Question

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

Caesar:	Are we all ready? What is now amiss, That Caesar and his Senate must redress?
Metellus:	Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar, Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat A humble heart, .... [He kneels]

1. Where are the speakers?
   What does ‘puissant’ mean?
   Explain: ‘Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat a humble heart’.  [3]
2. At the beginning of the scene, Caesar says, ‘The Ides of March are come.’
   Why do you think Caesar said this?
   What does the Soothsayer say in response?  [3]
3. What specific duties do the conspirators allot to Trebonius and Casca?
   Why does Cassius become nervous when Popilius Lena speaks to him as they enter?  [3]
4. What does Artemidorus want of Caesar?
   How does Caesar respond to his plea?  [3]
5. Shortly after this exchange, Caesar is stabbed to death by the conspirators. Whom do you sympathise with — Julius Caesar or the conspirators? Give reasons for your choice.  [4]

Answer 1

1. The speakers are located in the Senate House in Rome. Caesar addresses his senators, and Metellus Cimber speaks to Caesar, presenting a petition to him.
   The word "puissant" means having great power or influence or powerful.
   This phrase metaphorically represents Metellus Cimber's act of pleading or petitioning Caesar with great humility and submission. By saying he "throws before thy seat a humble heart," Metellus indicates that he is laying down his pride and coming before Caesar with utmost respect and subservience, essentially offering his loyalty and devotion. He is likely about to request something from Caesar and begins by demonstrating his humility to soften Caesar's response to his forthcoming petition.

2. Caesar's statement, "The Ides of March are come," is significant because it refers to a previous warning he received from a soothsayer. Caesar mentions this to perhaps dismiss the warning as irrelevant or mistaken, as the Ides of March have arrived and he remains unharmed. This statement shows his dismissive attitude toward the prophecy, reflecting his sense of invulnerability and his disregard for potential threats.

   In response to Caesar's remark, the Soothsayer answers, "Ay, Caesar; but not gone." This cryptic reply implies that while the Ides of March have indeed arrived, the day is not over yet, and the danger that was prophesied still looms. The soothsayer's response serves as a reminder of the still-present threat to Caesar's life, hinting that the prophecy may yet be fulfilled before the day ends.

3. Trebonius: to take Antony out of the way/ensure that he would not be near Caesar when the conspirators attacked Caesar.

   Casca: to be the first to attack Caesar.

   Popilius Lena greets Cassius as they enter the Senate House and approaches him personally, wishing him success in his endeavour that day. This makes Cassius concerned because he believes their plot has been revealed.

4. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Artemidorus is a character who tries to warn Caesar of the impending danger to his life. He writes a letter to Caesar outlining the conspiracy against him, naming the conspirators, and urging Caesar to be cautious. Artemidorus intends to deliver this letter directly to Caesar, hoping that he will read it and thus be able to avoid his fate.

   When Artemidorus attempts to present the letter to Caesar as he is on his way to the Senate, he pleads with Caesar to read it immediately, stating that it concerns him personally and is of great importance. However, Caesar dismisses Artemidorus' plea. Confident and preoccupied with the day’s events, Caesar tells Artemidorus that what concerns him personally must wait as he attends to the needs of Rome first. As a result, he does not read the letter. This dismissal reflects Caesar's character trait of self-assuredness and his prioritization of public duties over personal matters, inadvertently sealing his fate as he ignores the warning that could have saved his life.

5. 1. Victim of treachery: Despite his ambition and flaws, Caesar is ultimately the victim of violent treachery by people he believed were friends and allies. The most heartbreaking moment of betrayal occurs when he finds Brutus, whom he greatly trusts, among his assassins. This treachery emphasises a tragic element, portraying Caesar as a character more sinned against than sinning in the setting of the killing.
   2. Reform and Leadership: Although Caesar's rise to power threatened the Republic's democratic foundations, it is important to note that his reforms were primarily aimed at improving Rome's administrative efficiency, expanding its territories, and improving the lives of its citizens, including distributing land to the poor. These efforts, while solidifying his power, also demonstrate his abilities as a leader who actively attempted to address societal challenges.
   3. The Conspirators' Motives: While the conspirators claim their efforts are to protect the Republic from a possible dictator, their motivations are not wholly selfless or free of personal grievances and ambitions. For instance, Cassius frequently acts out of jealousy and fear of Caesar's power, whereas Brutus, despite being more honourable, is susceptible to manipulation and influence from others and abstract ideals.
   4. The Consequences: The aftermath of Caesar's assassination does not result in the restoration of the Republic, as the conspirators had intended, but rather plunges Rome into more instability and civil conflict. This consequence implies that the assassination was not only ethically dubious but also pragmatically harmful.

   To summarise, while Caesar may have constituted a challenge to the established political system and demonstrated hubris, his removal and the reasons behind it accomplished little to restore or protect the Roman Republic's democratic ideals.