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History

Origin of History

In Julius Cae...

Question

In Julius Caesar, Antony claims that Julius never wanted the empire and he wasn't ambitious. But when Brutus reaches his home to pick him up saying that the cabinet wants to offer him the crown he agrees to go readily inspite of Calpurnia's dream. So can't we say that he was ambitious otherwise why would he go to the senate house. Comment.

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Solution

No, Caesar was not ambitious. Despite Calpurnia's dream, Caesar wanted to attend the Senate meeting because he said that he was not a coward. He condemns Calpurnia for being superstitious. Further, Brutus also cunningly reinterprets Calpurnia's dream as a good omen to convince him. Therefore, Caesar acted as a pawn controlled by the conspirators without even being aware of becoming a part of the conspiracy.

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Similar questions

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

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath Caesar answered it.

Seemingly agrees with Brutus

On the basis of your reading of the play answer the following questions.

1. How do the heavens “blaze forth” the death of Julius Caesar?

2. What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?

3. Why does Calpurnia say that Caesar’s “wisdom is consumed in confidence”? What does she mean?

4. What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?

5. What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the Capitol?

6. Why is Decius more successful in persuading Caesar than Calpurnia?

7. What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?

8. Who says “Et tu Brute”? When are these words spoken? Why?

9. In the moments following Caesar’s death what do the conspirators proclaim to justify Caesar’s death?

10. Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?

11. Whom does Antony call “the choice and master spirits of this age”? Why?

12. How do Brutus and Cassius respond to his speech?

13. Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?

14. What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?

15. When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Antony call Brutus and the others?

16. What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?

17. What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?

18. Who says, “Let him be Caesar”? What light does this throw on the speaker?

19. Why is Antony’s speech more effective?

20. At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?

Q. Identify the literary device in the following passage:

Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone: but still he endeavoured to struggle to that side of the slough that was still further from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; the which he did, but could not get out, because of the burden that was upon his back: but I beheld in my dream, that a man came to him, whose name was Help, and asked him, What he did there?
CHR: Sir, said Christian, I was bid go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might escape the wrath to come; and as I was going thither I fell in here.

HELP: But why did not you look for the steps?

CHR: Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way, and fell in.

HELP: Then said he, Give me thy hand: so he gave him his hand, and he drew him out, and set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on his way. [Ps. 40:2]

Q. Name the person who was ambitious. What is he compared to? Why were the other nobles powerless against him?

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

Person	Extract from play	What it tells us about the character
Julius Caesar	1. 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.	1. arrogant
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Person	Extract from play	What it tells us about the character
Mark Antony	1. __________________________ __________________________ __________________________
	2. __________________________ __________________________ __________________________
	3. __________________________ __________________________ __________________________
	4. __________________________ __________________________ __________________________
	5. __________________________ __________________________ __________________________
	6. __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

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