Question

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

He bears too great a mind. But this same day Must end that work the ______ of ______ begun;

1. Fill the blanks in the extract. (Recalling)
2. Who is the speaker? Whom is he speaking to? (Recalling)
3. What work had begun? What was significant about this day? (Understanding & Analysis)
4. State any three repercussions this day had on Brutus and Cassius. (Understanding)
5. Who is ‘He’ referred to in the extract? What would he never do? (Recalling)
6. Give any two character traits of ‘he’. (Understanding & Analysis)

Answer 1

1. He bears too great a mind. But this same day
   Must end that work the Ides of March begun;
2. The speaker is Brutus. He is speaking to Cassius.
3. The ‘work’ refers to the struggle that began with Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March. This day is significant because the battle at Philippi will decide the fate of Brutus, Cassius and their cause.
4. Three repercussions of the Ides of March on Brutus and Cassius were:
   • They became enemies of Antony and Octavius.
   • They were forced to leave Rome and raise armies.
   • They were eventually defeated and died at Philippi.
5. ‘He’ refers to Brutus. He says that he would never allow himself to be taken to Rome as a bound prisoner.
6. Two character traits of Brutus are:
   • honourable and proud
   • courageous and determined