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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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RELATED QUESTIONS
"They that have done this deed are honorable: What private grief’s they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it"……………….
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What deed have 'they' done?
(c) What does the word, 'grief’s' mean?
How does Decius Brutus persuade Caesar to accompany him to the senate house?
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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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This was the most unkindest cut of all;
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Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart;
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(b) Whose ingratitude was he referring to?
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How did Antony prove that Caesar was not ambitious?
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Antony's remark Mischief, thou art afoot,
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How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly.
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Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?
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How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony’s speech?
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Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?
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When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Anthony call Brutus and the others?
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At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius ?
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. |
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.
What opinion do you form of Calpurnia from the play ‘Julius Caesar’ ?
