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Question
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)
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Solution
- Antony uses vivid and evocative descriptions of the wounds inflicted on Caesar by his assassins to stir his audience's emotions and create a sense of horror and outrage.
- The mantle represents Caesar's power and authority and symbolises the leader's ability to inspire loyalty and devotion in his followers.
- Emotive and urgent [as he seeks to move his audience to tears and to evoke a sense of shared grief and loss]
- Antony's reference to the Nervii, whom Caesar defeated in battle, highlights Caesar's skill as a military leader and his ability to conquer even the most formidable enemies.
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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. | ||
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 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
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.
