The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Part 6: Word Choice and Motif — Quiz Answers

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Even by the rule of that philosophy By which I did blame Cato for the death Which he did give himself—I know not how, But I do find it cowardly and vile For fear of what might fall so to prevent The time of life—arming myself with patience To stay the providence of some high powers That govern us below. Why does Shakespeare most likely use arming as opposed to a word like providing ?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . OCTAVIUS: Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. You said the enemy would not come down, But keep the hills and upper regions. It proves not so; their battles are at hand. They mean to warn us at Philippi here, Answering before we do demand of them. ANTONY: Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore they do it: they could be content To visit other places; and come down With fearful bravery, thinking by this face To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; But 'tis not so. Which describes Antony’s tone when speaking to Octavius?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . ANTONY: Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar: You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds, And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar’s feet, Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind, Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers! Shakespeare uses the word vile rather than sharp or bloody to describe the assassins’ daggers. This helps the audience understand

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . OCTAVIUS: Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. If you dare fight to-day, come to the field. If not, when you have stomachs. What is the tone of this passage?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . CASSIUS: Now, most noble Brutus, The gods today stand friendly, that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age. But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, Let’s reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together: What are you then determinèd to do? What does Cassius’s description of Brutus as noble rather than the synonym aristocratic tell us about his feelings toward Brutus?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . OCTAVIUS: Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. If you dare fight to-day, come to the field. If not, when you have stomachs. What is the most likely reason Shakespeare chose the word hurl rather than throw ?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . [CASSIUS:] Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched, Gorging and feeding from our soldiers’ hands; Who to Philippi here consorted us. This morning are they fled away and gone, And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites Fly o’er our heads and downward look on us, As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which Our army lies ready to give up the ghost. MESSALA: Believe not so. CASSIUS: I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit, and resolved To meet all perils very constantly. How does the use of the word fresh affect the meaning of the passage?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . OCTAVIUS: Come, come, the cause. If arguing make us sweat, The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look, I draw a sword against conspirators. When think you that the sword goes up again? Never, till Caesar’s three and thirty wounds Be well avenged, or till another Caesar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. How does Shakespeare’s use of the word slaughter rather than murder affect the meaning of the passage?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . OCTAVIUS: So I hope. I was not born to die on Brutus’ sword. BRUTUS: O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable. CASSIUS: A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, Joined with a masquer and a reveller! ANTONY: Old Cassius still! How does the use of " peevish schoolboy” help the reader understand Cassius’s feeling toward Octavius?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: No, Cassius, no: Think not, thou noble Roman, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome. He bears too great a mind. But this same day Must end that work the ides of March begun; And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take. Forever and forever farewell, Cassius. If we do meet again, why, we shall smile. If not, why then, this parting was well made. How does Shakespeare’s use of the word everlasting most affect the meaning of this passage?