ACT 4 SCENE 3

1. d 2. b 3. C 4. A 5. A 6. C 7. C 8. B 9. C 10. A11. B12. D13. b

14. c 15. A

Extract 1
i) Where are Brutus and Cassius at this time? State briefly what charge Brutus
lays against Cassius.
They are in Sardis inside Brutus’ tent. [ Brutus blames Cassius for having
written a letter favouring Lucius Pella. He accuses Cassius of having a hand in
taking bribes (having an itching palm), selling and trading offices (official
posts) to undeserving men.

ii)What had Cassius just complained of, to make Brutus say, ‘You wronged
yourself’? Explain the meaning of Brutus’ words.
Lucius Pella was condemned and disgraced by Brutus for taking bribes from the
people of Sardis/Sardians. Cassius had written a letter in his defence as he knew
Lucius Pella was an honourable man but they were ignored and dismissed off by
Brutus. That is what Cassius has complained of.
When Brutus says ‘You wronged yourself’, he blames Cassius for having
written a letter favouring Lucius Pella.

iii) What advice is Cassius giving Brutus in this extract? Do you think that
Cassius was being practical?
Cassius feels that at such difficult times it was not suitable to criticize and
punish every small/trivial offence. [ Students should write their opinion and
justify.

iv)What did Brutus accuse Cassius of when he said, ‘Let me tell you
yourself……’? How did Cassius react to this?
Brutus accuses of Cassius of having an ‘itching palm’ who has a hand in taking
bribes and selling offices/giving official posts to persons devoid of merit
(undeserving candidates).
Cassius is most agitated and swears by the Gods that had it not been Brutus, he
would have killed anyone else who accused him in that manner. The person
would not live to utter anymore words.

v) In the argument which continues between these two, Brutus accuses Cassius
of other faults. Points out two of these faults, and say how Cassius reacted to
these accusations. Do you think Brutus was being fair to Cassius?
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.
Brutus was impatient and suspicious. He was severe.

Extract 2
i) What sort of corruption is referred to in the extract? What has been the
reaction of Cassius, just before this extract, to this accusation?
Taking bribes and selling official posts to unmerited people is referred to in the
extract.
Cassius had been very upset and told Brutus that his life is spared only because
it was Brutus. He would have killed anyone else who accused him in that
manner. The person would not live to utter any more words.

ii) What does the ides of March signify to them? For which purpose did Brutus
say that Julius bled ‘for justice sake’?
It was the day they had killed Julius Caesar for the welfare and freedom of
Rome.
Brutus believed that Caesar had become tyrannical and he let robbers go
unpunished. So, Brutus feels that Julius bled for the sake of justice which would
lead to the betterment of Rome.

iii)Give two examples from this scene to indicate that Brutus was really angry
with Cassius.
Brutus calls Cassius a ‘madman’ and ‘waspish’. Cassius had called himself as
‘an experienced soldier’ but Brutus misinterprets those words saying Caesar was
claiming to be ‘a better soldier’. These examples indicate that Brutus was really
angry with Cassius.

iv) Explain briefly the bitter irony involved in the quarrel over money between
Brutus and Cassius.
Brutus is angry because Cassius had not heeded Brutus’ request and did not
send him money to pay his legions (sections of army).
Ironically, he is accusing Cassius of having taken bribes wrongly and their
quarrel will be detrimental to the morale of their armies.

v) State briefly how the disagreement between Cassius and Brutus was resolved.
When Cassius asks Brutus to stab him with his own dagger, Brutus tells him to
‘sheathe’ his dagger and admits to being in a bad mood (ill-tempered). They go
on to holding each other’s hearts and hands. Cassius requests Brutus to love him
enough to bear his ‘rash humour’ which his mother had given him.

Extract 3
i.Give the meaning of : “You should digest the venom of your spleen , / Though
it do split you.” What does Brutus say he will use Cassius for?
Brutus tells Cassius that Cassius would swallow the poison of his anger even if
he bursts with it.
Brutus says that he will use Cassius as an object of his amusement [mirth]and
for his laughter from that day onwards. He will do it when Cassius is waspish
[ as ready as a wasp to sting].

