JULIUS CAESAR ACT III SCENE II QUESTION ANSWER

 

Brutus

Then follow me and give me audience, friends.

Cassius, go you into the other street

And part the numbers.

Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;

Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;

And public reasons shall be renderèd

Of Caesar's death.                                                                                                                                                                               

Question: Who is speaking in this passage and to whom are they speaking?

Answer: Brutus is speaking, and he is addressing his friends, asking them to follow him and give him audience.

Question: What task does Brutus assign to Cassius?

Answer: Brutus instructs Cassius to go into the other street and divide the crowd.

Question: How does Brutus plan to handle the audience?

Answer: Brutus suggests that those who want to hear him speak should stay with him, while those who wish to follow Cassius can do so.

Question: What promise does Brutus make regarding the justification for Caesar's death?

Answer: Brutus assures the crowd that he will provide public reasons or explanations for Caesar's death. Question: Who is speaking in this passage and to whom are they speaking?

Answer: Brutus is speaking, and he is addressing his friends, asking them to follow him and give him audience.

Question: What task does Brutus assign to Cassius?

Answer: Brutus instructs Cassius to go into the other street and divide the crowd.

Question: How does Brutus plan to handle the audience?

Answer: Brutus suggests that those who want to hear him speak should stay with him, while those who wish to follow Cassius can do so.

Question: What promise does Brutus make regarding the justification for Caesar's death?

Answer: Brutus assures the crowd that he will provide public reasons or explanations for Caesar's death.

 

Brutus

Be patient till the last.

Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause,

and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine

honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may

believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your

senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in

this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say

that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then

that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this

is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved

Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die

all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?

As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate,

I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he

was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy

for his fortune; honor for his valor; and death for his

ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman?

If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude

that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have

I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his

country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for

a reply.

 

Question: What plea does Brutus make to the Romans, countrymen, and lovers at the beginning of his speech?

Answer: Brutus implores them to be patient and listen attentively to his cause, asking for their silence so they can hear him. He also requests their trust and respect for his honor, and urges them to use their wisdom and senses to judge him fairly.

Question: How does Brutus justify his actions in assassinating Caesar? Answer: Brutus explains that his love for Caesar was not less than that of any other friend of Caesar's, but he rose against Caesar because he loved Rome more. He questions whether it's preferable for Caesar to live and everyone else be enslaved, or for Caesar to be dead and everyone else live as free men. Brutus acknowledges Caesar's positive qualities but states that he killed him because of his ambition.

Question: What emotions does Brutus express towards Caesar in his speech?

 Answer: Brutus expresses a range of emotions towards Caesar: he weeps for Caesar's love, rejoices in his fortune, honors his valor, but condemns his ambition.

Question: What rhetorical questions does Brutus pose to the crowd, and what is the implication of each?

 Answer: Brutus asks three rhetorical questions to the crowd:

1. "Who is here so base that would be a bondman?" implying that no one should want to be enslaved.
2. "Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman?" suggesting that everyone should aspire to be a citizen of Rome.
3. "Who is here so vile that will not love his country?" implying that everyone should love their country. These questions challenge the audience to reflect on their values and allegiances.

Question: What does Brutus do after posing these rhetorical questions? Answer: After posing the rhetorical questions, Brutus pauses and invites anyone who feels offended by his actions or arguments to speak up and offer a reply.

Top of Form

Good countrymen, let me depart alone,

And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.

Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech

Tending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony,

By our permission, is allowed to make.

I do entreat you not a man depart,

Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

 

Question: In this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," what request does Brutus make to the crowd regarding Antony's speech?

 

Answer: Brutus requests the crowd to stay behind with Antony and grant him the opportunity to honor Caesar's corpse and speak about Caesar's glories. He asks them not to leave until Antony has delivered his speech.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question: In this passage from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," how does Antony manipulate the crowd's emotions and subtly criticize Brutus and Cassius?

 

Answer: Antony manipulates the crowd's emotions by portraying Caesar as a once powerful and revered figure whose death now goes unacknowledged. He subtly criticizes Brutus and Cassius by repeatedly referring to them as "honorable men," while simultaneously suggesting that their actions were dishonorable, especially in contrast to Caesar's perceived virtues. Additionally, Antony hints at the contents of Caesar's will, suggesting that it contains provisions favorable to the common people, which further stirs their emotions and loyalty towards Caesar.

 

Question: How does Antony manipulate the emotions of the crowd in this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"?

 

Answer: Antony manipulates the emotions of the crowd by withholding information about the contents of Caesar's will and suggesting that its contents are too emotionally charged for them to handle. He implies that revealing Caesar's love for the common people and their status as his heirs would incite them to anger and madness. By keeping the will a mystery, Antony creates anticipation and further builds the crowd's curiosity and desire to know what Caesar has left for them.

 

Question: How does Antony's proposal to read Caesar's will in this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" demonstrate his skillful manipulation of the crowd?

 

Answer: Antony's proposal to read Caesar's will demonstrates his skillful manipulation of the crowd by creating a sense of anticipation and suspense. By asking if he should descend and if they will give him leave, Antony builds up the drama, making the crowd eager to hear what Caesar has bequeathed to them. Additionally, by suggesting they make a ring around Caesar's corpse, Antony adds a dramatic visual element, further engaging the crowd's attention and ensuring they remain focused on him and his message.

 

Question: How does Antony use Caesar's mantle and the wounds on his body to manipulate the emotions of the crowd in this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"?

 

Answer: Antony strategically uses Caesar's mantle and the wounds on his body to evoke sympathy and anger from the crowd. By vividly describing the significance of the mantle and pointing out the locations of the wounds inflicted by each conspirator, Antony creates a powerful visual and emotional connection with the audience. He portrays Caesar as a beloved leader who was betrayed by those he trusted, particularly emphasizing the betrayal by Brutus, whom Caesar considered dearly. By appealing to the crowd's sense of loyalty and injustice, Antony incites their emotions, compelling them to sympathize with Caesar's fate and feel anger towards the conspirators. Additionally, by physically displaying Caesar's wounds and mantle, Antony reinforces the reality of Caesar's death and the treachery of the conspirators, further intensifying the crowd's emotional response.

 

Question: How does Antony's approach to addressing the crowd in this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" demonstrate his skillful manipulation and persuasion tactics?

 

Answer: Antony employs several strategic persuasion tactics in this excerpt to manipulate the crowd's emotions and sway them to his side. Firstly, he begins by addressing the crowd as "good friends" and "sweet friends," establishing a friendly and approachable tone to gain their trust and sympathy. Secondly, he portrays the conspirators, including Brutus, as honorable and wise individuals, suggesting that their motives for killing Caesar were justified, thus diffusing potential animosity towards them. Thirdly, Antony downplays his own oratory skills, presenting himself as a humble and straightforward speaker compared to Brutus, which appeals to the crowd's sense of authenticity and relatability. Fourthly, he appeals to the crowd's emotions by evoking empathy for Caesar through vivid descriptions of his wounds and silent accusation against the conspirators. Finally, Antony subtly hints at the potential consequences of Brutus being in his position, suggesting that he could incite even greater uproar and rebellion among the people. Overall, Antony's calculated approach demonstrates his adeptness at manipulating the crowd's emotions and leveraging his rhetorical skills to achieve his objectives.