Std 8- English Literature JULIUS CAESAR Act 1 Scene 2

Transcription

1 I Brutus, I do observe you now of late: I have not from your eyes that gentleness and show of love as I was wont to have. Std 8- English Literature JULIUS CAESAR Act 1 Scene 2 1. Who is the speaker of the given lines? Why does he say these words? Where and when does this scene take place? Cassius is the speaker of the given words. He is looking for an opportunity to gain Brutus attention and attempt influencing him. This scene takes place in a public place in Rome on the feast of Lupercal. 2. Why didn t Brutus go to the games? Brutus did not go to the games because he was not interested in them. He says that he is not athletic (gamesome) like Anthony who has a lively disposition of a sportsman. 3. What complaint does Cassius make against Brutus? Cassius complains that he misses that gentleness and signs of love which he used to get from Brutus. He complains that Brutus is treating him like a stranger of late. 4. What explanation does Brutus give for his behaviour? Brutus asks him to excuse him if he has not shown the same look of affection as shown previously. He explains that of late he has been vexed by conflicting emotions that concerns him alone and might have changed his outward expression. (Brutus is at conflict with himself.) He hopes that Cassius will understand his plight. He does not want his friends to be grieved and assures Cassius that he is one of them. He does not want his neglect to be construed any further than that he is with himself at war and forgets to show his love to other men. 5. What does this reveal about Brutus character? It reveals that Brutus is vulnerable and can be influenced by Cassius. This reply shows that Brutus is very frank and honest. He is dissatisfied with the political state in Rome especially Caesar s growing power and a conflict is going on within him. The conflict is between his personal love for Caesar and his patriotic love for Rome. 6. State Caesar s infirmities with reference to the incident at Tiber witnessed by Cassius. Cassius tells Brutus that once on a cold and windy day; Caesar challenged Cassius to jump down with him into the raging river Tiber and swim to a certain point fixed by him. At Caesar s request dressed as he was, Cassius jumped in and ordered Caesar to follow him. The river was rough and dashing against her banks. They had to use all their courage and determination to prevent 1

2 themselves from being swept away. Before reaching their destination Caesar s strength began to fall and he cried to Cassius for help and Cassius had carried Caesar on his shoulder just like their great ancestor Aenas had carried his old father Anchises from the burning city of Troy upon his shoulders. 7. In what way, according to Cassius, is Brutus as good as Caesar? Cassius says, Why should Caesar s name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; sound them, it doth become a mouth as well; weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with em, Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar. II Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus; and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves honourable graves. 1. Why did Cassius compare Caesar to the mighty Colossus? Cassius compares Caesar to the mighty Colossus. He says Caesar has grown so enormously big that he is dominating all the Romans who are reduced to his slaves, without any honour or freedom. So he tells Brutus that something must be done to keep Caesar s power in check along with his increasing popularity otherwise they will have to look for graves to bury their dishonour and humiliation. 2. What does this scene reveal about Cassius? This passage reveals that Cassius is full of rage and envy that Caesar has become so great. He feels the humiliation at the thought of them living and dying as slaves of Caesar. 3. How does Brutus show that he has guessed what Cassius wants him to do? Brutus tells Cassius that he does not in any way doubt the sincerity of Cassius regard for him and he can guess somewhat what he wants him to do. (Put an end to Caesar s growing power.) He will recount later how he has thought of these times. 4. What does Brutus notice about Caesar s train when they return to the street? Brutus notices a red flush on Caesar s face due to anger. His train follows him as if Caesar has chidden them and they are cowering like so many frightened children. Calphurnia s face is colourless which shows her disturbed state of mind. Cicero looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes. 5. What, according to Casca, had happened at the forum? Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that a crown was offered to Caesar and when it was offered he pushed it away with the back of his hand, and then all the people began to cheer, the second and third noise was for the same thing. 6. What does Brutus mean when he says that Caesar has the falling sickness? How does Cassius interpret the falling sickness? 2

3 Brutus means that Caesar suffers from epilepsy, but Cassius is quick to take advantage of the information by saying that the people of Rome really have the disease of falling as they have agreed to bow down before Caesar like so many slaves. Cassius uses the pun falling sickness to refer to Caesar s epilepsy and the Romans bowing down to Caesar. 7. How does Cassius plan to trick Brutus into joining the plot against Caesar? Cassius plans to forge letters and leave them where Brutus will find them. The letters will convince Brutus that public sentiment is against Caesar. ACT 1 SCENE 3 III Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time. But men may construe things after their fashion, Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 1. Identify the speaker. Whom did the speaker say these words to? The above words, have been spoken by Cicero. He says these words to Casca. 2. What sights did the person spoken to witness? How did he construe them? The four sights Casca witnessed were-a common slave, whose hand burned with the flames of twenty torches walked without a sensation of the fire. He then saw a lion near the capitol who looked at him plainly and passed surly by. Casca then saw a heap of ghastly women seized by fear when they saw men in fire walking down the street. Finally he witnessed the owl (bird of the night) the previous afternoon. All these sights led Casca to believe that either there was a civil strife in heaven, or the world was too saucy with the Gods and led them to send destruction. 3. In the same scene, what strange things does Cassius describe to have taken place? How does he interpret them? Cassius calls Casca dull and asks him to read beyond the visible signs from nature. He highlights four unusual instances in his speech. The causes of the fire, gliding ghosts, birds and beasts changing from their true nature and old men, fools and children showing intelligence was all a sign according to him. To Cassius, it was a sign of something unusual that would take place in Rome- Caesar being given the crown. He even calls it a monstrous state. 4. What news does Casca give Cassius about Julius Caesar in this scene? The news Casca gives Cassius is that the senators intend to establish Caesar as king the next day in all parts except Italy. 3

