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Question
Activity
Stage a press conference that takes place shortly after Caesar's death. The "reporters" should have their questions written down ahead of time to ask the students who play the roles of Brutus, Antony and Cassius.These questions should focus on the key events in the play, as well as the characters' intentions.
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Solution
Reporter (to Brutus): Caesar was your friend, still you killed him. Do you think you are right in doing this?
Brutus: Yes, I don’t think I have done anything wrong. You can see only my deed but you don’t know the reason behind that. Caesar was overambitious and in Rome’s interest, it was necessary to kill him.
Reporter (To Cassius) Do you have any comments to make on the conspiracy that you instigated? Can you justify your action?
Cassius: Of course, we have our own honourable motives behind the conspiracy. Caesar was getting too ambitious to become a dictator. Morover he was not ready „ to free Publius Cimber.
Reporter (to Antony) What do you have to say in this regard? Do you agree with what they say?
Antony: I am top shocked to utter even a single word. The mighty Caesar is no more! My grief knows no bounds! To agree or not to agree with them is not a matter of concern. What matters to me more is why they have killed Caesar at all?
Reporter (To Brutus): What is your real motive behind asking Antony to join you? Do you intend to hide your crime?
Brutus: I have not committed any crime. I offer fo receive Antony out of love and respecf for him as he is a nice person.
Reporter (To Antony) What is your attitude towards the offer that you have from Brutus?
Antony: I am keen to know the reasons behind Caesar’s murder. Before accepting – their offer, I want to take Caesar’s body to the market place and speak at the funeral ceremony.
Cassius disagrees but Brutus satisfies him by saying that he need not worry about that and the conference dispersed.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Now let it work. Mischief thou art afoot.
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Why does Calpurnia try to stop Caesar from going to the senate?
Caesar shall forth; the things that threaten'd me
Ne'er look'd on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
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(b) What are the 'things' that threaten him ?
(c) What does the word 'vanished' mean ?
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia I am ashamed. I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
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(b) Where did Caesar decide to go?
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How did Antony prove that Caesar was not ambitious?
Consult a dictionary and find out the difference between
(a) killing
(b) an assassination.
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Antony's reference to Caesar's conquest of the Nervii is to ………………….
Answer the following question briefly.
Why does Calpurnia say Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence'? What does she mean?
Answer the following question briefly
Who says "Et tu Brute"? When are these words spoken? Why?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?
Answer the following question briefly.
What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral?
Answer the following question briefly.
What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why is Antony's speech more effective?
Julius Caesar and Antony reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines from the play to illustrate your choice.
| superstitious arrogant loyal clever overconfident manipulative good orator ambitious brave great conqueror generous fearless loves flattery firm shrewd crafty |
| Person | Extract from play | What it tells us about the character |
|
Julius Caesar
|
1. the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished. |
1. arrogant |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. | ||
|
Mark Antony
|
1. | 1. Loyal |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
| CAESAR Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come. |
a) Choose the option that is relevant to [A] Assertion and [R] Reason.
[A] A brave person dies only once.
[R] A brave person faces any difficult situation or challenges.
- Both [A] and [R] are true and [R] is the correct explanation of [A].
- Both [A] and [R] are true and [R] is not the correct explanation of [A].
- [A] is true but [R] is faise.
- [A] is false but [R] is true.
b) The strangest thing that Caesar ponders is why ______.
- cowardly people die again and again
- brave people die only once
- men are afraid of death
- death is inevitable
c) What fears has the listener expressed?
d) What is the basis for the fears expressed?
e) Why has death been called a ‘necessary’ end?
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
| But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet, 'tis his will: Let but the commons hear this testament-- Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read-- And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds |
a) select the option that appropriately fills the blank.
parchment: ______: will: testament
- dry land
- front area
- pulp
- paper
b) Antony says he doesn’t mean to read the will because ______.
- he feels it is confidential.
- he finds the contents inappropriate.
- the Romans will grieve for Caesar’s death.
- the Romans will kiss Caesar.
c) What are the contents of Caesar’s will that he is referring to?
d) Why does the speaker read Caesar’s will to the citizens?
e) Identify the option that this the technique used by Antony in the given extract.
- reverse psychology
- rhetoric
- dramatic contrast
- persuasion
f) Choose the option that lists the emotion of the citizens after listening to the ‘will’.
- aggressive
- nervous
- enraged
- berserk
- powerful
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do it by our permission;
……. ……. ……. …….
(a) Identify the speaker.
(b) Who is being granted permission?
(c) What is the speaker afraid of?
(d) What opinion do you form of the speaker?
