Question

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

BRUTUS - Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour? By the gods, You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you.

1. Explain the lines:-
   You shall digest the venom of your spleen/Though it do split you. (Understanding & Analysis)
2. How does Brutus taunt Cassius in the succeeding lines of the extract that Cassius tells Brutus in exasperation 'Is it come to this'? (Understanding)
3. Why does Cassius consider himself a better soldier than Brutus? Was he justified in the assessment of himself? Give reasons for your answer. (Understanding & Analysis)
4. State any two derogatory remarks made by Brutus for Cassius. Was Brutus justified in doing so? (Recalling & Analysis)
5. What was the misunderstanding between Brutus and Cassius? How does Cassius justify himself to Brutus? What makes Cassius soften his attitude towards Brutus? (Understanding & Analysis)

Answer 1

1. ‘You shall digest the venom of your spleen, though it do split you’ means that Cassius must control and bear his own anger, even if it causes him great pain. Brutus refuses to submit to Cassius’ bad temper.
2. Brutus taunts Cassius by saying that his threats do not frighten him and that Cassius may boast as much as he likes. This makes Cassius feel insulted and he exclaims, ‘Is it come to this?’
3. Cassius considers himself a better and more experienced soldier than Brutus. He believes his military judgement is superior. He is partly justified because he is practical and experienced, but Brutus does not accept his claim and strongly resents being treated as inferior.
4. Brutus calls Cassius a ‘madman’ and mocks his ‘rash choler’ or quick temper. He is not fully justified, because although Cassius is hot-tempered, Brutus himself is also speaking harshly and allowing anger to control him.
5. The misunderstanding arises because Brutus believes Cassius refused to send him money for his soldiers. Cassius explains that he never refused and that the messenger must have made an error. Cassius softens when he realises that Brutus is deeply troubled and later learns of Portia’s death, which helps restore their friendship.