TASK:
You are to choose one of the following prompts and complete a typed response of not less than two-and-a-half typed pages in length. Your assignment will be worth a maximum of 50 points, with points assigned based on three categories: Organization, Creativity, and Mechanics and Usage.
PROMPTS:
- Pretend you are Cassius. Write a letter to Brutus that is designed to convince him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Don't forget who signed the letter in the play!
- Pretend you are Brutus. Write a diary entry explaining your decision to join Cassius in the plot to kill Caesar, even though you had never been wronged by him.
- Pretend you are Caesar. As a ghost, return to visit your wife. Write a scene in which you discuss your murder, why you decided to continue to the Senate despite many warnings, and what you think will happen in Rome in your absence.
- Pretend you are Antony. You are about to offer Caesar the crown. Write a conversation between them that would take place prior to the crown offering. Because it will not be heard by the gathered throng, you can discuss motives and reasons for the refusal to accept the crown.
Please post these to Musketeer English no later than 3.30 p.m. on Monday. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Thanks,
Mr. Parsons
English II Honors
7 comments:
Ashley Barlow
2nd period
extra credit
-Pretend you are Brutus. Write a diary entry explaining your decision to join Cassius in the plot to kill Caesar, even though you had never been wronged by him.
Dear Diary,
My dear friend Cassius has pointed out that Caesar is becoming more and more of an opposing threat to the Senate and to Rome. His ambition makes him a good leader, but he is gaining power too rapidly. Caesar may want the crown of Rome, making him a danger to everything we know and believe in.
I feel that I have a duty to Rome and the people of Rome to annihilate Caesar. Caesar has done no wrong to me. I love Caesar with all my heart but I must stab him through the heart, because if I don’t act he will stab Rome through the heart as well. How can I bear the blood of such a noble man as Caesar? What has he done to deserve such a fate?
If I sit and do nothing, peace will never be a word that is heard. Rome will fall. If Rome is to obtain liberty, freedom, or enfranchisement Caesar must die! I will grieve Caesar’s death but I will rejoice for the birth of Rome. If Caesar wants the crown of Rome, that makes him a threat to the Senate and the citizens of Rome. His ambition will lead him into a battle he cannot win and he will fall and bring down Rome with him.
My dear friend Caesar, oh what I must do to you! The cause I kill you for is greater than even you. For Rome to obtain greatness, Caesar’s blood must be spilled. Its just like on the battle fields, sometimes a general must sacrifice one of his soldiers for the good of the battle. Caesar is merely a soldier on the front line facing ten thousand enemy soldiers. He is a necessary loss. Caesar is a stepping block for Rome that must be crossed.
If my motives were only for more power in the Senate, then I would not love my wife. It would be dishonorable for me to think that way. If the crown was mine to have, then I would simply kill Caesar and take the crown of Rome. I am a noble man of Rome and I would also have the support of the people of Rome, but the crown is not something that I desire. I serve Rome as a general not a king. I am a noble man and my motives are pure. I only seek the best for Rome. Cassius would deceive me for he is a loving friend of mine, but he is by no means a friend of Caesar.
Caesar is so powerful. He influences so much of Rome, even if he were to step down his followers would finish his work for him without Caesar even asking them to do so. Therefore Caesar must die. There is no other alterative to save Rome.
It is not just I that thinks Caesar should be killed. The strange omens have appeared to have approved the killing of Caesar. The omens suggest the bad things to come if Caesar becomes king. The lion walking the streets, the rain of fire, dead men walking around, all point to Caesar! Theses bad omens are of Caesar’s doing! It is clear to me that what I must do is rid Rome of Caesar with that last stab.
- Pretend you are Brutus. Write a diary entry explaining your decision to join Cassius in the plot to kill Caesar, even though you had never been wronged by him.
