Get notes, workbook solutions, summary, questions and answers, and pdf of the drama/play Julius Caesar (Act 5 Scene 5) 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
It depicts the aftermath of the battle between the forces of Brutus and Cassius against the triumvirate of Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus.
The scene opens with Brutus resting with his remaining friends Clitus, Dardanius, Strato, and Volumnius after their army has been defeated in battle. Brutus is dejected and appears to have lost the will to live. He whispers to Clitus and Dardanius, asking them to kill him, but they refuse. Brutus then confides in Volumnius that Caesar’s ghost has appeared to him twice – once in Sardis and once the previous night on the fields of Philippi. He takes this as a sign that his end is near.
Brutus asks the noble Volumnius, his old friend from school days, to hold his sword while he impales himself on it. But Volumnius refuses, saying it is not something a friend should do. As their enemies close in, the others flee, leaving only Brutus and his servant Strato behind.
Brutus persuades Strato to hold the sword for him and turn away as Brutus runs himself through. With his dying words, Brutus tells Caesar’s spirit to be at peace, for he killed Caesar with less malice than he now kills himself. Brutus dies by suicide on the battlefield.
The victorious leaders Octavius, Antony, and their men then arrive. They find Strato beside Brutus’ corpse. Antony delivers a poignant eulogy, calling Brutus “the noblest Roman of them all”. He says that unlike the other conspirators who acted out of envy of Caesar, Brutus killed Caesar with honorable intentions for the greater good of Rome. Antony describes Brutus as a paragon of virtue and humanity.
Octavius, now the heir to Caesar’s legacy, orders that Brutus be given an honorable soldier’s burial within his tent that night. He decides to welcome into his service all of Brutus’ former followers. The triumvirs then depart to celebrate their “happy” victory as the battle ends.
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Evergreen Workbook Solutions
Multiple Choice Questions I
1. Brutus is resting on
a. a rock b. a pavement c. in the battlefield d. in his house
Answer: a. a rock
2. Brutus is desperate to
a. die b. run away c. kill the triumvirs d. fall asleep
Answer: a. die
3. Brutus, before he dies, asks Caesar
a. to be still b. to take revenge c. to create havoc d. to forgive him
Answer: a. to be still
4. Antony says that Brutus had
a. all the elements so mix’d in him b. no good qualities c. had a great amount of prejudice d. a selfish nature
Answer: a. all the elements so mix’d in him
5. Octavius, at the end of the play, decides to
a. call the field to rest b. call the field to march c. to bury Brutus at once d. to reward the soldiers
Answer: a. call the field to rest
Context questions I
QUESTION 1
VOLUMNIUS – What says my Lord?
BRUTUS- Why this, Voluminous
The ghost of Caesar hath appear’d to me
Two several times by night: at Sardis once,
And this ladt night here in Philippi fields.
I know My hour is come.
1. Where are the speakers? Who else are there with them? Where did Brutus ask them to rest?
Answer: The speakers are in Philippi, on the battlefield. With them are Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius. Brutus asked them to rest on a rock.
2. Who was feared to be taken? Who does Brutus whisper to?
Answer: Statilius was feared to be taken or slain. Brutus whispers to Clitus and then to Dardanius.
3. What does Brutus whisper to Clitus that makes him react very strongly? What does he say? What does it indicate about Clitus’ feelings towards Brutus?
Answer: Brutus whispers to Clitus asking him to kill him, which Clitus strongly refuses, saying he would rather kill himself. This indicates Clitus’ loyalty and respect towards Brutus, showing he could not bear the thought of harming him.
4. How did the prophecy of the ghost of Caesar come true? How many times and where did the ghost of Caesar appear to Brutus?
Answer: The prophecy of the ghost of Caesar came true with Brutus’ death, signaling his hour had come. The ghost appeared to Brutus two times: once at Sardis and the last night in the Philippi fields.
5. What does Brutus request Volumnius to do? What special relationship did the two share in the past?
Answer: Brutus requests Volumnius to hold his sword while he runs onto it, intending to kill himself. They shared a special relationship of old friends, having gone to school together.
QUESTION 2
ANTONY- This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he
Did what they did in envy of great Caesar
1. Who does Antony pay his tribute to? Which people are included in the word ‘all’?
Answer: Antony pays his tribute to Brutus, including all the conspirators in the word ‘all’.
2. What does Antony say about the person at the end of his speech? What were the elements ‘so mix’d in him’? Refer to the Elizabethan way of thinking.
Answer: Antony says that Brutus was the noblest Roman of them all, with elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, “This was a man!” This refers to the ideal balance of qualities such as bravery, moral integrity, and compassion in Brutus, as per the Elizabethan view of an ideal person.
3. What does Octavius order about this ‘noble Roman’? Did the person deserve the honour? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Octavius orders that Brutus be given all respects and rites of burial, stating his bones shall lie within his tent that night, ordered honorably. Yes, Brutus deserved the honor as, unlike the other conspirators who acted out of envy, Brutus acted for what he believed was the common good of Rome, maintaining his honor and principles until the end.
