Get notes, workbook solutions, summary, questions and answers, and pdf of the drama/play Julius Caesar (Act 3 Scene 2) by William Shakespeare, which is part of ICSE Class 10 English. However, the notes should only be treated as references, and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The scene takes place in Rome’s central public square, or forum. Brutus and Cassius enter the forum along with a large crowd of Roman citizens who are upset about Caesar’s death. The citizens angrily demand to know the reason why Caesar was killed.
Brutus decides to address half of the crowd, while Cassius will speak to the other half. Brutus gives a logical but unemotional speech to the people. He says the crowd should listen to him because he is an honourable man. Brutus claims he loved Caesar, but he loved Rome more. Brutus says he was forced to kill Caesar because Caesar was becoming too ambitious and wanted to make all the citizens his slaves. After hearing about Brutus, the fickle crowd is convinced. They even say Brutus should be crowned king! The naive citizens don’t fully understand what has happened. They carry Brutus home in a victory procession.
Shockingly, Brutus tells the people to stay and listen to Mark Antony, who will also speak about Caesar’s death. This turns out to be a huge mistake by Brutus. Antony is a clever speaker who knows how to play on people’s emotions.
When Antony first speaks, the crowd yells that Caesar was a tyrant. Antony politely calls them “friends” and “Romans” and says he has only come to bury Caesar, not praise him. Antony says he will try to be as logical as Brutus was. Antony agrees that Brutus is an honourable man, and if Caesar was too ambitious, then his death was reasonable.
But slowly, Antony reminds the people of good things Caesar did, like filling the treasury with money from conquered lands and crying when the poor were suffering. Antony asks, “Was this ambition?” He also reminds them of how Caesar refused a crown when Antony offered it to him multiple times. Was refusing power a sign of ambition? Antony tells the crowd, “Men have lost their reason!” He pauses for effect, and the emotional crowd starts to turn against the conspirators.
Antony continues, saying he does not want to accuse the “honourable” conspirators, but in reality, he repeats that word with growing sarcasm to undermine them. Antony cleverly hints that Caesar left a will for the people, but refuses to read it, knowing this will make the crowd even angrier and more unstable. The frenzied mob demands to hear Caesar’s will.
Antony descends from the stage and reveals Caesar’s bloody, stabbed body to the crowd. He describes each wound and names Caesar’s killers, while still calling them “honourable.” This whips the crowd into an absolute rage. Antony reads Caesar’s will, which leaves money and land to every Roman citizen. This is the final straw, and the irrational mob is ready to burn and destroy. They grab torches and benches from the forum and cremate Caesar’s body in a furious frenzy, then set out to burn the houses of his killers.
Antony is satisfied that he has incited mayhem and “set mischief afoot.” A messenger arrives to tell Antony that Octavius has come to Rome and is meeting with Lepidus at Caesar’s house. Pleased with the chaos, Antony goes to join them and take the next steps.
Evergreen Workbook answers
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Brutus addresses the mob in his speech as
A. Friends, Romans, countrymen B. Friends, countrymen, common lovers! C. Romans, countrymen and lovers D. Friends, countrymen and Romans.
Answer: C. Romans, countrymen and lovers
2. Brutus rose against Caesar because
A. not that he loved Caesar less, but that he loved Rome more B. not that he loved Rome more, but because he loved Caesar less C. he wanted to become king D. Caesar was becoming his enemy
Answer: A. not that he loved Caesar less, but that he loved Rome more
3. Anthony began his speech by telling the mob that
A. he had not come to bury Caesar but to praise him. B. he had come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. C. he had come to speak ill of the conspirators. D. Brutus was a dishonourable man
Answer: B. he had come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
4. Antony asked the mob to
A. make a ring around Caesar’s corpse B. not press upon him and to stand far off C. climb up the podium (stage) D. disperse
Answer: A. make a ring around Caesar’s corpse
5. Brutus was
A. Caesar’s Angel B. Caesar’s enemy C. Caesar’s guardian Angel D. Caesar’s only friend
Answer: A. Caesar’s Angel
6. Caesar had bequeathed to the citizens
A. seventy drachmas B. twenty drachmas C. gold D. silver guineas
Answer: A. seventy drachmas
Context questions
QUESTION 1
BRUTUS -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.
