Journal#7

Dear Aunt Iris,

           

            Yesterday Brutus and his followers murdered our beloved Caesar. That very afternoon both Brutus and ark Antony gave funeral speeches about Caesar.  Brutus only talked of how what he id was the right thing and how we should not be upset at him, he said nothing of the man whose funeral we were at. While Antony spoke of all the great deeds Caesar has dine and that he wishes he could be with him. Come with me to join Mark Antony in a battle against the conspirators.

Mark Antony’s speech he talked of Caesar and all of his accomplishments. He made me realize again why I loved Caesar. His words also made me realize that the men who plotted and committed his murder should me gravely punished.

I believe that Mark Antony loves Caesar, and Rome more the Brutus and the other conspirators. Brutus killed him not for his ambition but for his superiority to him. Brutus believes that he should be ruler and not Caesar. Antony, on the other hand truly loved and would do anything for Caesar.

            Come with me and many other followers of Antony to attack, and hopefully, kill Brutus and his conspirators. Caesar needs to be avenged, and we must do that for him.

                                                Your Niece,

                                                Kat Kaplow 

Journal #6

Journal Topic 6

Persuasion

         Many times a brother looks up to his older sibling for guidance and support. I know my brother did and still does, but not as much as he used to. When we were very little I used to tell him to do silly things like run around screaming, “I like unicorns!” Well then it got worse I started telling him that the coins were worth much more than paper money. He thought a quarter was $25 and a $10 bill was worth 10 cents. So daily I would give him a dime in exchange for a 10-dollar bill. Sure I felt a little bad but how could I resist?

         Within the next few months I has made over 50 dollars in birthday, and Christmas money. Ty on the other hand had made about 50 cents. He boasted about his wealth and called me silly for just giving him money, I was feeling pretty good.

         Later that week my mom saw Ty running around with his coins and shaking them in my face, she asked “ Ty, what are you doing?” I walked away knowing this wasn’t going to be good. He replied, “Katya has been giving me money and all I had to do was give her green paper!” I could see from my hiding place that her face was turning cross. She said, “ That’s great Ty! Let me go talk to your sister.” She walked over to me and summoned me into my room. “ Katya Noemi Kaplow! Have you been taking Ty’s money?!” I said, “No, I just gave him smaller money in exchange for cash.” I smiled hoping to win her over with my adorable smile. It didn’t work.

         For the next week I was grounded, no Ty, no soccer, and no play dates. Ty had gotten his money back and he kept my 50 cents. That long week I learned that the power of persuasion was a great thing; but it needs to be used only in the right moments. This was no one of them.

         To this day I am still a very good persuader and usually win arguments and quarrels: but I know never to mess with Ty, because he doesn’t trust me anymore. 

Journal 5

Caesar Journal #5

Select 5 quotes from Act II. Complete the following for each quote:

1.   Identify the speaker

2.   Identify the person/people the speaker is talking to

3.   Explain the context of the quote (what is going on?)

4.   Explain the significance of each quote (why is it important?)

1.   “Which, hatched, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, And kill him in his shell.” Brutus says this to himself. He is saying that if Caesar ( if crowned king) will do bad for Rome so he must kill him before that happens.  This shows that Cassius’ praising worked and now Brutus is on his side.

2.   “No Sir, their hats are plucked about their ears, and half their faces buried in their cloaks.” Lucius says this to Brutus when he asks who is at the door. In covering their faces Cassuis and his men show that they are planning something bad.

3.   “Dear my good lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief.” Portia says this to Brutus when she tells him he is being very secretive. She wants him to her what is bothering him. This is important because it shows that Brutus was seriously thinking about Cassius’ plan and was acting differently. It also shows that him and Portia have an open relationship.

4.   “They could not find a heart within the beast.” The servant says this to Caesar when he asks what the augurers found in the animal. The servant says there was not heart in the animal. This means that something bad is going to happen, a sign that Caesar is in great danger. Foreshadowing the events to come.

5.   “Caesar I will [Aside.] And so near will I be that your best friends shall with I had been further.” Trebonious says this on an aside to say that he is going to be close to Caesar to kill him. This is foreshadowing what is going to happen to Caesar.

Journal 4

Caesar Journal #4

Select 5 quotes from Act I. Complete the following for each quote:

1.   Identify the speaker

2.   Identify the person/people the speaker is talking to

3.   Explain the context of the quote (what is going on?)

4.   Explain the significance of each quote (why is it important?)

1.   “For I believe they are portentous things unto the climate that they point upon.” Casca is talking to Cicero. Casca is telling Cicero that the weird events are huge and point to bigger things. It is important because it foreshadows what is going to happen.

2.   “When Caesar says “Do This”, it is performed.” Antony says this to Caesar. Caesar told Antony to touch his wife during the running race to help her have children. This shows that Antony is very obedient to Caesar and will do whatever he wants.

3.   “Beware the Ides of March” The soothsayer says this to Caesar. She is warning him to be careful because the Ides of March will bring danger. This is important because it foreshadows what will come.

4.   “Why there was a crown offered to him; and, being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, the people fell a-shouting.” Casca said this to Brutus. He is explaining why there was a great tumult in the town. It is important because it shows Caesar refuses the crown and looks very strong and honorable.

