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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
Why does Brutus kill Caesar?
What did Caesar leave for the Romans in his will?
'Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.'
Brutus says this as he justifies to the Romans why Caesar was assassinated by them. Do you agree with Brutus? Justify your answer in 120‒150 words by giving examples from the play.
Why values does Brutus display as he says this line to the Romans ?
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 ?
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart;
(a) Who speaks these words?
(b) Whose ingratitude was he referring to?
(c) Why did it break Caesar's heart?
Consult a dictionary and find out the difference between
(a) killing
(b) an assassination.
Many popular and powerful leaders have been assassinated in the past and in recent times. Can you name some of them?
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Caesar's reference to the senators as 'graybeards' shows his ……….
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.
What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral?
Answer the following question briefly.
Who says, "Let him be Caesar"? What light does this throw on the speaker?
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 extracts 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) Who speaks these words? Where is the speaker at this moment?
b) What are the contents of Caesar's will that he is referring to?
c) Why does the speaker read Caesar's will to the citizens?
d) What is the reaction of the listeners to the reading of the will?
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.
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?
