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Question
Read the extracts 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) 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?
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Solution
(a) Antpny speaks these words. He is at the market-place speaking to the mob from the pulpit.
(b) Caesar has given every Roman citizen, seventy-five drachmas and he has also left his orchards and private harbours for all the people.
(c) The speaker wants to unveil the truth, in front of everybody. He has resolved to avenge the murder of Caesar.
(d) The listeners are aroused and realize the truth. They repent their folly of misunderstanding Caesar and decide to take a revenge.
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Many popular and powerful leaders have been assassinated in the past and in recent times. Can you name some of them?
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Caesar's reference to the senators as 'graybeards' shows his ……….
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
The offer that Cassius makes to Antony after Caesar's assassination is that………
Answer the following question by ticking the correct options.
Cassius tries to stop Brutus from letting Antony speak at Caesar's funeral as he ……………………..
How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer the following question briefly.
How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony’s speech?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?
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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.
Given below are some questions based on reading of the play 'Julius Caesar'. These
questions are not for testing in the Exam. These are for a deeper understanding of the
play and the characters.
a) Why was the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar hatched?
b) Was Caesar really ambitious? Find evidence from the play to support your answer.
c) What was Cassius' motive for murdering Julius Caesar?
d) Why was it essential for the conspirators to include Brutus in the conspiracy?
e) What were the mistakes made by Brutus that led to the failure of the conspiracy?
f) Comment on Caesar's friendship with Antony.
g) Write a brief character sketch of Antony.
h) What is the role of Julius Caesar's ghost in the play, Julius Caesar?
i) Why does Antony call Brutus 'the noblest Roman of them all'?
j) How do Brutus and Cassius meet their end?
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.
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?