1. Where does the scene take place? Who is Brutus addressing?
Answer: The scene takes place in the Roman forum. Brutus is addressing the Roman citizens.
2. Why does Brutus ask who he addresses be a better judge? Is Brutus correct in his assessment of what he addresses? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Brutus asks the people to be better judges and censure him wisely because he wants them to carefully consider his words and make an informed judgment about his actions. Brutus is not correct in his assessment of the mob’s ability to judge wisely. The mob is fickle and prone to emotion rather than reason.
3. Who does Brutus feel he has offended in his speech? What reply does he get?
Answer: Brutus feels he may have offended any dear friends of Caesar in his speech justifying Caesar’s death. He asks if any friends of Caesar are present to speak up because he only killed Caesar out of love for Rome, not out of hatred for Caesar. The crowd replies “None, Brutus, none.”
4. How does Brutus justify that he has offended no one at the end of his speech? Who enters after his speech?
Answer: Brutus says that if he has offended no friends of Caesar, then he has offended no one, since he has done no more to Caesar than they would do to him in the same circumstances. Mark Antony and others enter with Caesar’s body after Brutus’ speech.
5. How does Brutus introduce the person who enters? Why is he confident that the person means no harm to the conspirators?
Answer: Brutus introduces Mark Antony as a noble man who, though grieved by Caesar’s death, means no harm to the conspirators since he is an honorable man. Brutus is confident Antony means no harm because he mistakenly believes Antony is reasonable and honorable like himself.
QUESTION 2
ANTONY – noble Brutus had told you that Caesar was ambitious, if it was so, it was a grievous fault and grievously hath Caesar answered it.
2. State two instances cited by Antony in his speech to prove to the mob that Caesar was not ambitious.
Answer: Antony cites Caesar’s filling the public treasury with ransoms and weeping for the poor as examples that he was not ambitious.
3. What is the word used by Antony in his speech which is a repetition in a sarcastic manner to incite the mob to anger and fury? How does he cleverly play on the emotions of the mob against Brutus indirectly refuting what Brutus spoke of Caesar?
Answer: The word is “honorable.” Antony repeats it sarcastically to undermine Brutus’ portrayal of Caesar as ambitious and cast doubt on the conspirators’ motives. This indirectly turns the mob against the conspirators while avoiding openly attacking Brutus.
4. Why does Antony ask the mob to bear with him? What is his ulterior motive in doing so?
Answer: Antony asks the mob to bear with him and be patient so he can work them into an emotional frenzy. His motive is to manipulate their anger at the injustice of Caesar’s death.
5. What is the reaction of the mob? What do they discuss among themselves? Give two instances of their conversation.
Answer: The mob starts saying there is reason in Antony’s words. They discuss how Caesar was wronged and debate whether the conspirators were ambitious traitors or honorable men.
6. What qualities of Antony do you admire? What character traits are portrayed in his speech?
Answer: I admire Antony’s skillful use of rhetoric and emotional manipulation in his speech. He comes across as passionate and clever in the way he sways the crowd from supporting Brutus to turning against the conspirators. Antony shows he is cunning, strategic, and persuasive. He pretends to be humble while actually intending to incite the mob to mutiny all along. Antony is portrayed as more emotionally intelligent than the logical Brutus, understanding how to appeal to the people’s hearts rather than their heads.
QUESTION 3
ANTONY – O masters, if I were disposed to stir your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong. Who, you all know, are honourable men
1. Who would Antony choose to wrong rather than the honourable men?
Answer: Antony says he would choose to wrong the dead Caesar rather than wrong the living “honorable” conspirators.
2. What had Antony found in Caesar’s closet? What would the people do if they came to know of the contents of what Antony found?
Answer: Antony found Caesar’s will in his closet. He implies the people would be enraged and riot if they knew Caesar left them money and public lands.
3. What reasons does Antony give for delaying in reading the contents of what he had found in Caesar’s closet? How does he incite the mob further?