ii.Give two examples of the taunts which Brutus had indulged in earlier which
makes Cassius say, “Is this come to this?” [Do not use the material used for
question (i) above]
Brutus taunted Cassius that he would not submit to Cassius’ quick temper and
would not get frightened when a madman stared and that he should go and show
his slaves how ill-tempered he was.
Brutus dismisses Cassius’ claim of being a better soldier by challenging Cassius
to prove that his boasting is true.
iii.Under what conditions had Cassius made the statement that he was a better
soldier than Brutus? How accurate is Cassius’ assessment of himself as a
soldier? Give reasons for your answer.
Brutus accused Cassius of accepting disgraceful bribes and selling the high
offices of honour that was in their power to give away. According to him, this
had been done for as much rubbish as could be held in their hands in that way.
Brutus said that he would rather be a dog and bark at the moon than be such a
corrupt Roman [ a Roman with such a low character].
In response to this, Cassius said that he would not tolerate Brutus barking at
him. He said that Brutus was forgetting who he was in trying to restrict Cassius’
authority. He said that he was a soldier, more experienced and abler than Brutus
to decide who should be appointed to different offices of power and on what
terms.
Cassius is fairly correct in saying so as he had more experience in the
battlefield.

iv. What is meant by ‘vaunting’? How could Cassius prove his vaunting at this
point of time?
‘Vaunting’ means boasting about one’s abilities or achievements.
Cassius could prove his vaunting by demonstrating his prowess as a soldier in
battle, showing bravery, skill and leadership. He could lead their forces
effectively in the upcoming conflict with Antony and Octavius.

v. While Brutus and Cassius are arguing, a strange visitor enters the scene. Who
is he? What is the purpose of his visit? How does Brutus react to his arrival?
A poet enters the scene.
The poet wishes to see the generals, Brutus and Cassius as he feels that they
should not left alone with each other as there is some quarrel between them.
Brutus calls him an impudent fellow and orders him to leave from there.

Extract 4
i.In what state is Cassius? Why is his heart richer than gold?
Cassius is weary [fed up] of the world as he is hated by the man he loves and
defied by his brother. He feels that he has been corrected like a slave. All his
faults have been carefully examined and written in a notebook, memorised and
learnt by heart, to throw on his face. He laments that he could die of grief.
Cassius says that his heart is richer than gold, which means that he is true, loyal
and sincere.

ii. Who is Pluto? Why is Cassius’ heart compared to Pluto’s mine?

Pluto is the ancient Roman god of the underworld, known for his wealth.
Cassius’ heart is compared to Pluto’s mine because Pluto is always known for
his wealth, and being the god of the underworld, he is associated with mines.
Cassius says that his heart is richer than gold meaning that he is true, loyal and
sincere.

iii. When did Cassius deny gold to Brutus? Why did the latter need the gold?
What explanation did Cassius give for not giving the gold?
Brutus had sent Cassius a message asking for certain sums of gold/money to pay
his legions which Cassius denied him.
Brutus needed the gold for the soldiers in his army.
Cassius said that he did not deny Brutus the gold. He calls the messenger a fool
for conveying the message wrongly to Brutus.

iv. What reply does Brutus give to Cassius after this extract?
Brutus tells Cassius to sheathe his dagger [ return his dagger into his scabbard]
and tries to calm him down. He assures Cassius that he can be angry when he
pleases and his anger will be allowed to have free expression. Cassius could do
what he pleased. If Cassius insulted Brutus, Brutus would suppose that Cassius
was in a bad mood. Brutus says that he was by nature as gentle as a lamb. Just
as the flint gives out a spark of fire only when it is struck and immediately
afterwards cold again, he too had a momentary spark of temper and became cool
immediately afterwards.

v. What is the dramatic importance of this dialogue? In what way does it

influence the subsequent course of action in the play?
This dialogue highlights the discord between the two generals, Cassius and
Brutus. Their emotional conflict and resolution strengthen their bond
temporarily but highlights the fragility of their unity, which plays an important
role in the tragic outcomes that follow in the play.
Subsequently, it will lead to disharmony and their downfall.

