JULIUS CEASAR EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What theatre did Shakespeare help build? - Answer-The Globe In what historical period was Shakespeare living? Who was the ruler of England at that time? - Answer-The Elizabethan Era; Ruler was Queen Elizabeth and then King James; Renaissance Who is Pompey? Although he is not a character in the play, why is he important to the plot? - Answer-Ally of JC and a rival of Marcus Crassus. They dominated the Roman public by a political alliance called the First Triumvical. Pompey and Caesar became rivals which disrupted the leadership of the Roman state and cause Caesar civil war. Pompey was eventually defeated by Caesar and fled to Egypt where he was assassinated. The play opens up after Caesar defeated Pompey and everyone in Rome congratulating him. What is the setting? What holiday is being celebrated? - Answer-February 15, day of annual festival of Lupercalia. The tradesmen gather in the streets in Rome to watch Caesar pass in a procession celebrating his triumph over Pompey. Who are Marullus and Flavius? - Answer-They are tribunes. An official elected by the people to protect their rights. Why do they want to drive the commoners from the street? - Answer-They do not want Caesar to be celebrated, so they drive everybody off the streets so there will be no parade. What else do Marullus and Flavius do to further hinder the celebration of Caesar's victory? - Answer-They remove decorations from Caesar's statues during the Parade. What does Caesar tell Antony to do to Calpurnia? - Answer-Caesar tells Anthony to touch Calpurnia in order to insure her fertility. Why might Caesar ask Antony in front of everyone else? - Answer-So everyone knows that Anthony has permission to touch her, or to show how loyal Anthony is. What is a soothsayer? Of what does he wars Caesar? - Answer-A soothsayer is someone who is supposed to be able to foresee the future. He warns Caesar about the ides of March. What does ides mean? - Answer-Ides means half division, in relation of a month. middle of the month. Does Marcus Brutus like Caesar? What does Brutus think of Caesar's rise to power? Use lines from play to support your answer. - Answer-No, He fears the people will choose