? 12. What is Cassius trying to prove about Caesar by telling these stories? Are these stories an example of direct or indirect characterization? 13. Cassius reminds Brutus that Caesar is just a, not a god. He believes that they are all equal, which is why Caesar needs to be stopped from becoming king of Rome. 14. Cassius exclaims, Age, thou art shamed! (I.ii.150). In Cassius opinion, why is it a shameful time to be living in Rome? Hint: Consider the potential shift in government that will occur if Rome transitions from a republic to an empire.
15. Summarize the following lines: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us. Act I, scene ii, lines 172-175 16. Caesar doesn t trust Cassius because he has a lean and hungry look (I.ii.194). Provide commentary to interpret the meaning of Caesar s words. 17. Reread lines 198-214. Caesar is suspicious of Cassius because he a lot, doesn t like or, and rarely ever. 18. Why does Caesar ask Antony to speak to him on his right side rather than his left side? 19. Brutus notices Caesar looks sad when he returns from the ceremonial footrace. Reread lines 234-250. Summarize Casca s lines explaining why Caesar looks sad.
20. Caesar suffers from the falling sickness (I.ii.251). What is the falling sickness? Identify two symptoms of the falling sickness as stated in the text. 21. Before Brutus leaves, Cassius tells him, Think of the world (I.ii.307). Provide commentary to interpret what he actually means. 22. After Brutus departs, Cassius delivers a long speech explaining what he plans to do next. What is this type of speech called? 23. Reread lines 308-322. Cassius is hoping to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar. Find a concrete detail describing what Cassius is planning to do to convince him.