NCERT CBSE for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 14 Julius Caesar Important Question
Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Year of Question:(2013)
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
By whom have the above lines been spoken?
Why is the speaker meek with the butchers?
Write the antonym of the word, ‘gentle.’
Answer:
Antony is the speaker.
Antony was meek because he wanted to take revenge for Caesar’s murder which he knew he wouldn’t be able to do without being friendly with them.
The antonyms of ‘gentle’ are ‘rude’, ‘harsh’.
Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Year of Question:(2013)
"They that have done this deed are honourable:
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it":
Who is the speaker ?
What deed have ‘they’ done ?
What does the word, ‘griefs’ mean ?
Answer:
The speaker is Antony.
They have killed Caesar mercilessly.
‘Griefs’ here means ‘anger’ or ‘differences’.
Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Year of Question:(2013)
Calpumia: Do not go forth today: call it my fear That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
Let me, upon my knee prevail in this.
What is Calpurnia’s fear ?
What is the cause of her fear?
What does the phrase, ‘go forth’ mean?
Answer:
Calpumia’s fear was that someone would murder Caesar.
She had bad dreams throughout the night and she saw Caesar being murdered and people washing their hands in the blood of Caesar.
phrase ‘go forth’ means ‘move forward’. Here it means ‘go out from the house’.
Question 4.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
mark’d ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore ’tis certain he was not ambitions.
Year of Question:(2013)
Who is ‘He’?
What does his not taking the crown show?
What does the word ‘certain’ mean?
Answer:
‘He’ is Caesar here.
This shows that he was not hungry for power.
The word ‘certain’ means ‘sure’.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 5.
How does Brutus interpret Calpurnia’s dream?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Calpumia dreamt that Caesar’s statue was spouting blood like a fountain and Romans were washing their handkerchiefs in the blood of Caesar. Brutus said the dream foretold some positive events. He said the blood from the statue indicated the Caesar’s influence would increase.
Question 6.
Describe the superstitions which scared Calpumia?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Calpumia dreamt that Caesar’s statue was spouting blood and many lusty Roman came up to his statue and bathed their hands in the blood. She cried thrice in her dream ‘Help ho they murder Caesar’.
Question 7.
Why did Calpumia not want Caesar to go to the Senate?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Calpumia did not want Caesar to go to the Senate because she had dreamt the previous night that someone had murdered Caesar and the people were washing their hands in Caesar’s blood.
Question 8.
Why does Brutus kill Caesar ?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Bruters was a true Roman and he loved Rome more than his life. But he was not
able to judge the real worth of people. He believed the conspirators when they said Caesar was ambitious. Brutus killed Caesar as he was convinced by the conspirators that Caesar wanted to be a dictator and treat the Romans as slaves. The freedom, liberty and democracy of Rome was under threat.
Question 9.
What did Caesar leave for the Romans in his will ?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Caesar had bequeathed a major part of his wealth to the people of Rome. He had given seventy five drachmas to every Roman. In addition he had left his private gardens and orchards on one side of Tiber to Romans for their rest and recreation and also for the enjoyment by their future generations.
Question 10.
How is Decius Brutus successful in taking Caesar to the senate inspite of Calpumia’s efforts to prevent him ?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Calpurnia had a very bad dream the previous night. She saw people washing their handkerchiefs in the blood of Caesar. Decius interpreted the dream in a very positive way saying that people washing their handkerchiefs in the blood of Caesar symbolised that people would take inspiration from Caesar and there would be renaissance.
Question 11.
How did Brutus justify Caesar’s assassination ?
Year of Question:(2011)
Answer:
Brutus was a patriotic man and he was very well respected in Rome. People of Rome loved him dearly. He said that he loved Caesar dearly but he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar. He said that he honoured him for his bravery but he was ambitious so he was killed.
Question 12.
Cassius knows Antony well and does not want Brutus to let him speak. Why?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Cassius knew that Antony was a skilful orator and a true friend of Caesar. He knew that Antony could see through their plans and would expose them in front of the people of Rome. He knew that Antony’s speach could do a good deal of harm to them.
Long Answer Type Question [1 Marks]
Question 13.
Caesar’s murder is rightly avenged by Antony. Comment.
Year of Question:(2011)
Answer:
Casca, Decius Brutus, Brutus and conspirators killed Caesar on the pretext of him
being ambitious. All the conspirators were actually jealous of his growing popularity. Only Brutus was the one who was actually concerned about the betterment of Rome. When Antony came to the Senate he saw Caesar’s body lying in a pool of blood. He told Brutus to kill him also and with the same weapon with which he had killed Caesar. Brutus told him to join hands with them and agreed to be their friend but at heart he was full of anger and wanted to take revenge for Caesar’s murder. He requested Brutus to allow him to give a funeral speech to the people of Rome. Brutus allowed him to do so. Antony revealed to the mob how Caesar loved them and that he had given everything to the people of Rome in his will. His scathing and sarcastic speech drove the mob crazy. It enraged them and the masses set the houses of conspirators on fire.
Extract Based Questions [3 Marks]
Question 14.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Caesar shall forth; the things that threaten’d me Ne’er look’d but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
Year of Question:(2011)
Where is Caesar planning to go?
What are the ‘things’ that threaten him?
What does the word ‘vanished’ mean?
Answer:
Caesar is planning to go to the senate-house.
The various horrible sights that Calpurnia had in her dream are threatening him.