5.   “For who so firm that cannot be seduced?” Cassius says this hen Brutus leaves. He explains how he is “seducing Brutus” so that he will crack and try to kill the king. This shows that he is conjuring a plan to kill the king and it involves Brutus.

Journal #3

Caesar Journal #3 (At least ½ a page)

Discuss the differences between Brutus and Cassius’s view of Caesar becoming “King.” Which side would you support? Why?

     I would support Brutus’s view because Caesar lead Rome to many great victories but is not fit to be a king. The Roman republic has worked for them for hundreds of years; why change it?

     Brutus thinks that Caesar is a great man and he loves him very much but he doesn’t want to see him become king. He is at a war with himself and is torn between his good friend’s interests and his love for Rome. He only wants what is best for his city and he believes that making Caesar king would be a mistake.

     Cassius toys with Brutus by praising him and telling him that many people think he should be king. He tells him that him and Caesar are equal and that Brutus could be a better ruler. Really all Cassius wants is power. He wants to be able to tell people what to do. By standing outside with an open shirt he is gaining power and respect from the people he is conspiring with.

Journal Topic #2

Caesar Journal #2 (At least ½ a page)

Situation:

You are a player on the baseball team along with your best friend, who is the star hitter. You highly suspect your friend of using steroids, but do not have definitive proof. You have two choices, each with a positive and negative outcome.

1.    Tell the coach that you suspect your friend of using steroids and avoid discrediting the team in the playoffs. This also might save your friend’s health, but you will lose your friend’s respect and he will be immediately removed from the team.

2.    Remain silent, which “protects” your friendship but may damage the credibility of your team and possibly your friend’s health, as well.

Last year my best friend Alex and I tried out for the baseball team and made it. Within 2 weeks Alex was the star hitter. Everyone loved him and he was the coach’s favorite. I had notices his muscles had gotten bigger and he looked stronger. He couldn’t have gotten that strong naturally. I came to the conclusion that he was on steroids. After thinking long and hard I decided to make the choice to maybe loose a friendship but save his life and the team.

I told the coach he might be on steroids. After he tested positive he was ejected from the team. I never told him I told the coach but deep down I think he knew. We didn’t do as well as we would have with him but I felt good that we were legal and he was healthy. After the season was over the coach came up to me and told me he was proud of me for my honesty. He also told me that he told Alex, I froze immediately when Alex walked over. He looked upset and said, “ Thanks a lot. I’m happy you guys did so great in the season.” Then he walked away. I could tell he was laying on the sarcasm pretty thick. My coach looked down at me and said, “You did the right thing, he may not know it but you may have saved his life.”

         As I walked away was proud of my decision and even though I Lost a friend I had saved his life. I learned to cherish every moment you have with the ones you love. Now everyday I see my family I am happy to have them with me, this helps me become a better person. 

Journal #1

Caesar Journal #1 (Full page)

Describe a time in your life when you struggled, failed, or made mistakes. Explain how this event turned out to be a positive experience.  

In life you are faced with many situations that you must act on. A series of events, or situations lead up to more important ones. A mistake as simple as forgetting to tie your shoe could end up in a house fire.

Just this happened to me seven years ago, when my family and me decided to take our two dogs, Jethro and Kahlua for a run in the park. Getting ready took about 20 minutes and just as we got into the car I remembered I needed to grab my rollerblades. I jumped out and retrieved them. On the way there we hit traffic lights and stop signs; all very valuable pieces of time. Once in the parking lot we started to put on our rollerblades. Jethro’s favorite ball was in his mouth as my dad opened the back door to get the rollerblades. Both Jethro and Kahlua were not tied to the car. I got my blades and walked over to the curb to put them on, same with my brother Ty.

It took a little while but I finally got them on properly. As I stumbled over to the back of the car to get my helmet I fell. My dad who was standing at the open car door ran to help me up. Little did we realize what was to come from leaving the door open. Just as I got on my feet we heard a skidding of tires and a loud yelp. I had never heard one like that before. Instinctively I screamed which startled my brother and he did he same. I skated around the car to find Jethro under the wheel of a small green Station wagon. My mom pulled me and my screaming brother aside to console us whiles our dad hollered at the old driver. After a few seconds of chaos my father grabbed Jethro from the ground and put him in the back once again. As we sped to the hospital Jethro started to yelp again, I realized his ball was missing. I said nothing but pet him lightly. At the hospital the Vet said he would be fine and he was lucky to be okay. We had a sigh of relief and took him home.

The next day we went back to the park to retrieve our skates and pads. We had sped out too fast to get them. As I was getting in the car I saw Jethro’s ball on the floor across the road, I grabbed it and showed it to everyone. After going over the events of the day before we came to the conclusion that the dogs weren’t tied down when the door was open. When I fell dad walked away from the door and Jethro dropped the tennis ball, of course it was his favorite ball and he needed to get it. Being a dog and not knowing too look both ways, failed to see the car speeding down the lot.

         The mistakes made in the situation included, me forgetting my blades, dad not tying the dogs down, us leaving the door open, me falling, the driver speeding, the driver not looking at the road, and dad not closing the door. If one of those little mistakes hadn’t been made this horrible outcome would not have occurred.

         It is the little mistakes that lead up to bigger more important ones. Every time in one’s life they make those and experience the outcomes. Though Jethro didn’t die from the accident, he did 2 years later from Lymphoma.  He was a great member of our family and was loved by all he knew.