Comprehension Passages

(Acts III, IV &V)

ACT II, SCENE I Popilus is not speaking to Caesar about them

or their plan.
Read the extracts given below and answer the
4 Who takes Antony out of the way ? Why
questions that follow: What is Metellus Cimber's suit to Caesar )
QUESTION 1 Ans. Trebonius draws Mark Antony out of the wa
CAESAR (to the soothsayer) The Ides of March are come of Caesar. He does so to help the conspirators
in their plan to murder Caesar. Metellus
Soothsayer - AyCaesar, but not gone Cimber's suit to Caesar is that his banished
ARTEMIDORUS -Hail Caesar! Read this schedule. brother should be called back.
DECIUS - Trebonius doth desire you to o'er read, 5. State three instances to show Caesar's
At your best leisure, this his humble suit high handedness in not ganting Metellus
1. What does Caesar answer to the people Cimberssuit
who want him to read their suit ? Who does
Ans. The following things show Caesar's high
Caesar get annoyed with? Why ? handedness:
Ans. Caesar gives no answer but in his place 1. Metellus Cimber kneels before him but
Cassius asks them not to urge their petitions Caesar calls it his humility to melt his
in the street but come to the senate house. heart.
Caesar gets angry with Artemidorus because 2 Caesar asks him not to behave foolishly.
he insists that his letter should be read first
because it concerns him. 3 He says that sweet words, servile low
stooping, (he calls it dog like flattery)
What does Popilus say to Cassius ? Why
cannot melt his heart. Nothing car
does Cassius get tensed up ? What does he
instruct Casca to do ? persuade him to change the sentence.
Ans. Popilus wishes Cassius success in his QUESTION 2
enterprise. Cassius gets tensed up because of METELLUS-Is there no voice more worty than my oat
his guilty consciousness. He fears if
Popius To sound more sweetly in great Caesar 's ear
knows about his plot. He instructs Casca to
be quick in striking their blows to murder For
Caesar. 1. In what position is Metallus before Caesar !
3 What makes Brutus tell Cassius to be calm? Who is he pleading for ? What is his request
Ans. Cassius feels disturbed when Popilus wishes to Caesar ? Is he really sincere about this
request ? Why ?
him success in his enterprise. He fears lest
their plarns should be discovered. But Brutus Ans. Metellus Cimber is in the capacity ot
calms him down. He tells Cassius that petitioner. He is pleading for his brother.
il-10
ICSE Self-Study - Lit. in English Paper
 Heis pleading for repealing the banishment 1. What request has Brutus made to make
of his brother Publius Cimber. No, he is not Caesar exclaim What, Brutus !' ? Why is
sincere about his request. He knows that Caesar shocked at Brutus' request ?
Caesar willnot change the decision taken by Ans. Brutus has requested Caesar to immediately
the court., repeal the banishment of Publius Cimber. It
Why does Caesar not permit Metallus has shocked Caesar because it is an unjust
2
to kneel before him ? What four things demand made by an honest leader like
according to Caesar melt foolish people ? Brutus.
Why ishe not like these fools ? 2. What appeal does Cassius make after Brutus?
Ans. Because Caesar knows that these stoopings, How is his behaviour here unlike him ?
bows and salutations have no effect on Ans. After Brutus, Cassius also makes the same
him. He is firm in hisdecision. These things request to Caesar. His words "Even at your
melt foolish people - servile low stooping, feet does Cassius fall",are very much unlike
Sweet words, dog like flattery and fawning Cassius. The words show that Cassius is
submissiveness. Caesar is not like these fools
behaving like a perfect actor.
because he does no wrong and he cannot be
3 What reply does Caesar give Cassius ?
persuaded to change his sentence. Between Brutus and Cassius, who does
3. What reason does Caesar give Metallus that Caesar like better ?
tells us that he will go by the law of the Ans. Caesar says that if he could be easily
land ? What does Caesar threaten Metallus persuaded like him (Cassius), he would have
with if he keeps on kneeling and begging? been moved by prayers. But he is unlike him.
Ans. Caesar tells Metellus that his brother was Between Brutus and Cassius, Caesar likes
banished according to the rule of the state. Brutus better.
He, as an individual cannot change the law of 4. What does Caesar compare himself to in the
the land. Caesar threatens him that if he goes blanks in the extract ? Mention two qualities
on kneeling, hewill kick him out of his way. of this object. How does he compare himself
4. Complete the last line of the quotation given to the object ? (henceforth name the object
above. in your answer).
Ans. "For the repealing of my banish'd brother." Ans. He compares himself to the Pole star. The
5. Who responds to Metallus' request ? What pole star has no equal in the sky. It has
does he tell Caesar ? constancy, it holds its position unchangingly.
Ans. Brutus responds to the request of Metallus. Caesar compares himself to the pole star
