Act 4 Scene 3 Julius Caesar Answers

Extract 1
(i) Sardis, inside Brutus’ tent. Brutus blames Cassius for writing a letter favouring Lucius Pella and
involving corruption by taking bribes.
(ii) Cassius had just complained that Brutus ignored his letters praying for Lucius Pella to be pardoned,
who had been condemned and punished/disgraced for taking bribes from Sardians. Brutus implies that
Cassius has made a mistake or misjudgement that reflects poorly on himself.

(iii) Cassius feels that it was not suitable to criticise and punish every small/trivial offence at such
difficult times of crisis and conflict. As of now, this advice can be seen as practical in the context of their
military situation, where unity and focus are essential for success.
(iv) Brutus accuses Cassius of having an ‘itching palm’ who has been known to take bribes for giving
official posts to undeserving candidates. Cassius is blasphemed and most agitated and swears by the Gods
that had it not been Brutus, he would have killed anyone else who accused him like this.
(v) Brutus accuses Cassius of being corrupt and misusing his powers to avoid ‘chastisement’
(punishment). He also says that Cassius is not a more capable soldier. Cassius reacts defensively and
denies these accusations, expressing frustration with Brutus’ perceived lack of trust. Whether Brutus was
being fair to Cassius is subjective and depends on the context of their relationship and the specific events
leading up to their argument.
Extract 2.
(i) In this extract, Brutus accuses Cassius of taking bribes and selling official posts to unmerited people.
Cassius had been very upset.
(ii) - the day they killed Julius Caesar for the welfare and freedom of Rome. Brutus believed that Caesar
had become tyrannical and hence his death was necessary to uphold justice and the betterment of the
commonwealth.
(iii) Brutus was very angry with Cassius for two reasons, he had accepted bribes and was thus involved in
corrupt practices. Also, Caesar was assassinated for the cause of prevailing justice and republic and
Cassius must remember this cause before carrying out any malpractices.
(iv) Brutus is angry because Cassius had not heeded Brutus’ request and sent him money to pay his
soldiers.
Ironically, he is accusing Cassius of having taken bribes wrongly and their quarrel will be detrimental to
the morale of their armies.
(v) -when they both acknowledge their emotional outburst and reconcile. Cassius asks Brutus to stab him
with his dagger if he is truly dishonourable. On this, Brutus declines and tells him to ‘sheathe’ his dagger
and expresses regret for his harsh words and they both embrace. They recognize the importance of unity
and solidarity in facing their enemies.
Extract 3.
(i) You shall swallow the poison of your own anger and even burst with it and suffer deeply. Brutus says
that he will use Cassius for his own amusement and entertainment, particularly when Cassius is irritable
or angry.
(ii) The examples are: ‘Must I give way and room to your rash choler?’ ‘Shall I be frighted when a
madman stares?’
‘Go show your slaves how choleric you are’
(iii) When Brutus was complaining about Cassius, he had responded by calling himself a soldier ‘Older in
practice, abler than yourself’ during their argument and frustration. However, the accuracy of Cassius’
assessment of himself as a soldier is debatable. While Cassius is a skilled military leader and tactician,
Brutus also possesses strong leadership qualities and strategic thinking. Cassius may excel in certain
aspects of warfare but Brutus’ commitment to principle and honour also makes him a formidable leader
on the battlefield
.(iv) The term vaunting means boasting or bragging about one’s abilities or achievements. At this point,
Cassius could challenge Brutus and emerge a winner by leading their forces effectively in the upcoming
conflict with Antony and Octavius.
(v) A poet enters the scene, intending to reconcile Brutus and Cassius, believing that their quarrel could
harm their cause. Brutus reacts dismissively to the poet’s intrusion, seeing it as inappropriate and
unwelcome at such a tense moment.
Extract 4.
(i) Cassius is disturbed and upset by Brutus’ accusations. He feels rejected by Brutus whom he loves and
respects. Cassius' heart is ‘richer than gold’ because it is full of loyalty, love and sincerity and cannot be
swayed by material wealth or bribery, much like gold symbolises wealth and value.

