Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
Calpurnia
What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house today.
Caesar
Caesar shall forth. 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.
(i) In what mood does Calpurnia speak to Caesar? Why does she warn him? When earlier had he been warned of this
day?
Ans. Calpurnia speaks to Caesar in a frightened and agitated mood. She had a nightmare in which she saw Romans killing
Caesar. She considered it as a portent for the forthcoming danger to Caesar and warms him of it. Caesar had earlier been
warned of the ides of March" by a soothsayer on the feast of Lupercal.

(ii) What has Caesar noticed about the night? What did he ask his servant to do then? Why?

Ans. Ceasar had noticed the disturbed state of the heavens as well as the earth (ie, storm). He also noticed that Calpurnia
had shouted thrice in her sleep for help. the servant to bid the priests make a sacrifice and intimate him about their opinion
and interpretation of the sacrifice. Lately Caesar had become superstitious and bel such things.

(iii) Caesar says: "Caesar shall forth" On what are Calpurnia's fears based? State two unusual things which she has heard
to have happened.

Ans. Calpurnia’s fears are based on her nightmare about Caesar and also the strange witnessed by the watchman. She had
heard that a lioness had given birth to a cub streets and graves had opened up and let the dead come out; fierce warriors
fought in the skies and blood drizzled from the sky; dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed in the streets.

(iv) What does Caesar say later about cowards? What does he say in the extract to show the he is not threatened?

Ans. Caesar say's that cowards die in imagination many times before their death. He says dangers only threaten him at his
back and when they see his face, they disappear.

(v) What aspect of the character of Calpurnia as well as of Caesar is hinted at in the extra Give reason to justify your
answer.

Ans. In the extract, Calpurnia is portrayed as a concerned wife while Caesar is depicted as a bold and courageous man, but
also ambitious and arrogant.
Question 2.
Calpumia
Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
Yet now they fright me. There is one within, Besides the things that we have heard and seen, Recounts
most horrid sights seen by the watch. A lioness hath whelpèd in the streets,
And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead;

(i) What is meant by, "I never stood on ceremonies"? What is Caesar's normal opinion on such things?

Ans. In this line Calpurnia means to tell Caesar that she had never believed in omens. Caesar normally did not believe in
such portents. He disregards Calpurnia's fears.

(ii) Mention any three other signs enumerated by Calpurnia in her speech. Why does she narrate such sights at this
time?

Ans. Fierce warriors of fire were seen fighting in the clouds, from which blood dropped down on the capitol. The noise of
battle nested through the air, dying men groaned while ghosts shrieked and screamed in the streets. Calpurnia narrates such
things in order to convince Caesar about her fears about some hidden danger and to prevent him from going out that day

iii) What does Calpurnia's speech reveal about her character?

Ans. Calpurnia's speech reveals that she is concerned about her husband and that she is superstitious and believes in
omens.

(iii) What is Caesar's reaction to Calpurnia's fears? What does he decide to do?

Ans. Caesar says that nothing can be avoided if it is proposed by the gods. He decides to go the senate house.

(v) What does Caesar a little later do to indicate that death is inevitable? What characteristic trait of Caesar is highlighted
by this action?
Ans. Caesar says that death is the most certain thing to happen yet all people fear it. He says that he is not a coward and will
not stay back even if the priests have sacrificed an animal and found that the animal has no heart. This seemed strange to
Caesar. He says that it is a sign that the gods want to tell him that if he stays back he will be as heartless as the animal.
Caesar's vanity and lack of beliefs in signs is highlighted.
Question 3.
Calpurnia
Alas, my lord,
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
Do not go forth today. call it my fear That keeps you in the house, and not your own. We'll send Mark
Antony to the senate house, And he shall say you are not well today; [kneels] Let me, upon my knee,
prevail in this. Caesar
Mark Antony shall say I am not well, And for thy humour, I will stay at home. (Decius enters)
Caesar: Here's Decius Brutus. He shall tell them so.

(i) Where are Calpurnia and Caesar at this moment? What is Calpurnia trying to convince Caesar?

Ans. Calpurnia and Caesar are in a room in Caesar's house. Calpurnia is trying to convince Caesar no to go to the Capitol for a
meeting with the senators as she fears there is some hidden danger to him.

(ii) State two reasons offered by Calpurnia for wanting Caesar to stay at home.

