CLASS X

ENGLISH LITERATURE QUESTION BANK

JULIUS CAESAR
ACT 4
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT
SCENE 2
Question 1
Brutus
He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius;
How he receiv’d you, let me be resolved.
a.What does Brutus tell Pindarus regarding Cassius, prior to the above lines?
What is Pindarus’ response? What aspect of Pindarus’ character is reflected
through his response?
Ans: Brutus is stationed at Sardis with his troop. Pindarus comes to Brutus
with a letter of greetings from Cassius. It is then Brutus tells him that because
of Cassius’ sudden change in character and the ill advice of some of his
subordinates, he has enough reasons to wish that Cassius had not done
certain wrong deeds which he had unfortunately committed. Brutus expects a
better explanation in this regard when Cassius arrives. This shows there is
some kind of a tension between Brutus and Cassius.
Pindarus answers that his noble master should not be doubted and as a man
of honour and esteem, he will certainly present himself for further explanation.
This reflects that Pindarus is an obedient and loyal servant of Cassius. He has
sincere reverence for his master.
b.How was Lucilius received by Cassius? What does Brutus want to assess
through Cassius’ behaviour?
Ans: Lucilius, on his visit to Cassius, was received with courtesy and respect.
However, the familiarity and close friendship was missing in their interaction.
Lucilius observed that Cassius was not free and friendly in his conversation.
The meeting lacked warmth and friendliness.
Through Cassius’ behaviour, Brutus wants to assess whether Cassius’
reverential feelings for Brutus have changed. On the basis of Lucilius’ words,
he comes to the conclusion that Cassius, who has been a warm friend, is in the
process of cooling, i.e., their strong bond is losing its strength.
c. What happens when the love between two friends begins to weaken?
Ans: According to Brutus, when the love between two friends begins to ‘sicken
and decay’, a rift is created in between and the friendship wears the formal
attire of courtesy and respect. The warmth, friendliness, care and concern
dissipates and what remains is a cold feeling towards each other. This justifies
Cassius’ formal and courteous behaviour in his meeting with Lucilius.
d. Why does Brutus bring the reference of a horse? What opinion do you form
of Brutus on the basis of his argument?
Ans: Brutus wants to differentiate between an artificial friendship and a
genuine friendship through the behaviour of a horse. A sincere friendship is
free from any artificial display of emotions. A friendship that is genuine, thrives
on simplicity, faith and truth. However, the friendship of an insincere or hollow
man is like a horse which is eager and energetic as long as it is held back. It
promises its mettle and prowess with great pomp and show but when it should
be prepared to be spurred to its utmost efforts, it fails. The worthless horse
falls with its arched neck and collapses on the ground. Similarly, an insincere
friendship of hollow men never triumphs in the face of challenge.
Brutus is a man of morals and principles. He values genuine friendship and
expects the same from Cassius in whom he observes a sudden change. Brutus’
observations and arguments speak volumes about his wisdom and
rightousness.
e.Who enters the scene a little later? How is the present equation between that
person and Brutus? Why does Brutus want to have the conversation in
secrecy?
Ans: Cassius enters a little later in the scene along with his soldiers.
Brutus and Cassius are not on good terms as seen previously. They have
grievances against each other for some reasons. As soon as Cassius enters, he
expresses his displeasure by saying that Brutus has wronged him. A brief
argument ensues which Brutus tries to subdue.
Brutus wants to have the conversation with Cassius in secrecy so that their
men/soldiers do not come to know about their disagreement and tension. This
might impact their loyalty and trust towards Brutus and Cassius. The
solidarity of the team might weaken due to their conflict.
Scene 3
Question 2.
Cassius
I an itching palm!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
a. What is the first grievance of Cassius against Brutus, mentioned in the
beginning of Scene 3? Why does Brutus dismiss Cassius’ letter?
Ans: Cassius’ first grievance is that Brutus has disgraced Lucius Pella for
taking bribes from the people of Sardis.
Brutus has dismissed Cassius’ letter written in Lucius Pella’s defense because
he is not supportive of taking any kind of bribes from anybody. He is a
righteous man and strongly disapproves of Cassius for being defensive of
Lucius Pella who is bent on doing wrong deeds.
b. What does the expression ‘itching palm’ mean? Why does Brutus accuse
Cassius of having an ‘itching palm’?
Ans: The expression ‘itching palm’ means a hand willing to be rubbed- i.e., to
take bribes.
Brutus accuses Cassius of having an ‘itching palm’ because the latter is selling
and trading important posts for gold to undeserving men. Brutus strongly
opposes Cassius’ malpractices and confronts him courageously.
c. How does Cassius react to Brutus’ accusations? How would you
characterize Cassius on the basis of his reaction?