The word ‘vanished’ means ‘disappeared.’
Question 15.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
Iam ashamed. I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.
Year of Question:(2011)
Why was Calpurnia afraid?
Where did Caesar decide to go?
What does the word ‘yield’ mean?
Answer:
Calpurnia had a very horrible dream. Her watchman told that he had also seen many unusual things in his dream. Taking these dreams as ominous she was afraid.
Caesar decided to go to the senate-house.
The word ‘yield’ means to give way or to surrender.
Question 16.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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;
Year of Question:(2011)
Who speaks these words?
Whose ingratitude was he referring to?
Why did it break Caesar’s heart?
Answer:
Mark Antony is the speaker of these lines.
He was referring to the ingratitude of the conspirators who had assassinated Caesar.
Caesar had immense trust in the members of the senate particularly Brutus. When he saw them including Brutus stabbing him, his heart broke.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 17.
Why did Cassius tell Brutus not to allow Antony to speak on Caesar’s funeral?
Year of Question:(2011)
Answer:
Cassius knew it well that Marks Antony was a great diplomat and orator. Using his oratory, he might win the hearts of the people in his favour. At that point of time, Cassius and other conspirators were quite near the crown after assassinating Caesar. Moreover, the Romans were very emotionally charged at that time. Cassius did not want to take any risk at that time. Hence, he told Brutus not to allow Antony to speak on Caesar’s funeral.
Question 18.
Why did Caesar’s will infuriate the Romans?
Year of Question:(2011)
Answer:
Caeser’s will was the most powerful weapon is the hands of Antony against the
conspirators who were saying that they had assassinated Caesar as he was ambitious. The revelation of the contents of the will proved to be a turning point in the entire episode. According to the will, all the Romans were to get seventy-five silver coins from the property of Caesar and the private arbours of Caesar were to become a national property. So the Romans held the conspirators guilty of assassinating a great patriot of Rome.
Question 19.
How did Antony prove that Caesar was not ambitious?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
Antony being a great diplomat and orator proved Caesar’s innocence very meticulously. He informed the Romans that Caesar refused to accept the crown thrice when it was offered to him on the eve of Lupercal. If he had been ambitious, he must have accepted it. He also told the Romans that Caesar had brought many captives from the battlefield. Whatsoever amount, he got as ransom to set the captives free, he put it in the national treasure. When the poor wept, Caesar also wept. Reading the will of Caesar, Antony disclosed to the Romans that Caesar had left seventy-five silver coins for every citizen and his personal arbours were o became national property. These evidences were adequate to prove that Caesar was not ambitious.
Question 20.
How did Decius Brutus interpret Calpumia’s dream?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
The misinterpretation of Calpumia’s dream by Decius Brutus proved fatal for Caesar. Otherwise Caesar had made up his mind to remain at home on that unfortunate day. Decius Brutus said that Calpumia’s dream that blood was coming out of Caesar’s statue signified that the Romans would get reviving blood. It would be preserved as an object of reverence by the RomAnswer: It would serve as colours added to a coat of arms. So Decious Brutus succeeded in persuading Caesar to go the senate-house where his death was waiting for him in the daggers of the conspirators.
Question 21.
How did Brutus justify Caesar’s assassination?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
The shrewd, cunning and manipulating Cassius had been successful in poisoning the ears of noble Brutus. After Caesar’s assassination, Brutus told the Romans that he loved Caesar more than any RomAnswer: But he loved the democracy of Rome more than anyone and anything. So he assassinated Caesar when he felt that the growing ambition of Caesar would be perilous to Roman democracy and he was not ready to accept it at any rate as he was a great patriot.
Question 22.
Why did Julius Caesar deny the repeal of banishment of Publius Cimber?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
Caesar was a great ruler and administrator. He was very disciplined and strict in taking decision. He would take decision in the welfare of Rome and the RomAnswer: Giving reply to the request for the repealing, Caesar said that if he was moved by prayer on that point, one day prayers would move him completely. He was as constant as the northern star. He was of the view that the repeat of banishment of Publius Cimber would not be in the interest of Rome.
Question 23.
On what conditions was Antony allowed to speak on Caesar’s funeral? Answer: After the assassination of Caesar, Brutus wanted to justify the act of the conspirators.
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
After delivering his speech he wanted Antony to address the RomAnswer: But certain conditions were imposed on Antony. He was not allowed to blame any conspirator though he was allowed to praise Caesar. He had to disclose the Romans in his funeral speech that he was speaking by the permission of the conspirators. Antony had to accept all the conditions as his position was weak at that moment.
Question 24.
How did the Roman mob react to Antony’s speech?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
Antony’s speech revolutionised the Roman mob. He had become successful in
making the Romans realise that Caesar was not ambitious and the conspirators were guilty. So the mob became vindictive. They became ready to die with Antony. They said that they would bum the house of Brutus. They became ready to seek the conspirators. They also said that they would bum the dead body of Caesar at a holy place and using the brands they would bum the houses of the traitors.
Question 25.
Which was ‘the most unkindest cut’ of all? Why was it called so?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
The cut caused by the dagger of Brutus was the most unkind. It was called so as
Brutus was a very close friend of Caesar. Caesar trusted him blindly. He regarded Brutus as an angel. So Brutus was not supposed to think of harming Caesar. He was supposed to assist Caesar when the conspirators attacked him. As Brutus joined hands with the conspirators and stabbed Caesar, it was an act of treachery. Hence, it was called the most unkind.
