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Question
Answer the following question briefly.
What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
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Solution
Brutus says that he loved Caesar but loved Rome more. If Caesar had lived, he would have made all Romans slaves because he was ‘ambitious’. Would the people of Rome have liked that? They killed Caesar so that the people of Rome could be free. Brutus puts Caesar in wrong light saying that Caesar was ‘ambitious’. Therefore he had killed Caesar for the good of the country.
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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.
What did Caesar leave for the Romans in his will?
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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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?
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
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When Caesar says "Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night" he sounds ……….
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Cassius tries to stop Brutus from letting Antony speak at Caesar's funeral as he ……………………..
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How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly
Why is Decius more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly
Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?
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.
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. |
Read the given excerpt and answer the questions briefly.
|
ANTONY: If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. |
- How does Antony use visual imagery to make his point about the assassination of Caesar? (1)
- What is the significance of the mantle that Antony refers to in his speech? (1)
- Identify the tone of Antony's statement when he says, "If you have tears, prepare to shed them now". (1)
- What does Antony's reference to the Nervii suggest about Caesar's military prowess? (1)
