Name: Porter McCabe

Date: 06/28/15
En51b
Unit 2 Reading Log
Grade: _____/100 (50 questions x 2 points each)
Directions: After reading each act, answer the questions that pertain to that
particular act. Answer each question with complete, detailed sentences that include
the question as part of the answer. Each answer should be typed in your own words
using proper conventions (spelling, grammar, capitalization, etc.). Each answer
should be typed in a colored font other than black or red. The reading log will be
downloaded once and opened each time you read a new act. Be sure to save the
reading log after you answer each set of questions. You will upload the completed
reading log to the portfolio at the end of the unit. You should also use this reading
log as a study guide for the unit test and final exam.
Lesson 4
Act I, Scene 1
1. What is the situation at the beginning of the play?
The situation at the beginning of the play there are commoners that are waiting to
Caesar return from a conquest.
2. Identify Flavius and Marullus. What are they doing?
Flavius and marullus are guards of Rome. They are patrolling rome for those not at
work.
3. What is Lupercal?
Lupercal is feast, likely having to do with celebrating Caesar.
Act I, Scene 2
4. What warning is given to Caesar? By whom? How does he react?
A warning is given to Caesar to beware the ides of March by a soothsayer. Caesar
reacts by dismissing the soothsayer and ignoring the warning.
5. What are the two incidents Cassius tells to Brutus? What is his purpose in telling
them?
The two incidents told to brutus are when cassius and caesar swim across the tiber,
cassius saves caesar from the raging current, and of when caesar falls ill, because of
a falling illness. The purpose of telling him is to tell brutus of caesars weaknesses and
he feels caesar is unqualified to be king.
6. What kind of person does Brutus seem to be? Cassius?
Brutus seems to be a person that is still finding who he is. Cassius seems to be the
real deep thinker.
7. What is Caesar's opinion of Antony? of Cassius?
Caesar thinks that Anthony is a trustworthy individual, while he thinks of cassius as a
fool, since he reads many books and does not enjoy plays and music.
8. What is the report given by Casca?
Casca reports to cassius and brutus of how caesar thrice denied the crown.

9. How does Cassius feel about his talk with Brutus?

cassius feels that his talk with brutus has made him see the inadequacies of caesar
has that would make him a far too inferior king.
Act I, Scene 3
10. What is the effect of the storm? Its purpose?
The effect of the storm is that it makes the characters fear for their lives. The
purpose of the storm is that it creates an atmosphere that implies a serious situation.
11. How does Cassius say he can escape tyranny?
Cassius says that any man can escape because he has the strength to escape
bonage, meaning by suicide, or by simply escaping on his own.
12. What is the next step in convincing Brutus?
The next step in converting brutus would be to use letters to convince brutus to join
the side cassius and others.
Lesson 5
Act II, Scene 1
1. Explain Brutus' speech that begins: It must be by his death
brutus speech starts with him saying that he doesn't have any personal reason to kill
Caesar, but he is worried what will happen to the general public if caesar becomes
king. brutus compares caesar to a deadly snake who will strike a you when things
dont go his way. therefore they think killing him with a knife would be the best thing
for the country. he also believes that when caesar becomes king, he will no longer
have conscience of remorse; that coupled with power, it is dangerous for the general
public. brutus also believes that caesar will forget his humble past and the new
powerful caesar will be dangerous to those whom he previously had much in
common.
2. Why do the conspirators want Cicero and then leave him out?
The conspirators do not want cicero to join because he does not take to following
orders very well since it was not his idea.
3. Why won't Brutus take an oath?
Brutus wont take an oath, since he doesnt see it being necessary, because he thinks
that just having a conviction of doing what is right for the country should be more self
binding to a purpose then an oath.
4. Why does he oppose the assassination of Antony?
He opposes the assassination because without caesar, antony is not a threat, and
cassius and the group are not killers, so they want to minimize the bloodshed.
5. How has Caesar changed?
The way that Caesar has changed is that he is becoming more paranoid thinking that
someone may be out to kill him.
6. What are some of Portia's characteristics?
two characteristics of portia that include curiosity, as she wants brutus to let her
know what is going on, and also she is loyal, as she wants brutus to treat her as his
wife, and not just some other woman he talks to.
Act II, Scene 2