Long Answer Type Question [4 Marks]
Question 26.
Mark Antony, with the help of his oratory, succeeded in winning the mob over to his side. This led to the downfall of the conspirators. Write in 80-100 words, how with the power of words he could effect a change in his listeners.
Year of Question:(2012)
Answer:
Mark Antony was indeed a great orator and diplomat. After the assassination of Caesar, he reached the site and made his plan how to take revenge on the conspirators and get advantage of the situation. He warned the Romans that Rome would face natural calamities if they didn’t take revenge for the assassination. Further, he said that Caesar’s spirit would come with the God of death and cause a great loss of life. Very systematically, he proved that Caesar was not ambitious. As long as his position was weak, he pointed out the guilts of the conspirators ironically. Later, he told the Romans that Caesar had neither accepted the crown nor kept the ransom in his personal treasure. He made the mob emotional by saying that Caesar used to weep for the poor and for the sake of Romans he left his entire property. Showing the cuts to the mob and deliberate delay in reading the will were the effective endeavours of Antony to instigate the Romans against the conspirators.
Thus, the oratory of Antony altered the entire scene. The conspirators, though appeared to be successful in the beginning, were badly defeated.
Extract Based Questions [3 Marks]
Question 27.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
and grievously hath Caesar answere’d it.
Year of Question:(2012)
Who is the speaker? Who are ‘you’?
How did Caesar pay for being ambitious?
What argument did the speaker give to show that Brutus was wrong in his judgement of Caesar?
Answer:
Antony is the speaker. ‘You’ here stands for the people of Rome.
The conspirators blamed Caesar for being ambitious and they assassinated him on this ground.
The speaker said that Caesar must have accepted the crown if he had been ambitious. But he rejected it thrice.
Question 28.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony:
Year of Question:(2012)
Identify the speaker of the above lines.
When and where were the above lines spoken?
Bring out the irony in the above extract.
Answer:
Marcus Brutus is the speaker.
The above lines were spoken after Brutus delivered his speech. These lines were spoken form the pulpit in the market place.
Brutus asked his countrymen to listen to his enemy Antony for his sake. The speech of Antony later proved fatal for Brutus.
Question 29.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy
Year of Question:(2012)
Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips,
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue-
Who spoke the above words?
Whose ‘wounds’ is the speaker referring to in the above lines?
Identify and explain the figure of speech used in the above extract.
Answer:
Antony spoke the above words.
The speaker is referring to the wounds of Caesar.
The figure of speech used in the above extract is ‘simile’. The wounds of Caesar have been compared to dumb mouth using the word ‘like’.
Question 30.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
This dream is all amiss interpreted.
Year of Question:(2012)
Name the speaker of the above line.
Whose ‘dream’ has been referred to in the extract?
Explain: ‘amiss interpreted’.
Answer:
The name of speaker is Decius Brutus.
The dream of Calpurnia has been referred to in the extract.
Decius Brutus tells Caesar that the dream of Calpurnia has been wrongly interpreted.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 31.
Why did Calpumia try to stop Caesar from going to the senate?
Year of Question:(2012)
Answer:
Calpurnia had a very bad dream the previous night. She was also informed by the watchman that in his dream he had seen many unnatural things. A lioness had given birth to her little ones in the streets. Dead bodies were coming out of graveyards. A fierce war was going in air and blood was falling upon the capital. Calpumia saw that blood was coming out of the statue of Caesar and lusty Romans were bathing their hands in it with smiling faces. All these were ominous and Calpumia thought that the life of Caesar was in danger.
Question 32.
How does Decius Brutus persuade Caesar to accompany him to the senate house?
Year of Question:(2012)
Answer:
Decius Bmtus says that the dream of Calpumia has been wrongly interpreted. Actually the Romans will get a reviving blood from Caesar’s blood. They will get their handkerchiefs drenched in his blood and the same will be worshipped by the future generations. He also tries to entice Caesar by saying that the senators have decided to offer him the crown that day. If he does not go, they may change their decision.
Question 33.
What did Caesar leave for the Romans in his will?
Year of Question:(2012)
Answer:
Antony brought the will of Caesar and read it to the people of Rome. According to the will, all the Romans had to get seventy-five silver coins from the property of Caesar. The private arbours of Caesar were to become the national property and every Roman would be enjoying there. These were the sufficent proofs to prove that Caesar was not ambitious.
Question 34.
How did nature foretell Caesar’s death?
Year of Question:(2012)
Answer:
For nature Caesar was a prominent person. So she gave a warning of danger in
Caesar’s life. Calpumia saw in her dream that blood was coming out of Caesar’s statue and the lusty Romans with their smiling faces were washing their hands in it. The watchman saw that a lioness was giving birth to its little ones in the street. Dead bodies were coming out of the graveyards and warriors were fighting in the sky. These ominous signs were the nature’s foretelling of Caesar’s death.
Question 35.
What is the purpose of Antony’s speech? Does he succeed in his mission?
Year of Question:(2012)
Answer:
Antony is greatly agrieved to see the dead body of Caesar. His purpose is to take revenge for Caesar’s death on the conspirators and to become the rulefby defeating the conspirators with the help of the people of Rome.
Antony succeeds fully in his mission. The conspirators are defeated and Antony becomes the ruler.
Question 36.
