CLASS-9 ENGLISH JULIUS CAESAR ACT-2 SCENE-1

NOTES Q&A

CONTEXT QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and the questions that follow:

QUESTION 1
BRUTUS-It must be by his death; and, for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the
general.
He would be crown'd :- How that might change his
nature".

1. Where is Brutus? Why is Brutus unable to sleep?

Answer: Brutus is in his orchard. He is unable to sleep because his
mind is disturbed on Caesar becoming a tyrant and the design of
the conspirators to kill Caesar.

2. Whose death is Brutus speaking about? What are

Brutus' fears about the change in 'his nature'?
Answer: Brutus is speaking about Caesar's death. He fears that
Caesar's nature will change once he (Caesar) is crowned because
his vast powers will turn his head and he will become tyrannical.

3 What danger does Brutus foresee if the person is

crowned king? What does this reveal about Brutus'
character?
Answer: Brutus foresees his apprehension that Caesar will be
tyrannical if he is crowned. It reveals that Brutus, through
Caesar's friend, is a lover of republicanism.

4. What examples does Brutus cite to express his fears?

Mention any two.
Answer: First. Brutus compares Caesar to serpent's egg; if it
hatched it will surely bite. So, it should be killed before it comes
out of its egg. Second, an ambitious person like Caesar is humble
during his struggle but turns haughty and arrogant once he
attains his goal.

5. Who enters after the extract? What does he bring to

Brutus? Where had he found the object?
Answer: Lucius enters after this extract He brings a sealed paper
while searching for a flint. He had found it in Brutus' study.

QUESTION 2
BRUTUS- T is good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
(Exit Lucius)
Since Cassius……… against Caesar,
I have not slept
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the
……, or a hideous dream:

1. Complete the lines in the extract. Explain the lines after

completing the extract.
Answer: Lucius informs Brutus that fifteen days of March are
gone, meaning thereby it is the Ides of March. To this Brutus says
that it is good the Ides of March has come.

2. What is the purpose of the people who come to meet

Brutus? How have they disguised themselves?
Answer: The purpose of the people who come to meet Brutus is to
involve him in their plan to kill Caesar. They want Brutus to join
the conspiracy because they believe his support will give their
actions a sense of honor and justice.
To keep their plan secret, they disguise themselves by covering
their faces with cloaks and keeping their identities hidden under
the darkness of the night. This way, they ensure that no one
recognizes them or suspects their intentions.

3. What does Brutus say about the conspiracy? What

advice does he give?
Answer: He says that conspiracy is afraid and ashamed to show
its face by night when evil things are all over. His advice is that it
should hide its face in smiles and pleasantness.

4. What is the figure of speech used by Brutus to describe

the conspiracy? Explain.
Answer: The figure of speech used to describe conspiracy is
personification. He gives conspiracy the name of the dangerous
night and makes it to look like the night

5. Name the conspirators who enter

Answer: Lucius tells Brutus that there is Cassius who is standing
at the door desirous of meeting him. He is accompanied by other
persons.

QUESTION 3
BRUTUS-No, not an oath: if not the face of men
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse,-
If these be motives weak, break off betimes
And every man hence to his idle bed;

1. Who suggests that an oath should be taken? What does

this show about the person's foresightedness?
Answer: Cassius suggests that an oath should be taken before the
dangerous enterprise. It shows his foresightedness to ensure that
those who are connected with this enterprise remain loyal and
committed.

2. Who according to Brutus swears an oath?

Answer: According to Brutus priests, cowards, deceitful persons,
old worthless creatures patiently take oaths

3. Why does Brutus feel that swearing an oath is not

necessary?
Answer: Brutus feels that swearing an oath is not necessary when
honest persons committed to a great cause are involved in a
noble cause
4. What is the next instance in which Brutus contradicts
Cassius? In what way does this blunder committed by
Brutus surface in the play?
Answer: Brutus contradicts, Cassius who suggests that Antony,
should also be killed. Sparing the life of Antony later on spells a
doom for the conspirators Brutus has to pay a heavy price for this
blunder.

5. How does Cassius show his farsightedness regarding

the killing of Mark Antony? How correct was Cassius in his
assessment of Mark Antony?
Answer: Cassius shows his farsightedness regarding the necessity
of killing Antony along with Caesar because he knows that
Antony is the most trusted and beloved friend of Caesar, and not
just 'limb' of Caesar. He proves to be correct when Antony
became so powerful that he could not be subdued.

