Julius
Caesar by William Shakespeare
Answer the following questions briefly:
Question: 1 - How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death
of Julius Caesar?
Answer: In this
statement, Calpurnia tries to paraphrase an age old belief that when an
important person dies even the heavens mourn on the death. Meteors fall and
comets blaze through the sky as if mourning the demise of the great person.
The heavens do
commence the ultimate demise of Caesar through several omens. Horrifying and
shivering and the outcomes as interpreted in giving birth of a lioness in
the street, opening of the graves with dead bodies stirring, warriors fighting
upon the clouds, drizzling of blood on the capitol along with the shrinking and
squealing of ghosts around do epitomize the heavenly hint of Caesar’s gathering
to forefathers.
Question: 2 - What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar
of?
Ans.: Calpurnia
dreamt of Caesar’s statue spouting blood through different holes with vigorous
smiling Romans saturating their hands in his blood.She considers it as bad
omen, so she is
trying to stop Caesar from going to attend the Senate and remain in the house.
Question: 3 - Why does Calpurnia say Caesar’s ‘wisdom is
consumed in confidence? What does she mean?
Answer: Calpurnia means to say that Caesar is unable to
comprehend the bad omens because of his overconfidence and is not paying
attention to her warnings.
Question: 4 - What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How
does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?
Answer: Calpurnia dreams that Caesar’s statue is spouting
blood like a fountain and lusty Romans are pleased to bathe in the blood of
Caesar. Decius Brutus interprets the dream to depict a positive picture. He
says that the blood from the statue is reinvigorating the Romans. He tells
Caesar that great men always strive to act in a way which could prove to be a
source of sustenance for their subjects.
Question: 5 - What are the arguments put forward by
Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?
Answer: Decius Brutus tries to make a positive
interpretation of the dream and then he also raises a doubt that the Senate may
change its mind on the decision to crown Caesar.
Question: 6 - Why is Decius more successful than
Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?
Answer: Calpurnia is not telling what Caesar would like
to hear. On the other hand, Decius frames his statements to the liking of
Caesar. Brave men often commit the blunder of becoming overconfident and by
doing so they ignore certain warnings.
Question: 7 - What is the petition put before Caesar by
the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?
Answer: They want Publius Cimber to be forgiven and his
banishment to be revoked. Caesar straightaway refuses this demand.
Question: 8 - Who says “Et tu Brute”? When are these
words spoken? Why?
Answer: Brutus is a close friend of Caesar and is a
highly respected person for his sense of justice. Hence, when Brutus stabs
Caesar,he was shocked and utters the words, “Et tu Brute” which means ‘you too
Brutus’; when translated into English.
Question: 9 - In the moments following Caesar’s death
what do the conspirators proclaim to justify Caesar’s death?
Answer: After the death of Caesar, the conspirators try
to justify the event by claiming that it was necessary to liberate the people
of Rome from imminent slavery at the hands of Caesar.
Question: 10 - Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is
overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?
Answer: Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony says that all
the conquests, glories and triumph of Caesar had sadly come to such a lowly
end. He is shaken by the fact that even a great person; like Caesar could meet
such an inglorious end.
Question: 11 - Whom does Antony call “the choice and
master spirits of this age”? Why?
Answer: He is referring to the conspirators, it is with
irony Antony tells the conspirators that they are in control of Rome and
what has happened.
Question: 12 - How do Brutus and Cassius respond to
Antony’s speech?
Answer: Brutus and Cassius try to explain the reason
behind carrying out such a dastardly act. They want to make friendship with
Antony and they also assure him due share in power.
Question: 13 - Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony
to speak at Caesar’s funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?
Answer: Cassius is apprehensive that Antony may create a
rebellion among people by speaking in his funeral. Brutus says that he would
speak before Antony does and would give valid reason for killing Caesar.
Moreover, he also says that he would tell people that Antony is speaking only
after his permission.
Question: 14 - What are the conditions imposed by the
conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
Answer: The conspirators allow Antony the freedom to
speak all the good things about Caesar. But Antony is not allowed to say a
single negative thing about the conspirators.
Question: 15 - When he is left alone with the body of
Caesar what does Antony call Brutus and and others?
Ans. He calls them butchers.
Question: 16 - What predictions does Antony make regarding
the future events in Rome?
Answer: Antony predicts a civil war in Rome. He predicts
that all the people would have to suffer domestic and civil war. He predicts
that the spirit of Caesar would roam the town along with the goddess of revenge
and it would bring catastrophe in Rome.
Question: 17 - What reasons does Brutus give for
murdering Caesar?
Answer: Brutus argues that Caesar was becoming ambitious
and may have turned into a dictator. Hence, it was necessary to kill Caesar.
Question: 18 - Who says, “Let him be Caesar”? What light
does this throw on the speaker?
Answer: A citizen makes this statement. The citizen seems
to be convinced by the logic which was given by Brutus. The person portrays the
herd mentality in which everyone is swayed by sudden changes in event and
especially by powerful speech by a powerful public figure.
Question: 19 - Why is Antony’s speech more effective?
Answer: Antony begins with many
examples of the past deeds of Caesar to convince the people that contrary to
what was claimed, ambition was never on Caesar’s mind. He then engages the
audience by showing various wounds on Caesar’s body andAnswer: Cassius is
apprehensive that Antony may create a rebellion among people by speaking in his
funeral. Brutus says that he would speak before Antony does and would give
valid reason for killing Caesar. Moreover, he also says that he would tell
people that Antony is speaking only after his permission.
Question: 20 - At the end of the scene what
is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?
Answer: Brutus and Cassius are defeated and
they finally commit suicide.
Q.
How does Antony begin his speech?
Ans. , He begins with the statement that he
is speaking with Brutus’ permission. He also says that Brutus and his
associates killed Caesar because of his ambition and it was indeed ambition
then the assassination was a just act. dramatizes the situation. Finally,
he utilizes the will to great effect to sway the public sentiment against the
conspirators. These instances make Antony’s speech more effective.