Answer: Antony says reading the will would drive the people into a mutinous rage against the honorable conspirators. This makes the people more eager to hear the will.
4. What does he ask the mob to do? What does he want to show them?
Answer: He asks them to form a ring around Caesar’s corpse so he can show them Caesar’s wounds.
5. Explain “If I were disposed to stir more hearts and minds to mutiny and rage”
Answer: Antony is saying that if he wanted to, he could easily work the crowd into a fury against the conspirators. But he pretends not to want that.
6. Does Antony really stir their minds to mutiny and rage? Explain.
Answer: Yes, everything Antony says is carefully calculated to enrage the mob against the conspirators while pretending not to.
QUESTION 4
ANTONY – This was the most unkindest cut of all,
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms quite vanquish’d him, then burst his mighty heart.
1. Which was the unkindest cut of all? Who have already stabbed Caesar? Where? When?
Answer: Brutus stabbing Caesar was the unkindest cut. Casca and the other conspirators had already stabbed Caesar in the Capitol earlier that day.
2. Why was it referred to as ‘the unkindest cut of all’? What was the reaction in Caesar’s body to this cut? What does it show about Caesar’s relationship with the person who gave him this cut?
Answer: It was the unkindest because Brutus was Caesar’s friend. When Brutus stabbed him, Caesar was heartbroken by the betrayal, and his mighty heart burst. This shows Caesar loved and trusted Brutus.
3. Where did Caesar fall? What was ironical about his fall?
Answer: Caesar fell at the base of Pompey’s statue, which is ironic since Pompey was Caesar’s enemy.
4. What is spoken about the vesture of Caesar by Antony in his speech? What was so special about it? What was its significance in history?
Answer: Antony shows Caesar’s bloodied robes, pointing out the rents where the daggers pierced him. It was the robe Caesar wore when he conquered the Nervii.
5. How did the mob react? What did Antony achieve through his speech? How far was he successful?
Answer: The mob is enraged and vows mutiny and revenge. Antony successfully turned them against the conspirators through calculated manipulation. He was entirely successful.
QUESTION 5
ANTONY – Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up,
To such a flood of mutiny
They that have done this deed are honourable
1. How does Antony go on to compare himself with Brutus? How does Antony try to project himself to be simple and out right to the mob? Why does he do so?
Answer: Antony says he is no orator like Brutus. He claims to be a plain, blunt man who loved Caesar. This makes him seem honest and trustworthy to the mob, unlike the deceptive conspirators.
2. What does Antony show the people that incites them still further to mutiny and rage? What does it contain?
Answer: He shows them Caesar’s will, which contains bequests of money and land to each Roman citizen.
3. What do the mob decide to do at the end of the scene?
Answer: The mob decides to violently riot, mutiny, burn and kill.
4. Who enters after the mobs disperses? What information does the person bring?
Answer: A servant enters and reports that Octavius has come to Rome and gone to Caesar’s house with Lepidus.
5. What shortcomings does Antony have as an orator according to himself? What would have happened had Antony and Brutus changed their places?
Answer: Antony claims he lacks skill and eloquence in public speaking. If their roles were reversed, Brutus could have stirred the mob into a rage with his oratory.
Morning Star Workbook
Multiple Choice Questions
1. After Brutus’ speech at Caesar’s funeral, what do the citizens of Rome offer to do?
(a) To take revenge on the murders
(b) To crown Brutus as king
(c) To figh for the freedom of Rome
(d) To crown Mark Antony as king
Answer: (b) To crown Brutus as king
2. According to Antony, what would the ople of Rome do after
reading Caesar’s will?