(ii) Pluto is the ancient Roman god of the underworld, known for his wealth and riches buried beneath the
earth.
Cassius' heart ………… …….mine to emphasize that the love and loyalty he offers are more precious
than material wealth, symbolizing the deep value he places on his bond with Brutus.
(iii) …… when Brutus requested the gold to pay his legions. Brutus needed funds to pay his soldiers in
the ongoing war. Cassius initially denied the request, which deeply offended Brutus. Later, Cassius
explains that it was a misunderstanding, possibly due to a mistake made by the messenger.

(iv) Brutus tells Cassius to sheathe his dagger and not be angry anymore. He acknowledges that their
anger and arguments have gone too far and offers his hand in reconciliation, indicating his willingness to
move past their quarrel. Brutus assures Cassius that he has no lasting grudge, comparing his own temper
to flint which quickly cools after sparking.

(v) This dialogue is crucial because it exposes the deep rift and tension between Brutus and Cassius, two
leading conspirators against Caesar. Their quarrel reveals their vulnerabilities and foreshadows the
eventual downfall of their alliance. Additionally, this scene hints at the instability and impending doom of
their cause.
Extract 5.

(i) Portia has committed suicide by swallowing fire due to distress, her husband’s absence and the
growing strength of Antony and Octavius. Brutus is abrupt ……………… because he is deeply troubled
by her death but feels compelled to suppress his grief and gives more importance to the impending war
than private grief. This shows his stoic nature that prioritizes duty and responsibility over personal
emotions.

(ii) Messala is a friend of Brutus and Cassius and an officer in Brutus’ army. The message of the ‘self-
same tenor’ is that young Octavius and Mark Antony are approaching Philippi with a powerful army to
attack them.
(iii) Messala informs that Octavius, Antony and Lepidus had decreed a hundred senators outside the law
and have been put to death.
(iv) Brutus learns……….. that Octavius and Mark Antony have gathered their powerful armies and are
marching towards Philippi to rage war against Brutus and Cassius. Brutus decides to meet the enemy at
Philippi.
(v) Octavius and Antony have combined their forces to come up with a mighty army and executing
senators that deemed as threats. Cicero was killed as part of the proscription, marking the extent of their
consolidation of power.
Extract 6.
(i)Brutus is ……. To Cassius.
Brutus says that their combined armies are at maximum strength at present having the support of all
possible friends and the time for fighting for their cause was most appropriate.
(ii) Brutus argues that the strength of their armies is at its peak with the support of the maximum friends
possible, suggesting a position of strength.
In marching towards Philippi, they would be able to cut off the chances of Antony and Octavius garnering
more help from those who stand but in forced affection.
(iii) The enemy, Antony and Octavius, keep adding support to their combined armies as they march. They
gain new supporters and resources from the regions they pass through. This increasing strength of the
enemy poses a greater threat if they do not act quickly.
(iv) Life on earth is compared to a journey by sea. There is a tide in the life of human beings just as there
is a tide in the ocean. This refers to taking advantage of various opportunities that arise in life. However,
if missed, they can result in failure and regret, leaving one stuck in difficulties and misfortunes.
(v) This statement is most appropriate right now, according to Brutus, because this seems the most
opportune moment for their armies to wage a war.
Extract 7.

(i) Brutus speaks to the ghost of Julius Caesar. The setting of the scene is at night in Sardis, inside Brutus’
tent. Brutus is in his tent at night time with Varro and Claudius asleep at one side and Lucius had been
playing some music and had fallen asleep.
(ii) The ‘apparition’ referred to in the extract is the Ghost of Julius Caesar. It ………. monstrous because
It seems to be a manifestation of Brutus’ guilty conscience and appears most ghastly to him, who is in a
distraught frame of mind.
(iii) Brutus wonders if this apparition is some god, angel or devil reflecting his confusion and fear. The
effect ……………… on Brutus is profound; it makes his blood turn cold and his hair stands on end,
indicating that he is deeply unsettled and petrified by the appearance of the ghost.
(iv) The apparition tells Brutus that it is his evil spirit and warns that he will meet Brutus again at
Philippi. This signifies that it foreshadows Brutus’ downfall and death at the battle of Philippi. It serves as
a harbinger of Brutus’ fate and the retribution for his role in Caesars’ assassination.
(v) Varro, Claudius and Lucius are present inside Brutus’ tent at Sardis. They had been asleep and did not
see the apparition. The apparition could be a manifestation of Brutus’ imagination rather than a real
physical entity. because he is filled with guilt and inner turmoil.