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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
How did Brutus justify Caesar’s assassination?
What did Caesar leave for the Romans in his will?
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.
(a) Where is Caesar planning to go ?
(b) What are the 'things' that threaten him ?
(c) What does the word 'vanished' mean ?
How did Antony prove that Caesar was not ambitious?
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Decius Brutus changes Caesar's mind about going to the Senate by appealing to his
……………………
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
When Antony calls the conspirators 'honourable men' his tone is ………………
How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly.
What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why does Calpurnia say Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence'? What does she mean?
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What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?
Answer the following question briefly
What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?
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Who says "Et tu Brute"? When are these words spoken? Why?
Answer the following question briefly.
Who says, "Let him be Caesar"? What light does this throw on the speaker?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why is Antony's speech more effective?
In the play 'Julius Caesar', we meet the Roman mob. We find that as Brutus and Antony speak, the mob displays certain qualities and characteristics.
Given below are some characteristics of the mob. Complete the table by quoting the lines wherein these are revealed.
| Words/ actions of the mob | Characteristics |
| 1. | Foolish |
| 2. | Does not understand the ideals of democracy |
| 3. | Emotional |
| 4. | Greedy |
| 5. | Fickle |
| 6. | Violent |
Antony employs a number of devices to produce the desired effect on the mob. These devices maybe described as rhetorical devices. He first speaks in such a manner that it seems to the mob that he is in full agreement with Brutus about Caesar. Then step by step he moves away from Brutus' position, depicting Brutus as a villain and Caesar as a wronged man. Copy and complete the following table by showing how Antony builds the argument in Caesar's favour.
| Antony's words | Argument |
| 1. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. | Does not wish to eulogise Caesar |
| 2. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. | Seemingly agrees with Brutus |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
A reporter covers the event of the assassination of Julius Caesar in the senate. Giving graphic details and a catchy headline, write the newspaper report in about 200 words.
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?