because like this star he is constant, firm and
He requests Caesar that Publius Cimber may
immediately have freedom. He should be unchangeable in his position.
allowed to come back. 5. What is the purpose of Caesar in comparing
himself with this object ?
QUESTION 3
Ans. Caesar's purpose is to emphasize his
CAESAR-What, Brutus! firmness, determination and constancy. He is
CASSIUS- Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon; unique like the pole star.
as low as thy foot doth Cassius fall, QUESTION 4
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. CASCA - Speak hands for me !
CAESAR - 1could be well moved, ifI were as you;
1. Who is Casca ?What duty has he been given?
Iflcould pray to move, prayers would move mne: By whom ?
But I am constant as the
JULIUS CAESAR
 person bys
Ans, Casca is one of the conspirators devoted to us that Brutus was not a malicious
Cassius. He has been given the duty to stab a noble misguided person.
Caesar in the back. This duty is assigned by
Cassius. QUESTION 5
2. What does Casca do to make his 'hands BRUTUS - Stoop Romans, stoop,
Speak ? Why do you think it is acowardly And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's biood up to the
act ? elbowand besmear our suwords :
Ans. He stabs Caesar from behind in the neck. It is Then
acowardly act because a brave person always 1. What have Brutus and Cassius just spoken
attacks hisenemy from the front. about being Caesar'sfriends before Brutus
taken
3. Who strikes Caesar last ? What is his relati says the above lines ? Is it meant to be
onship with Caesar ? What does Caesar cry seriously ?Why do you think so ?
out ? What is the significance of his last Ans. They have said that they are Caesar's friends
words ?
because they have shortened his period
Ans. Brutus strikes Caesar last of all. He is the of fearing death. No, it is not to be taken
best,most loved and trusted friend of Caesar. seriously because they are only trying to
When he does this Caesar cries, "Et tu, Brute! console their guilt consciousness.
Then fall, Caesar" The last words signify that 2 How does Brutus feel about this act of
when the most trusted and dependable friend washing their hands with Caesar's blood?
wants to killCaesar, he must die. Was it a murder in his eyes ? Why ? How
4. Where does Caesar fall? Explain the irony of does this act seem to be a fulfilment of
where he lay dead. How does assassination Calpurnia's dream ?
affect the story line of the play ? Ans. Brutus feels that by washing their hands in
Ans. Caesar falls at the foot of his great enemy Caesar's blood they achieved freedom from
Pompey's statue. The irony lies in the fact tyranny. There will be peace and liberty. It
that Caesar lies dead at the foot of his was an act of sacrifice and not murder in his
enemy's statue, whom he had defeated and eyes. It seems to be fulfilment of Calpurnia's
killed. Caesar's murder is a turning point in dream because she had seen healthy Romans,
the story. Instigated by Antony the people of smiling and washing their hands in blood
Rome rise in revolt, chase the conspirators pouring from Caesar'sstatue.
and burn down their houses
3. Complete the lines spoken by Brutus in the
5. How do Cinna, and Cassius react extract given above.
immediately after they have stabbed Caesar Ans. "Then walk we forth, even to the market
to death ? How does Brutus try to appease place."
the people ? How does he show that he has 4.
What does Cassius have to say about how
performed an honourable act ? What does it
tell us about Brutus ?
Caesar's assassination will be viewed in
future ? How does Brutus support what
Ans. They go to the public platform in the market Cassius has said? Write the answer in your
place and proclaim from there that they have own words.
gained liberty from the tyrannical rule of Ans. Cassius says
Caesar. Brutus tries to assure the people not that it is a grand scene which
will be acted on the stage over and over again
to run away due to fear. He says aesar has
in numerous countries. Brutus too testifies
paid the price for his high ambition. He has what Cassius has said. The scene of Caesar's
been sacrificed at the altar of liberty. It tells
ICSE Self-Study -Lit. in English Paper ! - 10
 murder willbe seen by coming generations 5. What does the speaker assure this person 1
on the stage. Why do you think the speaker's assurance
What does Cassius say that the conspirators is the turning point of the play ? What does
5. the person say before leaving ?
will be called ?
What error of judgement does this group Ans. The speaker i.e., Brutus assures the servant
make as it brags about having killed that Antony will not be harmed. Yes, it is the
Caesar? turning point in the play because it brings in
liberators Antony who is to take revenge for Caesar's
Ans. Cassius says that they will be called murder. He says that he will fetch Antony
of Rome the men who gave their country
there.
liberty.
Members of this group make aserious QUESTION 7
mistake. They did not anticipate that the mob ANTONY - O mighty Caesar !Dost thou lie so low ?