Ans: Cassius exclaimed with anger on being accused of having an ‘itching
palm’. He cautioned Brutus to mind his words and swears by God that had he
not been Brutus this would have been his last speech.
This reaction clearly states the fact that Cassius is not guilt-ridden. He is not
ashamed of indulging into malpractices. Rather, he is defiant and warns
Brutus for insulting him with disrespectful words.
 d. How does Brutus remind Cassius of their noble motive to bring order and
justice in Rome?
Ans: Brutus reminds Cassius of the Ides of March when Caesar was
assassinated. He reiterates that Caesar bled for justice’s sake. With rhetorical
questions he tells Cassius that there was no one so villainous as to stab Caesar
for some other reason than the cause of justice. One of the reasons for
murdering Caesar was that he let the robbers go unpunished. Caesar’s murder
was the consequence of his wrong deeds, according Brutus. He added that they
cannot follow his footsteps and contaminate their hands by accepting bribes.
They cannot be the beacon of hope by selling their power and honour for as
much trash (bribe) as their hand can grasp. Brutus would rather bark as a dog
at the moon than be such an unreliable Roman.
e. How does Cassius try to prove his worth in front of Brutus? In response
to this, how does Brutus characterize Cassius? A little later, Brutus
proves his sympathy for the poor. How did he do so?
Ans: Cassius warns Brutus not to anger him as he will not endure it. He
declares that he is a more experienced soldier and more able than Brutus to
manage affairs. Brutus must not restrict his freedom to work according to his
own terms.
Brutus calls Cassius a madman with a quick temper. He advises Cassius to
show his temper to his slaves who would tremble in fear. Cassius may swallow
the poison of his mood and even if he bursts with it, Brutus hardly cares. As
for Brutus, Cassius is just an object of amusement and ridicule, even when he
is ready as a wasp to sting. Cassius’ temper hardly had any effect on Brutus.
Brutus’ was in need of a certain amount of gold to pay his troops. He clearly
states that he would prefer to turn his heart into gold and his drops of blood
into silver coins than extract money from the poor peasants through evil
means. This shows Brutus’ genuine sympathy for the poor.
Question 3
Cassius: “...There is my dagger,
And here my naked breast; within, a heart
Dearer than Pluto’s mine, richer than gold:
If thou be’st a Roman, take it forth;
 a. In what state is Cassius? Why is his heart richer than gold?
Ans: Cassius is in a genuine friendly passion.
He fails to convince the upright and determined Brutus in his efforts to justify
his malpractices. Therefore, he succumbs and offers his life as a sacrifice for
the sins of earning gold-the gold that is transacted through him is done merely
as a political necessity or as a war strategy. He loves his own soul and self
dearly and would not part with it for all the gold. Thus, he considers it to be
richer than gold.
b. Who is Pluto? Why is Cassius’ heart compared to Pluto?
Ans: Pluto is the god of riches. Naturally Pluto is identified with gold or riches.
But Cassius treats wealth as inferior to his life. His heart, signifying life, is
dearer to him than all the wealth of Pluto.
c. Why does Brutus refer to the ‘flint’ after the speech of Cassius?
Ans: The stones, usually cold, emit fire (flint) when powerfully struck.
Similarly, Brutus holds that his anger is momentary and only occasional like
the flint. After Cassius’ passionate speech, Brutus too softens and tries to
explain his sudden burst of anger. He associates himself with a lamb that is
unused to exhibition of anger and justifies his anger by referring to the flint.
d. Who arrives in this scene at that moment? What does he intend to do?
Ans: The Poet arrives in the scene at that moment.
He advises the two generals Brutus and Cassius to reconcile and be friendly.
They are two great and exemplary figures and it is necessary for them to be in
perfect understanding with each other in order to avoid confusion among their
soldiers. Otherwise, the soldiers’ morale would be broken.
e. Why was Brutus grief-stricken? What led to the mishap? Comment on
the tragedy post Caesar’s assasination.
Ans: The cause of Brutus’ grief was the death of his wife Portia.
Portia could not bear Brutus’ long absence. She became mentally disturbed to
learn that Octavius and Mark Antony are gaining grounds. She committed
suicide by swallowing burning coal when she was alone.
This tragic incident is a prelude to the upcoming disasters that the
conspirators are about to witness. Brutus’ sorrow, his disturbed mind and the
appearance of Caesar’s Ghost already anticipate the tragedy that is to follow.
Practice Questions
Question 1.