Am I truly a fool for going against a man that has not even the slightest bit of hatred for me? Am I a bad man for going against a man that
has showed me nothing but kindness, and friendship? But what about the people of Rome? Do they not deserve better? I am sure of it, that I
am only questioning myself because, it is not a normal concept....the concept of killing a good man; But how else do I rid the people of Rome
from worries that come with having a careless leader. I do believe that in the end, the killing of Caesar is the best thing to do. I am sure, that if
Caesar knew what the ending of his life would bring for Rome, he would end it all himself. If he was a true leader he would know this, but I do
not believe that this is the case at all, and this is why I must take it into my own hands, and into the hands of my fellow conspirators. Cassius is
right about Caesar not being the best ruler. Cassius is right about everything. Caesar must die.
Oh think of what good I could bring to Rome. Such great things will come. I will assure the people of Rome better days. I will make
Rome stand to levels of greatness, that Caesar would not have dreamt of, let alone accomplish. It is a strange thought, that of betrayal. It is
a strange thought, because I Brutus, who wants nothing but peace and truth and freedom and good things for the people of Rome, can only
make things this way by lying and decieving someone who knows me as nothing less than a good friend. But to the people of Rome I confess
to you, that what I am going to do, is only for your good, yet it leaves a great sense of guilt in my heart. And if the spirit of your former leader
can hear me after his meaningful death, I shall confess my guilt for doing him wrong, and my reasoning behind it.
The day has come. The day that I shall decide my fate, and the fate of many others. I choose my fate, by stating that, I Brutus shall be
for the people of Rome no matter the cost. The taking of one life, to help many more, is good enough motive to kill Caesar. And I Brutus, shall
take the life of Caesar, and not look back, but only forward, into what shall become of Rome and its' people. I Brutus, join Cassius, to spill the
blood of Caesar, so that it enriches the soil of Rome!
-Pretend you are Brutus. Write a diary entry explaining your decision to join Cassius in the plot to kill Caesar, even though you had never been wronged by him.
Dear Diary,
I am torn between two sides; shall I be loyal to my country or loyal to a friend? Which ever way my heart leads me shall lead to disappointment. I am only one man can I be expected to please everyone? What a terrible position I have fallen into.
Has Caesar ever wronged me? How could I commit such a horrifying deed to a man who has been nothing but kind to me? But what about the good of Rome, isn’t that more important than any friendship, or man? I owe it to my country to fight for it. What about my good neighbors, if they are in the wrong hands what shall come of them? Power can corrupt a man. Wouldn’t a good friend stop this from occurring?
Cassius has brought up many good points and suggestions, but can he really be trusted? Is he really thinking of the good of Rome and acting out of the love for his country, or is he acting out or envy of Caesar’s position and only wants him dead? Cassius has said that Caesar is weak and just as good as anyone else and that anyone could perform his job as well as he, Is this only showing how envious he has become or does he speak the truth?
I realize that something must be done to stop Caesar from being corrupted by this new found power, but is his death really the only way of stopping this? Is murder ever truly justified? The reputation of a murderer will be upon me, how will I ever be able to face my people again? Can any good ever come of this terrible action; won’t things only get worse after we commit this crime? Is it possible for there to be a Brightside to all of the darkness that is coming upon us? Once this action is done what will the future hold for the people of Rome?
The decision is final I must act upon my beliefs and do what is right for the sake of my country. My love for my county is much greater than my love for any man. I will do as Cassius wishes and join the conspiracy against Caesar and partake in this war of justice. I will help bring Caesar to his end but only for Rome and what is right for them, for murder is not justified but I must do anything and everything possible to protect my country, even if that means committing an awful crime, I am a Roman first and a friend second.
Brutus
Pretend you are Caesar. As a ghost, return to visit your wife. Write a scene in which you discuss your murder, why you decided to continue to the senate despite many warnings, and what you think will happen in Rome in your absence.
Narrator: After a long day of stressing, and mourning, Caesar’s wife Calphurnia finally decides to call it quits and rest her head. The room was peaceful and candlelit as she laid down, but that didn’t last for long. Out of nowhere, the candles whisked out, the curtains flew open and a cool mist swept through her bedroom. As she was about to get out of bed and check things out, the voice of her beloved Caesar echoed through her room.
