JULIUS CAESAR ACT III SCENE I

Extract 1
(to soothsayer) The ides of March are come.
Soothsayer: Ay, Caesar, but not gone.
Artemidorus: Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule.
Decius: Trebonius doth desire you to o'ver-read,
At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

i)Where does this conversation take place? Why did Caesar tell the soothsayer: ‘The
ides of March are come’? When had he met the soothsayer before?
Ans: This conversation takes place in front of capitol or outside of Senate house. Caesar told
the soothsayer that the ides of March had come and nothing had happened to him because the
soothsayer had warned Caesar that his life would be in danger. Caesar had met the soothsayer
before when they were going to Lupercal to celebrate the feast of Lupercus.
ii)Who is Artemidorus? Whom does he represent in the paly? What is the importance of
his schedule?
Ans: Artemidorus is a fortune teller who tries to warn Caesar about the plot against him. He
represents an honest common citizen of Rome, voicing his concern for the safety of Caesar.
The importance of his schedule is that he warns Caesar about the assassination and the mass
plot against him.
iii)Why does Artemidorus request Caesar to read his schedule first? With reference to a
previous scene, show how Artemidorus’ fears are justified.
Ans; Artemidorus requests Caesar to read his schedule first because in that it contained the
names of the conspirators, plotting to kill Caesar so that his life would be saved. His fears are
justified as the conspirators’ plan was successful and Caesar was assassinated.
iv)Mention the two reasons given by Caesar for not reading the schedule handed over
by Artemidrous. Which trait of his personality is revealed by his act?
Ans: The two reasons given by Caesar for not reading the schedule handed over by
Artemidrous are that he would read later the petitions which concerned him personally.
He also calls him mad for urging him to read his petitions first. Caesar’s arrogance and
boastfulness personality is revealed by his act.
v)Name two people in the scene who are trying to warn Caesar. Name two other people
who defeat their efforts to do so. Which theme of the play is highlighted here? Explain it
briefly.
Ans: The two people in the scene who are trying to warn Caesar are the Soothsayer and
Artemidrous. Two other people who defeat their efforts to do so are Cassius and Popilius
Lena.
The theme of tension and suspense of the play is highlighted here. Tension and suspense were
created by Popilius Lena when he made a chance remark to Cassius and then moved towards
Caesar. This made the conspirators think that he knew their plot and he might reveal it to
Caesar.
Extract 2
Cassius:
Casca, be----------------------------------prevention.
Brutus, what---------------------------------------------known,
Cassius -------------------------------------------------------back,
For I will slay myself.
Brutus:
Cassius, be constant.
Popilius ----------------------------------------------------purposes;
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change.

i) ‘If this be known’ –what does ‘this’ refer to? If it would be known what
would happen?
Ans: ‘This’ refers to the plan or plot of the conspirators to assassinate Caesar.
If it would be known to the people, they might be prevented to do so. Furthermore, especially
Cassius would end his life by killing himself, if this plot is known to the people.
ii)What duty is assigned to Casca? Why should he be sudden’?
Ans: Casca is assigned by the conspirators, especially by Cassius, to strike the first blow with
his dagger to kill Caesar. He should be sudden or act quickly because Cassius thinks that
Popilius Lena knows about their conspiracy, and he may reveal it to Caesar.
iii)What has Popilius Lena said and done which makes Cassius fear? What did they
think that Lena was saying? How does Brutus show them that there is nothing to fear?
Ans: Popilius Lena has wished success to Cassius’ enterprise that day and headed towards
Caesar that makes Cassius to fear about his intentions. Cassius and other conspirators think
that Popilius Lena had discovered their plot, and he might reveal it Caesar.
Brutus sees that Popilius Lena is smiling in front of Caesar and the expression of Caesar had
not changed. On seeing this expression Brutus tells the conspirators that there is nothing to
fear.
iv)What was the task assigned to Trebonius? What petition did Metellus Cimber present
to Caesar? In what way did he flatter Caesar?
Ans: The task assigned to Trebonius was to take away Mark Antony, the best friend of
Caesar, from the Senate house and keep him away from Caesar so that he could not come to
rescue Caesar when they attack/stab him.
Metellus Cimber presented the petition to Caesar to pardon his banished brother and to cancel
the orders of the banishment. He flattered Caesar by bending low before him, praising and
showing humble attitude to him.
v)Give two of the arguments given by Caesar to reject the petition made by Metellus.
Which trait of Caesar’s⁸ characteristic is highlighted in these arguments?
Ans: Caesar tells Metellus that nothing could change him. He would remain fixed just like
the north star. Caesar also ridicules the servile bending of Metellus and scolds him for
assuming that he could influence Caesar to do something that is not right through the tricks
that persuade fools. He also calls him a cur/pathetic dog crouching and begging and flattering
him wanting to be petted.
Caesar is highlighted as arrogant, boastful and inflexible, obsessed with his own greatness in
these arguments. He appears illogical when he boasts that he was never wrong.

