CBSE Class 10 English Communicative

NCERT Solution
Drama 2
Julius

Page No: 157

1. Consult a dictionary and find out the difference between:

(a) killing
(b) murder
(c) assassination
Ans: (a) Killing − to deprive of life in any manner
(b) Murder − killing of another human being
(c) Assassination − to murder by a surprise attack, especially for political purposes

2. Popular and powerful leaders have been assassinated in the past as well as in recent
times. Can you name some of them?
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi
John F. Kennedy
Abraham Lincoln
Indira Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi

3. Discuss in groups the reasons why the leaders you named in (2) were assassinated. Is
assassination the end to a problem?
Ans: The above leaders were assassinated for political reasons or targeted by the groups.
These leaders were driven by truth, non-violence, patriotism but some anti-social elements
didn’t want them to establish a peaceful society, hence assassinated them. Assassination or
violence is not an end to a problem rather it leads to more turmoil and unrest. Objectives
and aims can be achieved peacefully rather than resorting to violence and more dangerous
measures such as assassination.

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 1 / 16

 Page No: 178

5. Answer the following questions by ticking the correct options.

1. When Caesar says "Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night" he
sounds______
(a) worried
(b) angry
(c) joyous
(d) frightened
Ans: (a) worried

Page No: 179

2. Caesar's reference to the senators as 'graybeards' shows his ______

(a) confidence
(b) cowardice
(c) arrogance
(d) ambition
Ans: (c) arrogance

3. Decius Brutus changes Caesar's mind about going to the Senate by appealing to his
______
(a) ambition
(b) vanity
(c) greed
(d) generosity
Ans: (a) vanity

4. The offer that Cassius makes to Antony after Caesar's assassination is that______
(a) the conspirators would like to be friends with him
(b) he may take Caesar's body to the pulpit and speak to the crowd praising Caesar for
his achievements
(c) his recommendations will be as strong as that of the conspirators while distributing
the powers and benefits to friends

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 2 / 16

(d) he may join the conspiracy against Caesar
Ans: (a) the conspirators would like to be friends with him

5. Cassius tries to stop Brutus from letting Antony speak at Caesar's funeral as he ______
(a) knows the Roman mob loves Caesar and Antony
(b) knows Brutus is not a good orator
(c) knows they should not have killed Caesar
(d) knows Antony is a good orator who can sway the mob
Ans: (d) knows Antony is a good orator who can sway the mob

6. What prophecy does Antony make over Caesar's dead body?

(a) Romans will see Caesar's ghost roaming on the streets
(b) Rome will experience fierce civil war in which many people will die
(c) Rome will be ruled by Ate
(d) Roman women will smile at the death of Caesar
Ans: (b) Rome will experience fierce civil war in which many people will die

Page No: 180

7. After listening to Brutus' speech, the Third Citizen says 'Let him be Caesar'. This
clearly shows he________
(a) has not understood Brutus' reason for killing Caesar
(b) loved Caesar more than he loves Brutus
(c) loves Brutus more than he loved Caesar
(d) thinks Brutus killed Caesar to assume power.
Ans: (a) has not understood Brutus' reason for killing Caesar

8. When Antony calls the conspirators 'honourable men' his tone is ______
(a) admiring
(b) flattering
(c) angry
(d) mocking
Ans: (b) flattering

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 3 / 16

9. Antony's reference to Caesar's conquest of the Nervii is to ______
(a) remind the mob of Caesar's greatness as a warrior
(b) make the mob feel afraid of being attacked by the war-like race
(c) make the crowd weep for Caesar who died at war
(d) stop and collect his emotions as he is feeling very upset
Ans: (a) remind the mob of Caesar's greatness as a warrior

10. Antony's remark Mischief, thou art afoot,

Take thou what course thou wilt! , shows him to be ______
(a) a ruthless manipulator
(b) an honourable man
(c) a loyal friend
(d) a tactful man
Ans: (c) a loyal friend

6. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) How do the heavens 'blaze forth' the death of Julius Caesar?
Ans: Calpurnia saw ill-omens that predicted the death of Caesar beforehand. The heavens
predicted the death of princes and great kings. She saw a lioness giving birth on the streets,
fierce warriors fighting a bloody fight and blood falling on the Capitol, ghosts shrieking and
squealing in the streets, the dead coming out of the grave. All these were unnatural
happenings and indicated bad omen. Thus, heavens “blaze forth” the death of Julius Caesar.

