Midterm Review Sheet (English/Fenlon)

Vocab: (all from JC/matching)

Replication
Spare
Infirmity
Surly
Portentous
Prodigious
Augmented
Entreated
Conspiracy
Resolution
Entreated
Imminent
Suit
Spurn
Confounded

Mutiny
Malice
Oration
Discourse
Vile
Legacies
Covert
Chastisement
Philosophy
Presage
Ensign
Consorted
Demeanor
Disconsolate
Misconstrued
Envy
15 plot-based multiple choice questions on JC. 5 multiple choice on Old Man (from Test,
slightly modified)
10 short answer questions. 5 from Julius Caesar and 5 from Hemingway. Below is some
information you will need to know.
Major Themes (universal ideas) in Julius Caesar
1)

Fate vs. Free Will:

Many questions about force of fate (destiny, God, gods) and a persons free will. Is Caesar destined to be
emperor? What is Cassius or Brutus attitude about JCs rise to power? What does Caesar think about himself?

2)

Public Self (Politics, Public Persona, Public Good) vs. Private Self (Feelings, Loyalty)

Some characters neglect private feelings for perceived public good.

Some characters confuse private motivations (ambition) with public good and become ruthless.

Think about Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, and Anthony

How do Portia and Calpurnia figure in?

3)

Misreadings and Misinterpretations

Who fails to understand/interpret omens?

Who misreads letters or circumstances?

Who can read people and circumstances?

4)

Compromise vs. Stubbornness (inflexibility)

Who is stubborn and what does it cost them?

Who can adapt and how do they do it?

5)

Role of Rhetoric (Power of the spoken and written word)

Who uses it best (worst) and how?

Old Man and the Sea

Main Themes:
Unity: Hemingway spends a good deal of time drawing connections between Santiago and his
natural environment: the fish, birds, and stars are all his brothers or friends.
Heroism: Triumph over crushing adversity is the heart of heroism, and in order for Santiago the
fisherman to be a heroic emblem for humankind, his tribulations must be monumental.
Manhood: Hemingways ideal of manhood is nearly inseparable from the ideal of heroism
discussed above. To be a man is to behave with honor and dignity: to not succumb to suffering, to
accept ones duty without complaint, and most importantly, to display a maximum of self-control.
Success: Hemingway draws a distinction between two different types of success: outer, material
success and inner, spiritual success. While Santiago clearly lacks the former, the import of this
lack is eclipsed by his possession of the latter.
Worthiness: Being heroic and manly are not merely qualities of character which one possesses
or does not. One must constantly demonstrate ones heroism and manliness through actions
conducted with dignity.

Short Answer Topics: Santiago at the end of novella; A

Strange Old Man: Author as Santiago; Hemingways
Code
Act 1, Scene ii
1)

In this scene Caesar is described as having two physical problems. What are they? Which of the two problems boded
poorly for a future emperor? Why would Elizabethan audiences be very aware of this potential problem?

2)

Does Caesar want to be king? Explain.

3)

What weakness in Brutus does Cassius want to exploit

4)

Describe what dangers Caesar sees in Cassius.

Act II, scene i.

1. What question is Brutus pondering at the opening of the scene?
4 Why does Brutus reject Cicero? What is Cassius's reaction and what does this show about his and Brutus's
relationship?
5. What do the conspirators plan to do the next day?
6. How does Decius say he will make sure that Caesar will come to the Capitol?
7. What has Portia done to show Brutus that she is worthy of knowing his secrets?
Act II, scene ii.
8. What strange and horrible things does Calphurnia report to Caesar that have been seen that night?
9.What does Calpurnia mean by the following statement?
"When beggars die, there are no comets seen;/The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."(30-31)
10. How does Decius convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?

Act III, scene i.

12. In regard to Artemidorus's request, how does Caesar's nobility doom him?
17. Why does Cassius object to letting Antony speak at Caesar's funeral? What reassurance does Brutus give
him?
18. What promise does Antony give Brutus about his funeral speech?
19. After being left alone with Caesar's body, what does Antony promise to do?
Act III, scene ii.
8. What reason does Brutus give for murdering Caesar? What is the crowd's reaction?
9 What final mistake does Brutus make in letting Antony speak?
10. Why does Antony read Caesar's will to the people?
11. At the end of the scene, what are the fates of Brutus and Cassius?
Act III, scene iii.
12. What is the significance of this scene?
Act IV, scene i.
1.

What are Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus doing at the opening of the scene?

2. Why do they want Caesar's will? What is ironic about this?

Act IV, scene iii.
6. What wrong does Cassius say Brutus has done him? In response, what does Brutus condemn
Cassius for doing?
11. What is the real reason for Brutus's ill temper? Give all of the details.
13. What reasons does Cassius give for not going directly to Philippi?
14. What reasons does Brutus give for going directly to Philippi? Who prevails?
15. What happens to make Brutus speed up his plans to go to Philippi?
Act V
1. What hope of Octavius and Antony is answered? What does this say about Brutus?
2. What does Cassius mean by the following statement?
"Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself;/This tongue had not offended so today,/If Cassius might have
ruled."(45-47)
4. What does Brutus say he will do if they lose the battle? Why is he reluctant to do this?
Act V, scene iii.

5 What horrible mistake does Cassius make? What is the outcome of this mistake? What is Titinius's
reaction to Cassius's actions?
7. What is Brutus's response to Cassius's and Titinius's actions?
Quotes from Julius Caesar
In the form of a short essay, please explain the following for each quote: a) Who is speaking and in what part of the
play (for example, Act II, Brutus is talking to X about Y), b) What is the significance or importance of the quote to
the play. Why is it important and what does it mean?
Possible Quotes will come from the following: Act III: Brutus, Antony, or Caesar. Act IV: Brutus or Cassius
Honors Only: Short Essay Topics (You will have a choice of two of the following)
1. Brutus is cast as a very idealistic leader in the play while Cassius is cast as being highly
pragmatic. Of the two, which do you think is the better leader? Defend your answer.
2. What is the significance of Caesar's "north star" speech at the Capitol? How does this speech
make you feel about Caesar? The conspirators?
3. In every disagreement between the two, Brutus never gives in to Cassius; he must always have his
way. What does this say about Brutus? Why does Cassius always yield?
4. Compare Portia and Calphurnia. From your comparison, do you think Shakespeare's
characterization of the two women was flattering or disparaging?
5. Outline the steps that Cassius takes to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy. Do you think Brutus
would have joined had he realized how Cassius manipulated him? What does it say about Brutus that
Cassius's plan was successful? What does it say about Cassius that he used such steps to attract
Brutus?