Extract 3
Caesar:
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose------------------------------------quality
There is----------------------------------------------firmament.
The skies -------------------------------------------------sparks,
They are all -------------------------------------------------shine;
But there’s -------------------------------------------------------place.
So in the world; tis furnished well with men,

i)What is the northern star? Give the meaning of: ‘of whose true-fixed and resting quality/
there is no fellow in the firmament.’
Ans: ‘Northern star’ is the pole star that is an inflexible star and remains fixed on the north,
guiding the sailors to know the direction.
The meaning of ‘of whose true-fixed and resting quality’ means that something that does not
change and remains fixed permanently in its own place. ‘There is no fellow in the firmament’
means that in the world of men, made of flesh and blood, blessed with intelligence, there was
only one man who is constant, steady and unshaken and that man was Caesar himself.
ii)Why does Caesar compare himself to the northern star? What is the occasion for such
a comparison?
Ans: Caesar compares himself to the northern star because he is like the northern star fixed
and inflexible in his earlier decision. Hence, he boasts of his constancy and commitment to
the laws. He compares himself to the northern star on the occasion when Metellus Cimber
falls on Caesar’s knees and begs him with flattering words and in a servile manner to forgive
his brother and cancel the orders of his brother’s banishment.
iii)State the comparison made by Caesar between the firmament and the world of men.
Ans: Caesar compares himsel to a divine and celestial creation like the fixed northern star. He
says that he would never change the pre-ordained laws, no matter how much anyone flatters
him. He is an inflexible man. The world of men, made of flesh and blood is blessed with
intelligence but there is no man who would remain constant, steady and unshaken like Caesar.
iv)Why is Caesar so stubborn in his attitude towards the conspirators? What purpose
does his stubbornness serve on the dramatic effectiveness?
Ans: Caesar is so stubborn in his attitude towards the conspirators because he has become
secure in the belief that he would be crowned king that day. Hence, that made him arrogant
and obsessed with his own greatness. He imagined himself as a god with superhuman powers.
Thus, his boastfulness, arrogance and stubbornness led to his assassination.
v)What horrible event is about to take place in a short time? Who was the first to
strike? Why is Antony absent from the scene? What could have happened if Antony
were to be present on the scene?
Ans: The assassination of Caesar is about to take place in a short time. Casca was the first
one to strike at him. Antony is absent from the scene because he was separated from the
group/ driven away by Tribonius. If Antony were to be present on the scene, he would have
made all possible effort to save Caesar, his best friend.
Extract 4.
Brutus:
Fates, we -------------------------------pleasure
That we---------------------------------------time
And drawing-------------------------------------upon.
Cassius:
Why -------------------------------------------------of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death.