(b) What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?

Ans: Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar of an ill-omen that she saw a nightmare, which
indicates a grave danger to Caesar’s life. She tries to convince Caesar not to go out as she
fears her nightmares might turn true and he might face danger for his life.

(c) Why does Calpurnia say Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence'? What does
she mean?
Ans: Calpurnia says that Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence' because Caesar
decides to go to the Senate ignoring all the signs which foretell him about danger. Calpurnia
felt that Caesar had become overconfident and because of this he couldn’t understand there

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 4 / 16

was a threat to his life. Caesar doesn’t act wise and declines the idea of staying back.

(d) What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the
dream?
Ans: Calpurnia dreamt that Caesar’s statue spouted blood from a hundred places and many
Roman people came and washed their hands in it. Decius Brutus interprets it as a lucky and
fortunate dream. He says that Rome and Romans will get a new life. Great man shall gather
around Caesar and stain their handkerchief in his blood. Distinguished men will get honour
at his hands and everything relating to him will be held in utmost reverence.

Page No: 181

(e) What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to
the Capitol?
Ans: Decius Brutus, being a flatterer, interprets Calpurnia's dream as fair and fortunate one.
Caesar's statue spouting blood from hundred places signifies his influence and reverence for
him. He further says that the Senate has concluded to crown him. In case, Caesar does not go
to the Senate House that day, they might change their mind. He may miss such a golden
opportunity to be the Roman king.

(f) Why is Decius more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?

Ans: Decius Brutus is a great flatterer. He is more successful in persuading Caesar than
Calpurnia because his argument appeals to Caesar’s pride.While Calpurnia wishes that
Caesar stay at home after seeing horrible dreams, Decius Brutus interprets the dreams lucky
and fortunate. According to him, they signify Caesar’s power and influence. He gives Caesar’s
ego a boost. Caesar is totally carried away by his words and decides to go to the Capitol.

(g) What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar
respond to it?
Ans: The conspirators want that Caesar should call Publius Cimber home as he had banished
him. They request him to review his earlier decision. However, Caesar is no mood to relent.
He tells the conspirators that he is firm like a Pole Star. His heart will not be softened by
bowing and stooping activities and if Mettellus Cimber continues such activities, he would

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 5 / 16

turn him away like a street dog.

(h) Who says "Et tu Brute"? When are these words spoken? Why?
Ans: Caesar utters these words which mean, “You too, Brutus”. These are uttered when
Brutus stabs Caesar and Caesar is too hurt to see that even his dear friend Brutus could
resort to such treachery.

(i) In the moments following Caesar's death what do the conspirators proclaim to
justify Caesar's death?
Ans: After Caesar’s death, the conspirators claim that with Caesar’s death tyranny has ended
in Rome. They shout slogans like ‘Peace, Liberty, Freedom and Enfranchisement’. They say
that although Caesar was a great man but he had become too ambitious.

(j) Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about
Caesar?
Ans: Antony is overwhelmed with grief on seeing Caesar's dead body. He exclaims that
inspite of Caesars' conquests, glories, triumphs and spoils, he lies so "low". He offers to be
killed and lie by Caesar's side whom he calls the choice and master spirits of this age and
"most noble".

(k) Whom does Antony call "the choice and master spirits of this age"? Why?
Ans: Antony calls the Caesar “the choice and master spirits of this age”. He says this because
they had just killed the leader of the Roman Empire.

(l) How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony's speech?

Ans: After listening to Antony's speech, Brutus assures him that even though the deed seems
bloody, their intentions were worthy. Their pity for the common people of Rome over rode
their pity for Caesar. Cassius offers Antony a new position in the government.

(m) Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral? How does
Brutus overcome this objection?
Ans: Cassius does not think it would be right for Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral as his
speech may change the mind of the audience. But Brutus tells that Antony would only speak

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 6 / 16

with their consent. Brutus will speak first and his speech will enumerate reasons for Caesar’s
death.

(n) What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to
speak at Caesar's funeral?
Ans: The conditions imposed on Mark Antony were that in his funeral speech he would not
blame the conspirators, but speak all good things about Caesar. He had to speak from the
same pulpit as Brutus and tell the people that he did so by the conspirators’ permission.