acts on emotions and not reason.
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
QUESTION 6 Shrunk to this little measure ? Fare thee well.
1. What does Antony wish for ? Why does he
Soft ! Wo comes here ?
make such a wish ?
1. Who spoke these words ? Name any two
other persons present here. Ans. Antony wishes that if he is to be killed this
is the proper time for his death. His dead
Ans. Brutus spoke these words. Decius Brutus and
Cassius were present there. body should lie beside the body of Caesar. He
makes such a wish because he finds this place
2 Give another word for 'soft'. Who is it who besides his friend Caesar to be fit for his death.
this
has come here ? On whose behalf has What reason does Brutus give for not
2.
person come here ?
granting Antony's wish ? How does he
Ans. Another word for 'soft is 'stop'. A friend of justify to Antony the reason for murdering
Antony has come here. He has come here on Caesar?
behalf of Antony. Ans. In reply to Antony's wish to be killed by
3 What four adjectives does the person use for them Brutus says his wish can't be granted.
four
the speaker ? Doyou think that these They appear to be butchers but they are not
adjectives are justified ? Why ? murderers. They are pitiful. They have killed
wise, Caesar for the good of Rome.
Ans. The four adjectives used are - noble,
valiant and honest. These adjectives are not 3 How does Brutus try to convince Antony
noble,
justified because the speaker is neither that they have no ill will towards him ?
nor even honest. What does Antony do to extend his hand of
nor wise, nor valiant and
4. What two requests does the
person mnake ? friendship towards the conspirators ? What
What is the behaviour of this person is Antony's ulterior motive in doing so ?
towards the speaker ? Is Antony really a 'coward' who stands on
makes two such slippery ground ?
Ans. Through his servant Antony
He should be allowed
requests.
to come and Ans. Brutus assures him that they have no ill-will
wilI be done. He against him. They are ready to receive him.
meet him safely. No harm Caesar was Antony assures them that he does not doubt
should be satisfied as to why
respectful to the their wisdom. He is ready to shake hand
killed. This person is very with each one of them. His interior motive
speaker.
65
JULIUS CAESAR
 is to take revenge for the murder of Caesar.
Antony is not a coward, he isvery shrewd.
4. What does Antony compare Caesar and the
conspirators to ? How does Antony win the
confidence of the conspirators ?
Ans. Antony compares Caesar to a deer and the
conspirators to princes who have hunted
him down. He wins their confidence by
assuring them that he is with them and loves
them all.
5. What request does Antony make ? Who
objects to his request ? Was the person
who objected sound in his judgement of
Antony ? How ?
Ans. Antony requests that he should be allowed
to address the Romans when the dead body
of Caesar is brought out. Cassius objects
to this request. Yes, Cassius was sound
in his judgement. He knew that Antony
would sway the audience against them. His
apprehension turned out to be true.
QUESTION 8
ANTONY - O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,
That I anm meek and gentle with these butchers!
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in tide of times.
1. Why does Antony refer to Caesar's body as
'thou bleeding piece of earth ? Who does he
call' butchers' ?
Ans. He calls Caesar 'bleeding piece of earth'
because Caesar's bleeding carpse (his
remains) is lying on the earth. He calls the
Caesar
conspirators, butchers who murdered
in acowardly manner.
meek
2. When,why and how had Antony been
? What trait
and gentle with these butchers
assess by this
of Antony'scharacter do you
action ?
Antony had been meek and gentle with these
Ans. hands with them.
butchers when he shook
conspirators shows
Hisshaking hands with wisdom.
that he is a man of practical
 3. What does Antony prophecy on the wounds
of Caesar ? Who will roam about to take
revenge ? Does Antony's prophecy come
true? How ?

Ans. Antony makes this prophecy. A curse wil

fall upon the people of Rome. There will be
a civilwar among the people. Bloodshed and
destruction will be there.
Caesar's spirit will roam about to take
revenge.
Yes his prophesy comes true. In the strife that
follows the conspirators are kiled one by one.
4. Who enters after Antony soliloquy's ? What
news does the person bring ?
Ans. A servant of Octavius Caesar comes after
Antony's soliloquy. He brings the news that
his master Octavius Caesar is coming to
Rome.
5. What does Antony tell the person to convey
tothe person who has sent hin ? What two
things does Antony request from the person
to do at the end of the scene ?
Ans. Antony tells that person to go back and
convey to Octavius that Caesar has been
killed and that Rome is not a safe place tor
him to come. Antony asks him to stay for
a while till the body of Caesar is
carried to
the market place. Moreover, he should tell
Octavius about the state of affairs in Rome.