Ghost of Caesar: My beloved Calphurnia, how could I have betrayed you so? My actions mimicked that of a mouse drawn into a trap by cheese. (Slowly forming a shadow and circling the room.)
Calphurnia: O Caesar! Twas the omens at work that horrid day.
Ghost of Caesar: My soul is forever troubled in knowing that those most dear and trusted would partake in such a deed! Most deep betrayal!
Ghost of Caesar: How could it have been done for the good of Rome? Was I such an unfit ruler? Have I lead my people to trouble?
Calphurnia: True intentions come from envy dear Caesar. They told the people of Rome that you were rising to too much power and were overly ambitious!
Ghost of Caesar: Especially in Cassius, his hunger for power caught my eye the day I met him!
Calphurnia: My sole question that I have for you is “What lead you to leave for the senate that dreadful day, ignoring all warning and omens laid down before you?” (The ghost of Caesar ascends high and near to the ceiling calling attention and importance.)
Ghost of Caesar: I could not let fear stand in the way of my people and I. I was ready to accept the crown and lead Rome in the rightful direction. I was lured into a trap, yet for the decisions I made, there is no fault but my own and I take responsibility! They played on my weakness; trust. As much as we wish it hadn’t happened the way it did, you must not live in the past Calphurnia. You know what is right, you are a strong woman and you must fight for it. I fear what is to come for the sake of Rome, as I am no longer here to protect it.
Calphurnia: They stated your murder was for the good of Rome, with the best intentions. Yet I have seen no improvements! The heavens still tremble; the weather stays restless and trembling! With you gone, they have left nothing but a place of power which unfilled leads to nothing but fighting. A war over rule is beginning here in Rome and I fear what’s to come of it. Cassius and Brutus are leading there army to face Antony and his, Antony is infuriated because he knows the person you were and he is aware of most of the conspirators true intentions!
Ghost of Caesar: You and Rome will forever hold my heart, I know in the end honesty will prevail! Until we meet again my beloved Calphurnia, farewell. (The shadow disappears in the darkness and the candlelit warmth reappears as though nothing has happenened.)
By: Madison Mantz
Pretend you are Caesar. As a ghost, return to visit your wife. Write a scene in which you discuss your murder, why you decided to continue to the senate despite many warnings, and what you think will happen in Rome in your absence.
Narrator: After a long day of stressing, and mourning, Caesar’s wife Calphurnia finally decides to call it quits and rest her head. The room was peaceful and candlelit as she laid down, but that didn’t last for long. Out of nowhere, the candles whisked out, the curtains flew open and a cool mist swept through her bedroom. As she was about to get out of bed and check things out, the voice of her beloved Caesar echoed through her room.
Ghost of Caesar: My beloved Calphurnia, how could I have betrayed you so? My actions mimicked that of a mouse drawn into a trap by cheese. (Slowly forming a shadow and circling the room.)
Calphurnia: O Caesar! Twas the omens at work that horrid day.
Ghost of Caesar: My soul is forever troubled in knowing that those most dear and trusted would partake in such a deed! Most deep betrayal!
Ghost of Caesar: How could it have been done for the good of Rome? Was I such an unfit ruler? Have I lead my people to trouble?
Calphurnia: True intentions come from envy dear Caesar. They told the people of Rome that you were rising to too much power and were overly ambitious!
Ghost of Caesar: Especially in Cassius, his hunger for power caught my eye the day I met him!
Calphurnia: My sole question that I have for you is “What lead you to leave for the senate that dreadful day, ignoring all warning and omens laid down before you?” (The ghost of Caesar ascends high and near to the ceiling calling attention and importance.)