(o) When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Anthony call Brutus and the
others?
Ans: Antony curses the murderers and seeks forgiveness for being polite to them. He calls
them‘butchers’ who killed the noblest of men.

(p) What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?
Ans: Antony prophesies that Italy will be ravaged with civil war, violence and extreme blood
shed will leave the earth full of dead bodies. Goddess of revenge will descend on earth with
Caesar’s spirit and the stench of dead bodies will fill the earth.

(q) What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?

Ans: Brutus tells that he killed Caesar because he had become ambitious and wanted to be
the king of Rome. He killed Caesar for the betterment of Rome and was ready to lay down his
own life for his country. He honored Caesar as long as he was heroic but when he became
ambitious he killed him.

(r) Who says, "Let him be Caesar"? What light does this throw on the speaker?
Ans: The third citizen says "Let him be Caesar" after Brutus has finished his speech justifying
Caesar’s killing. Brutus in his speech proclaims that the public can kill him if he too becomes
ambitious like Caesar. He has the same dagger for himself and he is willing to lay down his
life for his country. The citizens are fully satisfied. They praise Brutus and show their
sympathy for the act.

(s) Why is Antony's speech more effective?

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 7 / 16

Ans: Antony speech is more effective because it is genuine, full of emotions and feelings for
Caesar. He very cleverly tells the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious rather he had refused
the crown thrice. He enhanced the glory of Rome with his victories. He left seventy five
drachmas in his will to be given to every Roman. He left his gardens and property for the
common use of the people. He tries to gain the sympathy of the people by showing Caesar’s
wounded body. The mob is filled with anger after Antony’s speech and they rush to kill the
conspirators.

(t) At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?
Ans: After Antony’s speech, the mob is filled with anger. The armies of Octavius Caesar and
Antony clash with those of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi and Sardis. Brutus and Cassius are
defeated and both commit suicide.

7. Julius Caesar and Antony reveal something their character in their words and
actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Pick out the words that
describe them from the box given below.

superstitious arrogant loyal clever

over-confident manipulative good orator ambitious
brave great conqueror generous fearless
loves flattery firm shrewd crafty
What it tells us about
Person Extract from play
the character
1. the things that threaten’d me Ne’er look’d but on my
Julius
back; when they shall see 1. arrogant
Caesar
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
2. __________
3. __________
4. __________
5. __________
6. __________
Person Extract from play What it tells us about the character
Mark Antony 1. __________

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 8 / 16

 2. __________
3. __________
4. __________
5. __________
6. __________

Ans:

What it tells us about

Person Extract from play
the character
1. the things that threaten’ d me Ne’er look’d but on my
back; when they shall see 1. arrogant
The face of Caesar, they are vanished.
2. Cowards die many times before their deaths;
2. over-confident
The valiant never taste of death but once.
3. What can be avoided
Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
3. fearless
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions
Julius Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
Caesar 4. I could be well moved, if I were as you:If I could pray to
move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star, 4. firm
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
5. Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
5. great conqueror
Shrunk to this little measure?
6. To every Roman citizen he gives,
6. generous
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

What it tells us about

Person Extract from play
the character
1. That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true:

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 9 / 16

 If then thy spirit look upon us now, 1. loyal

2. Pardon me, Caius Cassius:

The enemies of Caesar shall say this; 2. clever
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty.
3. Therefore I took your hands, but was, indeed,
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar.
Friends am I with you all and love you all, 3. shrewd
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous.
4. When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Mark Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
4. crafty
Antony Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
5. 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 5. good orator
interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar.
6. 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: 6. manipulative
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,
Than I will wrong such honourable men.

Page No: 183

8. In the play ‘Julius Caesar’, we meet the Roman mob. We find that as Brutus and
Antony speak, the mob displays certain qualities and characteristics.
Given below are some characteristics of the mob. Complete the table by quoting the
ones wherein these are revealed.

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 10 / 16

Words/actions of the mob Characteristics

1. __________ Foolish
2. __________ Does not understand the ideals of democracy
3. __________ Emotional
4. __________ Greedy
5. __________ Fickle
6. __________ Violent

Ans:

Words/actions of the mob Characteristics

1. Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the
crown; Foolish
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.
2. Caesar's better parts Does not understand the ideals of
Shall be crown'd in Brutus. democracy
3. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with
Emotional
weeping.
4.Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony;
Greedy
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will.
5.They were traitors: honourable men! Fickle
6.Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay!
Violent
Let not a traitor live!

