Extended Response Practice - Sample Questions 

CHARACTER 2291 

1. Discuss the role of women in Julius Caesar, comparing and contrasting Portia and Calpurnia. 
2. Discuss the role o f Cassius in the play. What motivates him? 
3. Brutus is often considered a tragic hero. Considering his positive attributes, his flaws, and 
his role in the play, do you agree or disagree with this sentiment? Why/why not?   
4. Is Cassius a tragic hero? In your discussion explore Cassius’ positive points and his flaws, his 
dreams and his means of obtaining them. 
5. Examine Shakespeare’s presentation of Antony. How does he appear initially? How does he 
grow in importance? How and why does he change? Is he likeable? Are his actions 
understandable or defendable? 

THEMES 

6. Discuss the power of deception and manipulation in Julius Caesar. 

7. How is loyalty portrayed in Julius Caesar? Please specifically address Antony, Brutus and 
Cassius in relation to Caesar. 
8. Idealism often leads to downfall. Support this statement with references to the text. 
9. Some would say that ​Julius Caesar​ is ultimately a play about the tragedy of lost morality in 
the political sphere. Would you agree?  
10. Examine one or some of the following conflicts, explaining why they exist and how they are 
resolved: 
a. conspirators vs. Caesar and the institution of a king 
b. triumvirate vs. conspirators 
c. Portia and Calpurnia’s efforts to prevent their husband’s fates 
d. Caesar’s own struggle for power 
e. Brutus’ internal conflict. 

 
PLOT 
11. Discuss instances in which the action of the play hinges on the successful use of flattery. 
12. Explain the significance of Antony’s funeral oration in ​Julius Caesar. 

 
STYLE and STRUCTURE:  
 
13. Discuss the power of speech and/or the written word in Julius Caesar. 
14. Discuss the ways in which Shakespeare uses the weather, dreams, augerers, and other 
portents to create dramatic tension and to develop character. 

 
Writing in other Textual Types… 

DISCURSIVE RESPONSES 

15. What should Julius Caesar have done to prevent his assassination and the upheaval that 
followed in Rome? 
16. Does Julius Caesar remind you of another politician or military figure that came afterwards? 
17. What actions did his supporters commit that may have led to his detractors’ opinions on 
him? 
18. Discuss the lessons about human nature that you have learned from your study of ​Julius 
Caesar. 
 
PERSUASIVE RESPONSES 
23. Which two characters seem the most complex? How do you know this? 
24. Is Brutus a villain or a hero? Discuss 
 
IMAGINATIVE RESPONSES 
25. As he is being killed, Caesar says, "Et tu, Brute? - Then fall Caesar!" What could be going 
through his mind at that point? What might Brutus be thinking at the same time? Compose 
Caesar’s internal monologue at this time. 

26. Compose a narrative that explores what might have happened if Cassius and Brutus remained 
outside to argue? [Act 4 Scene 2 and Scene 3] 

 
TASK: ​Read the questions below and identify which aspect of text is the primary focus of each 
question and identify other aspects which you could also use in planning a response. 

Primary Focus  Question  Other possible aspects 

Character  Examine the ​character of Brutus​. Is he t​ ruly virtuous​?  Themes 

What ​negative qualities of Brutus cause his own  Plot 
destruction​?  

Theme  Discuss the power, or lack thereof, of ​omens​ and fate  Character 
in Julius Caesar.  Plot 

Theme  What do ​responses ​to the​ motifs​ in Julius Caesar tell  Characters 
the audience about ​free will vs fate?  Style & Structure 

Style and  In all the chaos​ of Julius Caesar, is there a s​ ingle​ voice  Plot 
structure  of reason​? If so, ​who​? Please explain your answer citing  Character 
details from the text. 

Character  Do you believe that ​Caesar​ was ​headstrong​ and could  Plot 
this have ​played a part in why senators wanted him  Style and Structure 
gone​?