Ans. Calpurnia wants Caesar to stay at home as she had dreamt thrice that Caesar was killed by Romans. She had seen the
Romans wash their hands from the blood which spurted from Caesar's statue. She also tells that she believed the terrible
night and the sights seen by the watchman were a portent for the forthcoming danger.

(iii) Bring out three arguments Decius puts forward to make Caesar change his mind.

Ans. Decius interprets the blood dream of Calpurnia in a different way. He says that the Romans taking blood from Caesar's
statue means that Caesar would give great Rome the blood that will keep it alive and revive Rome. He says that the senators
would change their mind of crowning Caesar. He also says that the people might think that Caesar was afraid.

(iv) Explain clearly in your own words the meaning of "your wisdom is consum'd in confidence". Was Calpurnia
correct in her judgement for her husband? Why?

Ans. Calpurnia tells Caesar that his arrogance was overwhelming his wisdom. He was being so over confident that he was
unable to make a wise decision. Calpurnia’s fears seem true because later in the play, Caesar is assassinated which could
have been avoided if he had listened to Calpurnia's words.

(v) What is revealed of Calpurnia's character in above words? How is she contrasted with Portia who appears in the
previous scene?

Ans. Calpurnia is a meek and concerned wife whereas Portia is a bold and confident wife who demands to know the secrets
from Brutus regarding his disturbed state of mind.

Question 4.
Decius
Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.
Caesar
The cause is in my will. I will not come; That is enough to satisfy the senate; But for your private
satisfaction, Because I love you, I will let you know; Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt tonight...

(i) Where are the speakers at this moment? What day is this? What is the significance of this day?

Ans. Decius and Caesar are in a room in Caesar's house. It is the Ides of March or the 15th March. This was the day the
soothsayer had prophesized Caesar to beware of some hidden danger. This proves to be the day on which Caesar was
assassinated.

(ii) What did Calpurnia dream? How did she interpret her dream? How does Decius interpret her dream?

Ans. Calpurnia dreamt that Caesar's statue, like a fountain with hundred spouts. spurted blood and many lusty Romans
came smiling and bathed their hands in it. She interpreted this dream as meaning that Caesar was killed by Romans. She
interpreted the dream as a portent to the forthcoming probable danger to Caesar's life. But Decius on the other hand
interpreted her dream that Rome would revive because of Caesar's life. He said it was a wonderful, lucky vision. Caesar's
statue spouting fountains of blood, in which so many smiling Romans bathed, meant that Caesar would give great Rome the
blood that would keep it alive. And it meant that great men, would beg Caesar to give his blood to them as signs of his
approval.

(iii) What other reasons did Calpurnia state for not wanting Caesar to go to the Senate?

Ans. Calpurnia said that the night watchman had seen a lioness whelp in the street and graves opened up setting the dead
out of them, fierce warriors fought in the skies and blood dripped on the capitol, and ghosts screamed. She feared all these
were portents of some danger and did not want Caesar to go to the senate house.
(iv) What other statements did Decius make to convince Caesar that he should attend the Senate? How is it that Decius
has come on the scene at the time?

Ans. Decius says that the senators might change their minds about crowning Caesar as the king. He says that people will
laugh at Caesar for being afraid. Decius came there on a hidden mission to bring Caesar to the senate house. Cassius had
sent him there to ensure that Caesar came to the capitol that day as they planned to assassinate him there that day.

(v) What is your opinion of Ceasar at this point in the play? Express your feelings for him when he is assassinated.

Ans. Caesar has off-late become superstitious but he is consumed by his confidence and vanity. He disregards the warnings
of his wife and the priests because of his vanity and proceeds to the Capitol. But one still feels sympathy for him as he is
about to be betrayed and killed brutally by his friends and that is sad.

Question 5.
Decius
If you shall send them word you will not come; Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock Apt to
be render'd for someone to say, "Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams." If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, "Lo,
Caesar is afraid?".......
Caesar
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamèd I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
(i) What had Decius assured Caesar that the Senate were proposing to do on that particular day? Why?

Ans. Decius assured Caesar that the senate were proposing to crown Caesar as king on that day i.e., the Ides of March. He
gave Caesar this assurance as he knew Caesar wanted to be crowned as King and would not want to miss this opportunity
and so would definitely go to the Capitol. As per the conspiracy Caesar was going to be assassinated in the Capitol that day
and so Decius was ensuring Caesar going to the Capitol.

