Advertisements
Advertisements
प्रश्न
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
| Brutus: | I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; For I can raise no money by vile means: By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection. |
- To whom are these words addressed?
Why is Brutus angry with this person? [3] - How does this person feel when he hears these words?
What does he say to defend himself? [3] - Why did Brutus need ‘certain sums of gold’?
Why was he unable to raise these sums of money? [3] - Earlier in this scene, Brutus refers to Lucius Pella.
What had he been accused of?
Who had supported him and how? [3] - Mention any two aspects of Brutus’ character that are revealed in the above extract.
What do you understand about the relationship between Brutus and the person he addresses? [4]
Advertisements
उत्तर
- These words are addressed to Cassius.
Brutus feels betrayed and let down by Cassius' refusal to provide the gold he requested. Since both of them are in the middle of a critical and resource-intensive military campaign, the denial of these funds not only impacts their operations but also puts them at a strategic disadvantage.
Brutus prides himself on his moral integrity and refuses to raise money by exploiting the common people, which he considers "vile" and beneath his ethical standards. His statement about preferring to "coin [his] heart, and drop [his] blood for drachmas" rather than extort money from the poor illustrates his commitment to these principles. He is frustrated with Cassius because he perceives Cassius' actions—or, in this case, inactions—as being in conflict with these moral standards. -
Cassius feels hurt and misunderstood when he hears Brutus' accusations. He is surprised that Brutus would question his loyalty and integrity, especially given their shared commitment to the cause of liberating Rome from what they perceived as tyranny. Cassius is also frustrated because he believes he has been wrongfully accused and that his actions have been misinterpreted.
To defend himself, Cassius argues that he did not deny the request out of selfishness or greed. Instead, he explains that the message Brutus sent did not reach him as intended. Cassius says, “I did not deny you, for I was sure it was not he that had received gold from Antony.” This statement is intended to clarify that there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication rather than a deliberate refusal of aid. Cassius expresses his distress over the situation, stating that he is an honest man and has been unjustly maligned by Brutus' accusation.
-
In "Julius Caesar," Brutus needed 'certain sums of gold' primarily to fund his army during the civil war that followed Caesar's assassination. The military campaign required significant resources, including money to pay soldiers, buy supplies, and sustain operations against opponents who were also vying for control of Rome.
Brutus emphasizes his unwillingness to engage in unethical methods to acquire funds. He explicitly states that he cannot raise money by "vile means," reflecting his strong moral principles. Brutus is committed to maintaining his honour and ethical stance, even in the face of dire financial needs for his military efforts.
Specifically, Brutus mentions his aversion to extracting wealth from the peasants. He would rather "coin [his] heart, and drop [his] blood for drachmas" than "wring from the hard hands of peasants their vile trash by any indirection." This statement underscores his disdain for the idea of oppressing the common people to fund his campaign, which he considers morally reprehensible and a betrayal of his values. -
Brutus had accused Lucius Pella of taking bribes from the Sardians — and had humiliated and disgraced him.
Cassius had supported Lucius Pella despite the accusations against him. He disregarded the charges and defended Pella, which infuriated Brutus. Brutus reproaches Cassius for his support of Pella, arguing that defending a man accused of corruption compromises the moral high ground they claimed in their opposition to Caesar. He insists that their endeavour must be kept pure and free from corruption to maintain public support and the moral legitimacy of their regime. This disagreement is significant as it underscores the ideological rift between Brutus and Cassius, with Brutus emphasizing ethical conduct and Cassius perhaps taking a more pragmatic approach to political alliances and support.
-
Two Aspects of Brutus' Character Revealed in the Extract:
- Moral Integrity: Brutus emphasizes his unwillingness to compromise his ethical standards for financial gain.
- Principled Leadership: The extract reveals Brutus' approach to leadership, which is grounded in principled actions and ethical governance.
Relationship Between Brutus and the Person He Addresses:
-
Tension and Conflict: There is evident tension between Brutus and Cassius, stemming from their differing methods and philosophies. Brutus' rebuke over the denied funds indicates a conflict over how to best manage their resources and conduct their affairs amidst the political turmoil following Caesar's death.
-
Differences in Ethical Perspectives: Their contrasting views on morality and ethics in leadership complicate the relationship. Brutus is shown to be more concerned with moral purity and ethical consistency, whereas Cassius is more pragmatic, focusing on the practical aspects of their struggle for power. This difference creates fundamental discord in their alliance, affecting their cooperation and mutual trust.
-
Respect and Friction: Despite the tension, there is also a foundation of respect and shared goals between Brutus and Cassius. They are both leaders in the same cause, driven by a common objective to overthrow what they see as a tyrannical rule. However, the way they pursue this goal and their interactions reflect ongoing friction, influenced by their individual values and tactical approaches.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
| A | B | ||
| (i) | broke out | (a) | an attitude of kindness, a readiness to give freely |
| (ii) |
in accordance with |
(b) | was not able to tolerate |
| (iii) | a helping hand | (c) | began suddenly in a violent way |
| (iv) | could not stomach | (d) | assistance |
| (v) | generosity of spirit | (e) | persons with power to make decisions |
| (vi) | figures of authority | (f) | according to a particular rule, principle, or system |
Is it possible to make accurate guesses about the people you have never met? Read the poem, to see how conclusions can be drawn about people.
