PM SHRI KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA CRPF AVADI CHENNAI

CLASS: X JULIUS CAESAR

Answer the following questions briefly.

a) How do the heavens ‘blaze forth’ the death of Julius Caesar?
Ans- The watchman observes terrible and terrifying things. In the streets, he witnessed a lioness giving birth,
powerful warriors engaging in deadly combat and blood pouring onto the Capitol, ghosts screeching and
squealing, and the dead emerging from the grave. In addition to this, Calpurnia experienced terrifying
nightmares. All of these events were out of the ordinary and implied bad luck. As a result, heavens “blaze forth”
Julius Caesar’s demise.
b) What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?
Ans- Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar that he should not go out of the house that day as some mishap may
occur. She tells Caesar about her terrifying nightmares and believes they are a bad omen. She advises him not to
leave the house for the sake of his safety.
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 threat. In Calpurnia’s opinion, Caesar had become
overconfident and was unable to recognise that his life was in danger. Julius doesn’t behave wisely and rejects
the thought of waiting since doing so would make him look like a coward.
d) What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?
Ans- Calpurnia had a dream that blood was coming from a hundred different locations and that many Romans
had come to wash their hands in it. According to Decius Brutus, it was a fortunate dream. He predicts a new era
for both Rome and the Roman people. Great men will assemble around Caesar, smearing his blood on their
handkerchiefs. Distinguished men will get honour at his hands and everything relating to him will be held in
utmost admiration.
e) What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?
Ans- Decius Brutus is a cunning man. Decius Brutus argued that because the Senate had already resolved to
give Caesar a crown, they might change their minds if he didn’t go. In light of this, Caesar decides to visit the
Capitol.
f) Why is Decius more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?
Ans- Decius Brutus can flatter people quite well. Due to the fact that his argument plays on Caesar’s pride, he is
more successful in convincing Caesar than Calpurnia. Calpurnia wants Caesar to stay at home after she had
nightmares, while Decius Brutus regards the dreams as lucky and fortunate. He believes they represent Caesar’s
might and authority. He bolsters Caesar’s ego. Caesar chooses to visit the Capitol after becoming completely
fascinated by his speech.
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 ask him
to reconsider his prior decision. Caesar, though, is in no mood to compromise. He claims to be 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 turn him away like a street dog.
h) Who says “Et tu Brute”? When are these words spoken? Why?
Ans- When Brutus and other conspirators stab Caesar, Caesar utters these words. In the Senate House, Caesar
was stabbed, and Brutus follows suit. Caesar had not anticipated Brutus to act in such a sly manner. With his
crushed heart, Caesar cries out “Et tu Brute” as he attempts to protect himself.
i) In the moments following Caesar’s death what do the conspirators proclaim to justify Caesar’s death?
Ans- Following Caesar’s passing, the conspirators assert that tyranny in Rome has come to an end. They yell
out slogans like “Peace, Liberty, Freedom, and Enfranchisement.” Caesar was an outstanding leader, but some
claim he had grown overly ambitious.
j) Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?
Ans- When Antony sees the strong Caesar on the ground, he is overcome with anguish and despair. “O mighty
Caesar!” he exclaims. Are all of your victories, triumphs, and riches reduced to this little scale by how low you
are lying down? Goodbye. He claimed to know nothing about the conspirator’s plans. He’s prepared to perish at
their hands. His life is not as valued as Caesar’s, thus he will consider it a blessing if he dies with the same
weapon that murdered Caesar. He bade Caesar a tearful goodbye. He believed that Caesar brought glories,
victories and gains in war to the city of Rome.
k) Whom does Antony call ‘the choice and master spirits of this age”? Why?
Ans- Antony calls the conspirators “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 act seems bloody, their
intentions were noble. Their pity for the common people of Rome overrode their pity for Caesar. Cassius offers
Antony a new job in the government administration.
m) Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral? How does Brutus overcome
this objection?
Ans- Cassius does not believe Antony should speak at Caesar’s funeral because he would influence the
attendees’ opinions. But Brutus insists that Antony would only speak if they allowed him to, that he will speak
first, and that his speech will list the reasons why Caesar had to be killed.
n) What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s
funeral?
Ans- Mark Antony was given the directive to only praise Caesar and not point the finger at the conspirators in
his eulogy. He was required to address the crowd from the same platform as Brutus and explain that he was
given permission to do so by the conspirators.
o) When he is left alone with the body of Caesar, what does Antony call Brutus and the others?
Ans- Antony begs Caesar to pardon him if he has been meek and compassionate with his assassins. Antony
calls Caesar the most legendary man the world has ever known. He curses the men who have killed Caesar.
p) What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?
Ans- Antony says that the Romans will pay for the sin they have committed by murdering Caesar. Then they
shall be cursed. Numerous awful things will befall to the Romans. The nation will experience a violent civil war
that will result in death and damage. Many cruel acts will be carried out. Mothers will see the dismemberment
of their loved ones. Caesar’s ghost will wander in search of vengeance for his death.
q) What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
Ans- According to Brutus, he murdered Caesar because the latter had grown arrogant and desired to rule Rome.
He assassinated Caesar in order to strengthen Rome. He was also prepared to give his life in defence of his
nation. Caesar was respected as long as he was valiant, but when he turned ambitious, he was slain.
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?
Ans- Antony’s speech is more effective because it is genuine and full of emotions and feelings for Caesar. He
very skillfully informs the audience that Caesar was not ambitious but rather had turned down the crown three
times. He enhanced the glory of Rome with his victories. He specified in his testament that each Roman would
get 75 drachmas. He gave his property and gardens to the general public for use. He tries to gain the sympathy
of the people through displaying Caesar’s injured body. After Antony’s speech, the mob gets furious and rushes
to murder the conspirators.
t) What is the fate of Brutus and Cassius, at the end of the scene?
Ans- After Antony’s speech, the crowd is outraged. They move quickly to murder the assassins. Their homes
are set on fire. Inside a tent, Cassius and Brutus prepare to confront the adversary and discuss their plan of
attack. However, they quickly become friends after their intense arguments. Cassius kills himself because he
can’t tolerate losing. Brutus is troubled by Caesar’s apparition. Brutus knows his end is near. He requests that
Starto hold his sword before running over it and killing himself.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q 1. What does Antony say in his speech? Why is it more effective than that of Brutus?
Ans. Antony addresses the Roman crowd directly after reaching an agreement with the conspirators and
receiving their approval. He makes the excuse that he is not there to talk poorly of Brutus and the others while
praising Caesar. He does the exact opposite, though. He begins by recounting the victories, triumphs, and
awards that Caesar brought to Rome. He brought many captives, received ransoms and tributes. He grieved for
the underprivileged and their cause.
He dedicated his own garden and parks to the Romans in his will. He had the Roman populace as heirs. Caesar
declined the throne that was three times offered to him. He clearly demonstrated that Brutus and the other
conspirators were murderers and liars. He was successful in inciting the mob to feel compassion for Caesar and
to turn their wrath on the conspirators.
Q 2. Caesar’s end was tragic. He did a lot for the people of Rome but still he was murdered by his
friends. How did they justify his murder?
Ans. A number of powerful and influential people were jealous of Caesar’s growing power and popularity.
They all decided to finish him off. They had their personal grudges and jealousies. Being the scheming kind,
they were not respected by the people. They hatch a plot to kill Caesar.
To give credence to their act and to justify themselves, they poisoned the mind of Brutus, the noble and most
trusted and respected man in Rome. They made him believe, Caesar was ambitious and in the interest of Rome,
he should be finished. Brutus, who loved Rome more than anything else, agreed and joined the conspirators.
Caesar was murdered by his own friends.