(a) They will kiss Caesar’s wounds reverently
(b) They will avenge his murder
(c) They will start destruction in Rome
(d) They will crown his best friend as king
Answer: (a) They will kiss Caesar’s wounds reverently
3. Whose blow was the most cruel to Caesar, according to Antony?
(a) Cassius’
(b) Brutus’
(c) Casca’s
(d) Decius’
Answer: (b) Brutus’
4. How does Antony describe Caesar’s wounds?
(a) Meek creatures
(b) Unfortunate mouths
(c) Poor dumb mouths
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) Poor dumb mouths
5. Brutus in his funeral speech appealed to
(a) the Roman citizens’ civic pride
(b) the Roman citizens vulnerability
(c) the Roman citizens self-respect
(d) the Roman citizens past
Answer: (a) the Roman citizens’ civic pride
6. Which of the following reasons did Brutus give for killing Caesar despite being his friend?
(a) He did not like his ways
(b) He loves his freedom more than anything
(c) He loved Rome more than Caesar
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) He loved Rome more than Caesar
7. For whom did Antony use the words ‘honourable men’ in the funeral speech for Caesar?
(a) All the conspirators
(b) All the people of Rome
(c) All those present there
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) All the conspirators.
8. Who has been referred to by Mark Antony as ‘Caesar’s angel?
(a) Calpurnia
(b) Brutus
(c) Octavius
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Brutus.
9. Who said, “I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth…”?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cassius
(c) Caesar
(d) Antony
Answer: (d) Antony.
Context Questions
1. Brutus
Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause;
and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine
honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may
believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your
senses, that you may the better judge.
(i) Where is Brutus? Whom does he request to be patient and on what occasion is this speech made? What was the purpose of the speech?
Answer: Brutus is in the Forum of Rome, addressing the Roman citizens. He requests the Romans, whom he calls “Romans, countrymen, and lovers,” to be patient and listen to his explanation for Caesar’s assassination. This speech is made after Caesar’s assassination, during a public gathering where Brutus aims to justify the murder. The purpose of the speech is to defend his actions, claiming that Caesar’s death was necessary for the freedom and well-being of Rome, as he believed Caesar was becoming too ambitious and posed a threat to the Republic.
(ii) How important was honour for Brutus? Give one example to justify your answer. In what way did his commitment to honour lead him to the present crisis?
Answer: Honour was extremely important to Brutus, as he consistently acted according to what he believed was for the greater good of Rome, even over personal loyalty. For example, he states, “not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more,” justifying that his honourable intentions were to protect the Republic rather than to harm Caesar personally. His commitment to honour led him to participate in the assassination of Caesar, believing it was the noble course of action. This, however, placed him in a crisis, as the act of killing Caesar alienated him from the people and led to political instability.
(iii) “Hear me for my cause.” What was his cause? Were his motives genuine? How can you justify your answer?
Answer: Brutus’s cause was the preservation of the Roman Republic, which he believed was under threat due to Caesar’s ambition to become a monarch. His motives can be seen as genuine, as he acted out of concern for Rome rather than personal gain. This is justified by his consistent emphasis on honour and the Republic’s welfare throughout the play, as well as his willingness to face the consequences of his actions, even offering his life to the people if they believe he has done wrong.
(iv) What was the reaction of his listeners in the beginning as well as at the end the scene? How did the change in their attitude come about?
Answer: In the beginning, the listeners are quiet and respectful, inclined to listen to Brutus’s reasoning. After his speech, they are supportive and even suggest honoring Brutus by giving him a statue or making him their leader. However, their attitude changes after Mark Antony’s speech, where he subtly undermines Brutus’s arguments and stirs the crowd’s emotions by highlighting Caesar’s good deeds and reading his will, which bequeaths wealth to the citizens. This causes the crowd to turn against Brutus and the conspirators, becoming enraged and seeking revenge for Caesar’s death.
(v) Give the meaning of: “Censure me in your wisdom.” Who passed censure on him? In what way has this changed the course of action in the Plays ?
Answer: The phrase “Censure me in your wisdom” means that Brutus is asking the Romans to judge his actions wisely and thoughtfully. Initially, the Roman citizens pass a positive censure on him, agreeing with his reasoning and supporting his actions. However, after Antony’s speech, the censure shifts dramatically as the crowd turns against Brutus, seeing him not as an honourable man, but as a traitor. This change in public opinion shifts the course of action, leading to civil unrest and the eventual downfall of Brutus and the other conspirators.
2. Brutus
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.
Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar’s glories, which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow’d to make.