9. Antony employs a number of devices to produce the desired effect on the mob. These
devices may be described as rhetorical devices. He first speaks in such a manner that it
seems to the mob that he is in full agreement with Brutus about Caesar. Then step by
step he moves away from Brutus’ position, depicting Brutus as a villain and Caesar as a
wronged man. Copy and complete the following table by showing how Antony builds
the argument in Caesar’s favour.

Antony’s words Argument

1. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. Does not wish to eulogise Caesar
2. The noble Brutus

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 11 / 16

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
Seemingly agrees with Brutus
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answered it.

Ans:

Antony’s words Argument

1. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise
Does not wish to eulogise Caesar
him.
2. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault, Seemingly agrees with Brutus
And grievously hath Caesar answered
it.
3.When that the poor have cried,
Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner Disproves Brutus’ point by showing that Caesar
stuff: cared for the people
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man.
4.I speak not to disprove what Brutus
spoke,
States that he is not speaking against Brutus
But here I am to speak what I do
know.
5.You all did love him once, not
without cause:
Revives sympathy for Caesar
What cause withholds you then, to
mourn for him?

Page No: 184

10. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 12 / 16

Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
(a) Whom is Caesar speaking to? Why does he say these words?
(b) What fears has the listener expressed?
(c) What is the basis for the fears expressed?

Ans: The above extract is taken from the play 'Julius Caesar' composed by William
Shakespeare.

(a) Caesar is speaking to his wife Calpurnia. He speaks these words in response to
Calpurnia’s pleadings that he should not go out of the house as his life might be in danger.
(b) Calpurnia has expressed a fear that the ominous signs during the night might mean that
Caesar’s life is in danger.
(c) The bases of her fears are the unearthly events during the previous night and the strange
dream which she had.

2. But here’s a parchment with the seal of Cesar;

I found it in his closet, ‘tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament—
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—
And they would go and kiss dead Cesar’s wounds
(a) Who speaks these words? Where is the speaker at this moment?
(b)What are the contents of Caesar’s will that he is referring to?
(c) Why does the speaker read Caesar’s will to the citizens?
(d) What is the reaction of the listeners to the reading of the will?

Ans: The above extract is taken from the play 'Julius Caesar' composed by William
Shakespeare.

(a) Mark Antony speaks these words. He is in the market place pulpit.
(b) Caesar has given seventy-five drachmas to every Roman and has left all his walks,
orchards on the side of the Tiber to the common men.
(c) The speaker reads Caesar’s will to the audience to play on their sympathy, and to make

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 13 / 16

Caesar look like a great and benevolent ruler.
(d) The listeners are convinced that Caesar was not ambitious. he was wrongly killed. After
listening the will, they get incited and rush for the conspirators.

12. Questions for Further Study:

(a) Why was the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar hatched?

Ans: The conspiracy to assassinate Caesar was hatched to prevent him from being crowned
the king of Rome. Brutus and Cassius had a grudge against Caesar and they wished to have
the power in their hands rather than with Caesar.

(b) Was Caesar really ambitious? Find evidence from the play to support your answer.
Ans: Caesar was not ambitious at all.He brought many glories and victories to Rome and
Romans. He was kind and sympathetic person. He refused the crown thrice. Caesar was very
compassionate and understood the plight of the poor. He promised seventy-five drachmas to
every Roman.

(c) What was Cassius' motive for murdering Julius Caesar?

Ans: Cassius was jealous of Caesar’s growing power and influence. In fact he didn't wish to
see him as the great conqueror of the world. He didn't want Caesar to rule the Romans and
that is why he wished to murder him.

(d) Why was it essential for the conspirators to include Brutus in the conspiracy?
Ans: It was essential for the conspirators to give a stamp of legitimacy of their cause of
murdering Caesar. Brutus was a man of noble ideas. Also, he was very close to Caesar . But,
he fell to the dirty tricks of the conspirators to join them to kill Caesar.

Page No: 186

(e) What were the mistakes made by Brutus that led to the failure of the conspiracy?
Ans: Brutus allowed Antony to give Caesar a suitable funeral after giving a speech to the
people at the Capitol. Second, his utter simplicity and belief in Antony. Third, leaving Antony
alone with Caesar's dead body and mob. Fourth, his not heeding Cassius's fears in allowing
Antony to speak to the people.