Extract 5
i.Where has Portia gone? Why is Brutus so abrupt as to wave aside the thought
of Portia? What does it show us of his nature?
Portia went out of her mind, swallowed fire / burning coals when her attendants
were absent and died.
Brutus is abrupt and tells Cassius to speak no more of Portia as he wanted to
drown all his bad feelings / grief by drinking a bowl of wine. This shows
Brutus’ affectionate nature.
Brutus gives importance to public service than private grief. He dismisses
thoughts of Portia’s death at present to concentrate on the current crisis and
prepare for the impending war. This shows his stoic nature.

ii. Who is Messala? What is the ‘self-same tenor’ of which Messala speaks?
Messala is a friend of Brutus and Cassius.
Brutus tells Messala that he has received letters that tell him that young
Octavius and Mark Antony are moving toward Philippi with a powerful army to
attack them. Messala says that he too has received letters to the same effect
[tenor].

iii. What other news does Messala give just after this extract?
Messala says that Octavius, Lepidus and Antony had put to death a hundred
senators through edicts by condemning them to death and sentencing them to
exile.

iv. What does Brutus come to know (from the letters he received) about
Octavius and Antony? Where does Brutus plan to meet the enemy?
Brutus comes to know from the letters he received that Antony and Octavius
are about to attack them with a powerful army and that they are moving towards
Philippi.
Brutus plans to meet the enemy at Philippi.
v. How strong had Octavius and Antony made themselves? What was the fate of
Cicero?
Octavius and Antony combined their forces to come up with an army with a
‘mighty power’.
Cicero has been killed as a result of the action taken by their edict [ official
declaration] to kill senators who are outside the law. / They have been
condemning some senators to death for acts of treason and Cicero has been one
of them to be sentenced to death too.

Extract 6
i.To whom is Brutus giving the arguments in the extract? What is meant by ‘Our
legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe’?
Brutus is giving these arguments to Cassius.
Brutus says that their armies are large enough and are at maximum strength
getting the support of all their friends / allies. The time for fighting for their
cause is most appropriate.

ii. Give two arguments of Brutus to indicate that his military strength is in an
advantageous position.
Brutus says that their armies are at maximum strength at present having the
support of all possible friends. In marching towards Philippi, they would be able
to cut off chances of Antony and Octavius garnering more help from those who
‘stand but in forced affection / show affection for them out of compulsion.

iii. Brutus says, “The enemy increaseth every day.” State how it increases every
day.
The enemy, Octavius and Antony, keep adding support to their combined
armies by new friends who lend them assistance. This keeps increasing every
day.

iv. ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men.’ What comparison is made between the
voyage of life and the voyage on sea?
Brutus says that they have reached the peak of their strength and are more likely
to decline from here. There is a tide in the lives of human beings just like there
is a tide in the ocean. The imagery of high and low tide is used to indicate
opportunities that come to us. If human beings take these opportunities, it leads
to fortune/ success. If they do not take advantage of these opportunities, then all
their future endeavours will lead to disaster and suffering. Brutus says that a ripe
opportunity now offers itself to them and they must either make use of it when it
is there or be prepared to lose all that they have risked.

v. According to Brutus, ‘On such a full sea are we now afloat.’ How is this
statement valid?
Brutus says that they now have a ripe opportunity and they must make use of it
or be prepared to lose all that they have risked. This statement is valid because
according to Brutus, this seems the most opportune moment for their armies to
wage a war.

Extract 7
i.To whom does Brutus speak in the extract? What is the setting of the scene
during this time?
Brutus speaks to the ghost of Caesar. He speaks inside Brutus’ tent in Sardis.
Brutus is in his tent at night with Varro and Claudius asleep. At one side Lucius
had been playing some music and had fallen asleep.

ii. What is the ‘apparition’ referred to in the extract? Why is said to be

‘monstrous’?
The ‘apparition’ refers to the ghost of Julius Caesar.
The ghost seems to be a manifestation of Brutus’ guilty conscience and appears
most ghastly to him. He is in a distraught state of mind. Caesar’s ghost
represents the evil in Brutus’ heart that revealed itself when he murdered
Caesar.

iii. What does Brutus wonder about the apparition? What is the effect of the
apparition on Brutus?
Brutus wonders if the apparition is anything real or just an illusion. He also
wonders if it is some god, some angel or some devil.
It makes his blood turn cold, and causes his hair to stand on end.

iv. What does the apparition say to Brutus? What is the significance of what the
apparition says to Brutus?
The apparition calls itself Brutus’ evil spirit and says that he would meet Brutus
again at Philippi.
The apparition highlights Brutus’ disturbed state of mind. It signifies impending
disaster and the coming catastrophe.

v. Who else was present at the scene? Did they see the apparition? State whether
the apparition was the product of Brutus’ imagination. Give a reason to justify
your answer.
Varro, Claudius and Lucius are present inside Brutus’ tent at Sardis. They had
been asleep and did not see the apparition.
The apparition could have been a product / figment of Brutus’ imagination as he
was filled with guilt.