4. What idea of disloyalty and deceit is highlighted in the play?
Answer: The idea of disloyalty and deceit is highlighted through the actions of the conspirators against Caesar, who betray him despite his trust and friendship. Brutus’ internal conflict and his ultimate decision to join the conspiracy also underscore these themes, as he grapples with loyalty to Caesar versus his perceived duty to Rome.
5. What sort of burial does the person get? What does this show about Brutus’ status in society? Did you like the ending of the play? Write your answer in a short paragraph.
Answer: Brutus receives a burial with full honors and respect, indicating his high status in society and the recognition of his noble intentions by even his adversaries. This reflects the complexity of his character and the tragic nature of his choices, providing a profound commentary on the themes of honor, loyalty, and the consequences of political actions. The ending of the play is fittingly tragic and thought-provoking, effectively bringing closure to the tumultuous events and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. It leaves the audience to ponder the true cost of power and the nature of honor, making it a compelling conclusion to the story.
Morning Star Workbook Solutions
Multiple Choice Questions II
1. How did Clitus, Dardanius and Volumnius refuse to oblige Brutus?
(a) To help Brutus flee from there
(b) To change sides with enemy
(c) To help Brutus end his life
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) To help Brutus end his life
2. Who among the following was NOT among the “poor remains of friends a referred to by Brutus?
(a) Dardanius
(b) Clitus
(c) Statilius
(d) Strato
Answer: (c) Statilius
3. Who is referred to by Clitus as “noble vessel full of grief”?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cassius
(c) Antony
(d) Lepidus
Answer: (a) Brutus
4. To whom does Brutus refer to as his school fellow?
(a) Strato
(b) Volumnius
(c) Dardanius
(d) Cato
Answer: (b) Cassius
5. Brutus says that he would attain greater glory than the “vile conquest” of whom
(a) Octavius and Antony
(b) Caesar and Pompey
(c) Old Cato and his son
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Octavius and Antony
6. Who say, “I kill’d not thee with half so good a will”?
(a) Cassius
(b) Casca
(c) Cicero
(d) Brutus
Answer: (d) Brutus
7. What does Octavius say he would do with all those who were serving Brutus?
(a) Kill them
(b) Make them prisoner of war
(c) Make them his slaves
(d) Take them in his service
Answer: (d) Take them in his service
8. Whom does Octavius take to serve him into his household?
(a) Lucilus
(b) Strato
(c) Messala
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Strato.
9. What tribute does Antony pay to Brutus?
(a) As a true gentleman
(b) As a true Roman
(c) As the noblest Roman
(d) As an honourable man.
Answer: (c) As the noblest Roman.
10. According to Antony, how would Nature describe Brutus?
(a) Noble man
(b) Perfect man
(c)Gentleman
(d) True Roman
Answer: (b) Perfect man
Context Questions II
1.Brutus
Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit:
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,
Than tarry till they push us.
(i) Who is Volumnius? Why does Brutus show intimacy to him? What favour does Brutus expect from him?
Answer: Volumnius is one of Brutus’ loyal friends and followers. Brutus shows intimacy to him because they have a long history together, having been schoolmates. Brutus expects Volumnius to help him commit suicide by holding his sword while he runs onto it.
(ii) The ghost of Caesar appeared to Brutus twice. What did the ghost tell Brutus in Sardis? What does it indicate here in Philippi?
Answer: The ghost of Caesar told Brutus in Sardis, “Thou shalt see me at Philippi,” which was a prophecy of Brutus’ death. Here in Philippi, it indicates that the prophecy is about to be fulfilled, signifying Brutus’ imminent death.
(iii) Name two of Brutus’ friends who have already refused to kill him. What does Volumnius say for not agreeing to carry out Brutus’ wish?
Answer: Two of Brutus’ friends who refused to kill him are Clitus and Dardanus. Volumnius refuses to carry out Brutus’ wish, saying, “That’s not an office for a friend, my lord,” indicating that assisting in his friend’s suicide is not something he can do as a friend.
(iv) Give the meaning of “Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes; Our enemies have beat us to the pit.”
Answer: This means that Volumnius can see the state of the world and their situation; their enemies have defeated them and driven them into a hopeless situation, where death seems inevitable.
(v) Briefly state the misfortunes enumerated by Brutus to Volumnius.
Answer:Brutus mentions the appearance of Caesar’s ghost as a bad omen, signaling his impending death. He also refers to their military defeat, where their enemies have cornered them, and the honorable choice for him now is to take his own life rather than be captured or killed by the enemy.
2. Brutus
Countrymen,
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life,
I found no man but he was true to me.
I shall have glory by this losing day,
More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
(i) Where and when is Brutus speaking? About whom is he speaking and to whom?
Answer: Brutus is speaking on the battlefield at Philippi, just before his death. He is speaking about the loyalty of his friends and followers to those who are still with him: Dardanus, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius.
