Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

ARTEMIDORUS - There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods defend thee! Thy lover, ARTEMIDORUS.

1. Name the conspirators mentioned in the letter of Artemidorus. Explain what Artemidorus means by ‘one mind in all these men’. (Recalling & Understanding)
2. What warning is given to Caesar regarding each conspirator? (Understanding & Analysis)
3. What will happen if Caesar reads ‘this’ and what if he does not? (Analysis)
4. Who had warned Caesar earlier? What was Caesar’s reaction to the warning? (Recalling)
5. Explain - ‘security gives way to conspiracy’. (Understanding & Analysis)

Answer 1

1. The conspirators named by Artemidorus are Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Cinna, Trebonius, Metellus Cimber, Decius Brutus and Caius Ligarius. By ‘one mind in all these men’, Artemidorus means that all of them are united in the same purpose—to act against Caesar.
2. Artemidorus warns Caesar to beware of each conspirator because all of them are secretly involved in the plot against his life. He especially asks Caesar to watch them carefully and not trust their outward friendliness.
3. If Caesar reads the letter, he may discover the conspiracy and save himself. If he does not read it, Artemidorus fears that Caesar will fall victim to the conspirators.
4. Earlier, the soothsayer had warned Caesar to ‘beware the Ides of March’. Caesar dismissed the warning and called the soothsayer a ‘dreamer’.
5. ‘Security gives way to conspiracy’ means that overconfidence and a false sense of safety make a person careless. Caesar’s belief that he is secure prevents him from noticing the danger around him, allowing the conspiracy to succeed.