Question

Read the following extract from Julius Caesar and answer the questions that follow:

Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I will do his bidding.

1. Who is the speaker? Whom is he speaking to? (Recalling)
2. In what way had the person spoken to misconstrued everything? (Understanding)
3. What does the speaker do at the end of his speech? Why does he do so? (Recalling)
4. Who enters shortly after the deed of the speaker? How does Cato praise the speaker? (Recalling)
5. Did Caesar's spirit truly take its revenge? Give reasons for your answer. (Analysis & Evaluation)

Answer 1

1. The speaker is Titinius. He is speaking to the dead Cassius.
2. Cassius had misunderstood the situation by believing that Titinius had been captured by the enemy. In reality, Titinius had been welcomed by Brutus’ soldiers and had returned with good news.
3. Titinius places the garland of victory on Cassius’ head. He then kills himself with Cassius’ sword because he is overcome with grief and loyalty towards his friend.
4. Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Strato, Volumnius and Lucilius enter shortly afterwards. Cato praises Titinius as a brave and noble Roman.
5. In a symbolic sense, Caesar’s spirit does take revenge. Cassius dies with the sword that killed Caesar, Titinius also dies, and later Brutus is defeated and kills himself. Thus, the conspirators suffer the consequences of Caesar’s assassination.