Question

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

VOLUMNIUS - What says my lord? BRUTUS - Why this Volumnius: The ghost of Caesar hath appear’d to me Two several times by night; at ____ once, And this last night, here in ____ fields. I know my ____ is come.

1. What does the appearance of the ghost signify to Brutus? Where had the ghost appeared earlier too? (Understanding)
2. Where are the speakers? Who else are with them? (Recalling)
3. What request does Brutus make to Clitus that makes him react very strongly? What does this indicate about Clitus' feelings towards Brutus? (Recalling & Understanding)
4. Who, according to you, is the hero of this play? Why? (Analysis & Evaluation)
5. What special relationship did Volumnius and Caesar share in the past? (Recalling & Understanding)

Answer 1

1. To Brutus, the appearance of Caesar’s ghost signifies that his end is near. The ghost had appeared to him earlier at Sardis. The blanks are: ‘Sardis’, ‘Philippi’ and ‘hour’.
2. The speakers are on the battlefield at Philippi. Clitus, Dardanius, Strato and Volumnius are with Brutus.
3. Brutus asks Clitus to kill him. Clitus strongly refuses because he is deeply loyal and devoted to Brutus and cannot bear to take his master’s life.
4. Brutus may be regarded as the tragic hero of the play. He is noble and patriotic, but his errors of judgement lead to Caesar’s murder, civil war and ultimately his own downfall. His inner conflict and tragic end form an important centre of the play.
5. The question appears to mean Volumnius and Brutus, not Caesar. Volumnius and Brutus had been schoolfellows in their youth. Because of this old and close relationship, Brutus trusts Volumnius enough to ask him to help him die.