QUESTION 4
DECIUS-Shall no man else be touch'd but only Cacsar?"
CASSIUS Decius, well urg'd: I think it is not meet
Mark Antony, so well belov'd of Caesar,
Should outlive Caesar: We shall find of him
A shrewd contriver;

1. Why does Cassius feel that Decius is right?

Answer: Cassius feels that Decius is right because Decius has a
clever plan to flatter Caesar and convince him to go to the
Senate, despite the bad omens and warnings.
2. Why does Brutus contradict him?
Answer: Brutus contradicts Cassius because he believes that
Antony will be powerless once Caesar is dead. He thinks Antony is
not a threat and should not be killed.

3. What are the reasons given by Brutus not to kill Mark

Antony?
Answer: Brutus decides not to kill Mark Antony because he
believes Antony will be powerless without Caesar. He thinks
Antony is too focused on sports and is not a serious threat.

4. How does Brutus try to justify that their act will appear
"too bloody"?
Answer: Brutus tries to justify their act by saying that killing both
Caesar and Antony would make their action seem too cruel. He
wants to focus only on Caesar to avoid excessive violence.

5. What is Brutus' assessment regarding Mark Antony?

How sound is his judgement? Give reasons.
Answer: Brutus believes Mark Antony is harmless after Caesar’s
death, thinking he is only loyal to Caesar and not a threat. His
judgment is flawed because he underestimates Antony’s influence
and power.

QUESTION 5
TREBONIUS - 'T is time to part.
CASSIUS - But it is doubtful yet.
Whether Caesar will come forth to-day or no;
For he is superstitious grown of late,
Quite from the main opinion he held once.

1. What are Cassius' fears as to whether Caesar will come

or not? What has given rise to this fear? State how Decius
can “o’ersway” him. What promise does he make?
Answer: Cassius doubts whether Caesar will come to the Senate
because Caesar has grown superstitious lately which is quite
contrary to the opinion he once held so strongly in regard to such
things. Cassius fears that the advice of his chief advisors will
prevent him from going to the Capitol
Decius promises that he will bring Caesar to the Senate. He knows
Caesar's weakness for flattery. He will so flatter him that he will
forget all bad omens

2. Another person's name is mentioned after the extract.

Who is he? Why is he not suitable to be a part of the plot?
What is Brutus' reaction to this proposal?
Answer: He is Caius Ligarius who has strong dislike for Caesar. The
proposal to make him a part of the conspiracy against Caesar,
though not good, is supported by Brutus. Brutus promises that he
will prevail upon him to join their enterprise.

3. What advice does Brutus give to the others before

parting? How does he show his affection towards Lucius?
Answer: Brutus advises the conspirators to look bright and
cheerful for they must not betray themselves through their looks
but behave as the Roman actors, with tireless spirit and firm
determination.
4. Who enters the scene a little later? Whose daughter is
this person?
Answer: A little later, Portia enters the scene. She is the daughter
of Cato, a noble Roman, and the wife of Brutus, showing concern
for his strange behavior and well-being.

5. What does the person say to Brutus?

Answer:

QUESTION 6
PORTIA - Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more,
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife.

1. How does Portia assess Brutus' ill health? Is she correct

in her assessment? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Portia makes different guesses about Brutus' health
Brutus' changed and abnormal behaviour is beyond her
understanding She cannot find any clue to his annoying behaviour
She thinks that it could be some mental pressure. But what it is
she fails to understand.

2. How does Portia show her love and submissiveness to

Brutus? What fears does she voice to Brutus?
Answer: Portia shows her love and submissiveness by reminding
Brutus of the vows of marriage that she is his better half and
deserves to share his worries, problems or anything that concems
them both.
3. How does Portia prove to Brutus that she is stronger
than any other woman?
Answer: Portia tries to prove to Brutus that she is stronger than
any other women by inflicting a wound in her thigh that she has
the endurance of man.

4. Who intrudes the conversation of Portia and Brutus?

What does Brutus promise Portia?
Answer: This conversation is intruded by the entry of Lucius and
Ligarius. Brutus promises Portia that he will prove himself worthy
of such a noble wife and share all his secrets with her.

5. Before this extract, Portia appealed to Brutus in such a

way that she played on his emotions. Which part of her
reasoning has appealed most to you? Give reasons for
your answer.
Answer: Earlier Portia tried to play upon Brutus' emotions by
tugging him to let her enter his innermost thoughts if only she
had the slightest seat in his heart. If he does not love her, then
she ceases to be his wife. This is the most powerful plea that a
woman can make and this succeeds invariably. No man can deny
this.