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Question
Answer the following question briefly.
What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?
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Solution
Calpurnia foresees in her dream the assassination of Julius Caesar. She sees in her dream Caesar’s body being transformed into a fountain from which his blood is spouting and Romans smilingly washing their hands in his blood. Brutus interprets that blood coming out of Caesars body shall enrich Rome. People shall soak their handkerchiefs in his blood and keep them as their prized possession fomgenerations to come.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Mark Antony, with the help of his oratory, succeeded in winning the mob over to his side. This led to the downfall of the conspirators. Write in 80–100 words, how with the power of words he could effect a change in his listeners.
Now let it work. Mischief thou art afoot.
Take thou what course thou wilt!
Antony seeks justice by getting the mob to kill the conspirators. But to correct a wrong, one cannot commit another wrong. Write a speech for the school assembly on – The ends do not justify the means. (120–150 words)
Why does Brutus kill Caesar?
How does Decius Brutus persuade Caesar to accompany him to the senate house?
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 foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia I am ashamed. I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
(a) Why was Calpurnia afraid?
(b) Where did Caesar decide to go?
(c) What does the word 'yield' mean?
How does Caesar sound when he says, “Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight”?
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Caesar's reference to the senators as 'graybeards' shows his ……….
Why does Cassius try to stop Brutus from letting Antony speak at Caesar’s funeral?
He knows that ______.
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
What prophecy does Antony make over Caesar's dead body?
Identify Antony’s tone when he calls the conspirators, ‘honourable men’.
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Antony's remark Mischief, thou art afoot,
Take thou what course thou wilt! , shows him to be …………………
How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly
What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?
Answer the following question briefly.
Whom does Antony call 'the choice and master spirits of this age"? Why?
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.
Why is Antony's speech more effective?
Answer the following question briefly.
At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius ?
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. |
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.