(ii) What recent events have prompted Brutus to say, “I found no man but he was true to me”?
Answer: Brutus says this after witnessing the loyalty of his followers even in the face of defeat. Despite the overwhelming odds and the loss of the battle, none of his followers have betrayed him, which prompts him to acknowledge their unwavering loyalty.
(iii) Would you include Cassius among those who were “true” to Brutus? Give your reasons briefly.
Answer: Yes, Cassius can be included among those who were “true” to Brutus. Although Cassius had his own motivations, he consistently supported Brutus and their cause. Cassius’s actions were always in alignment with their shared goal, and he remained loyal to Brutus until his death.
(iv) Who finally serves Brutus before Octavius and Mark Antony arrive on the scene?
Answer: Strato is the one who finally serves Brutus by holding the sword for him as Brutus runs onto it, leading to Brutus’s death.
(v) Do the speeches of Antony and Octavius which end the play prove Brutus’ words to be true as quoted in the last three lines of the above extract?
Answer: Yes, the speeches of Antony and Octavius prove Brutus’s words to be true. Antony acknowledges Brutus as “the noblest Roman of them all,” stating that Brutus acted not out of envy but for the common good. Octavius orders that Brutus be buried with all honors, showing respect and recognizing the glory Brutus believed he would gain by his actions, even in defeat. This recognition by his enemies validates Brutus’s belief that he would attain more glory through his honorable defeat than they would through their conquest.
3.Antony
This was the noblest Roman of them all,
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought,
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix’d in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, “This was a man!”
(i) When does Antony speak these words? Who was “the noblest Roman of them all” ? Which people are included in the word, “all”?
Answer: Antony speaks these words after the death of Brutus, following the battle at Philippi. “The noblest Roman of them all” refers to Brutus. The word “all” includes the other conspirators who plotted against and assassinated Julius Caesar.
(ii) Give the meaning of :
(a) He only, in a general honest thought,
Answer: This means that Brutus acted out of a sincere and honest belief, rather than out of envy or personal gain, unlike the other conspirators.
(b) And common good to all, made one of them.
Answer: This means that Brutus joined the conspiracy for the benefit of Rome and its people, rather than for any selfish reasons.
(iii) By referring to the Elizabethan way of thinking, state in what way was the “noblest Roman” a perfect human being.
Answer: In the Elizabethan way of thinking, a perfect human being was someone who possessed a balanced mixture of the four classical elements—earth, water, air, and fire—which symbolized different virtues and qualities. Brutus is described as having these elements so perfectly mixed that Nature herself would acknowledge him as an exemplary man, embodying the ideal of balanced and virtuous human nature.
(iv) What does Octavius order with regard to the funeral of the noblest Roman? Does he deserve such a burial? Give a reason to justify your answer.
Answer: Octavius orders that Brutus be given full honors and proper funeral rites, befitting a noble soldier. Yes, Brutus deserves such a burial because, despite his role in the assassination of Caesar, he acted out of a sense of duty and for the perceived greater good of Rome, which even his enemies acknowledged.
(v) Briefly state how the play propagates the idea that disloyalty and conspiracy do not succeed.
Answer: The play demonstrates that disloyalty and conspiracy lead to tragic outcomes, as seen in the fate of the conspirators. Despite their initial success in assassinating Caesar, the conspirators ultimately meet with defeat and death. The internal conflicts, lack of trust among them, and the eventual downfall of Brutus, who was the most honorable among them, underscore the idea that treachery does not bring lasting success.
Extras
Multiple Choice Questions III
1. What request does Brutus make to Volumnius before his death?
A. To kill him
B. To hold his sword while he runs on it
C. To flee from the battlefield
D. To inform Octavius of his death
Answer: B. To hold his sword while he runs on it
10. Who praises Brutus by stating that his actions were motivated by honest thoughts and the common good?
A. Octavius
B. Antony
C. Cassius
D. Lucilius
Answer: B. Antony
Questions and Answers III
1.Brutus
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
i. Who is the “noblest Roman” referred to here?
Answer: Brutus.
ii. What does Antony imply about the other conspirators?
Answer: He implies that they acted out of envy, unlike Brutus.
iii. What quality does Antony attribute to Brutus that makes him noble?
Answer: His actions were motivated by honesty and the common good.
iv. When does Antony make this statement?
Answer: After Brutus’ death.
v. How does this statement reflect Antony’s view of Brutus?
Answer: Antony views Brutus as the only honorable conspirator.
6.Brutus
Farewell to you—and you—and you, Volumnius.
i. Why is Brutus saying farewell?
Answer: He is preparing for his death.
ii. What does this farewell signify about Brutus’ state of mind?
Answer: He is calm and resolved in facing his end.
iii. Who does Brutus address in this farewell?
Answer: His remaining companions, including Volumnius.
iv. What does Brutus’ farewell reflect about his leadership?
Answer: It shows his care and respect for his friends.
v. What does Brutus do immediately after this farewell?
Answer: He asks Strato to help him die.
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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