What did Caesar’s will have for the common men of Rome?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
Antony brought the will of Caesar and read it to the people of Rome. According to the will, all the Romans had to get seventy-five silver coins from the property of Caesar. The private arbours of Caesar were to become the national property and every Roman would be enjoying there. These were the sufficent proofs to prove that Caesar was not ambitious.
Long Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]
Question 37.
‘Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more. ’
Brutus says this as he justifies to the Romans why Caesar was assassinated by them. Do you agree with Brutus? Justify your answer in 120-150 words by giving examples from the play.
Year of Question:(2014)
What values does Brutus display as he says this line to the Romans?
Answer:
Yes, I agree with Brutus. As a matter of fact, Brutus was a noble man. He possessed a series of virtues. He was a very close friend of Caesar. He had a very good image in the eyes of the Rom Cassius was very shrewd and manipulative. He knew that he would be successful in implementing his conspiracy if he won the favour of Brutus. So he poisoned the ears of Brutus saying that the growing power of Caesar would be dangerous to the democracy of Rome. Brutus could not understand the real motive of Cassius and believed his words blindly. He failed to see through the cunningness of Cassius and supported him in the execution of his conspiracy.
Brutus displays that he has feeling of patriotism and loyalty to Roman democracy.
Question 38.
Now let it work. Mischief thou art afoot.
Take thou what course thou wilt!
Year of Question:(2014)
Antony seeks justice by getting the mob to kill the conspirators. But to correct a wrong, one cannot commit another wrong. Write a speech for the school assembly on-The ends do not justify the means: (120-150 words)
Answer:
Good Morning!
Respected principal, teachers and my dear colleagues. I am going to deliver a speech on the topic ‘the ends do not justify the me
In this fast changing materialistic world, it has become very difficult for mankind to keep control on his emotions. People have become vindictive in nature. They have neither tolerance nor patience. But vindictive attitude must be checked otherwise there will be the extinction of the world. For achieving success people should follow the right path.
In the case of Antony, we find that he instigates the Roman mob to kill the conspirators and burn their houses. This led to the huge destruction of life and property. No civilized society will approve of this act of Antony. He should have adopted another safe method of reconciliation.
Taking experience from this event of the drama ‘Julius Caesar’ we must take a vow to settel every dispute harmoniously. Vindictive attitude must be discarded and feeling of forgiveness must be spread in every nook and corner of the world.
I think tolerance and forgiveness will be the two effective tools to save humanity in future.
Thanks
Extract Based Questions [3 Marks]
Question 39.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Year of Question:(2014)
‘Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch’d mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tellgraybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come’.
Why has Decius come to Caesar’s place?
What message does Caesar give him?
Who are the ‘graybeards’ referred to here?
Answer:
He comes to Caesar’s place to persuade Caesar to go to the senate-house so that the conspirators can execute their conspiracy.
Caesar told Decius Brutus that he would not go to the senate-house as Calpumia had a very bad dream last night.
The graybeards referred to here are the senators of the senate-house.
Question 40.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Year of Question:(2014)
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die:
When does Antony say these words?
What is his request?
What does ‘reek’ in the above lines mean?
Answer:
Antony speaks these words after the assassination of Caesar by the conspirators.
He requests the conspirators to kill him also.
The word ‘reek’ here means ‘stench’ or ‘an offensive smell’.
Question 41.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
BRUTUS: Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus.
Year of Question:(2014)
In which context does Brutus say these words?
How does Brutus justify his action?
What was the immediate reaction of the listeners?
Answer:
Brutus is justifying the assassination of Caesar by him along with the other conspirators.
He says that the growing power of Caesar made him ambitious which was dangerous to Roman democracy.
The listeners begin to admire Brutus and decide to give Brutus the same position as Caesar had.
Short Answer Type Question [2 Marks]
Question 42.
How does Brutus convince the Romans that Caesar deserved his death?
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
Brutus tells the Roman that Caesar made himself very ambitious. He also says that
Caesar was his friend and he had many good qualities. He was worshipper of the courage of Caesar. But he had to join his hands with the conspirators when he came to know that the growing power of Caesar would be dangerous to the democracy of Rome.
Long Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]
Question 43.
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
These words of Julius Caesar bring out the importance of courage in the face of adversity.
Send an e-mail in 120-150 words to your younger brother on the importance of courage and bravery in one’s life.
Year of Question:(2014)
Answer:
Date : 15 June 20XX
From: mahesh79@gmail.com
Subject: Importance of courage and bravery
To: suresh8@live.com
Dear Suresh
Hope everything is good at your end. I want to make you aware of the significance of courage and bravery in one’s life.
These two divine qualities are rarely seen in human being. People in general are timid and afraid of death. But 1 think that it is a blunder. Death is the necessary end of human life. It will come when it is destined to come. It can’t be avoided by any human being.
A brave person faces all the challenges of life boldly. It has been seen $iat success has to kiss the feet of the brave. When it has been observed that cowards are always met with failure, it is foolishness to behave like a coward.
Human history is full of the achievement of the brave and the courageous. We admire their achievements even today. Even after more than two thousand years, we applaud the bravery of Julius Caesar.
I hope that you will take lesson from this e-mail of mine and remain brave and courageous even in adverse situation in future.
With best wishes
Yours lovingly
Name: Mahesh
Question 44.