i)When does this conversation take place? In what state of mind are Brutus and
Cassius?
Ans: This conversation takes place soon after the murder of Caesar. There was chaos and
confusion among the senators.
Both Brutus and Cassius are also afraid; still they try to reassure the other senators by telling
them not to be afraid and try to stay calm.
ii)What is meant by the ‘fates’? State in your own words what the fates were responsible
for. According to the extract, what do men know and what do they fear?
Ans: ‘Fates’ means destiny. Fates are extremely unpredictable events. Their powers are very
great and mysterious. Fates decide how long a person can live in this world. It is beyond the
control of people. According to extract, men know that death is inevitable but men are
anxious about the length of their life span and means of prolonging to it.
iii)What positive note does Casca strike in the death of Caesar? What does Brutus feel
about it?
Ans: Casca was the first one to strike Caesar with a positive note, thinking about the future of
the Romans and saving Rome from the tyranny of Caesar.
Brutus also believes that the murder of Caesar is a religious ceremony, a sacrificial ritual, an
act of liberation where they are the purgers and not the murderers.
iv)After the extract, what does Brutus ask the Romans to do? In what way does this
seem to be a fulfillment of Calpurnia’s dream?
Ans: After the extract, Brutus asks the Romans to bathe their hands up to their elbows in
Caesar’s blood and smear their swords with it and then they should proceed to the market
place, waving their blood-stained swords over their heads and shouting ‘Peace, freedom,
liberty!’
This act seems to be a fulfillment of Calpurnia’s dream in which she had seen that Caesar’s
statue was spouting blood like a fountain from a hundred holes and many Romans had come
smiling to wash their hands in Caesar’s blood.
v)State briefly the role played by the assassination of Caesar in the story-line of Julius
Caesar.
Ans: The assassination of Caesar is the most crucial scene of the play. It depicts the brutal
murder of Caesar at the hands of his so called friends and loyalists. Here, it is revealed how
the prophecy of the soothsayer comes true. The belief in the supernatural of the Romans is
once again highlighted. This assassination also marks the turning point of the play as in the
next scene we see how the great orator, Mark Antony turns the mob by his speech against the
conspirators for revenge. This scene explains the plotting of the conspiracy and its execution,
the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Extract 5.
Cassius:
Stoop, then ----------------------------------------hence
Shall this-------------------------------------------------over,
In states----------------------------------------------------unknown
Brutus:
How many------------------------------------------------------sport,
That now --------------------------------------------------------along
No worthier-------------------------------------------------------dust!
Cassius:
So oft --------------------------------be,
So often -------------------------------called
The men--------------------------------liberty.
Decius:
What, shall we forth?
Cassius:
Ay --------------------------------away:
Brutus shall ------------------------heels
With the most ---------------------------Rome.
(enter a servant)
Brutus: Soft! Who comes here?

i)When Cassius says, ‘stoop, then, and wash,’ to whom is he speaking? What exactly
does he mean? Who had just suggested washing?
Ans: When Cassius says, ‘stoop, then, and wash,’ he is speaking to all his co – conspirators.
It means that they need to bathe their hands up to their elbows in Caesar’s blood and smear
their swords with it. Brutus had suggested washing in the blood of Caesar.
ii)Explain the meaning of ‘states unborn’, accents’ and Pompey’s basis.’
Ans: States unborn means that the action of the murder of Caesar would be remembered for
centuries and people would enact the scene to immortalize their great service to Rome.
Accents means that even in countries which so far had not been created, their deed/act would
be dramatized and people would speak of it in languages which have not yet been heard so
far.
Pompey’s basis means Caesar’s dead body is now lying stretched along the base of
Pompey’s statue, with no more value than the dust it lies upon. Caesar and Pompey had at
first been allies. But later Pompey challenged Caesar, but Caesar defeated him and later killed
him. Similarly, Caesar was murdered like Pompey by his own friends. Like Pompey, Caesar
also dreamt of becoming king and gaining powers.
iii)What does Brutus want to express when he says, ‘How many times shall Caesar bleed
in sport?
Ans: Brutus uses high sounding words to convince himself and the other conspirators that
they had not committed any crime. He takes refuge in superficialities claiming that Caesar’s
death would immortalize him because it would be enacted in theatres many times.
iv)What does Cassius believe ‘the knot of us’ will be called and why?
Ans: Cassius believes that they would be called the liberators of their country. He boasts that
by killing Caesar they had given their country liberty and freedom and would be remembered
with honour.
v)The entry of the servant of Antony may be said to mark the turning point of the whole
play. Narrate, very briefly, in what way this is so.
Ans: Antony returns to the Senate House where Caesar had been murdered. He comes to
meet the conspirators and to ensure his own safety. He wants to know what the intention are
regarding him. He cleverly praises Brutus and other conspirators to put off their suspicions
and convinces them that he is harmless. He expresses grief to see Caesar’s dead body. He
uses his sentiments to impress Brutus of his loyalty to his dead friend. Then, finally uses his
tactics through his speech at Caesar’s funeral to incite the people of Rome against Caesar’s
murderers and takes revenge on them.
Extract 6.
Antony:
O mighty Caesar! Does ---------------------------low?
Are -------------------------------------------------spoils,
Shrunk to ------------------------------well.
I know -------------------------------------intend,
Who else --------------------------------------rank:
If I -----------------------------------------------so fit
As -----------------------------------------------------instrument
Of half------------------------------------------------------rich
With the most --------------------------------------------world.