(ii) When was a similar thing already offered and what was the reaction of Caesar at that time?

Ans. A similar offering was made by Antony at the feast of Lupercal three times but Caesar rejected the coronet offered by
Antony.

(iii) What interpretation had Decius offered to Calpurnia's dream? What was his motive?

Ans. Decius interpreted Calpurnia's dream in a positive way. Decius interpreted her dream saying that Rome would revive
because of Caesar's life. He said it was a wonderful, lucky vision. Caesar's statue spouting fountains of blood, in which so
many smiling Romans bathed, meant that Caesar would give great Rome the blood that would keep it alive. And it meant
that great men, would beg Caesar to give his blood to them as signs of his approval. He wanted to flatter Ceasar by saying so
and take him to the Senate house.

(iv) Earlier in the play, Caesar himself had expressed, once to Antony and once to the things he says about fear.
Calpurnia, other thoughts on the topic of fear. Describe as closely as you can any one of the things he says about
fear.

Ans. While returning from the holy races, Caesar said to Antony that Cassius was a person to be feared by others and not by
Caesar because Cassius was a deep thinker who could read a person's mind and was jealous about his superiors. To
Calpurnia, Caesar said that he wondered why people feared death which was a necessary end. He said he did not fear it.

(v) Explain in your own words the meaning of the phrase "it were a mock/ Apt to be render’d. What is revealed of
Decius' character in the passage?

Ans. Decius cleverly hints that Caesar will appear a coward if he listens to Calpurnia and does not go to the Capitol that day.
He says that if Caesar hid himself people would whisper that he was afraid. There was a probability that it may be
considered a joke and he be laughed at by the people. It reveals Decius character as an unscrupulous and conniving
manipulator and flatterer.

TEST AND EVALUATION

Question 1.
Caesar
What say the augurers?
Servant
They would not have you to stir forth today.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth,
They could not find a heart within the beast.
 (i) Who were the augurers? Which day was "today"? Why was this day noteworthy?

Ans. The augurers were the priests. "Today" was the Ides of March or 15th March. The soothsayer had prophesised that
on this day there was danger to Caesar and he should be cautious. This was also the day on which the conspirators had
planned to kill Caesar.

(ii) Where was Caesar about to "stir forth"? Who are "they"? Who had asked them to do what they were doing?
Why?

Ans. Caesar was about go for meeting the senators at the Capitol. "They" refers to the priests. Caesar had asked the priests
to sacrifice an animal and interpret what it signified as lately he had become superstitious.

(iii) What did it signify that the beast had no heart? What was Caesar's interpretation of the strange fact that the beast
had no heart?

Ans. According to the priests it signified that Caesar should not go out as there was hidden danger. Caesar on the other hand
interpreted that the gods were doing it to teach him to be ashamed of his cowardice. They're saying that he would be an
animal without a heart if he stayed home today out of fear. So, Caesar says that he won't stay home, then.

(iv) What did Caesar say about danger and himself littered on the same day?

Ans. Caesar said that danger knew very well that Caesar was more dangerous than he was. According to him danger and he
were two lions born from the same mother on the same day, and he was the older and fiercer one.

(v) Was Caesar courageous to stir forth that day in spite of many external signs? Give two reasons to justify your answer.

Ans. No, Caesar was not courageous to stir forth that day. His reasons for going out were his ambition and vanity. He decided
to go to the Capitol because Decius based upon told him that the senators were going to offer him the crown. Secondly,
Decius said that the people would think he was afraid and this was something Caesar's ego could not tolerate.

Question 2.
Caesar
What is 't o'clock?
Brutus
Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
Caesar
I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
(Antony enters)

See! Antony, that revels long O'-nights,

Is notwithstanding up. - Good morrow, Antony. Antony
Antony
So to most noble Caesar.
Caesar
Bid them prepare within:
I am to blame to be thus waited for.

(i) Where are these three at this moment? Name the others who were present. Why had they come here?

Ans. These three are at Caesar's house. The others are Ligarius, Decius, Metellus. Casca, Cinna, Trebonius and Publius. They
had all come to take Caesar to the Capitol with them.