Caesar was assassinated ruthlessly and the conspirators tried to gain power. Write a letter to a friend on how important it is to think of not only the end but also the me Answer: You are Rameshwar/Ragini of 18, Princess Street, Kolkata.
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
18 Princess Street
Kolkata
10 June 20XX
Dear Mohan/Mohini
Hope this letter finds you in the pink of your health. In this letter, I am going to make you aware of the significance of the proper way of achieving the goal.
In this swift changing and materialistic world people are striving to achieve their goals by hook or by crook. But experience says that if a person achieves his goal following a wrong path, he has to repent as long as he lives. Neither does he get satisfaction nor does he enjoy the real pleasure of achieving his goal. He goes on feeling himself guilty all through his life.
In the play Julius Caesar, Cassius conspired against Caesar and assassinated him with the help of other conspirators. But his desire to become a ruler remained a mirage. He and his friends were defeated and some of them were killed in the battle. Some of them had to commit suicide. If he had wished to become the ruler, he should have followed a creative way. But Cassius thought of only the end but not of the means and he had to lament.
We must take lesson from his life for our better future. Hope you will follow my advice in future. Convey my regards to the elders and love to the children.
With heaps of love
Your sincerely
Rameshwar/Ragini
Question 45.
‘What mean you Caesar? Think you to walk forth?
You shall not stir out of your house today’.
Describe the circumstances under which Caesar’s wife Calpurnia makes this statement.
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Calpurnia and the watchman had seen very bad dreams. In their dreams, they saw many unusual and unnatural things. The watchman saw that the lioness was giving birth to her little ones in the street. Dead bodies were coming out of the graveyards and a fierce fight was going on in the sky. The blood of the warriors was falling on the capital. All these were ominous sights and the watchman explained his entire dream to Calpumia. She herself had seen in her dream that blood was coming out of the statue of Caesar and the lusty Romans were washing their hands in it. While doing so they were smiling. All these sights made Calpurnia afraid. She decided that she would implore Caesar not to go to the senate-house. But Caesar was a very brave man and he said that he would go to the senate-house. He also told Calpumia that cowards die many times before their death. But Calpurnia was rigid and she uttered line ‘you shall not stir out of your house today’.
Question 46.
How and when did Caesar’s murder take place?
Answer:
Julius Caesar was a great administrator. His name and fame was spreading by leaps and bounds. Cassius, one of the senators, was envious of the position of Caesar and he himself wanted to become the ruler. So he began to conspire against Caesar with the help of some cunning and wicked people. Later on, he poisoned the ears of noble Brutus saying that the growing power of Caesar would be dangerous to the democracy of Rome. All the conspirators planned to assassinate Caesar in the senate-house.
On the scheduled date, Decius Brutus persuaded Caesar to go to the senate-house. The conspirators requested Caesar one by one to repeal the banishment of Publius Cimber. But Caesar turned down their requests and the conspirators got an excuse to assassinate Caesar. Casca attacked Caesar first and he was followed by other conspirators. Caesar could not believe his eyes when he saw Brutus attacking him. Ultimately, Caesar was assassinated in the senate-house at the feet of the statue of Pompey.
Question 47.
How did Antony prove to the Romans that Caesar was greatly wronged?
Answer:
Mark Antony was indeed a great orator and diplomat. After the assassination of Caesar, he reached the site and made his plan how to take revenge on the conspirators and get advantage of the situation. He warned the Romans that Rome would face natural calamities if they didn’t take revenge for the assassination. Further, he said that Caesar’s spirit would come with the God of death and cause a great loss of life. Very systematically, he proved that Caesar was not ambitious. As long as his position was weak, he pointed out the guilts of the conspirators ironically. Later, he told the Romans that Caesar had neither accepted the crown nor kept the ransom in his personal treasure. He made the mob emotional by saying that Caesar used to weep for the poor and for the sake of Romans he left his entire property. Showing the cuts to the mob and deliberate delay in reading the will were the effective endeavours of Antony to instigate the Romans against the conspirators.
Thus, the oratory of Antony altered the entire scene. The conspirators, though appeared to be successful in the beginning, were badly defeated.
Extract Based Questions [3 Marks]
Question 48.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Year of Question:(2013)
What is the ‘bleeding piece of earth’ referred to here?
Why was Antony ‘meek and gentle’?
Who are the butchers mentioned here?
Answer:
These words refer to the spot where Caesar has been assassinated ruthlessly.
The position of Antony was weak at that time.
The conspirators who assassinated Caesar have been called the butchers.
Question 49.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
Year of Question:(2013)
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Who is speaking these lines?
Why does he call them butchers?
How does he praise Caesar?
Answer:
Antony is the speaker here.
They assassinated Caesar mercilessly.
He wants the Romans to take revenge on the death of Caesar.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 50.
How did Brutus win the heart of the Roman mob?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Brutus tells the Roman that Caesar made himself very ambitious. He also says that
Caesar was his friend and he had many good qualities. He was worshipper of the courage of Caesar. But he had to join his hands with the conspirators when he came to know that the growing power of Caesar would be dangerous to the democracy of Rome.
Question 51.
Under what condition does Brutus allow Mark Antony to make the funeral speech?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
After the assassination of Caesar, Brutus wanted to justify the act of the conspirators.
After delivering his speech he wanted Antony to address the Romans. But certain conditions were imposed on Antony. He was not allowed to blame any conspirator though he was allowed to praise Caesar. He had to disclose the Romans in his funeral speech that he was speaking by the permission of the conspirators. Antony had to accept all the conditions as his position was weak at that moment.