7. Describe the night.

The night is described as having thunder and lightning, while calpurnia is said to have
cried out in her sleep that caesar would be murdered.
8. What has Caesar decided to do when Decius comes? What reason does he give?
As decius arrives, Caesar has decided to not attend the senate house that day. His
reasoning is because Calpurnia is worried that he will be killed.
9. Why does he change his mind?
Decius brutus changes Caesars mind by reinterpreting the vision of calpurnia, by
saying that the blood is a good sign and that if he does not show to the senate house,
he may not get the crown.
10. What are the two interpretations of the dream?
The two interpretations of the dream are given by calpurnia and decius brutus.
Calpurnia says that the blood spouting from his statue is signifying his imminent and
likely murder. Decius brutus says that the blood spouting from the statue signifies
that Caesar will bring reviving blood to the empire of rome.
Lesson 6
Act III, Scene 1
1. How do the conspirators react to the assassination?
The conspirators react to the assassination of Caesar by piling in and taking a stab
themselves.
2. How can you prove the dream was fulfilled?
The prophecy was fulfilled because he had many holes in his body that his blood did
gush forth like a fountain.
3. What prophecy is made?

4. What message does Antony's servant bring?

Antonys servant brings the message that Antony is in a way, pledging allegiance to
brutus.
5. What does Antony ask of the conspirators if they plan to kill him?
Antony asks that they kill him then and there because they will kill him with the
swords that are soiled by the blood of Caesar. If they kill him, he wants to be killed
beside Caesar.
Act III, Scene 2
6. How does Brutus justify Caesar's murder when he speaks to the people?
Brutus justifies Caesars murder when he speaks about the ambition in Caesars heart,
and how the ambition would be romes ultimate downfall.
7. How is the point proven to the people?
The point is proven to the people when he describes how Caesars ambition would
lead to the downfall of rome
8. How does Antony arouse the people to mutiny?

Antony arouses the people to mutiny by both reading Caesars will aloud and also
disproving brutus justification by showing that he wasnt that ambitous, meaning by
Caesar thrice refusing the crown.
9. How does Antony show he understands the people better than Brutus does?
Antony shows to that he understands the mob better than brutus because he
changed the views of the mob because he spoke after brutus. he disproved the words
of brutus and made the mob angier instead of calmer.
10. What are the provisions of Caesar's will?
Caesars will provided 75 drachmas for each citizens, and have his walks and new
planted orchards.
11. Who is prepared to take control of the government of Rome now?
Antony is prepared to take control of the government.
Lesson 7
Act IV, Scene 1
1. What is the Second Triumvirate? Who composes it?
The second triumvirate was a group of three people that shared power and governed
together. it was composed of Antony, lepidus, and octavius.
2. What is the new triumvirate planning to do?
The second triumvirate is planning to abuse or even kick out lepidus from the
triumvirate.
Act IV, Scene 2
3. Where are Brutus and Cassius?
cassius and brutus are at a camp, in front of brutus tent.
Act IV, Scene 3
4. Who quarrels? Why?
Cassius and brutus quarrel, because brutus asked cassius for money to pay for
troops, yet no money was given.
5. What does Brutus think of himself?
Brutus thinks that he is a better soldier and is morally superior to cassius, and also
that cassius is selling favors for money.
6. Why does Cassius say he is aweary of the world?
Cassius is growing tired of the world because he is hated by someone that he loves.
7. What alibi does Cassius use?
Cassius uses his temper as his alibi, because brutus makes him feel hurt, so he hides
behind his anger.
8. What news do we hear of Portia? What is Brutus' reaction?
the news given of portia is that she is dead, and brutus is in a depressed mood,
meaning he doesnt want to want to discuss it.
9. Why does Caesar's ghost appear to Brutus? What does it say to Brutus?
The ghost appears to give him a message. it says to brutus that it will see him again
at phillipi.

Lesson 8
Act V, Scene 1
1. Where does the scene take place?
The scene takes place in the plains of phillipi before battle comenses.
2. What do Brutus and Cassius do?
Brutus and cassius converse with antony and octavius before battle.
Act V, Scene 2
3. How does Cassius die?
Cassius asks pindarus to kill him for him.
4. How does Pindarus earn his freedom?
Pindarus follows cassius orders to the last order, that being for pindarus to kill
cassius.
5. What happens to Titinius?
Titinius commits suicide when he sees cassius dead.
Act V, Scenes 3 and 4
6. How does Brutus die?
Brutus asks many people to hold his sword while he would run on it, while finally
strato agrees, and brutus runs onto his sword.
7. What do Antony and Octavius say about Brutus?
Antony and octavius say that brutus is a good man.
8. Who wins and becomes ruler of Rome?
Octavius slays the mighty legendary dragon of yor,.......im kidding. It does not say at
the end of the play who wins, yet it can be inferred that octavius wins.