1 do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.
(Exit)
(i) Why does Brutus intend to “depart alone” Why are the listeners left behind? Which error of judgement made by Brutus is revealed by his instruction to the listeners?
Answer: Brutus intends to “depart alone” because he trusts that the crowd will listen to Antony’s speech without being swayed against him or the conspirators. He leaves the listeners behind to hear Antony’s speech, which he believes will simply glorify Caesar without undermining his own actions. The error of judgment revealed by Brutus’s instruction is his underestimation of Antony’s persuasive abilities and the possibility that Antony might turn the crowd against the conspirators. Brutus naively believes that Antony will honor the conditions set for his speech without manipulating the crowd’s emotions.
(ii) Give the meaning of:
(a) “Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speech”
Answer: This phrase means to show respect to Caesar’s body and to listen respectfully to the speech that Antony is about to deliver, which will praise Caesar’s accomplishments.
(b) “…not a man depart”
Answer: This phrase means that no one should leave the scene; everyone should stay and listen until Antony has finished speaking.
(iii) What explanation had Brutus given in his speech for the murder of Caesar? What was the reaction of his listeners?
Answer: Brutus explained that he killed Caesar not because he loved Caesar less, but because he loved Rome more. He argued that Caesar’s ambition would have led to the enslavement of the Roman people, and by killing him, he was preserving their freedom. The reaction of his listeners was one of agreement; they were convinced by his reasoning and supported him, even expressing a desire to honor Brutus.
(iv) Who has given Antony permission to speak? Give any two conditions under which Antony is allowed to speak.
Answer: Brutus gave Antony permission to speak. The two conditions were:-
(1) Antony must not blame the conspirators for Caesar’s death, and
(2) he must speak after Brutus, ensuring that the conspirators’ actions were justified before Antony spoke.
(v) State which of Caesar’s glories would Antony refer to in his speech a little later. What does he want to achieve by his speech?
Answer: In his speech, Antony refers to Caesar’s refusals of the crown, his weeping for the poor, and his bringing of wealth to Rome by ransoming captives. Antony wants to achieve the incitement of the crowd against the conspirators, ultimately leading to a rebellion against those who killed Caesar.
3. Antony
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. 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.
(i) As Antony ascends the platform to speak, what did the citizens feel and say about Caesar, Brutus and Antony?
Answer: Initially, the citizens were largely supportive of Brutus, believing his justification for Caesar’s assassination. They referred to Caesar as a tyrant, expressing relief that Rome was rid of him. There was a general consensus that Brutus was noble and that they should honour him for his actions. However, they were curious about what Antony had to say, with some expressing a desire to hear him out, albeit cautiously, especially since Antony was a friend of Caesar.
(ii) Why did the citizens stay behind to listen to Antony? In what way does Antony repel their suspicion in the beginning of his speech?
Answer: The citizens stayed behind to listen to Antony because they respected Brutus’s request to hear Antony speak. Antony begins his speech by dispelling their suspicion by stating that he came not to praise Caesar but to bury him. He aligns himself with Brutus by acknowledging Brutus’s claim that Caesar was ambitious and stating that Brutus is an honourable man, thus not directly opposing Brutus at the outset.
(iii) Which evil, which Caesar is said to have done, lives after him? Give examples of the good done by Caesar.
Answer: The “evil” attributed to Caesar, as mentioned in Antony’s speech, is his alleged ambition, which was the reason Brutus and the others conspired against him. However, Antony subtly challenges this by highlighting Caesar’s acts of generosity, such as refusing the crown thrice, weeping for the poor, and bringing captives home to Rome whose ransoms filled the public coffers. These acts demonstrate Caesar’s care for the people and Rome, which Antony suggests was not consistent with the ambition he was accused of.
(iv) Why does Antony say “the noble Brutus”? Why does he use the expres “If it were so?” Why couldn’t he be frank in his remarks?
