The qualities of a good leader is one of the play's important themes. To explore this theme, students can do one or more of the following:
• Discuss the qualities possessed by a good leader. Generate a list of these qualities • Make a list of the leadership qualities that the class feels are legitimate. Compare and contrast the two lists and compile one list of leadership qualities that the class feels a good leader should have. Prioritize the list.
A good leader holds these traits:
Thinks before acting
Able to prioritize
Think outside the box
Task oriented
Honest with actions
Charismatic
Foreign policy
Able to take control
Serious
Reliable
Puts people first
Intelligent
Equality
Confident
Courageous
• Examine the effect a leader's domestic relationships, physical condition, and/or athletic ability may have on his or her leadership abilities.
A couple hundred years ago physical condition would play a big part in being a leader but now it doesn’t really make a difference because they don’t go into war the same way that we used too. The president sends troops to do it instead of him leading them into war. It’s a completely different way of life now then it was back then.
2. Friendship is another major theme in the play. Explore this theme by answering the following questions:• How far would you go to stop a friend from harming your country?
I would be very honest with my friend. I would try everything I could to stop them and make them make the right decision. I would not go as far as to hurting them physically or killing them but I would use my words to make them comprehend what I was saying. • How far would you go to obtain revenge on someone or some group who destroyed your best friend?
• Is there anything for which you would betray a friend?
If I needed to betray a friend the only reasons would be for a family member, or a personal goal that I want to achieve. If a friend had some problems that involved my family I would defiantly betray them and take my families side. Also if I had a goal that I wanted to accomplish and a friend was getting in the way of me and that dream I would leave them and accomplish my goal because in the end family and personal principles last longer then friends.
• Which is more important to you, friendship or personal principles? Why?
Personal Principles are more important to me then friendship because personal principles are things you do for yourself and you can trust yourself. Sometimes friends can turn their backs and leave you hanging and so it’s just easier if you do things for yourself.
3. One of the most sensitive issues in the play is suicide. Research attitudes toward suicide held by the following cultures: ancient Roman, modern Japanese, and modern American. Compare and contrast these attitudes in class presentations or in written essays.
4. The role of fate and superstition is another theme.• To what extent can we control the future?
We can control how we are going to react to things and how we are going to deal with issues that come our way. We can control our attitude towards life and the way we live. There are many things we can do to help control our futures. • How superstitious are you? Do you have any good luck rituals that you perform before important occasions?
I’m not a superstitious person and I don’t believe in luck. • Do you watch for omens before important events?
No I’m not interested in that kind of stuff. • Do you read your horoscope every day, and do you follow its advice?
Sometimes if my horoscope is in the newspaper I read it but I don’t really take it’s advice. I don’t believe in them.
Act 1
4. Why does Caesar want Calphurnia to stand in Antony's path during the race in honor of the feast of Lupercal?
Caesar wants Calphurnia to stand in Antony’s way because the Romans believe a runner runs by and touches the Barren woman and she will be able to have children and the curse will be broken.
5. What is Antony's response to Caesar's instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?
Antony has much respect for Caesar and is loyal to him so he does what he is told.
6. What is Caesar's reaction to the soothsayer's warning?
Caesar calls the soothsayer over to hear what he has to say but then when he realizes that he is crazy he ignores him and leaves.
7. What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus's behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint?
Cassius thinks that Brutus is treating him poorly and that he is being quite stubborn.
8. Cassius's story attacks what aspect of Caesar's makeup? What is this attack supposed to say to Brutus?
Cassius is saying how he thinks Caesar is weak because he almost drown and he had to save him.
9. What does Cassius mean by the following statement? “ 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar.' “(147)
Cassius is saying that the name Brutus is just as good as Caesars.
10. How does Brutus respond to Cassius's attack on Caesar?
Brutus us going to take what Cassuis said and think about it more deeply.
11. What astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius?
Caesar says that Cassius has a mean look to him and that he thinks to much.
12. What faults does Caesar see in Cassius's nature?
Caesar sees Cassius as a very dangerous man and an observer.
13. What does Caesar mean by the following statement? “I rather tell thee what is to be feared/Than what I fear; for alwaysI am Caesar.” (211-12)
Caesar isn’t going to say what his fears are because that will make him look weak.
14. What does this statement show about Caesar's nature?
Caesar is narcissistic.
15. What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does Casca tell us by the personal remarks he adds to the story?
Casca adds that he didn’t accept the crown when he was offered and that made many people adore him.
16. How did the people react to Caesar's fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar?
People adored and respected Caesar more for not taking the crown because it showed that he really cared.
17. What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
Marullus and Flavius were killed.
18. At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause?
Caesar wants Calphurnia to stand in Antony’s way because the Romans believe a runner runs by and touches the Barren woman and she will be able to have children and the curse will be broken.
5. What is Antony's response to Caesar's instructions? What does this suggest about their relationship?
Antony has much respect for Caesar and is loyal to him so he does what he is told.
6. What is Caesar's reaction to the soothsayer's warning?
Caesar calls the soothsayer over to hear what he has to say but then when he realizes that he is crazy he ignores him and leaves.
7. What complaint does Cassius make about Brutus's behavior towards him? How does Brutus answer this complaint?
Cassius thinks that Brutus is treating him poorly and that he is being quite stubborn.
8. Cassius's story attacks what aspect of Caesar's makeup? What is this attack supposed to say to Brutus?
Cassius is saying how he thinks Caesar is weak because he almost drown and he had to save him.
9. What does Cassius mean by the following statement? “ 'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar.' “(147)
Cassius is saying that the name Brutus is just as good as Caesars.
10. How does Brutus respond to Cassius's attack on Caesar?
Brutus us going to take what Cassuis said and think about it more deeply.
11. What astute observation does Caesar make of Cassius?
Caesar says that Cassius has a mean look to him and that he thinks to much.
12. What faults does Caesar see in Cassius's nature?
Caesar sees Cassius as a very dangerous man and an observer.
13. What does Caesar mean by the following statement? “I rather tell thee what is to be feared/Than what I fear; for alwaysI am Caesar.” (211-12)
Caesar isn’t going to say what his fears are because that will make him look weak.
14. What does this statement show about Caesar's nature?
Caesar is narcissistic.
15. What story does Casca relate to Brutus and Cassius? What does Casca tell us by the personal remarks he adds to the story?
Casca adds that he didn’t accept the crown when he was offered and that made many people adore him.
16. How did the people react to Caesar's fit? What does this tell us about their feelings for Caesar?
People adored and respected Caesar more for not taking the crown because it showed that he really cared.
17. What information does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
Marullus and Flavius were killed.
18. At the end of the scene, what plans does Cassius make to sway Brutus to his cause?
