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Question
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony
i. Identify the speaker of the above lines.
ii. When and where were the above lines spoken?
iii. Bring out the irony in the above extract.
Solution 1
(i) The speaker of the above lines is Brutus.
(ii) The above lines were spoken when Brutus was speaking at Caesar's funeral. As Brutus was about to step out of the pulpit, he spoke these words.
(iii) It is ironical that Brututs tells the citizens to listen to Antony for Brututs' sake because it was Brutus who had a hand in Caesar's murder and Antony took Caesar's revenge by unearthing Brutus's conspiracy.
Solution 2
i. Decius Brutus is the speaker of the above stated lines.
ii. The lines were spoken by Decius Brutus to the Roman mob at the funeral of Julius Caesar.
iii. The irony in the above extract is that Brutus expected Anthony to speak in his favour. Anthony began speaking on similar lines, but he hinted that the conspirators had slain a good man. He made the Romans realise that Brutus and the others were cruel and Caesar was an honourable man.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Mark Antony, with the help of his oratory, succeeded in winning the mob over to his side. This led to the downfall of the conspirators. Write in 80–100 words, how with the power of words he could effect a change in his listeners.
Now let it work. Mischief thou art afoot.
Take thou what course thou wilt!
Antony seeks justice by getting the mob to kill the conspirators. But to correct a wrong, one cannot commit another wrong. Write a speech for the school assembly on – The ends do not justify the means. (120–150 words)
"They that have done this deed are honorable: What private grief’s they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it"……………….
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What deed have 'they' done?
(c) What does the word, 'grief’s' mean?
Answer the following question briefly
What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?
Answer the following question briefly.
What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
Julius Caesar and Antony reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines from the play to illustrate your choice.
| superstitious arrogant loyal clever overconfident manipulative good orator ambitious brave great conqueror generous fearless loves flattery firm shrewd crafty |
| Person | Extract from play | What it tells us about the character |
|
Julius Caesar
|
1. the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished. |
1. arrogant |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. | ||
|
Mark Antony
|
1. | 1. Loyal |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
CAESAR Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
a) Whom is Caesar speaking to? Why does he say these words?
b) What fears has the listener expressed?
c) What is the basis for the fears expressed?
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;
I found it in his closet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament--
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read--
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
a) Who speaks these words? Where is the speaker at this moment?
b) What are the contents of Caesar's will that he is referring to?
c) Why does the speaker read Caesar's will to the citizens?
d) What is the reaction of the listeners to the reading of the will?
Given below are some questions based on reading of the play 'Julius Caesar'. These
questions are not for testing in the Exam. These are for a deeper understanding of the
play and the characters.
a) Why was the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar hatched?
b) Was Caesar really ambitious? Find evidence from the play to support your answer.
c) What was Cassius' motive for murdering Julius Caesar?
d) Why was it essential for the conspirators to include Brutus in the conspiracy?
e) What were the mistakes made by Brutus that led to the failure of the conspiracy?
f) Comment on Caesar's friendship with Antony.
g) Write a brief character sketch of Antony.
h) What is the role of Julius Caesar's ghost in the play, Julius Caesar?
i) Why does Antony call Brutus 'the noblest Roman of them all'?
j) How do Brutus and Cassius meet their end?
A reporter covers the event of the assassination of Julius Caesar in the senate. Giving graphic details and a catchy headline, write the newspaper report in about 200 words.
