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Question
'Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.'
Brutus says this as he justifies to the Romans why Caesar was assassinated by them. Do you agree with Brutus? Justify your answer in 120‒150 words by giving examples from the play.
Why values does Brutus display as he says this line to the Romans ?
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Solution
Yes, I agree with Brutus when he says the given statement to justify his reasons for assassinating Caesar. Brutus was a patriotic man. To him, the safety of the Romans was more important than anything else. His sole reason for joining the conspiracy was that he thought Rome would be ruined if Caesar was crowned. He had no personal grudges against Caesar; rather, he loved him dearly. But he sacrificed his love for Caesar to save his countrymen. The following lines spoken by Brutus prove this – “As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.”
Brutus also says at the end of his speech, “— as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.”
When Brutus says, "Not that I love Caesar less, but I loved Rome more.", he displays idealism and nobility.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Mark Antony, with the help of his oratory, succeeded in winning the mob over to his side. This led to the downfall of the conspirators. Write in 80–100 words, how with the power of words he could effect a change in his listeners.
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony
i. Identify the speaker of the above lines.
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iii. Bring out the irony in the above extract.
Caesar shall forth; the things that threaten'd me
Ne'er look'd on my back; when they shall see
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Identify Antony’s tone when he calls the conspirators, ‘honourable men’.
How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly
In the moments following Caesar's death what do the conspirators proclaim to justify Caesar's death ?
Julius Caesar and Antony reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines from the play to illustrate your choice.
| superstitious arrogant loyal clever overconfident manipulative good orator ambitious brave great conqueror generous fearless loves flattery firm shrewd crafty |
| Person | Extract from play | What it tells us about the character |
|
Julius Caesar
|
1. the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished. |
1. arrogant |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. | ||
|
Mark Antony
|
1. | 1. Loyal |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,
And say you do it by our permission;
……. ……. ……. …….
(a) Identify the speaker.
(b) Who is being granted permission?
(c) What is the speaker afraid of?
(d) What opinion do you form of the speaker?
Read the given excerpt and answer the questions briefly.
|
ANTONY: If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. |
- How does Antony use visual imagery to make his point about the assassination of Caesar? (1)
- What is the significance of the mantle that Antony refers to in his speech? (1)
- Identify the tone of Antony's statement when he says, "If you have tears, prepare to shed them now". (1)
- What does Antony's reference to the Nervii suggest about Caesar's military prowess? (1)
