Question

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

1. dry land
2. front area
3. pulp
4. paper

b) Antony says he doesn’t mean to read the will because ______.

1. he feels it is confidential.
2. he finds the contents inappropriate.
3. the Romans will grieve for Caesar’s death.
4. 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.

1. reverse psychology
2. rhetoric
3. dramatic contrast
4. persuasion

f) Choose the option that lists the emotion of the citizens after listening to the ‘will’.

1. aggressive
2. nervous
3. enraged
4. berserk
5. powerful

Answer 1

a) parchment: paper: will: testament

b) Antony says he doesn’t mean to read the will because the Romans will grieve for Caesar’s death.

Explanation:

Antony uses this as a clever tactic to build suspense, knowing that once they learn how much Caesar loved them, they will be overcome with grief and fury toward his murderers.

c) The will specifies that Caesar has left 75 drachmas to every individual Roman citizen and has bequeathed his private gardens, arbours, and newly planted orchards to the public for their common use.

d) Antony reads the will to manipulate the citizens into a state of uncontrollable rage against the conspirators. By showing them how generous Caesar was to the public, he makes the act of his assassination seem even more villainous and unforgivable.

e) reverse psychology

f) enraged