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Questions and Answers
What does Casca mention as being a sign of disturbance in nature?
What does Casca mention as being a sign of disturbance in nature?
What unusual event involving a slave does Casca describe?
What unusual event involving a slave does Casca describe?
How does Cicero react to Casca's revelations about the strange occurrences?
How does Cicero react to Casca's revelations about the strange occurrences?
What does Casca see in the streets that adds to his feeling of fear?
What does Casca see in the streets that adds to his feeling of fear?
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What does Casca see that leads him to believe something is wrong in the sky?
What does Casca see that leads him to believe something is wrong in the sky?
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What does Cassius imply about the state of the heavens?
What does Cassius imply about the state of the heavens?
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What can be inferred about Casca's state of mind during this scene?
What can be inferred about Casca's state of mind during this scene?
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What does Casca mean when he says 'these are their reasons; they are natural'?
What does Casca mean when he says 'these are their reasons; they are natural'?
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What does Cassius suggest about the current state of the Romans?
What does Cassius suggest about the current state of the Romans?
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Which character expresses a desire to change their destiny?
Which character expresses a desire to change their destiny?
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What does Casca believe is influencing the strange events in the sky?
What does Casca believe is influencing the strange events in the sky?
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What motif is presented through Cassius’s view of the Romans and their loyalty?
What motif is presented through Cassius’s view of the Romans and their loyalty?
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What does Cassius mean when he says, 'Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf'?
What does Cassius mean when he says, 'Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf'?
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What does Cassius plan to do with the papers given to Cinna?
What does Cassius plan to do with the papers given to Cinna?
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What does Casca fear might happen to the state of Rome?
What does Casca fear might happen to the state of Rome?
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How does Cassius view physical strength in the context of power?
How does Cassius view physical strength in the context of power?
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What does Cassius mean by saying 'There's a bargain made'?
What does Cassius mean by saying 'There's a bargain made'?
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Which of the following best describes the atmosphere of the night discussed by the characters?
Which of the following best describes the atmosphere of the night discussed by the characters?
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What characteristic of Brutus does Cassius highlight?
What characteristic of Brutus does Cassius highlight?
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What does Casca believe people should do in response to the dreadful signs in the sky?
What does Casca believe people should do in response to the dreadful signs in the sky?
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How does Cassius view the role of spirits in their fate?
How does Cassius view the role of spirits in their fate?
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What does Cassius believe about those who act swiftly?
What does Cassius believe about those who act swiftly?
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What is implied by the statement 'I am armed, and dangers are to me indifferent'?
What is implied by the statement 'I am armed, and dangers are to me indifferent'?
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What does Casca say about the state of the world in relation to the gods?
What does Casca say about the state of the world in relation to the gods?
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What unusual phenomena does Casca observe in the streets?
What unusual phenomena does Casca observe in the streets?
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How does Cicero respond to Casca's account of the strange occurrences?
How does Cicero respond to Casca's account of the strange occurrences?
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What does Casca report about the lion he encountered?
What does Casca report about the lion he encountered?
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What significance does Casca attribute to the events of the night?
What significance does Casca attribute to the events of the night?
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What does Cassius mean by saying it's a 'pleasing night to honest men'?
What does Cassius mean by saying it's a 'pleasing night to honest men'?
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What does Casca imply when he expresses fear over the signs in the sky?
What does Casca imply when he expresses fear over the signs in the sky?
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What does Cicero suggest about the people's interpretations of omens?
What does Cicero suggest about the people's interpretations of omens?
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What does Cassius suggest about fear in relation to the gods' signs?
What does Cassius suggest about fear in relation to the gods' signs?
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How does Cassius describe the nature of the Romans compared to their ancestors?
How does Cassius describe the nature of the Romans compared to their ancestors?
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What warning do Cassius and Casca interpret from the strange occurrences in the sky?
What warning do Cassius and Casca interpret from the strange occurrences in the sky?
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What does Cassius mean by saying 'the part of tyranny that I do bear I can shake off at pleasure'?
What does Cassius mean by saying 'the part of tyranny that I do bear I can shake off at pleasure'?
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What does Casca think of Caesar being crowned as king?
What does Casca think of Caesar being crowned as king?
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How does Cassius view the relationship between the Romans and Caesar?
How does Cassius view the relationship between the Romans and Caesar?
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What does Cassius suggest they do to win Brutus to their cause?
What does Cassius suggest they do to win Brutus to their cause?
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What is meant by 'Three parts of him is ours already' in reference to Brutus?
What is meant by 'Three parts of him is ours already' in reference to Brutus?
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What does Cassius compare the state of Rome's decline to?
What does Cassius compare the state of Rome's decline to?
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What does Casca notice about the night when he describes it as 'fearful'?
What does Casca notice about the night when he describes it as 'fearful'?
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How does Cassius view the significance of taking action quickly?
How does Cassius view the significance of taking action quickly?
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What does Casca mean when he says he is armed and not afraid?
What does Casca mean when he says he is armed and not afraid?
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What kind of gathering do Cassius and Casca plan to attend?
What kind of gathering do Cassius and Casca plan to attend?
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What does Cassius mean by 'Let it be who it is' when discussing Caesar?
What does Cassius mean by 'Let it be who it is' when discussing Caesar?
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Study Notes
Characters and Setting
- Casca and Cicero meet, discussing unusual events (thunder, lightning, fire).
- Cassius joins the conversation.
- Cicero, after leaving, mentions a meeting of senators tomorrow.
- Casca meets with Cassius.
- Cinna joins later.
- Location: the streets of Rome, Capitol, Pompey's Porch, and Brutus' house.
Prodigies and Portents
- Casca describes strange and unusual events: flaming hand, lion, women transformed by fear, night birds at noon.
- He believes these prodigies are omens, possibly indicating civil unrest or divine displeasure.
- Cassius agrees, connecting them to the potential for tyrannical rule.
Conspiracy Plot
- The conspirators discuss Caesar's impending rise to king.
- Cassius and Casca plan to convince Brutus to join their conspiracy against Caesar.
- They plot to have Brutus receive documents supporting their cause.
- Meeting point: Pompey's Porch.
- The conspirators believe they need Brutus for their plan to succeed.
- They believe Caesar, becoming king, is a threat to Rome's values.
Cassius's Philosophy
- Cassius believes the Romans have lost their strong, decisive spirit.
- He sees them as susceptible to tyranny because of their weakness.
- Cassius emphasizes that anyone, even if weak on the surface, can find strength of spirit to fight against injustice.
- He explains the conspirators must be bold and decisive.
Brutus's Importance
- Brutus is considered a highly respected, influential citizen, especially given his popularity among the people.
- The conspirators believe Brutus's support and honor will give legitimacy to their actions and make their uprising believable and worthy.
- The conspirators see that winning Brutus over is crucial to their success.
Overall Theme
- The play highlights anxieties about Caesar's potential rule.
- The setting and descriptions of events convey a sense of unease and foreboding.
- The discussion between the characters reveals an atmosphere of conspiracy and impending violence.
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Description
Explore the intriguing events and discussions in Act 1 of Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'. This quiz delves into the characters of Casca, Cassius, and Brutus as they interpret omens and devise a conspiracy against Caesar. Test your knowledge of the setting and plot developments in this classic play.