Question 52.
Why did Metellus Cimber kneel before Caesar?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
The brother of Metellus Cimber had been given the punishment of banishment by Caesar. So the conspirators asked Metellus Cimber to request Caesar to forgive his brother. They knew it well that Caesar would not forgive Publius Cimber. Then the conspirators would also make request and if it was turned down by Caesar, they would get proper excuse to attack and assassinate Caesar.
Question 53.
What offer did the conspirators make to Antony after Caesar’s assassination?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
The conspirators were well aware of the power of oratory of Antony. They also knew that Antony was a great diplomat. So they thought it was better to win the favour of Antony. Therefore they offered Antony a place in the commonwealth. Actually the conspirators wanted to pacify the chaotic situation caused by the assassination of Caesar.
Question 54.
How did Decius Brutus interpret Calpumia’s dream?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
The misinterpretation of Calpumia’s dream by Decius Brutus proved fatal for Caesar. Otherwise Caesar had made up his mind to remain at home on that unfortunate day. Decius Brutus said that Calpumia’s dream that blood was coming out of Caesar’s statue signified that the Romans would get reviving blood. It would be preserved as an object of reverence by the Romans. It would serve as colours added to a coat of arms. So Decious Brutus succeeded in persuading Caesar to go the senate-house where his death was waiting for him in the daggers of the conspirators.
Question 55.
How did Caesar make the Roman his heirs?
Answer:
Antony brought the will of Caesar and read it to the people of Rome. According
to the will, all the Romans had to get seventy-five silver coins from the property of Caesar. The private arbours of Caesar were to become the national property and every Roman would be enjoying there. These were the sufficent proofs to prove that Caesar was not ambitious.
Question 56.
What prophesy did Antony make after Caesar’s death?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Antony was a great diplomat and a close friend of Caesar. So he made prophesy to infuriate the Roman to take revenge. He said that Romans would witness civil war. He further said that blood and destruction would be common and dreadful objects would be so familiar that mothers would smile to see the dead bodies of their children. The spirit of Caesar would come with god of death and take revenge on the RomAnswer:
Question 57.
‘Let him be Caesar’. What does this line tell us about the attitude of the Roman mob?
Answer:
The Roman mob is very emotional and fickle minded. The citizens are credulous and docile. Only a few sentences of Brutus impress them so greatly that they forget all the contributions of great Caesar. They are also quick in taking decision. Without going deep into the matter, they are going to hand over the bridle of the reins of Rome in the hands of the conspirators and the murderers.
Question 58.
What was the effect of Antony’s speech on the Roman citizens?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Antony’s speech revolutionised the Roman mob. He had become successful in
making the Romans realise that Caesar was not ambitious and the conspirators were guilty. So the mob became vindictive. They became ready to die with Antony. They said that they would bum the house of Brutus. They became ready to seek the conspirators. They also said that they would bum the dead body of Caesar at a holy place and using the brands they would bum the houses of the traitors.
Question 59.
What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to Capitol?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Decius Bmtus says that the dream of Calpumia has been wrongly interpreted. Actually the Romans will get a reviving blood from Caesar’s blood. They will get their handkerchiefs drenched in his blood and the same will be worshipped by the future generations. He also tries to entice Caesar by saying that the senators have decided to offer him the crown that day. If he does not go, they may change their decision.
Question 60.
Why did Cassius object to Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Cassius knew it well that Marks Antony was a great diplomat and orator. Using his
‘oratory, he might win the hearts of the people in his favour. At that point of time, Cassius and other conspirators were quite near the crown after assassinating Caesar. Moreover, the Romans were very emotionally charged at that time. Cassius did not want to take any risk at that time. Hence, he told Brutus not to allow Antony to speak on Caesar’s funeral.
Long Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]
Question 61.
How was Mark Antony successful in setting mischief afoot?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Mark Antony was indeed a great orator and diplomat. After the assassination of Caesar, he reached the site and made his plan how to take revenge on the conspirators and get advantage of the situation. He warned the Romans that Rome would face natural calamities if they didn’t take revenge for the assassination. Further, he said that Caesar’s spirit would come with the God of death and cause a great loss of life. Very systematically, he proved that Caesar was not ambitious. As long as his position was weak, he pointed out the guilts of the conspirators ironically. Later, he told the Romans that Caesar had neither accepted the crown nor kept the ransom in his personal treasure. He made the mob emotional by saying that Caesar used to weep for the poor and for the sake of Romans he left his entire property. Showing the cuts to the mob and deliberate delay in reading the will were the effective endeavours of Antony to instigate the Romans against the conspirators.
Thus, the oratory of Antony altered the entire scene. The conspirators, though appeared to be successful in the beginning, were badly defeated.
Question 62.
Suppose after the murder Brutus goes back to his room, he closes his eyes and finds that his conscience is pricking him. He feels disturbed, upset and restless. Write the page you think he would have written in his diary expressing his thoughts and emotions.
Answer:
Dear Diary
10 pm, 11 June 20XX
What a sin I have committed today! I failed to understan^Jhe selfish motive of cunning and manipulative Cassius. He poisoned my ears aga|$st my close friend
Caesar saying that Caesar had become ambitious and his growing power would be dangerous to the Roman democracy. Like a credulous and docile person, I bebeved his words and supported the conspirators.
