Act IV - Scene I A House in Rome Practice Quiz — The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Act IV - Scene I A House in Rome
Who are the three members of the triumvirate who meet in Act IV, Scene 1?
Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.
What is a "proscription list"?
A formal register of political enemies condemned to death, stripped of legal protection, and subject to execution or exile.
Whose brother does Octavius insist must die?
Lepidus's brother. Octavius asks Lepidus to consent to his death.
Who is Publius in relation to Antony?
Publius is Antony's nephew (his sister's son). Antony agrees to have him killed.
What does "prick him down" mean in the context of the scene?
It means to mark a name on the proscription list with a stylus, condemning that person to death.
Why does Antony send Lepidus to Caesar's house?
To fetch Caesar's will so they can reduce some of the bequests (legacies) left to the Roman citizens.
What does Antony call Lepidus after he leaves?
A "slight unmeritable man" who is only fit to run errands.
To what animal does Antony first compare Lepidus?
An ass (donkey) that bears gold, groaning and sweating under the burden, only to be unloaded and turned out to graze.
To what second animal does Antony compare Lepidus?
A horse that Antony teaches to fight, wind, stop, and run — a creature governed entirely by Antony's will.
How does Octavius defend Lepidus against Antony's criticism?
Octavius calls Lepidus "a tried and valiant soldier," suggesting he has proven himself in battle.
What does Antony mean by calling Lepidus "a property"?
He means Lepidus should be treated as a tool or possession — something to be used, not respected as an equal partner.
What military threat do Antony and Octavius discuss at the end of the scene?
Brutus and Cassius are raising armies ("levying powers"), and the triumvirs must quickly organize their own forces to counter them.
What does Antony mean by saying Lepidus "feeds on objects, arts, and imitations"?
He means Lepidus adopts fashions, ideas, and styles only after others have discarded them — he is unoriginal and derivative.
What is the dramatic irony of Antony's plan to alter Caesar's will?
In Act III, Antony used the will's generous bequests to turn the crowd against the conspirators. Now he plans to reduce those same bequests, showing his manipulation of the public.
What does Octavius mean by "we are at the stake, and bay'd about with many enemies"?
He uses a bear-baiting metaphor: they are like a bear tied to a stake, surrounded by attacking dogs (enemies) on all sides.
How does this scene mirror Act II's conspiracy planning?
Just as the conspirators secretly met to plan Caesar's assassination, the triumvirs now secretly meet to plan their enemies' deaths — showing that the cycle of political violence continues.