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 14 / 16

(f) Comment on Caesar's friendship with Antony.
Ans: Antony was a dear friend of Caesar. He did not agree with Brutus that Caesar was an
ambitious person who wanted to rule over Rome. In fact, he was ready to lay down his life
for Rome. After Brutus’ speech at Caesar’s funeral, Antony delivers an emotional speech. He
tells the mob that Caesar was not at all ambitious. He refused the crown three times. He said
that Caesar had left seventy five drachmas for every Roman. Antony appealed to the
sentiments of the mob and even showed the wounded corpse of Caesar. The mob was so
influenced by Antony’s speech that they turned against the conspirators. Thus, Antony
showed his affection and respect for Caesar.

(g) Write a brief character sketch of Antony.

Ans: Antony is a noble personality. He has all the human virtues of love, sympathy, sincerity,
integrity, solidarity, devotion etc.He is also a great orator and craftsman.He is extremely
devoted to Caesar. He wishes that Caesar should be crowned.A clever man, Antony, is
successful in fooling Brutus into believing that he is with the conspirators after the death of
Caesar. He delivers an influential speech which makes the mob realize conspiracy behind
Caesar’s murder. He has genuine love and affection for Caesar and wishes to avenge his
death. It is because of his speech, the conspirators are crushed.

(h) What is the role of Julius Caesar's ghost in the play, Julius Caesar?
Ans: The ghost of Julius Caesar appears twice in the play: once before Brutus when he is
sleeping in his tent, it stood by his bed side and said nothing. The second time it appears in a
battle at Philippi. The ghost appeared in front of Antonius and Octavius. It did not say
anything. The purpose of the ghost was to make Brutus realize his mistake. He was carried
away by emotions and joined hands with the conspirators. Caesar’s death led to turmoil and
unrest in Rome. Brutus is unhappy seeing all this and kills himself with his own sword.

(i) Why does Antony call Brutus 'the noblest Roman of them all'?
Ans: Antony’s comment that Brutus is ‘the noblest Roman of them all’ is laced with sarcasm.
Actually he wishes to tell to the public that Caesar was not at all ambitious as commented by
Brutus but he does not say this immediately rather he cites instances and instigates the
audience slowly and logically. Antony is a great orator as first calls Brutus the noblest Roman
in order to gain attention and sympathy of the public. Slowly he tells the public that it was

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 15 / 16

not Caesar’s ambition but Brutus’ personal grudge against Caesar that made him kill Caesar.
Thus, he is able to avenge his friends’ death as the mob after hearing Antony’s speech turns
against the conspirators.

(j) How do Brutus and Cassius meet their end?

Ans: Brutus wants that their forces should move to Philippi and attack the enemy. Cassius
does not agree and leaves alone. On the plains of Philippi, Brutus and Cassius reach with
their forces where there are the armies of Octavius and Antony. With the interference of
Octavius their wrong doing comes to an end. Then, the forces of Cassius and Antony fight in
which Antony emerges victorious. Cassius could not accept this defeat and commits suicide.
Brutus too is disheartened and kills himself with his own sword.

13. A reporter covers the event of the assassination of Julius Caesar in the senate giving
graphic details and a catchy headline. Write the newspaper report in about 200 words.
Ans: Caesar Slandered
By : Rajinder Singh

New Delhi, December 10,2017

Today, was a dark day in the history of Rome. A great son of soil, Julius Caesar, was
assassinated in the broad daylight. He was supposed to be crowned the king of Rome but
unfortunately it was not meant to be.
Caesar came to Capitol to be crowned. At the Capitol, Cimber, bent in front of Caesar and
pleads for his brother. Caesar had banished Cimber’s brother. Brutus and Cassius also plead
on behalf of Cimber. But Caesar does not relent. He is firm about decision about Cimber’s
brother. At this point, the conspirators started to stab him. Caesar’s great friend, Brutus also
joins the others in stabbing Caesar. Caesar is shocked to see this and utters “You too, Brutus”.
After the stabbing the conspirators shouted slogans of ‘Liberty, freedom and
enfranchisement’.
It is believed that Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife had a premonition about Caesar’s death. She
didn’t want him to step out of the house that day. But Caesar was very keen to go to Capitol.

Material downloaded from myCBSEguide.com. 16 / 16