After going deep into the matter, I feel that Caesar was not ambitious and I have committed a sin. God will not forgive me for my betrayal. Caesar had immense trust in me. I am very much repentant and want to expiate my blunder. I confess to my guilt and will remain cautious of the manipulative and shrewd people in future. May God forgive me and instill good sanse in me.
Brutus
Question 63.
What are the conditions imposed on Antony by the conspirators before permitting him to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
Answer:
After the assassination of Caesar, the situation of Rome became chaotic. Caesar was a popular ruler and the Romans loved him so dearly. The Romans regarded him a great patriot. So the conspirators had to justify the assassination of Caesar. Brutus delivered a long speech and tried to justify the assassination. But the conspirators thought that if Antony spoke, the Romans would be easily convinced. So the conspirators asked Antony to deliver a speech but he was not permitted to speak anything against the conspirators. He was permitted to speak everything in admiration of Caesar. The conspirators also imposed the condition that Antony had to proclaim in his speech that he was speaking to them with the permission of the conspirators.
Actually the conspirators wanted to make their good image in the eyes of the RomAnswer: They also wanted to keep control on Antony as he was a great orator.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 64.
Why did Calpurnia beg Caesar not to go to the senate house?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Calpurnia had a very bad dream the previous night. She was also informed by the watchman that in his dream he had seen many unnatural things. A lioness had given birth to her little ones in the streets. Dead bodies were coming out of graveyards. A fierce war was going in air and blood was falling upon the capital. Calpumia saw that blood was coming out of the statue of Caesar and lusty Romans were bathing their hands in it with smiling faces. All these were ominous and Calpumia thought that the life of Caesar was in danger.
Question 65.
With what plea did the conspirators approach Caesar in the senate house?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
The brother of Metellus Cimber had been given the punishment of banishment by Caesar. So the conspirators asked Metellus Cimber to request Caesar to forgive his brother. They knew it well that Caesar would not forgive Publius Cimber. Then the conspirators would also make request and if it was turned down by Caesar, they would get proper excuse to attack and assassinate Caesar.
Question 66.
Why does Brutus allow Antony to deliver the funeral speech?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Brutus is a noble man and quite unware of the fact that Antony may harm him and the other conspirators. He is straight in his thinking. He thinks that if Antony addresses the Roman citizens, it will have a better impact on them. He is sure that Antony will not be able to harm him as he will impose certain restrictions on Antony’s speech.
Question 67.
Why was Cassius unwilling to allow Antony to speak to the Roman public?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Cassius knew it well that Marks Antony was a great diplomat and orator. Using his
‘oratory, he might win the hearts of the people in his favour. At that point of time, Cassius and other conspirators were quite near the crown after assassinating Caesar. Moreover, the Romans were very emotionally charged at that time. Cassius did not want to take any risk at that time. Hence, he told Brutus not to allow Antony to speak on Caesar’s funeral.
Question 68.
Why did Cassius decide to assassinate Caesar? Who were the other conspirators?
Answer:
Cassius is an ambitious man who has extreme desire to become the ruler of Rome. He is envious of the growing power of Caesar. The name and fame of Caesar is spreading by leaps and bounds. So Cassius thinks that Caesar must be assassinated before he is crowned.
The other conspirators are Marcus Brutus, Decius Brutus, Casca, Metellus Cimber, Trebonius, Cinna, Popilus, etc.
Long Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]
Question 69.
How did Antony prove himself to be a clever orator?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Mark Antony was indeed a great orator and diplomat. After the assassination of Caesar, he reached the site and made his plan how to take revenge on the conspirators and get advantage of the situation. He warned the Romans that Rome would face natural calamities if they didn’t take revenge for the assassination. Further, he said that Caesar’s spirit would come with the God of death and cause a great loss of life. Very systematically, he proved that Caesar was not ambitious. As long as his position was weak, he pointed out the guilts of the conspirators ironically. Later, he told the Romans that Caesar had neither accepted the crown nor kept the ransom in his personal treasure. He made the mob emotional by saying that Caesar used to weep for the poor and for the sake of Romans he left his entire property. Showing the cuts to the mob and deliberate delay in reading the will were the effective endeavours of Antony to instigate the Romans against the conspirators.
Thus, the oratory of Antony altered the entire scene. The conspirators, though appeared to be successful in the beginning, were badly defeated.
Question 70.
Write a character sketch of Julius Caesar.
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Julius Caesar, the protagonist of the drama ‘Julius Caesar’, was indeed a towering personality. He possessed a series of virtues which had made him a great ruler of the contemporary world. Under his regime, the Roman Empire expanded greatly and earned good name and fame in the entire world. In the battle field, he was a warrior of warriors and under his leadership, Rome had won many battles. Rome had never seen a great patriot like him.
Caesar was an eptome of bravery and courage. When Calpurnia implored her not to go to the senate-house, he said ‘cowards die many times before their death.’ He was so confident of his courage and strength that he said that he was more dangerous than danger. Being a strict and able ruler, he never altered his decision under pressure. As he was not a great diplomat, he failed to guess the motive of the conspirators. The Romans remained indebted to him and took revenge on the conspirators. History rarely sees such a great personality.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 71.
How does Brutus convince the Roman mob that he was justified in murdering Caesar.