(ii) Explain why Caesar says, "pains and courtesy." Do you think these people deserve his thanks? State your reason in
brief.

Ans. Caesar means to say thanks to them when he says "pains and courtesy." No these people do not deserve his thanks
because they all are hiding their true motive behind a mask of friendliness and courtesy. They are the conspirators who have
come to ensure that Caesar accompanies them to the Capitol where they plan to kill him. They are foes in the guise of
friends.

(iii) What trait of Antony's character is mentioned here? Both Brutus and Cassius refer to this trait regarding Antony but
for different reasons. Narrate what each said giving the circumstances and the reason.

Ans. Antony is a passionate man who loves art and music, and is teased by Caesar for staying out late at parties, Caesar
refers to this trait of Antony of being a man who enjoys life and, parties. Cassius had described Antony as a "shrewd
contriver" and had suggested that they should kill him along with Caesar as he could prove dangerous for the conspirators if
left alive as he would seek revenge for Caesar's death. But Brutus had disagreed with Cassius and spoken that Antony was
but "a limb of Caesar" and hence would be harmless once Caesar was dead.
(iv) Which one of the following words best describes Caesar's behaviour in this passage: generous, friendly, humble? Give
a brief reason for your choice. How does this opinion of yours compare with Caesar's behaviour depicted in the earlier
scene?

Ans. Caesar in this passage can be described as "friendly". However, earlier in the scene he appeared as an arrogant,
ambitious and fond of flattery. He brushed aside Calpurnia's fears saying that danger knew Caesar was more dangerous and
that Caesar was not one to be afraid. He likes to be flattered and is ambitious as is evident when Decius says that the
senators want to offer him the crown he readily agrees to accompany him to the Capitol.

(v) Brutus and Cassius had different reasons for putting Caesar to death. Express these reasons in brief. How far
would you justify either reason or both?

Ans. Cassius hated Caesar because he was jealous of Caesar's power and he believed that Caesar was a weak man and,
therefore, undeserving of the power and admiration he had been given by the Roman citizens. Brutus on the other hand
was Caesar's friend but decided to join Cassius in the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar because he felt Caesar had become
ambitious and wanted to be the king of Rome. He killed Caesar for the betterment of Rome. He was also ready to lay down
his life for his country. He honoured Caesar as long as he was heroic but when he became ambitious, he killed him.
Thus, Cassius and Brutus killed Caesar for different reasons. But according to me they were not justified as they both
behaved in a treacherous manner and cunningly killed him when he trusted them.

act4

Ans. (a) Spirit of Caesar, restless for revenge

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
Brutus
You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. Cassius
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offense should bear his comment Brutus
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself

(i) Where are Brutus and Cassius at this time? State briefly what charge Brutus lays against
Cassius?
Ans. Brutus and Cassius are in Brutus' tent in his camp near Sardis. Brutus accuses Cassius of being corrupt, of selling
positions in his army to undeserving men.
(ii) What had Cassius just complained of to make Brutus say, "You wronged yourself"? Explain the meaning of Brutus'
words.
Ans. Brutus tells Cassius that he had wronged and maligned himself by taking the side of a corrupt man like Lucius Pella.
(iii) What advice is Cassius giving Brutus in this extract? Do you think Cassius was being practical?
Ans. Cassius advised Brutus that in the circumstances it was not appropriate to focus on every little offense of their allies or
men who were supporting them. Yes Cassius was being practical as he knew they needed their supporters if they were to
win the war against the Second Trimvirates.