i)Where does the mighty Caesar lie? What is meant by this little measure’? Give one
example each of Caesar’s conquests and his glories.
Ans: The mighty Caesar lies dead at the base of Pompey’s statue. Antony laments that Caesar
who had fought many wars, conquered many countries and ruled over vast land, was in the
end lying dead occupying such a little space. The truth is that ultimately a man needs very
little place to die, no matter how rich or famous he was in his lifetime.
ii)Who are the ‘gentlemen’ he addresses? What does he implore them to do? What does
his request tell us about his character?
Ans: The ‘gentlemen’ Antony addresses are the assassins of Caesar namely, Brutus, Cassius,
Desius, Metellus, Cinna and Trebonius. He begs them to kill him along with Caesar if they
had any hard feelings for him because he would like to die along with Caesar by the same
weapons.
His request tells us that he is a shrewd in character and also a clever politician.
iii)Give the meaning of; ‘who else must be let blood, who else is rank.’ What in your
opinion, is Antony’s reason for saying so?
Ans: The term to let bleed’ refers to a practice of the doctors who used to bleed their patients
for a variety of ailments. It was their only remedy. The word rank refers to the ancient doctors
who would bleed a patient if they felt he had too much blood and required that some be taken
away. Antony is questioning the conspirators who else they intended to kill because they
considered him too strong and a threat to them. He asks them how many more they were
going to be kill.
iv)What does Antony’s expression, ‘the most noble blood of all this world’ indicate
about Antony’s feelings for Caesar?
Ans: Antony implores the conspirators that in case they intended to kill him then it was the
most suitable time to do so because he would love to die along with Caesar whom he loved so
much. It was the most fitting hour, the right moment. It will enrich as they are by the most
noble blood in the world.
v)What did Brutus tell Antony about the conspirator’s feelings for Caesar? Was Brutus
honest? Why?
Ans: Brutus, the leader of the conspirators, assures Antony that they meant him no harm.
They had no intentions of slaying him along with Caesar. Brutus then explains that the
assassination of Caesar was imperative to save Rome; it was an act of honour. Brutus was
honest in his feelings for Caesar. He assassinated Caesar for pure betterment of Rome and its
people, and no personal grudge towards him.
Extract 7.
Antony:
My credit ------------------------ground,
That one -------------------------------me,
Either -----------------------------------flatterer.
That I -----------------------------------------true;

i)What is meant by the word ‘credit’? why does it now stand ‘on such slippery ground’?
Ans: The ‘credit’ refers to reputation. Antony tells the conspirators that they must be
doubting his sincerity and having a low opinion about him. His reputation with them was
doubtful. It now stands on such slippery ground because opinion about him is not certain. The
conspirators are not sure what to consider Antony to be. They were in dilemma as to decide
what exactly Antony is – a coward or a flatterer.
ii)What does Antony mean to say by the following words: That one of two bad ways you
must conceit me, either a coward or a flatterer?
Ans: Antony means that the conspirators would form one or the other of the two bad opinions
about Antony. They would either regard him as a coward or a flatterer.
iii)What effect do Antony’s action and words have on his listeners?
Ans: Antony appears as a shrewd judge of character and knows how to use his grief at
Caesar’s death to his own advantage. He puts up a show of sincerity and friendship ad
impresses Brutus and the other conspirators. He is a shrewd and cunning diplomat who can
use flattery to charm even his enemies.
iv)What mistake did Brutus make by granting the request of Antony? What did Cassius
warn him then? What was the consequence of the mistake?
Ans: Brutus made a mistake by granting Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus did not
think that Antony would do any harm and did not find any fault in him.
Cassius disagrees with Brutus, warning him that he was committing a mistake by allowing
Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral. He tells Brutus that Antony, an eloquent orator, could
win the support of the people.
The consequence of his mistake was that Antony made a passionate appeal and incited the
mob to turn against the conspirators.
v)How did Antony prove that he could be both a coward and a flatterer?
Ans: Antony proved him to be both a coward and a flatterer. He proved to be a coward since
he was not showing anger and disgust to the conspirators even though they were the
murderers of Caesar, his best friend. Rather he was extending them a hand in friendship when
he should be hating them. He proved to be flatterer as he wanted to save himself by falsely
praising the enemies of Caesar, his best friend.
Extract 8
Pardon me, Julius! Here ---------------hart;
Here did -------------------------------------stand.
Sign ----------------------------------------------lethe.
O world ----------------------------------------------hart,
And this, --------------------------------------------of thee.
How like a deer --------------------------------------princes,
Dost thou here lie!

