March 22-31:
Act V:
Thou Shall See Me at Philippi:
Scene i:
"Octavius, lead your battle softly on
Upon the left hand of the even field.
Upon the right hand, I; keep thou the left." (V, i, 17 ff)
1. What just happened in this quote?
2. What parallel occurred in the beginning of the play?
" OCTAVIUS:
Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
ANTONY:
No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge.3. What is the signifigance of Antony's calling Octavian "Caesar?"
4. "Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words." (V, i, 30).The power of words to wound is apparently an old one, how many contrasts can you see in the meeting of the commanders?
Why do you suppose they wanted to meet at all? What does their meeting prove?
5. "You know that I held Epicurus strong
And his opinion. Now I change my mind
And partly credit things that do presage.
Coming from Sardis on our former ensignTwo mighty eagles fell...." (V i, 85)
6. Cassius, a disbeliver in omens and signs, begins to change his mind when eagles perch on their standards and crows replaced them. He says his army lies in their shadows, ready to give up the ghost.
Legions and their standards assemble before Caesar (right)
What is ironic, and tragic, then, about Cassius's subsequent death?
Was his death due to superstition or human error?
What other ways might he have found out about his friend?
7. Brutus and Cassius say their final farewells. Which man has been a better friend to the other? Scenes ii and iii:
"Mistrust of good success hath down this deed."
O hateful error, melancholy's child,
Why dost though show to the apt thought of men
The things that are not? (V, iii, 73ff)
How do those two statements on "mistrust" differ? Which one do you think is the more accurate?
Why has Brutus sent Cassius a laurel wreath?
Why does Titinius put it on Cassius's head? What does that signify? "Caesar, thou art revenged."
" O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet;
Thy sporit walks aboard and turns our swords."
Both Cassius and Brutus credit Caesar with vanquishing them. In what way?
11. What does Brutus mean by "Caesar, now be still
I killed not thee with half so good a will.' (V, v, 57-58).
12. What is an Elizabethan Revenge Play? Does Julius Caesar fit in this category?
13. Earlier in the play Julius Caesar compared his permanence to the Northern Star, then he was killed. How do the events in Act V support his earlier statements? In how many ways has Caesar become immortal?
Soldiers and standards from the column of Antoninus Pius, click to enlarge
14. Who is the protagonist of this play, Brutus or Caesar?
Why?
15. Are there any heroes in this play? (Barbara)
16. The farewell between Cassius and Brutus is haunting yet somehow not quite right. Cassius talks about omens and final partings and Brutus replies: "And whether we shall meet again I know not.Is Brutus saying goodbye to their friendship, whether they win or lose the battle? And does Cassius willingly echo the goodbye to friendship with Brutus? (Marvelle)
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."
17. Would anybody remember Brutus and Cassius today if they have not killed Caesar? (Anneo)
18.Whose story IS this? (Babi)
19.What is the focus of this play? (Babi)
20.What point is Shakepeare making (Ginny Ann and Hats)
21."Caesar, now be still.
I killed not thee with half so good a will. "(V, v, 57)
What does I killed not thee with half so good a will mean?
22."This was the noblest Roman of them all "(V, v, 74)
Antony goes on to say Brutus's motives were more pure than any of the other Conspirators, but..... has he forgotten Caesar? In what way could Brutus be considered the noblest Roman of them ALL?
The remaining three columns of the Temple of Mars Ultor ("the Avenger") the Temple and Forum a pledge made by Augustus (Octavian) before the battle of Philippi.
Questions ~ Act I Scene i
Questions ~ Act I Scene ii