Answer: Antony refers to Brutus as “the noble Brutus” to maintain a facade of respect and avoid immediate confrontation with Brutus and the other conspirators, who are still powerful and present. The expression “If it were so” casts doubt on the accusation of Caesar’s ambition without directly challenging Brutus. Antony couldn’t be frank because it would have been dangerous to openly contradict Brutus and the conspirators at that moment. Instead, he uses irony and rhetorical questioning to subtly undermine Brutus’s claim while still appearing to respect him.
(v) Why do you admire Antony at this juncture? State briefly how he dealt the crisis, he found himself in.
Answer: Antony is admirable at this juncture for his masterful oratory and strategic thinking. Faced with a hostile crowd and the threat from powerful conspirators, Antony skillfully navigates the situation by using irony and careful rhetoric. He subtly sways public opinion without directly attacking Brutus, turning the crowd’s suspicion into sympathy for Caesar and eventually inciting them against the conspirators. Antony’s ability to manipulate the emotions of the crowd while maintaining an appearance of respect for Brutus and the conspirators shows his intelligence and political acumen.
4. Antony
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,
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
(i) Which testament is referred to by Antony and who are referred to as “the commons”? Why does Antony not want to read the testament?
Answer: Antony refers to Caesar’s will as the testament. “The commons” refers to the common people of Rome, or the plebeians. Antony initially says he does not intend to read the will because he wants to stir the curiosity and emotions of the people. By withholding the reading, he manipulates them into desiring it more, which eventually incites their anger and passion against the conspirators.
(ii) Give the meaning of: Bequeathing it as a rich legacy/Unto their issue
Answer: This phrase means that the common people would pass down even a small relic, like a hair from Caesar, as a valuable inheritance to their descendants.
(iii) Mention two of the purposes why the commons would dip their napkins in Caesar’s blood and beg a hair of his. Why is the blood of Caesar said to be sacred? (Refer to the speech of Brutus earlier, in which he indicates how Caesar should be murdered.
Answer: The commons would dip their napkins in Caesar’s blood as a token of remembrance and respect, signifying their reverence for him.
They would also beg for a strand of his hair to keep as a personal relic, which they could pass down to their descendants, demonstrating their loyalty and the significance of Caesar in their lives.
Sacred blood:
Caesar’s blood is considered sacred because he was seen as a great leader who was unjustly murdered. His assassination was viewed as an act of betrayal, making his blood symbolic of his martyrdom.
(iv) Besides the testament, which other item does Antony show later to the commons? How does that incite the commons?
Answer: Antony later shows Caesar’s mantle (cloak), pointing out the places where it was torn by the conspirators’ daggers. This visual demonstration of the brutality inflicted upon Caesar provokes a strong emotional response from the people, inciting them to seek revenge against the conspirators.
(v) State briefly how Antony cleverly played on the emotions of the common People and show how they reacted as he desired.
Answer: Antony cleverly plays on the emotions of the common people by repeatedly referring to the conspirators as “honorable men” while simultaneously highlighting their betrayal. He emphasizes Caesar’s positive qualities and his generosity towards the people, which contrasts sharply with the actions of the conspirators. By showing Caesar’s bloodied mantle and referring to his will, Antony stirs the crowd’s emotions, leading them to turn against Brutus and the other conspirators, exactly as he intended. The common people, driven by this manipulation, react with rage and violence, eager to avenge Caesar’s death.
5. Antony
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, ’
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar, that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
(i) Why are the wounds referred to as “poor dumb mouths”? If Brutus Antony, what would have happened in every wound of Caesar?
Answer: The wounds are referred to as “poor dumb mouths” because they are silent and cannot speak for themselves. Antony uses this metaphor to suggest that the wounds, though silent, tell a powerful story of betrayal and injustice. If Brutus were Antony, Antony suggests that he would have been able to rouse the people to mutiny by giving a voice to each of Caesar’s wounds, metaphorically making them speak and inciting the citizens of Rome to rise in rebellion.
(ii) What does Antony indirectly say to indicate that there should be a Mutiny ? Bring out the irony in his words in the extract.