Brutus: “ Now that I have taken heart thou vanishest:”
a. What is Brutus referring to? What does he mean when he says, “I have
taken heart’?
b. How does Brutus describe the music of Lucius?
c. Bring out the significance of music in the context of the play.
d. Explain the conversation Brutus has just before this line.
e. Why is Brutus spirit called ‘evil’? What is the importance of this episode?
Question 2.
Brutus: “By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refresh’d, new-added, and encouraged;
a. In what context does Brutus say these words?
b. What was Cassius’ advice?
c. Why does Brutus not want to lose this opportunity?
d. Compare and contrast the character of Cassius and Brutus in this
regard.
e. Elucidate the various shades of Brutus’ character as reflected in Act 4 of
the play.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements
1 and 2 from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Statement 1. Cassius surrenders himself to Brutus and asks him to
strike with a dagger to take his heart off.
Statement 2. Brutus tells Cassius that he is yoked with a lamb and his
anger is just like a momentary spark that means no harm.
a. Statement [1] is true and [2] is false.
b. Statement [2] is true and [1] is false.
c. [1] and [2] are independent of each other.
d. [2] is the consequence of [1].
2. In Act 4 Scene 2, how does Brutus describe an insincere friend?
 a. A worthless fool
b. A worthless horse collapsing in the trial.
c. A cold-hearted fellow.
d. An energetic horse proving his mettle.
3. Where does the conversation between Brutus and Cassius take place, in Act
4 Scene 3?
a. In Brutus’ house
b. At a camp in Sardis
c. At Lucilius’ tent
d. Inside Brutus’ tent.
4.What was the reason for which Caesar bled, according to Brutus in Act 4
scene 3?
a. For the sake of justice.
b. Caesar’s tyrannical rule stifled the Romans
c. The conspirators craved power.
d. For the jealousy of Cassius.
5. What does Cassius mean when he tells Brutus, “Have mind upon your
health; tempt me no further”?
a. To take care of Brutus’ health.
b. To use Brutus’ brain wisely for his own good.
c. To ponder deeply before coming to any conclusion
d. To be just and fair.
6. Which of the following is NOT done by Cassius?
a. Cassius spoke with Brutus in rage.
b. Cassius received Lucilius with gentility.
c. Cassius appreciates the Poet as a cynic.
d. Cassius blames Brutus for highlighting his infirmities.
7. How does Brutus try to bury his grief of losing Portia?
a. Through avid reading.
b. By consuming wine.
c. Through a peaceful sleep.
d. By being lost in a melancholic world of music.
8. Which of the given options contains the figure of speech that appears in the
following line from William Shakespeare’s play, “Julius Caesar”: “....O
murderous slumber!/Lay’st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,”
a. Loudly the midnight tempest sang,
Ah! It was thy dirge, fair Liberty!
b. Life is a highway
c. I am about to die of hunger .
d. My hands were icicles because of the cold weather.
9. Why does Brutus say, “That mak’st my blood cold and my hair to stare?
a. Cassius’ malpractices enraged Brutus
b. Lucius’ music overwhelmed him.
c. Antony and Octavius are advancing towards Philippi.
d. The appearance of Caesar’s ghost provokes such a reaction.
10. What is Brutus' justification for facing their enemies at Philippi, in Act 4
Scene 3?
a. Brutus’ legions are maximum in number and the time is ripe.
b. The enemies are gaining in strength with time.
c. Antony and Octavius are in strife.
d. Cassius and Brutus are reunited and must utilise their power.
11. Why does Brutus express his desire to listen to music?
a. Lucius is a gifted musician.
b. Music is a source of healing and inspiration.
c. Brutus wants his servant to be on duty.
d. Music inspires judicious thought.
12. “O Cassius you are yoked with a lamb.” Who is compared to a lamb in Act
4 Scene 3?
a. Brutus
b. Octavius
c. Lucius Pella
d. The Poet
13. What is the significance of the appearance of the Ghost in Act 4 Sc 3?
a. The looming threat of tyranny in Rome.
b. Manifestation of Brutus’ guilt-ridden conscience.
c. Brutus’ nightmare.
d. Consequence of Brutus’ tiredness and exhaustion.
14. “No man bears sorrow better”. What “sorrow” is borne by Brutus?
a. Cassius’ immoral activities.
b. The death of Portia
c. Brutus' inability to pay his men.
d. The betrayal of Antony.
15. How does Brutus conduct himself after the death of Portia?
a. He is shattered and devastated.
b. He is stoic and suppresses his sorrow.
c. He is hell-bent on taking revenge.
d. He focuses on his next plan of action.
16. Who is Pluto?
a. God of rain
b. God of war
c. God of riches
d. God of fire