Question

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

FLAVIUS - These growing feathers pluck’d from Caesar’s wing Will make him fly an ordinary pitch,

1. Who is Flavius speaking with? Who is he? What is the profession of this person? What are his professional duties? (Recalling)

2. What does ‘growing feathers’ refer to about Caesar? The literary device used here is ‘metaphor’. Explain. (Understanding & Application)

3. Why does Flavius want Caesar to ‘fly an ordinary pitch’ or height? (Understanding)

4. What are Flavius and the person spoken to afraid of (regarding Caesar)? (Understanding & Analysis)

5. What was the feast of Lupercal? (Understanding)

Answer 1

1. Flavius is speaking to Marullus. Marullus is a tribune of Rome. As a tribune, his duty is to represent the common people, maintain civic order and protect their interests.

2. ‘Growing feathers’ refers to Caesar’s increasing popularity, honours and political power. It is a metaphor comparing Caesar to a bird whose growing feathers enable it to fly higher. Removing these ‘feathers’ means reducing the honours given to Caesar.

3. Flavius wants Caesar to ‘fly an ordinary pitch’ so that he remains at the level of an ordinary citizen and does not rise to absolute power over Rome.

4. Flavius and Marullus fear that Caesar may become too powerful and rise above the other Romans. They fear that his growing authority may reduce citizens to a state of ‘servile fearfulness’.

5. The feast of Lupercal was an ancient Roman religious festival associated with purification and fertility. It was celebrated annually in February with public ceremonies and festivities.