Answer: Antony indirectly incites mutiny by stating that he is not there to stir the people to mutiny but to simply speak of what they already know. He repeatedly refers to Brutus and the conspirators as “honorable men,” which becomes increasingly ironic as he lists Caesar’s good deeds and questions how such acts could be considered ambitious. This irony is further deepened when he suggests that if he were Brutus, he would have stirred the crowd to mutiny, yet he claims he is not attempting to do so, even as his words clearly have that effect.
(iii) At the end, how does the mob leave the scene? What do they plan to do? What does Antony, being satisfied, say after the departure of the mob?
Answer: The mob leaves the scene in a frenzy, intent on avenging Caesar’s death. They plan to burn the houses of the conspirators, starting with Brutus. After their departure, Antony, satisfied with the chaos he has incited, remarks, “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot; take thou what course thou wilt.” This indicates that Antony is pleased with the result and is content to let the ensuing chaos unfold.
(iv) Where does Antony go at the end of the scene? Whom does he join there ? What happens to Brutus and Cassius?
Answer: At the end of the scene, Antony goes to meet Octavius Caesar at Caesar’s house, as reported by the servant. Octavius has arrived in Rome, and Antony plans to join forces with him. Meanwhile, Brutus and Cassius have fled Rome in fear of the mob that Antony has roused against them.
(v) Mention, with examples, any three of the tactics used by Antony to make the common people slaves of passion and resentment.
Answer: i. Appeal to Emotion: Antony repeatedly uses emotional language, such as showing Caesar’s blood-stained cloak and speaking of the “unkindest cut” made by Brutus, to stir the crowd’s emotions.
ii. Irony: Antony employs irony by constantly referring to Brutus and the other conspirators as “honorable men,” while simultaneously undermining their actions and motives, making the crowd question the honor of the conspirators.
iii. Manipulation of Caesar’s Will: Antony teases the crowd with Caesar’s will, initially refusing to read it to build anticipation, then revealing that Caesar left money and public parks to the people, further inflaming their sense of loss and betrayal.
Extras
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What reason does Brutus give for killing Caesar?
A. He hated Caesar
B. Caesar was too ambitious
C. To save his own life
D. To free Rome from Caesar’s rule
Answer: D. To free Rome from Caesar’s rule
10. What does Antony offer to read to the crowd to further provoke them?
A. His own speech
B. Caesar’s letters
C. Caesar’s will
D. A decree from the Senate
Answer: C. Caesar’s will
Questions and Answers
1.Antony You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man.
i. What was Antony trying to prove by mentioning the crown?
Answer: Antony was trying to prove that Caesar was not ambitious by highlighting that he refused the crown three times.
ii. How does Antony use sarcasm in this speech?
Answer: Antony repeatedly calls Brutus “honourable” while presenting evidence that contradicts Brutus’s claims, thus using sarcasm to undermine Brutus’s credibility.
iii. Why is the Lupercal mentioned in Antony’s speech?
Answer: The Lupercal is mentioned to remind the audience of the event where Caesar publicly refused the crown, which contradicts the accusation of ambition.
iv. What effect does Antony hope to achieve with this speech?
Answer: Antony hopes to sway the public against the conspirators by questioning their justification for killing Caesar.
v. How does the crowd react to Antony’s words here?
Answer: The crowd begins to doubt the conspirators and feel sympathy for Caesar, which leads them to question the motives behind his assassination.
10.Brutus As he was valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him.
i. How does Brutus juxtapose Caesar’s qualities in this line?
Answer: Brutus juxtaposes Caesar’s valour, which he honours, with his ambition, which he believes justified killing him.
ii. What does Brutus imply about the nature of ambition?
Answer: Brutus implies that ambition is a dangerous quality that threatens the freedom of Rome, making it necessary to be eliminated.
iii. How does this statement serve to justify Brutus’s actions?
Answer: This statement serves to justify Brutus’s actions by framing the assassination as a noble deed done to protect Rome from tyranny.
iv. How does the crowd react to Brutus’s reasoning here?
Answer: The crowd initially accepts Brutus’s reasoning, seeing his actions as honourable and justified.
v. What underlying message is Brutus conveying through this line?
Answer: The underlying message is that Brutus’s loyalty to Rome outweighs his loyalty to any individual, including Caesar.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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