4 5. According to Cassius, how do the Romans contribute in making Caesar a tyrant? According to Cassius, Caesar could not be a lion if Romans didn t bend and stoop to him like lambs. He would not be a wolf, if Romans were not like docile sheep. Finally he would not burn in the flames of glory, if the Romans didn t provide the rubbish to burn on. 6. In the end of the scene, what plea does Cinna make to Cassius? What errand is he then sent on to fulfill this goal? Cinna pleads with Cassius to bring Brutus into the conspiracy. Cassius then tells him to drop letters written by him in various hands at Pompey s Porch, Old Brutus statue and the praetor s chair where Brutus would find them. IV ACT 2 SCENE 1 Brutus: Give me your hands all over, one by one. Cassius: And let us swear our resolution. 1. Where does this scene take place? How does Brutus respond to Cassius suggestion? This scene takes place in Brutus orchard in Rome. Brutus responds to Cassius suggestion by saying they (the conspirators) should not take an oath. He further explains that if the pain etched on the faces of the people, if the sufferance of their own souls, and the time s abuse were not strong enough motives to carry out their plan, then they may as well retire to their idle beds and let tyranny rage on till each one of them drops dead by chance. 2. How does Brutus later react when Cassius suggests they include Cicero in their plan? Brutus reacts by saying that Cassius should not speak of including Cicero. He does not think they should reveal their plans to Cicero as he believes that Cicero will never follow anything that other men begin. 3. What question does Decius later put to Cassius and Brutus? What are Cassius thoughts on the same? Decius asks if no man except Caesar will be touch d (killed) to which Cassius replies that it isn t meet that Antony outlives Caesar. He thinks that Antony is a shrewd contriver and may use his means to annoy them. In order to prevent that from happening, they ought to let Antony and Caesar fall together. 4. What does Brutus think of Decius and Cassius idea? 4

5 Brutus is worried that killing Antony will make their course seem too bloody. It will resemble cutting off a person s head and then hacking off his limbs out of jealousy, despite the person already being dead. Antony, similarly, was but a limb of Caesar. Their aim was to make a sacrifice for the good of Rome, not to be butchers. Antony could do no more than Caesar s arm after his head had been cut off. 5. Why is Cassius doubtful of Caesar s presence at the Capitol later? Cassius thinks Caesar has become more superstitious of late compared to the opinions he once held. Cassius thinks the apparent prodigies, the unaccustomed terror of the night, and the persuasion of his augurers may keep Caesar from the Capitol. 6. How does Cassius then decide to ensure Caesar s presence at the Capitol? Cassius decides that he, accompanied by all the conspirators, will go to Caesar s house to fetch him. He thinks that they should ask Caius Ligarius to visit Caesar as well, as he had been wronged by Caesar for praising Pompey, and he would manage to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol. V Portia: Brutus, my lord! Brutus: Portia, what mean you? Wherefore you rise now? 1. Before parting, what advice does Brutus give the conspirators? Brutus advises the conspirators to look fresh and merrily and to not let their faces give away their evil purpose. Rather he expects them to carry it off with unflagging and usual dignified behaviour. 2. Why was Brutus surprised and worried to see Portia? Brutus is surprised and worried to see Portia as it is very early in the morning and is not good for Portia s health. The raw cold morning could affect Portia s delicate condition. 3. How does Portia describe Brutus ungentle behaviour? Portia describing Brutus ungentle behaviour states that he got up from the bed and did the same at supper time. He paced around musing and sighing with his arms across. When Portia enquired what the matter was, Brutus looked at her with irritation. However, when Portia urged him further to tell her what the matter was, he scratched his head and stomped his foot. And when she still insisted that he tell her what the matter was, he waved his hand at her and gave her a sign to leave him. 4. What excuse does Brutus give to avoid revealing the truth and how does Portia prove that it is a lie? Brutus tells Portia that he is unwell and that s why he is so restless. Portia on the other hand does not believe him, she says if Brutus was unwell, he would follow some course to gain 5

