Julius Caesar Study Guide

Suggested Essay Questions

1. Is Brutus a villain or a hero?
2. Discuss the power, or lack thereof, of omens and fate in Julius Caesar.
3. Discuss the role of women in Julius Caesar, comparing and contrasting Portia and Calpurnia.
4. Does a single hero or villain exist in Julius Caesar? If so, who? Please explain your reasoning in detail.
5. Discuss the power of speech and/or the written word in Julius Caesar.
6. Discuss the power of deception and manipulation in Julius Caesar.
7. In all the chaos of Julius Caesar, is there a single voice of reason? If so, who? Please explain your answer citing details from the text.
8. Compare and contrast the private and public sides of Brutus and Caesar.
9. How is loyalty portrayed in Julius Caesar? Please specifically address Antony, Brutus and Cassius in relation to Caesar.
10. Idealism often leads to downfall. Support this statement with references to the text and to other historical figures (i.e. Jesus Christ, Joan of Arc, etc.)