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
The shrewd, cunning and manipulating Cassius had been successful in poisoning the ears of noble Brutus. After Caesar’s assassination, Brutus told the Romans that he loved Caesar more than any Romans. But he loved the democracy of Rome more than anyone and anything. So he assassinated Caesar when he felt that the growing ambition of Caesar would be perilous to Roman democracy and he was not ready to accept it at any rate as he was a great patriot.
Question 72.
What convinced Caesar to go to the senate house?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Decius Bmtus says that the dream of Calpumia has been wrongly interpreted. Actually the Romans will get a reviving blood from Caesar’s blood. They will get their handkerchiefs drenched in his blood and the same will be worshipped by the future generations. He also tries to entice Caesar by saying that the senators have decided to offer him the crown that day. If he does not go, they may change their decision.
Question 73.
How did Antony convince the Roman mob that Caesar was not ambitious?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
Antony being a great diplomat and orator proved Caesar’s innocence very
meticulously. He informed the Romans that Caesar refused to accept the crown thrice when it was offered to him on the eve of Lupercal. If he had been ambitious, he must have accepted it. He also told the Romans that Caesar had brought many captives from the battlefield. Whatsoever amount, he got as ransom to set the captives free, he put it in the national treasure. When the poor wept, Caesar also wept. Reading the will of Caesar, Antony disclosed to the Romans that Caesar had left seventy-five silver coins for every citizen and his personal arbours were o became national property. These evidences were adequate to prove that Caesar was not ambitious.
Question 74.
Why is Antony’s speech more effective than that of Brutus?
Year of Question:(2013)
Answer:
The speech of Antony was far more effective than that of Brutus. In his speech, Brutus simply said that he and the other conspirators assassinated Caesar as his growing power was dangerous to the Roman democracy. But Antony proved his statement very systematically and with adequate evidence. He succeeded in winning the favour of the people of Rome and infuriated them. After listening to his speech, the Roman citizens became so indignant and started taking revenge on the conspirators.
Important Questions and Answers from Julius Caesar
Question1.
How do the heavens blaze forth the death of Julius Caesar?
Answer:
- Supernatural Omens:
- Calpurnia saw ill omens that predicted Caesars death
- Battles in the sky, blood raining, ghosts, and opened graves were all signs of doom
- These omens signified that someone as powerful as Caesar was destined to suffer
Question2.
What does Calpurnia convince Caesar of?
Answer:
- Calpurnias Concern:
- She convinced Caesar to stay at home and avoid going to the Senate
- She believed that ill omens pointed to a danger awaiting Caesar
- Her goal was to protect Caesar from any potential harm
Question3.
What was Calpurnias dream, and how was it interpreted by Decius Brutus?
Answer:
- Calpurnias Nightmare:
- Calpurnia dreamt that Caesars statue was gushing blood, and smiling Romans were bathing in it
- She saw this as a warning of Caesars impending death
- Decius Brutuss Interpretation:
- Decius Brutus reinterpreted the dream, claiming it symbolized Caesars influence and power
- He argued that Romans would remember Caesar with reverence and honor
Question4.
Why does Caesar say his wisdom is consumed in confidence?
Answer:
- Overconfidence:
- Calpurnia warns Caesar about the bad omens, but Caesar dismisses them
- Caesar believes that the omens apply to weak people, not someone as powerful as him
- Calpurnia remarks that his overconfidence clouds his judgment, making him blind to danger
Question5.
What arguments did Brutus and the conspirators give to justify the killing of Caesar?
Answer:
- Justification for Assassination:
- Brutus believed that Caesar was too ambitious and could become a dictator
- Brutus argued that Caesars rise to power posed a threat to Roman liberty
- Cassius instigated the conspiracy, claiming that Caesars ego and ambition endangered Rome
Question6.
Who says Et tu, Brute? When and why?
Answer:
- Betrayal by Brutus:
- Caesar says these famous words, meaning "You too, Brutus?" when he is stabbed by Brutus
- Caesar is shocked and heartbroken that even his close friend Brutus would betray him
- This moment symbolizes ultimate betrayal and Caesars tragic end
Question7.
How did Mark Antony incite the Roman people against the conspirators?
Answer:
- Antonys Speech:
- Antony used his excellent speaking skills to sway the Romans
- He referred to Brutus as "an honorable man" but highlighted Caesars good deeds, such as his refusal of the crown
- Antony read Caesars will, revealing that Caesar left his wealth to the Romans, which turned public opinion against the conspirators
Question8.
How does Brutus justify the assassination of Caesar?
Answer:
- Brutuss Justification:
- Brutus claimed that he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar
- He argued that Caesars ambition would lead to tyranny, enslaving the Romans
- According to Brutus, killing Caesar was necessary to preserve Roman democracy
Question9.
What were the contents of Caesars will?
Answer:
- Caesars Generosity:
- Mark Antony revealed Caesars will during his speech to the Romans
- Caesar left his gardens, wealth, and personal property to the people of Rome
- This act of generosity portrayed Caesar as a kind and caring leader, further angering the mob against the conspirators
Question10.
What is the significance of Antonys phrase "This was the most unkindest cut of all"?
Answer:
- Brutuss Betrayal:
- Antony refers to the wound inflicted by Brutus as the most painful for Caesar
- Although Caesar could endure betrayal from others, being stabbed by Brutus, his trusted friend, was the ultimate act of treachery
- This line highlights the deep emotional betrayal Caesar felt at the hands of Brutus