Abandoned Farmhouse
He was a big man, says the size of his shoes On a pile of broken dishes by the house; A tall man too, says the length of the bed In an upstairs room; and a good, God-fearing man, Says the Bible with a broken back On the floor below a window, bright with sun; But not a man for farming, say the fields Cluttered with boulders and a leaky barn.
A woman lived with him, says the bedroom wall Papered with lilacs and the kitchen shelves Covered with oilcloth, and they had a child Says the sandbox made from a tractor tyre. Money was scarce, say the jars of plum preserves And canned tomatoes sealed in the cellar-hole, And the winters cold, say the rags in the window frames. It was lonely here, says the narrow country road.
Something went wrong, says the empty house In the weed-choked yard. Stones in the fields Say he was not a farmer; the still-sealed jars In the cellar say she left in a nervous haste. And the child? Its toys are strewn in the yard Like branches after a storm - a rubber cow, a rusty tractor and a broken plow, a doll in overalls. Something went wrong, they say. Ted Kooser
The black man's face bespoke revenge
As the fire passed from his sight.
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was a chance to spite the white.
The last man of this forlorn group
Did nought except for gain.
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.
Their logs held tight in death's still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They didn't die from the cold without
They died from the cold within.
Read the lines given above and answer the question that follow.
Analyse the title and whether it is appropriate.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
Read the lines given above and answer the question that follow.
Which wealth is referred to by the poet?
We will ponder your proposition and when we decide we will let you know. But should we accept it, I here and now make this condition that we will not be denied the privilege without molestation of visiting at any time the tombs of our ancestors, friends, and children. Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished. Even the rocks, which seem to be dumb and dead as the swelter in the sun along the silent shore, thrill with memories of stirring events connected with the lives of my people, and the very dust upon which you now stand responds more lovingly to their footsteps than yours, because it is rich with the blood of our ancestors, and our bare feet are conscious of the sympathetic touch. Our departed braves, fond mothers, glad, happy hearted maidens, and even the little children who lived here and rejoiced here for a brief season, will love these somber solitudes and at eventide they greet shadowy returning spirits. And when the last Red Man shall have perished, and the memory of my tribe shall have become a myth among the White Men, these shores will swarm with the invisible dead of my tribe^ and when your children’s children think themselves alone in the field, the store, the shop, upon the highway, or in the silence of the pathless woods, they will not be alone. In all the earth there is no place dedicated to solitude. At night when the streets of your cities and villages are silent and you think them deserted, they will throng with the returning hosts’that once filled them and still lover this beautiful land. The White Man will never be alone.
Let him be just and deal kindly with my people, for the dead are not powerless. Dead, did I say? There is no death, only a change of worlds.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
What plea does the speaker make to the white men?
Then, trying to hide my nervousness, I added, “How are you?”
“I’m fine. The question is: How are you?“
“What do you mean?” 1 asked “Something must be eating you,” he said—proud the way foreigners are when they’ve mastered a bit of American slang. “You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed.”
“Believe me, I know it,” I told him—and it felt good to say that to someone.
For the next few minutes we talked together. I didn’t tell Long what was “eating” me, but he seemed to understand my anger, and he took pains to reassure me. Although he’d been schooled in the Nazi youth movement, he didn’t believe in the Aryan-supremacy business any more than I did. We laughed over the fact that he really looked the part, though. An inch taller than I, he had a lean, muscular frame, clear blue eyes, blond hair and a strikingly handsome, chiseled face. Finally, seeing that I had calmed down somewhat, he pointed to the take-off board.
“Look,” he said. “Why don’t you draw a line a few inches in back of the board and aim at making your take-off from there? You’ll be sure not to foul, and you certainly ought to jump far enough to qualify. What does it matter if you’re not first in the trials? Tomorrow is what counts.”
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
How did Owens manage to qualify for the finals with a foot to spare?
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Duke: You hear the team’d Bellario, what he writes:
And here, I take it, is the doctor come.
[Enter Portia, dressed like a Doctor of Laws]
Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario”?
Portia: I did, my lord.
Duke: You are welcome : take your place.
Are you acquainted with the difference
That holds this present question in the court?
(i) Where is this scene set? Why was Portia there?
(ii) What reason had Bellario given for his absence? Whom had he sent in this stead?
(iii) Bellario's letter stated that he had taken some measures to prepare the 'young and learned doctor' to deal with the case. What were they?
(iv) What was the 'difference' between Shylock the Jew and Antonio the merchant that the Duke was unable to resolve?
(v) How does Portia succeed in saving Antonio? What does this reveal of her character?
Describe the hermit in one or two sentences.
Why do you think he had come to the shop?
Multiple Choice Question:
What is the significance of four o'clock?
