The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 2: Causal Relationships Answers

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.BRUTUS. The exhalations whizzing in the airGive so much light that I may read by them.[Opens the letter and reads]"Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself.Shall Rome, etc.? Speak, strike, redress.”—"Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake!”Such instigations have been often droppedWhere I have took them up."Shall Rome, etc.?” Thus must I piece it out:Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe? What, Rome?My ancestors did from the streets of RomeThe Tarquin drive when he was called a king."Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreatedTo speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,If the redress will follow, thou receivestThy full petition at the hand of Brutus!

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.[BRUTUS.] Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar,And in the spirit of men there is no blood.O, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit,And not dismember Caesar!Why is this passage an example of verbal irony?

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of Julius Caesar.CASSIUS. Am I not stayed for? Tell me.CINNA. Yes, you are.O Cassius, if you couldBut win the noble Brutus to our party—CASSIUS. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paperAnd look you lay it in the praetor’s chair,Where Brutus may but find it. And throw thisIn at his window. Set this up with waxUpon old Brutus’ statue. All this done,Repair to Pompey’s Porch, where you shall find us.Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there?CINNA. All but Metellus Cimber, and he’s goneTo seek you at your house. Well, I will hie,And so bestow these papers as you bade me.CASSIUS. That done, repair to Pompey’s Theatre.

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.[BRUTUS.] And for Mark Antony, think not of him,For he can do no more than Caesar’s armWhen Caesar’s head is off.How does this example of dramatic irony affect the audience?

Which statement best describes a cause-and-effect relationship in a play?

A form of irony that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in a play is

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of Julius Caesar.CASSIUS. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then?Poor man, I know he would not be a wolfBut that he sees the Romans are but sheep.Why is this excerpt an example of verbal irony?

Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of Julius Caesar.[CASSIUS.] Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;But life, being weary of these worldly bars,Never lacks power to dismiss itself.If I know this, know all the world besides,That part of tyranny that I do bearI can shake off at pleasure.[Thunder still]CASCA. So can I.So every bondman in his own hand bearsThe power to cancel his captivity.

How can you infer a character's motivation? Select three options.

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar.BRUTUS. O ye gods,Render me worthy of this noble wife![Knocking within]Hark, hark, one knocks. Portia, go in a while,And by and by thy bosom shall partakeThe secrets of my heart.All my engagements I will construe to thee,All the charactery of my sad brows.Leave me with haste.[Exit PORTIA]