Ghost of Caesar: I could not let fear stand in the way of my people and I. I was ready to accept the crown and lead Rome in the rightful direction. I was lured into a trap, yet for the decisions I made, there is no fault but my own and I take responsibility! They played on my weakness; trust. As much as we wish it hadn’t happened the way it did, you must not live in the past Calphurnia. You know what is right, you are a strong woman and you must fight for it. I fear what is to come for the sake of Rome, as I am no longer here to protect it.
Calphurnia: They stated your murder was for the good of Rome, with the best intentions. Yet I have seen no improvements! The heavens still tremble; the weather stays restless and trembling! With you gone, they have left nothing but a place of power which unfilled leads to nothing but fighting. A war over rule is beginning here in Rome and I fear what’s to come of it. Cassius and Brutus are leading there army to face Antony and his, Antony is infuriated because he knows the person you were and he is aware of most of the conspirators true intentions!
Ghost of Caesar: You and Rome will forever hold my heart, I know in the end honesty will prevail! Until we meet again my beloved Calphurnia, farewell. (The shadow disappears in the darkness and the candlelit warmth reappears as though nothing has happenened.)
By: Madison Mantz
- Pretend you are Cassius. Write a letter to Brutus that is designed to convince him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Don't forget who signed the letter in the play!
Dear honorable Marcus Brutus,
Your credible attitude and envied intelligence is greatly needed by someone who can do nothing but look up to you. This person I speak of is none other than I, Cassius. My reasons for writing you are not so much personal as they are business related. Before jumping to conclusions great Brutus, please take time to consider my offerings.
It may seem that all of Rome adores Caesar and supports him in his act to obtain power. Many believe he is fit for the job and others are simply joining the bandwagon. Even the smartest of civilians are not looking deep into the facts. Sadly, you are one of the fellows of which I am referring to.
Caesar has many weaknesses in his family such as his wife’s inability to reproduce and his sickness that causes him to pass out frequently. I once saved Caesar from drowning for he could not swim and I could. He is as ordinary as any other man is and these faults in a ruler will create faults in what is being ruled. Giving power to Caesar will allow Rome to be vulnerable to danger, thus giving him the strength to damage. Who is to say if Caesar will stay loyal to his noble friends such as you Brutus, or turn his back and let the excitement of ruling go to his head? I know that you love Caesar very much and would never think of rebelling against his word, but this is not about the relationship you have with him; this is about the sake of the people.
Some other conspirators and I have developed a plan that will save Rome. We are lacking the most important piece to the puzzle though, and you good Brutus is the piece that is longed for. I do not expect you to announce your decision immediately. Saving Rome or holding onto a friendship that will probably be deadened anyway is something to ponder upon, right? If you are willing to join my allies and I, please reply soon. We won’t hold our breath, but will definitely anticipate your letter in return. Thank you immensely.
Thoughtfully yours,
Cassius
Megan Smallwood
Extra Credit
3rd
- Pretend you are Brutus. Write a diary entry explaining your decision to join Cassius in the plot to kill Caesar, even though you had never been wronged by him.
As I think about the fate my decision will bring, I fall into a predicament that not even a noble man of Rome, like myself can try to fix.
Although Caesar has never wronged me, i feel as if i owe it to Rome to keep our Country in good hands, and ensure the civilians they are in a secure place. I do consider Caesar a great friend, but the fate of my country comes first in line before friendship.
If Caesar was a good, responisble leader he would come to his senses and realize, he is no goof for this country and someone like myself could the the job much better. But Caesar believes he's a great leader, and this is what will cause me to take drastic measures.
I won't ever feel the same after killing such a dear friend, and I shall never be guilt-free. This will change the man I am, but it will also change the fate of Rome and the fate of many other people. If Caesar was looking at the situation in my perspective I am almost sure he would take the same action, and do what he had to do for the fate of Rome.
The supernatural things that have been happening have infulenced my decision also, it just makes me that much more positive I'm doing the best thing. I am very sure with my decision of joining Cassius in the plot to kill my dear friend. The end result will be better for not only the country, but for myself.
I'll write again soon,
Brutus
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