i)Who speaks these words; ‘here wast thou bay’d? What is the comparison implied in
the expression? To what custom of the hunters does it refer?
Ans: These words are spoken by Antony in the Senate House while grieving over the dead
body of Caesar. The conspirators who murdered Caesar are referred to as hunters by Antony.
He compares the deer to Caesar and hunters are the conspirators who hunted and then killed
Caesar mercilessly.
ii)Explain the pun intended in the expression, ‘brave hart’.
Ans; Brave hart refers to Caesar, meaning a deer. The conspirators who murdered Caesar are
referred as the hunters. Antony refers to Caesar as the deer and he was chased by and killed
by the conspirators. Shakespeare has introduced a pun on the similar sounds of the words
‘hart’ and ‘heart’. The world was the forest in which Caesar roamed like a deer/ stag. Caesar
was so great and mighty that the world centered around his personality and he is called the
brave hart.
iii)Who are the hunters in the present crisis? Give the meaning of; ‘sign’d in thy spoil,
and crimson’d in thy lethe.’
Ans: People who take revenge, make plots against innocent and weak people and even
murder them for silly reasons are the hunters in the present crisis. The phrase ‘sign’d in thy
spoil’ means that the assassins bear the signs of Caesar’s destruction and murder. Their
swords and arms are stained with the blood of Caesar.
‘ Crimson’d in thy lethe’ refers to the reddened hands of the murderers of Caesar which are
coloured with his life-blood. The word ‘lethe’ literally means death and was a term used for
the blood of the deer shed at the final blow.
iv)In what way was the world, ‘the forest to this hart,’ and ‘this indeed, o world, the
heart of thee’?
Ans: Antony refers to Caesar as hart, meaning deer. The conspirators are the hunters who
hunted and killed Caesar mercilessly. Shakespeare has introduced a pun on the similar sounds
of the words hart and heart. Metaphorically speaking the world was a forest in which Caesar
was hart or deer hunted by his assassins. Similarly, Caesar was so great and mighty that the
world centered around him personally and he might be called the heart of the world.
v)Why does the speaker arouse Cassius’ suspicion? What does Cassius ask the speaker
as a result of the suspicion?
Ans: Cassius is not as trusting as Brutus and does not get as easily impressed with Antony’s
show of friendship and grief. He is suspicious of Antony’s real motives for seeking their
friendship. He wants to know if he would actually join with the conspirators’ or not.
Extract 9.
Antony:
And Caesar --------------------------revenge,
With ----------------------------------------hell
Shall in ------------------------------------voice
Cry -------------------------------------------war,
That ---------------------------------------------earth
With -----------------------------------------------burial.

