Week Three: March 15-22:Act III: Scene I
The Ides of March
"The Ides of March are come."
"Ay, Caesar, but not gone."
As the procession moves to the temporary senate house the Conspirators are nervous (Cassius says he will kill himself if found out) and Caesar is besieged with suits.1."What touches us shall be last served." (III, i, 6)
Why doesn’t Caesar read the scroll that Artemidorus manages to slip into Caesar’s hand? How does Shakespeare contrast the demeanor of each of the participants? What effect does this have on the viewer? Did Shakespeare do it as Marvelle has mentioned, to heighten the shock coming? How does Caesar's refusal to look at what touches him personally illustrate the delicate balance between the public and private man. Is Shakespeare saying hubris caused his downfall? What parallel can be seen in Brutus' decision to give the funeral oration?
2. I could be well moved if I were as you,
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.
But I am as constant as the Northern Star
Of whose true fixed and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks;
They are all fire, and everyone doth shine;
But there's but one in all doth hold his place. (III, i. 58-65)Why does Caesar compare himself to the Northern Star? What is ironic about this speech, in terms of what happens in this scene and at the end of the play? Why would Shakespeare include this speech at this particular point in the play?
3. "Et, tu, Brute" has to be the most quoted line in this or any play. What is significant about it??
4. It would seem that the reaction from the senators and populace is not what the Conspirators expected. The Conspirators reassure what senators have not fled, but Trebonius reports "Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run
As it were doomsday." (III, i, 108).
Why then would Brutus think that stooping and bathing (up to the elbows) in Caesar's blood might reassure them?
What possible motivations are shown in these remarks: "How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,
That now on Pompey's basis lies along
No worthier than the dust!" (Brutus, III, i, 129)
"So oft as that shall be
So often shall the knot of us be called
The men that gave their country liberty!" (Cassius III,i. 132)Has history rewarded these men with their wish? How is this assassination seen today?
5. Antony delivers some of the most powerful speeches of the play.
What is your first impression of Mark Antony? He speaks quite a lot for someone who has hardly been in the play up to this point. Does he really mean it when he tells the conspirators that he is ready to die? What on earth is he doing shaking the bloody hands of the conspirators? Brutus says that Antony shall speak at the funeral, but that he will speak first. What plans does he have for his speech? Why does Antony mark Trebonius with Caesar's blood? How does the blood on Antony's hands differ from that conferred by handshake to Terbonius?
Oh pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers.
...And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war." (III i, 280 ff)Does this speech make Antony's intent clear? What is it?
6. Why does Brutus agree, despite Cassius's misgivings, to allow Antony to speak? What was he thinking?
7. How does Brutus handicap himself with this line: "Or else were this a savage spectacle?"
8. What role do the plebeians, the populace, described in the opening scenes as "fickle," now begin to play? "Mob mentality" is a dangerous thing, especially with a crowd already proved fickle. Why would the Conspirators take any chance at all with it?
9.. Brutus had earlier mentioned they would kill the spirit of Caesar (Anne), but Antony seems intent on calling it forth. In what ways in the coming scenes is Caesar's spirit mainfested?
10. Is Brutus an honorable man or not? (Anne) What is the connection between honor and "idealism?" Do you think it's possible to put on idealism after something like the murder, in an attempt to justify it? Or was Brutus idealistic all along?
What relation does idealism have to honor? Are they always bedfellows?
11. Brutus's honor would be shown in sticking to what he believed. Can two honorable people believe two diametrically opposed ideas?"
12. Is it possible for an idealist to act in a dishonorable way to achieve his goals?
Questions ~ Act I Scene i
Questions ~ Act I Scene ii