: (iv) What did Brutus accuse Cassius of when he said, "Let me tell you yourself...."? How
Cassius react to this?
Ans. Brutus accused Cassius of being corrupt, of selling positions in his army to undeserving t
then that speech would have been his last.
Tre
Cassius reacted angrily and threatened Brutus saying that if he had not been who he w (v) In the argument which continues
between these two, Brutus accuses Cassius of othe faults. Point out two of these faults and say how Cassius reacted to these
accusations.D Ans. Brutus accused Cassius of being corrupt and taking bribes. Cassius reacted with a
you think Brutus was being fair to Cassius?
and said,
"You forget yourself
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I,
Older in practice, abler than yourself
To make conditions."
refusin
him certain sums of gold. Cassius flatly denied having done so and said that the messeng
had misinterpreted the message.
Brutus was being slightly harsh as Cassius was taking bribes and being corrupt on
because they needed money for their war and that was the way Cassius could money to pay the soldiers. Question 2.
Brutus
The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. Cassius
Brutus
Chastisement!
Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What villain touch'd his body,
that did stab, And not for justice? What, shall one of us...
malo
(iii)
Ans.
(i) What sort of corruption is referred to in the extract? What has been the reaction of Cassius just before this extract to
this accusation?
Ans. Brutus is referring to Cassius being corrupt of selling positions in his army to undeserving men. Cassius reacted with
indignation and anger at being so accused of corruption and said threateningly to Brutus:
"you are Brutus that speak this,
Or by the gods, this speech were else your last."
(ii) What does the Ides of March signify to them?
(i
An
Qu
For which purpose did Brutus say that Julius bled "for justice sake"?
Ans. The Ides of March signified the death of Caesar at their hands to them. Brutus Julius bled "for justice sake" to remind
Cassius that Brutus had killed Caesar only because
says
that

he thought that was the way to get justice for Rome. Brutus fights back, accusing Cassius of bribery and reminding him that
they killed Caesar to stop him being corrupt, not to
become corrupt themselves.
Ans. The two instances which show that Brutus was angry with Cassius are: (iii) Give two examples from this scene to
indicate that Brutus was really angry with Cassius. Firstly when in anger he insults Cassius and says:
"Away, slight man!"
Secondly when he tells Cassius that he will not tolerate his ill temper:
"By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; For from this day forth,
I'll use you
for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, waspish"
When you are
(iv) Explain briefly the bitter irony involved in the quarrel over money between Brutus and
Cassius.
Ans. Brutus claims to be so honest himself that he cannot raise money by ignoble means, he was forced to ask Cassius for
money, but Cassius ignored him. .It is ironic because Brutus says he can't get money by "vile" means, but he knows Cassius
got the money from bribes. Brutus's accusation of Cassius for his unjust methods of raising money and insistence that
Cassius's guilty friend be punished are but the effects of his own psychological projection. His exaggeration of anger with
others results from his unconscious need to relieve himself of the guilt of having to resort to ill-got money to maintain his
army, a need he dares not even acknowledge to himself.
(v) State briefly how the disagreement Between Cassius and Brutus was resolved. Ans. After a heated argument Cassius
alleges that Brutus does not love him and takes out his dagger and offers it to Brutus to kill him. Brutus then tells him that
he had accused and insulted him in anger. Cassius too admits that he had lost his temper and both reconcile and then Brutus
shares that he was grieved because of the news of Portia's death. Cassius commiserates with Brutus on his loss and is
repentant that he had upset him when he was already in pain. Thus their disagreement is resolved.
Question 3.
at
se
nd
Brutus
By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, I'll use you for my mirth, yea,
for my laughter, When you are waspish.
Cassius
Brutus
Is it come to this?
You say you are a better soldier.
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.

@Give the meaning of:

"You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you"
What does Brutus say he will use Cassius for?
Ans. Going all the way back to the ancient Greeks, it was believed that the black bile secreted the spleen was the cause of
foul temper. This belief is still reflected in the modern expressi "to vent your spleen on someone." Brutus is not going to let
Cassius vent his spleen on whenever Cassius is in a bad mood, Brutus is just going to laugh it off. In simple term
Cassius above)
say,
makes
Brutus tells Cassius that he would have to swallow the poison of his own anger.
(ii) Give two examples of the taunts which Brutus had indulged in earlier which "Is it come to this"? (Do not use the
material used for answering question
(1) Ans. Brutus says that Cassius had an itching palm or in other words was susceptible to taking bribes, and also asks
Cassius to go and vent his spleen on his bond men who would tremble at that but not on Brutus. This angers Cassius and he
says "Is it come to this." (iii) Under what conditions had Cassius made the statement that he was a better soldier than
Brutus? How accurate is Cassius' assessment of himself as a soldier? Give reasons for
your answer.
Ans. Cassius says so when Brutus accuses him of raising money by vile means. Cassius is accurate in his assessment of being
a better soldier as he has a survival instinct. In order to survive and pay his men, he collects bribes and sells offices without
bothering for moral issues. He knows that as a military commander the morale of his soldiers is more important than moral
values and so it is important to pay them in time.
(iv) What is meant by 'vaunting? How could Cassius prove his vaunting at this point of time? Ans. Vaunting means
boasting. Cassius could prove himself as a better soldier by reacting to
Brutus and challenging him to a fight.
(v) While Brutus and Cassius are arguing, a strange visitor enters the scene. Who is he? What is the purpose of his visit?
How does Brutus react to his arrival?
Ans. The strange visitor is a poet. He has come to bring back the lost unity between the two allies. General Brutus
contemptuously regards him as a jigging fool or a rhyming fool. Question 4.
Cassius
There is my dagger.
And here my naked breast; within, a heart Dearer than Plutos' mine, richer than gold:
If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth. I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for I
know, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov'dst him better Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius.