i)Why Caesar’s spirit raging for revenge? When and to whom does Caesar’s spirit
appear later in the play?
Ans: Caesar’s spirit raging for revenge for his murderers because they have killed Caesar
mercilessly. Antony makes a prophecy that Caesar’s spirit will seek revenge for his murder.
The spirit of Caesar would come along with the ancient goddess of revenge and mischief to
bring ruin and destruction to the land of Italy. Caesar’s spirit appears later in the play on
Cassius, Titinius and Brutus etc.
ii)Who is Ate? Why is her name used in the context? What is meant by ‘confines’?
Ans: Ate is the ancient Roman goddess of mischief and revenge from hell. Her name is used
in the context because Caesar’s spirit would be accompanied by her and together they would
bring death and destructions over the land of Italy as a revenge for the brutal and treacherous
murder of Caesar. Here confines mean that no one would be spared for Ate would help the
spirit of Caesar to let loose destruction and general bloodshed.
iii)With a monarch’s voice cry ‘havoc! – this indicates absolute and authoritative royal
command for destruction. What does the expression foretell about the things to come?
Ans: Antony predicts that the spirit of Caesar would come along with the ancient Roman
goddess of revenge and mischief to bring ruin and destruction to the land of Italy. The spirit
would in a mighty voice order the ruin and destruction of Italy and let lose all the horrors of
war. Not only would the smell of the foul murder of Caesar haunt the land of Italy but also
the stench of rotting many dead bodies would urgently need burial. Death would rule the land
ordered by the spirit of Caesar seeking revenge.
iv)Who are the dogs of war’? which foul deed is referred and how will it smell above
the earth?
Ans: People of Rome, especially the conspirators are the dogs of war. The spirit of Caesar
along with Roman’s ancient goddess, Ate would revenge against the conspirators and there
would be horrors of wars and destructions. The foul is referred to the foul murder of Caesar
by the conspirators. The smell of the foul murder of Caesar would haunt the people and
stench of rotting innumerable dead bodies, urgently needing burial. Death would rule the
earth.
v)What would the consequences of these happenings be for the conspirators and as well
as for Antony?
Ans: Antony is consumed with hatred for Caesar’s murderers and passionately wants to take
revenge. He also predicts that Caesar’s spirit would be accompanied by the ancient Roman
Goddess Ate and together they would bring death and destructions over the land of Italy as
well as the revenge for the brutal and mercilessly murder of Caesar on the conspirators. The
spirit of Caesar would take revenge after all the conspirators.
Extract 10.
Antony:
Yet --------------------------awhile;
Thou -----------------------------corpse
Into -----------------------------------try,
In my ----------------------------------take
The cruel -------------------------------men

i)To whom is Antony speaking? Why is this person here? Where are they?
Ans: Antony is speaking these words to a servant of Octavius Caesar who had come to
deliver a verbal message to Antony that his master was coming. They are beside Caesar’s
dead body in the Senate House after all the conspirators had left.
ii)What had Antony just said to this person before telling him to ‘stay awhile’? How did
this person help Antony?
Ans; Antony had just said to this person before telling him to stay awhile was to travel back
speedily and tell his master what had happened in Rome. Rome is a place of mourning, a
place of danger. There is no safety here for Octavius. He told to go off and tell him so.
This person helped Antony to carry Caesar’s dead body into the market place.
iii)Explain the meaning of ‘oration’. What does this passage reveal to us about what
Antony proposed to do?
Ans: Oration means speech. Antony planned to speak eloquently in his speech at the forum
and to turn the public opinion in his favour and against the murderers of Caesar. He knew that
he was a powerful orator and could sway the sentiments of the public and incite them to
revolt against the assassins.
iv)Earlier, Antony said, ‘over thy wounds now do I prophesy.’ Mention any three points
of his prophesy.
Ans; Three points of Antony’s prophesy are that a curse shall fall upon the limbs of men.
There shall be war and destruction so frequent and dreadful and all pity shall die as foul
deeds become the general custom.
The spirit of Caesar would haunt for revenge along with goddess Ate.
v)Which trait of Antony’s nature is shown in this passage? Give examples of two other
occasions in the play where a different aspect of his character is shown – distinct from
the one shown in this extract.
Ans; Antony, the best friend of Caesar is shown at the beginning of the play as a sportsperson
who takes part in the race at the feast of Lupercal. He is a reveler who enjoys the good things
of life. Antony’s nature is shown in this passage as an emotional man who is over come with
sorrow at the death of his best friend Caesar. His grief is genuine and speaks of his love and
loyalty for Caesar. He pledges to punish the murderers and curses them with death and
destruction. He does it with his powerful speech in which he turns the audience to his side
and incites them to revolt against murderers of Caesar.