Act I - Scene III A Street. Thunder and Lightning Quiz — The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

What is Casca doing when the scene opens?

• Speaking calmly with Cicero about politics
• Entering with his sword drawn, breathless and frightened
• Meeting secretly with Brutus at his home
• Reading a letter from Cassius

Which of the following omens does Casca NOT describe?

• A slave’s hand burning like torches without being scorched
• A lion prowling near the Capitol
• A statue of Caesar weeping blood
• An owl shrieking at noon in the marketplace

What key insight does Cicero offer about interpreting the omens?

• The omens clearly signal Caesar’s downfall
• Men interpret events according to their own biases, not their true meaning
• The gods are punishing Rome for its sins
• Only priests can properly read such signs

How does Cassius behave during the storm, and why?

• He hides indoors, afraid of the lightning
• He bares his chest to the lightning, demonstrating fearlessness to impress Casca
• He prays at a temple for the storm to stop
• He stands guard outside Caesar’s home

To what does Cassius compare Caesar in his extended metaphor?

• A dying flame that will soon be extinguished
• A wise serpent hiding in the grass
• The monstrous, dreadful storm itself
• A skilled actor performing on a stage

What does Cassius threaten to do if Caesar is crowned king?

• Flee Rome and live in exile
• Challenge Caesar to public debate
• Kill himself rather than live under tyranny
• Appeal to the Senate for a vote

Why do the conspirators believe Brutus is essential to their plot?

• He commands the largest army in Rome
• He is Caesar’s closest friend and can get near him
• His public reputation will make the conspiracy appear virtuous
• He is the best swordsman among the senators

What does Cassius instruct Cinna to do at the end of the scene?

• Guard Pompey’s Porch until the other conspirators arrive
• Deliver a message to Caesar warning him to stay home
• Place forged letters where Brutus will find them
• Recruit additional senators to join the conspiracy

Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

In this scene, Casca says the omens are "portentous things." What does "portentous" mean?

• Extremely heavy or burdensome
• Serving as an omen or warning of something momentous
• Impossible to explain by natural causes
• Deliberately created to frighten people

Cassius says Romans "have thews and limbs like to their ancestors." What are "thews"?

• Noble titles and honors
• Muscular strength or well-developed muscles
• Political rights and freedoms
• Ancient weapons and armor

Casca calls Brutus’s countenance "richest alchemy." What does this metaphor mean?

• Brutus is the wealthiest man in Rome
• Brutus’s approval can transform base actions into something noble, like turning lead into gold
• Brutus practices secret arts of manipulation
• Brutus’s face reveals his true emotions