Act II

___ Calpurnia tells Caesar of the disturbing dreams she has had.
___ The conspirators meet at Brutus’ home and Brutus finally agrees to join their ranks.
___ Artemidorous writes Caesar a warning.
___ Portia, Brutus’s wife, demands to know what is going on. Brutus assures her he will explain everything later.
___ Brutus stands alone and tries to find a reason for Caesar’s death. He can find none.
___ Decius arrives and convinces Caesar that Calpurnia’s dream is a good omen.
___ Portia meets the soothsayer and is told that Caesar is in danger. She fears for Brutus’ safety and anxiously awaits his return.
___ Brutus cautions against killing Antony. This is the first of many mistakes that will lead to his downfall.

Act III

___ Caesar is killed by the conspirators.
___ Antony carries the dead body of Caesar to the forum.
___ Brutus leaves the pulpit reminding the crowd that Antony speaks with the blessing of the conspirators. He asks them to kindly give Antony their attention.
___ Initially confusing Cinna the poet with Cinna the conspirator, the crowd attacks the poet for composing bad verses and carries him away.
___ Publius yells at Artemidorous as he tries to give Caesar a letter of warning.
___ Using every trick known to orators, Antony whips the crowd into a frenzy.
___ The crowd travels to the houses of the conspirators to burn them down.
___ Brutus explains to Antony that the motives of the conspirators are difficult to understand, but for the best. 

Act IV

___ In Rome, the second triumvirate of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus prepares to crush all opposition and to advance on the forces of Brutus and Cassius.
___ Brutus, angered by Cassius’ failure to send him money for his troops, accuses his partner of graft.
___ Cassius, stunned by the accusation, is reconciled to Brutus only after a lengthy argument.
___ Cassius agrees with Brutus’ battle plan against his better judgment, and the conspirators march to Philippi.
___ Brutus informs Cassius that Portia, grieving over the strong opposition to her husband, has killed herself.
___ The ghost of Caesar appears to Brutus and informs him that they shall meet at Philippi.

Act V

___ Brutus and Cassius meet during the battle of Philippi and discuss its outcome. Suicide comes to their mind even though Brutus is a stoic.
___ Noting a weakness in Octavius’ ranks, Brutus sends a message to Cassius that he should have his men attack the forces of Antony.
___ From a hilltop, Cassius and his slave Pindarus see a group of horsemen approaching. Titinius is sent to discover whether they are friend or foe. He is surrounded and apparently taken by the enemy.
___ Cassius orders his slave, Pindarus, to kill him in exchange for his own freedom.
___ When Titinius and Brutus’ men enter to give Cassius the victory wreath, they find him dead, the victim of a mistaken conclusion. The grief stricken Titinius places the wreath on the corpse and kills himself. Brutus enters, finds the two men dead, and mournfully orders the battle continued.
___ Brutus realizes that defeat is inevitable. He begs his associates to kill him, but they refuse.
___ Strato, Brutus’ slave, holds the sword, and Brutus runs upon it. His last thought is that Caesar is avenged.
___ Octavius and Antony arrive, and Antony praises Brutus as “the noblest Roman of them all.”

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Enrichment & Homeschool Use

This assignment was originally desgined for use in a classroom setting consisting of approximately 27 to 29 students; however, the assignment can easily be adapted for smaller classrooms and for homeschool use.

Although the study guide questions are intended to create the basis for discussion in a small group setting, the same dynamic can be generated with one or two students and increased teacher involvement.

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Other Assignment Components

Study Guide--Background
Study Guide--Questions
Study Guide--Homework Questions
Study Guide--Vocabulary
Study Guide--Archaic Vocabulary
Study Guide--Chronology of Events

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Handouts

Study Guide