Question

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

CAESAR - And these does she apply for warnings, and portents, And evils imminent; and on her knee Hath begg’d that I will stay at home to-day. DECIUS BRUTUS – This dream is all amiss interpreted;

1. What do you learn about the attitude of ‘she’ mentioned here towards Caesar? (Understanding & Analysis)
2. Who is ‘she’? What had she dreamt of? (Recalling & Understanding)
3. How is Calpurnia being ‘on her knees’ similar to Portia in the previous scene? How is Caesar the ‘husband’ different from Brutus the ‘husband’? (Analysis)
4. How does Decius tempt Caesar? How does Decius exploit Caesar’s egoistic nature that makes Caesar angry with Calpurnia? (Understanding & Analysis)
5. What does Caesar finally decide to do? What is revealed of both Decius and Caesar in the scene? (Recalling & Understanding)

Answer 1

1. ‘She’ is deeply concerned about Caesar’s safety. Her attitude is loving, protective and anxious, as she takes the strange signs seriously and begs Caesar not to leave the house.
2. ‘She’ refers to Calpurnia. She had dreamt that Caesar’s statue was like a fountain with many spouts from which blood flowed, while smiling Romans bathed their hands in it.
3. Like Portia, Calpurnia kneels before her husband and pleads with him. However, Brutus treats Portia with respect and affection, while Caesar is more proud and dismissive, and he allows his ego to outweigh Calpurnia’s fears.
4. Decius tempts Caesar by saying that the Senate plans to offer him a crown. He also warns that if Caesar stays at home because of Calpurnia’s dream, the senators may laugh at him and think him weak. By appealing to Caesar’s pride, Decius turns him against Calpurnia’s advice.
5. Caesar finally decides to go to the Capitol. Decius is revealed as clever, persuasive and manipulative, while Caesar is shown to be proud, ambitious and easily influenced through flattery.