(Text with Paraphrase)

In what state is Cassius? Why is his heart richer than gold
Ans. Cassius is dejected at Brutus' words. Cassius heart is richer than gold as it contains
genuine and
pure love for Brutus in it.
(ii) Who is Pluto? Why is Cassius' heart compared to Pluto's mine?
Ans. Pluto is the god of the underworld. Pluto's mine is rich in mineral wealth. Cassius wants to assure Brutus that his heart
is filled with love for Brutus and thus, is richer than
Pluto's mine.
(iii) When did Cassius deny gold to Brutus? Why did the latter need the gold? What explanation did Cassius give for not
giving the gold?
Ans. When Brutus needed money to pay his legions he sent a message to Cassius asking for gold. Cassius tells Brutus that
the message was misinterpreted by the messenger and hence Cassius never got the message. Thus, he assures Brutus that
he never denied any gold to Brutus.
(iv) What reply does Brutus give to Cassius after this extract?
Ans. Brutus asks Cassius to sheathe his dagger and pacifies him by telling him that that Cassius words of rebuke would in
future be considered as words of humour by him. He assures him that he could do whatever he wanted, and Brutus would
look upon his insults as just the product of a bad mood. He adds that Cassius should understand that he was partners with a
quiet lamb that got angry in the same way that a flint makes fire- a brief spark when struck, and then immediately cold
again.
(v) What is the dramatic importance of this dialogue? In what way does it influence the subsequent course of action in
the play?
Ans. This dialogue signifies the detachment and slow inroads of animosity between Brutus and Cassius. Due to the rift in
their relationship, Brutus and Cassius lose the battle later in the play.
Question 5.
Cassius
Brutus
Portia, art thou gone?
916 No more, I pray you,
Messala, I have here received letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power,
Bending their expedition towards Philippi. Messala
Myself have letters of the self-same tenor.
(i) Where has Portia gone? Why is Brutus so abrupt as to wave aside the thought of Portia? What does it show us of his
nature?
Ans. Portia is dead. Brutus is a stoic who considers grief and happiness in the same manner. Thus he wants to grieve for
Portia in private. Brutus does not want to show his personal sorrow in front of other men and he wants to concentrate more
on his role as a commander. It shows that he is very private and a stoic.

(ii) Who is Messala? What is the 'self-same tenor' of which Messala speaks?
Ans. Messala is an ally of Brutus and Cassius and a member of their army. Brutus had received information through letters
about the advance of Antony and his forces. Messala inform
Brutus that he too had received similar information through letters.
(iii) What other news does Messala give just after this extract? Ans. Messala informs Brutus of Portia's death after this
extract.
(iv) What does Brutus come to know (from the letters he received) about Octavius and Antony
Where does Brutus plan to meet the enemy?
Ans. Brutus came to know that Antony and Octavius were planning to march along towards Phillipi and meet them at Sardis.
But Brutus plans to meet the enemy at Phillipi. (v) How strong had Octavius and Antony made themselves? What was the
fate of Cicero Ans. Antony and Octavius had made themselves strong by joining their armies. Cicero was executed as per
legal proclamations declaring these men to be unprotected by the law
Question 6.
Brutus
You must note beside,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends, Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe. The enemy increaseth every day;
We, at the height, are ready to decline. There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life.
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
(i) To whom is Brutus giving the arguments in the extract? What is meant by, "Our legions are brim-full, our cause is
ripe"?
Ans. Brutus is giving these arguments to Cassius. Brutus tells Cassius that their armies are large enough and the time for
fighting for their cause had come. Brutus confidently tells Cassius that they have both got all of the support from their
friends that their friends could possibly muster, and their legions of soldiers are full to the brim. They are 'at the height': the
strongest they can possibly be. They are ready for action. The essential gist of Brutus' words here is 'seize the day': taking
the tide 'at the flood' (i.e., at high tide) means taking advantage of forces which are beneficial, much like rowing a boat with
rather than against a strong current is much more advantageous. Indeed, it 'leads on to fortune. However, if such a natural
advantage is 'omitted', i.e., neglected, the rest of your voyage the rest of your life, in fact - will be low and miserable.
(ii) Give two arguments of Brutus to indicate that his military strength is in an advantageous position.
Ans. Brutus argues that their military strength is at peak and can only decline further. He also says that opportunities come
in life only at times and they should make best use of it. He informs Cassius that he must recognize that they have gotten as
much as they could from

