Question

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

DECIUS - Shall no man else be touch’d but only Caesar?ˋ CASSIUS - Decius, well urg’d: I think it is not meet Mark Antony, so well belov’d of Caesar, Should outlive Caesar: We shall find of him A shrewd contriver;

1. Does Decius agree with Brutus? How do you know from this extract? (Understanding &Analysis)
2. Why does Cassius feel that Decius is right? (Understanding & Analysis)
3. What are the reasons given by Brutus not to kill Mark Antony? (Understanding)
4. How does Brutus try to justify that their act will appear ‘too bloody’? (Application)
5. What is Brutus’ assessment regarding Mark Antony? How sound is his judgement? Give reasons. (Understanding & Evaluation)

Answer 1

1. No, Decius does not agree with Brutus. His question, “Shall no man else be touch’d but only Caesar?”, suggests that Mark Antony should also be killed.
2. Cassius feels that Decius is right because Antony is greatly loved by Caesar and may become a clever and dangerous opponent after Caesar’s death.
3. Brutus says that Antony is only a limb of Caesar and will be powerless once Caesar, the head, is dead. He also believes that Antony is devoted to pleasure, sports and company and will not be a serious danger.
4. Brutus says that killing Caesar and Antony would make the deed appear like a bloody slaughter rather than a necessary sacrifice. He wants Caesar’s death to seem like the act of purifying Rome, not a cruel murder.
5. Brutus considers Antony weak, pleasure-loving and incapable of independent action. His judgement is unsound because Antony proves to be intelligent, politically skilful and powerful enough to defeat the conspirators.