6 health, he would not walk about with his doublet unfastened and breathe in the dampness of the morning and neither would he risk catching some horrible infection carried in the night air. 5. What arguments does Portia make to convince Brutus to confide in her? Portia tried to charm Brutus into confiding in her. When that didn t work, she urged him to consider the vows they made to each other within the bond of marriage. She argues by asking Brutus to not limit her job as his wife only to sharing meals with him, comforting his bed and talking to him sometimes. She then argues further by saying that she is a woman of well repute and is the daughter of Cato as well as his wife; surely she is stronger than most women and will be able to hold Brutus secrets without disclosing them to anyone. VI Brutus: It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spur n at him, But for the general good. 1. Where is this scene taking place? This scene is taking place in Rome in Brutus orchard. 2. What does Brutus mean by It must be by his death? Whom is he speaking about? Identify the form of his speech. Brutus is continuing his train of thought which was disturbed by his repeated calls to his servant who was asleep. By the above statement, he means that the only way in which Caesar can be prevented from becoming king and in which the freedom of Rome can be preserved is by his death. He is speaking about Caesar. He is speaking to himself in a soliloquy. 3. Who convinced Brutus to take such a step? How? What was Brutus motive for taking such a decision? Cassius convinced Brutus to take the step to kill Caesar. Cassius has very subtly done this by speaking to Brutus directly and indirectly through pieces of paper that he has written against Caesar as if it were a request from all of Rome which were found in Brutus study. Brutus believes that Rome should be set free from Caesar s tyranny. He further says that he has no personal reason to spurn Caesar, but he takes the decision for the general good of Rome. 4. What is the figure of speech used by Brutus to describe an ambitious man? Explain. Brutus uses the metaphor of the ladder to describe an ambitious man. Brutus says that it is a matter of experience that a man, wanting to rise high, begins his ascent from the lowest rung of the ladder which is before him. He steps up those lower rungs with great humility. But as soon as he has reached the topmost rung they turn their face upwards and scorn those below. 5. What comparison does Brutus use to justify the need for killing him in the shell? 6

7 Brutus compares Caesar to a serpent s egg. The egg of the snake, when hatched, will produce a young snake. It will become naturally dangerous, like all serpents. So, just as a serpent s egg should be destroyed before it is hatched, similarly Caesar should be killed before he becomes the king. 6. A little later in the scene, Brutus says They are the faction. Who does they refer to? Name them. How are they dressed? They refer to the conspirators. They are: Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber and Trebonius. The conspirators have their hats plucked over their ears and half their faces are buried in their cloaks that by no means he may discover them by any mark of favour. 7. What advice does Brutus give the faction to disguise themselves from being exposed? Why? Brutus says that conspiracy is ashamed to show their faces even at night, when evil things move most freely. During the day, he advises conspiracy should hide their crime and evil thoughts by smiling innocently and having pleasant manners as they won t find a cavern dark enough to hide their monstrous visage. If the conspirators went ahead and exposed their true faces then Erebus (hell) wouldn t be dark enough to hide them from being recognized. VII Act 2 Scene 2 Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight. Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out. 1) Who is the speaker of the given lines? Julius Caesar is the speaker of the given lines. 2) Give Calphurnia s account of the horrid sights seen by the night watchman. The lioness had whelped in the streets; the graves opened and from it emerged the dead; fierce fiery warriors fought in the clouds due to which blood drizzled upon the Capitol; the noise of the battle clashed; horses neighed; dying men groaned and the ghosts shrieked and squealed on the streets. These were the horrid sights seen by the night watchman. 3) What is Caesar s immediate reaction to the above recounting of Calphurnia? How does Calphurnia show disagreement with Caesar s view? Caesar states that we (humans) cannot avoid what the gods have ordained. Calphurnia shows disagreement by stating that when beggars die there are no comets seen but the heavens proclaim the death of princes. 4) What did Caesar order his servants to do? Caesar ordered his servants to bid the priests to present a sacrifice and bring him its results. 7

8 5) According to Caesar, how many times do cowards die? Why? Cowards die many times before their physical death because they live in fear which kills them spiritually. 6) Mention the outcome of the priests sacrifice. The priests pulled out the entrails of the sacrificed animal and could not find its heart which was considered a bad omen and Caesar was advised to not step out that day. 7) State the figure of speech in the line Danger knows well That Caesar is more dangerous than he. The figure of speech in the line is a Personification. VIII Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar: I come to fetch you to the Senate House. 1) Who is the speaker of the given lines? What was his task? Decius, one of the conspirators is the speaker of the given lines. His task was to convince and bring Caesar to the Capitol. 2) Elucidate Calphurnia s dream as told by Caesar to the speaker of the above lines. Calphurnia dreamt that Caesar s statue had about a hundred spouts like a fountain from which pure blood whooshed out and many lusty smiling Romans bathed their hands in it. 3) Later in the scene, how does Decius describe and interpret Calphurnia s dream? Decius calls Calphurnia s dream a fair and fortunate vision. He interprets Caesar s statue spouting blood as Caesar pumping new life in Rome. The men washing their hands in Caesar s blood he says, is in fact a sign of them worshipping Caesar, longing for tokens from him as relics. 4) Name the conspirators who had come to escort Caesar to the Capitol. Publius, Brutus, Ligarius,Metellus,Casca, Trebonius, Cinna and Decius are the conspirators who had come to escort Caesar to the Capitol. 5) Explain the concluding lines That every like is not the same Caesar, The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon. What does it reveal about the speaker of the above lines? The speaker s heart grieves when he thinks that being like a friend is not the same as really being a friend. This shows how the speaker (Brutus) hates the unfaithfulness he is practising. 8

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