those who supported them. Their regiments were full, and their cause was ready. He says that they were at their largest and
if delayed their strength and support would only decrease. He uses a simile to make his point. He says there's a kind of tidal
movement, a back-and-forth, in the affairs of men. Acting when one is at high tide leads to success. But if one misses high
tide, all the rest of the voyage of their life would be mired in the shallows of misery. Hence, he tells Cassius that as they were
then floating on such a high tide and they must ride the current or lose out. (iii) Brutus says, "The enemy increaseth every
day." State how it increases every day. Ans. Brutus means to tell Cassius that they must avail the strategic advantage they
had over the enemy because the people who lived between Sardis and Philippi were only loyal to them out of fear of their
force. They had only given them men and money for their army because they felt they had to. The enemy, marching past
them, would be able to grow by recruiting them. Then, they would come at them refreshed, newly reinforced, and
confident.
(iv) "There is a tide in the affairs of men". What comparison is made between the voyage of life and the voyage on sea?
Ans. Brutus uses the imagery of the high and low tide to indicate opportunities that come to men. If men do not take
advantage of them at their best, then only defeat and loss is the result. He tells Cassius that they must recognize that they
had gotten as much as they could from those who supported them. Their regiments were full, and their cause was ready. He
says that they were at their largest and if delayed their strength and support would only decrease. He uses a simile to make
his point. He says there's a kind of tidal movement, a back-and-forth, in the affairs of men. Acting when one is at high tide
leads to success. But if one misses high tide, all the rest of the voyage of their life would be mired in the shallows of misery.
Hence, he tells Cassius that as they were then floating on such a high tide and they must ride the current or lose out.

(v) According to Brutus, "On such a full sea are we now afloat." How is this statement valid?
Ans. Brutus says that they are at the zenith of their strength and can now only decline. This statement is valid as they have
utilised the most they can from their allies as well as the Sardians. Now there is nothing for them to do except take
advantage of their strength and face the enemy. To conclude his maritime image, Brutus tells Cassius that it's as if they are in
a boat on a full sea at high tide right now; and they should use this strong current to their advantage, or fail in their venture.
("Ventures' is a curious word here, because it has a specific resonance in light of Brutus' naval imagery: 'ventures' were,
specifically, cargoes or merchant enterprises.
Question 7.
'.
s
Comprehension Passages
Brutus
How ill this taper burns- Ha! who comes here?
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition.
It comes upon me. Art thou any thing?
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou
art.

