Julius Caesar Act Five Scene Three

"Myself to mine own turned enemy." (Cassiius)

What does he mean?

• I am my own enemy

• My soldiers are deserting me

• You are mine

• You are the enemy

"O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early,

Who, having some advantage on Octavius,

Took it too eagerly." (Titinius)

What is Titinius suggesting about Brutus?

• Brutus is a poor military strategist

• Brutus is a good military strategist

Answer explanation

Brutus' poor strategy has weakened their army and now Octavius' army has surrounded the camp. However, Cassius wrongly believes that the battle has been lost.

"My sight was ever thick" (Cassius) What is Cassius referring to?

• Cassius is thick

• Cassius cannot see the battle from his vantage point

Answer explanation

While Cassius admits that he is short-sighted, this physical defect may also be a symbol of his lack of foresight in this situation, in contrast to the powers of observations shown earlier in the play.

"Time is come round,

And where I did begin, there I shall end.

My life is run its compass." (Cassius)

What does Cassius mean here?

• I've lost my compass

• Time has run out

• I am fated to die on this day, my birthday.

• We are at the end

Answer explanation

Cassius' soliloquy suggests that he believes that fate has brought his life to an end. He accepts his fate.

"O coward that I am, to live so long

To see my best friend ta'en before my ____ !"(Cassius)

• eyes

• face

• ears

• nose

Answer explanation

Cassius is angry at himself for his cowardice as he now believes that Titinius has been surrounded by enemies in the campsite.

"Caesar, thou art revenged,

Even with the sword that killed thee." (Cassius)

• Cassius will die with the sword that killed Brutus.

  Pindarus will kill him.

• Caesar will kill him.

Answer explanation

Cassius' words indicates that he believes his death is a necessary retribution for Caesar's death.

Titinius and Messala enter. Titinius is wearing a ______ made of laurel.

• sash

• circle

• wreath

• sword

Answer explanation

A laurel wreath is a symbol of victory. Titinius had been stopped by Brutus' soldiers and given the wreath. Their forces had not been defeated, despite Cassius' fears.

"As in thy red rays thou dost sink tonight,

So in his red blood Cassius' day is set.

The sun of Rome is set." (Titinius)

What technique is evident in these lines?

• onomatopoeia

• alliteration

• metaphor

Answer explanation

Titinius uses this metaphor to describe Cassius' death. It has ended in a pool of red blood, much like Caesar's did.

Had Cassius not misinterpreted the animal imagery that happened in an earlier scene as an omen of defeat, he would not have killed himself. Ironically, his death changes the course of the battle and now Brutus will lose. As Titinius says 'Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.'

"Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything." (Titinius)

Who is Titinius addressing here?

• Brutus

• Cassius

• Messala

• Pindarus

Answer explanation

Titinius reproaches the corpse of Cassius for his rashness.

This line also suggests that Cassius' lack of foresight has culminated in his death.

"O hateful Error, Melancholy's child,

Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men

The things that are not? O Error, sonn conceived,

Thou never com'st unto a happy birth,

But kill'st the mother that engendered thee." (Messala)

What technique is used here?

• Simile

• Alliteration

• Personification

• Imagery