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Question
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 |
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Solution
| Words/ actions of the mob | Characteristics |
| 1. First Citizen This Caesar was a tyrant. Third Citizen Nay, that’s certain. We are blest that Rome is rid of hirm ’ | Foolish |
| 2. Second Citizen: We will be revenged All Revenge! AboutlSeek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Stay! let not a traitor live! | Does not understand the ideals of democracy |
| 3. Second Citizen: Poor soul his eyes are red as fire with weeping. Third Citizen : There’s not a noble man in Rome than Antony. |
Emotional |
| 4. All: The will the testa ment! Second Citizen: They were villians, murderers the will! read the will. Fourth Citizen: Read the will; will hear it, Antony; You shall read us the will, Caesar’s will. |
Greedy |
| 5. First Citizen: Me thinks there is much reason in his sayings. Second Citizen: If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar has had great wrong. Third Citizen: Has he, masters? 1 fear there will a worse come in his place. |
Fickle |
| 6. All: We’ll mutiny First Citizen: We’ll, burn the house of Brufus. First Citizen: We’ll burn his body in the holy place, and with the brands fire the traitor’s houses. |
Violent |
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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. |
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
CAESAR Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
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b) What fears has the listener expressed?
c) What is the basis for the fears expressed?
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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) Who speaks these words? Where is the speaker at this moment?
b) What are the contents of Caesar's will that he is referring to?
c) Why does the speaker read Caesar's will to the citizens?
d) What is the reaction of the listeners to the reading of the will?
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.
A reporter covers the event of the assassination of Julius Caesar in the senate. Giving graphic details and a catchy headline, write the newspaper report in about 200 words.