1 To whom does Brutus speak in the extract? What is the setting of the scene
Ans. Brutus speaks to the spirit of Caesar in the extract. It is a night in in Brutus' camp near Sardis. Brutus is in his tent
and there appears a cloudy appearance of the spirit of Caesar
which seemed monstrous.
(iii) What is the "apparition" referred to in the extract? Why is it said to be "monstrous"?
Ans. Caesar's spirit is the apparition referred to in the extract. It is said to be monstrous as the ghost had a cloudy
appearance and there was a cruel look on its face.
(iii) What does Brutus wonder about the apparition? What is the effect of the apparition on
Brutus?
Ans. Brutus wonders whether it was a god or angel or some devil. This apparition had made Brutus blood cold and his hair
to stand upright.
(iv) What does the apparition say to Brutus? What is the significance of what the apparition says to Brutus?
Ans. The apparition tells Brutus that he was Brutus' evil spirit and he would see it again at Philippi. It signifies the end of
Brutus at Phillppi which is the battle field. The apparition
spelt doom for Brutus.
(v) Who else was present at the scene? Did they see the apparition? State whether the apparition was the product of
Brutus' imagination Give a reason to justify your answer.
Ans. Lucius, Varro and Claudius were present at the scene. They did not see, the apparition. It can be a by product of Brutus
imagination as he was filled with guilt after assassinating
Caesar.
TEST AND EVALUATION
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
Cassius
You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Brutus
The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
(i) Where are the two speakers? What has Brutus just said to make Cassius react so aggressively?
Qu
Ans. The two speakers are in Brutus' tent in his camp near Sardis. Brutus has just accused Cassius of being corrupt, of selling
positions in his army to undeserving men.
(ii) Explain what Brutus means by "this corruption" and "chastisement doth therefore hide his head"?
Ans. By the phrase "this corruption" Brutus refers to Cassius' corrupt practice of selling positions in his army to undeserving
men. The line "chastisement doth therefore hide his head" implies that Cassius' honourable reputation masks this
corruption, and so it is not condemned.

(iii) Why has Cassius come to meet Brutus in this scene?

Ans. Cassius had come to Brutus to complain about his behaviour of condemning and publicly disgracing Lucius Pella for
taking bribes from the Sardinians. Then Brutus had ignored Cassius' letters, in which he had asked him to be lenient with
Lucius Pella because Cassius knew him and he was an ally.
(iv) What information does Brutus bring against Cassius later in the scene which is the cause of his bad temper?
Ans. Brutus tells Cassius that he had sent a message to Cassius asking for gold to pay his soldiers but Cassius had refused and
this apparently was the cause of his ill temper. (v) Later in the scene, how does Brutus accuse Cassius further? How does
Cassius reply to
this?
Ans. Brutus accuses Cassius of refusing gold to him when he needed to pay his soldiers. Cassius replies that he did not
refuse, rather the messenger had misinterpreted the
Question 2.
Brutus
Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forc'd affection;
For they have grudged us contribution: The enemy, marching along by them, By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refreshed, new-added, and encourag'd; From which advantage shall we cut him off,
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
message.
(i) What good reasons are given by Cassius against their army marching to Philippi? Ans. Cassius does not agree that they
should meet the enemy at Philippi. He rather tells Brutus
that it would be a better strategy for them to stay on at their camps and meet the enemy at Sardis and let the enemy come
to them. In doing so, the enemy would waste their supplies and tire out their soldiers thus reducing their own strength.
Meanwhile Brutus' army would be rested, strong, and nimble by staying there.
(ii) Briefly state the better reasons put forward by Brutus. At the end whose reasoning
proved right? Why?
Ans. Brutus tells Cassius that they must avail the strategic advantage they had over the enemy because the people who lived
between Sardis and Philippi were only loyal to them out of fear of their force. They had only given them men and money for
their army because they felt they had to. The enemy, marching past them, would be able to grow by recruiting them. Then,
they would come at them refreshed, newly reinforced, and
Cassius' reasoning proved correct as they lost the battle b following Brutus' military
confident.
strategy.

(iii) Give the meaning of:

(a) "Do stand but in a forc'd affection."
(b) "For they have grudged us contribution."
Ans. (a) Brutus puts forward his reasoning for advancing to Philippi by saying that the people who lived between Sardis and
Philippi were only loyal to them out of fear of their force. (a) Brutus continues with his reasoning that the people who lived
between Sardis and Philippi only gave them men and money for their army because they felt they had to. (iv) How does this
scene create suspicion in the minds of the audience? Ans. This scene creates suspicion in the minds of the audience because
it can see the alliance of the conspirators falling apart and Portia's death seems to foreshadow more deaths as the
consequences of the actions of Brutus and Cassius seem to be reaching a resolution in the battle that is impending.
(v) What have Brutus and his friends been doing to make themselves unpopular with the local population? What danger
would the local people likely to pose for the army ofBrutus because of this?
Ans. Cassius has been accepting bribes to sell posts in the army to undeserving people and secondly they have been forcing
the local population to give men and money using force. This most probably has antagonised the local population and if
Antony and Octavius offer them money they might turn against Brutus' army. Brutus suspects this and says, "The people
'twixt Philippi and this groundDo stand but in a forced affection".