CBQ
Q1.Loyalty is inherent in friendship. A friend is expected to avenge the hurt caused to his friend.
Describe how Antony proves his loyalty to Julius Caesar by bringing the conspirators to justice.
Ans. Caesar was a victim of a conspiracy. Mark Antony, a very close friend and confidant of Caesar, a true
patriot in his own right, was shocked and mourned when he got to know about the horrific crime. He
demonstrates to the Romans that the accusations made against Caesar by the conspirators were false by making
an incredibly moving funeral address.
He outraged and incited his fellow Romans to rise up in rebellion against the conspirators. After that, there is
civil strife and violence, and the conspirators are killed. When confronted with harsh disappointment, Brutus
and Cassius take their own lives. As a result, Antony exacted revenge on Caesar. He demonstrates that
friendships are based on loyalty and that it was his moral duty as a friend to bring the conspirators to justice.
Q2. Was assassinating Caesar the right decision?
Ans. The conspirators use the preservation of the Roman Republic, in which there is no monarch and all
members of the ruling aristocracy are equal, as justification for assassinating Caesar. The Roman Republic as
people know it would come to an end if Caesar declared himself king and assumed ultimate authority.
First of all, the assassination fails to achieve the goals of the conspirators; the Republic is never reinstated,
Antony and Octavius seize power, and Octavius goes on to become the first Roman Emperor.
Second, the play portrays Brutus as finally making the decision to kill Caesar, and that choice is depicted as a
tragic error, a dark decision with evil results. The audience witnesses Brutus being duped by Cassius’s
deceptions into believing that the Roman populace wants him to assassinate Caesar. The actual decision is taken
under ominous conditions—during a storm, with the conspirators masked. This choice, like all tragedies, brings
about Brutus’s inevitable downfall and death.
Q3. Who do you believe is the antagonist of the play Julius Caesar?
Ans. In Julius Caesar, Cassius, Antony, and Caesar himself are all possible antagonists. Cassius fabricates false
evidence to persuade Brutus to participate in the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. The moral purity of Brutus’
motivations (defending the populace against tyranny) contrasts sharply with Cassius’ motivations (envy of
Caesar). The play’s remaining events begin when Cassius uses Brutus’ desire to defend Rome as a tool. While
Cassius persuades Brutus to take on Caesar, Antony plots Brutus’s downfall and death. The Romans first accept
Brutus’ justification for Caesar’s murder, but after Antony passionately addresses the audience, they reconsider
and determine that Caesar’s killing was not justified.
Antony’s ability to manipulate the crowd leads to civil war and Brutus’s suicide. Caesar, though, could end up
being the play’s most significant antagonist. He dies before the audience discovers whether power could
actually corrupt him, as Brutus and the conspirators fear. Caesar is, nevertheless, sufficiently portrayed by
Shakespeare to show that he harbours ambition and a desire for power.