ACT IV, SCENEI
Read the extracts given below and answer the
questions that follow :
QUESTION 1
ANTONY -These many, then, shalldie; their names
are prick'£.
OCTAVIUs - Your brother too must die; consent you,
Lepidus ?
LEPIDUS -I do consent
OCTAVIUS - Prick him down, Antony.
1. Where does this scene take place ? Name the
two new characters introduced in this scene.
How does this short and rather unpleasant
of mob
Scene contrast with the earlier scene
fury ?
takes place in a house in Rome.
Ans. The scene
characters introduced are Octavius
Twonew
This scene is different from
and Lepidus.
the earlier scene. Contrasted with the earlier
scene, this scene shows clever manipulation
of the situation and future plans of Antony
and his companions.
2. What does Antony mean by saying 'their
names are prick'd' ? Why is this being
done?
Ans. He means that the names of those who are to
be put to death have been marked out. This
is being done toget rid of the supportersof
the conspirators.
3. What condition does Lepidus lay down soon
after this extract ? Does Antony agree to this
condition ? How does he show his consent ?
Ans. It is decided that Lepidus' brother will die.
Upon this he lays down the condition that
Antony's nephew should also die. Yes,
Antony agrees to this. He condemns him with
the stroke of his pen.
4. What instructions does Antony give to
Lepidus ? What does Antony intend to do ?
Ans. Antony instructs Lepidus to go to Caesar's
house and bring his will. He intends to settle
how they can reduce some of the expenditure
in legacies.
5. What does this reveal about Antony's
character ?
Ans. It reveals that Antony is a very clever
manipulator and he will control the situation
very well.
QUESTION 2
ANTONY - This is a slight unmeritable man,
Meet to be sent on errands: is it fit,
The threefold world divided, he should stand
One of the three to share it?
OCTAVIUS -So you thought him;
And took his voice who should be prick'd to die,
In our black sentence and proscription.
1. Who is Antony referring to ? Who is he
speaking with ?
control bi.
Ans. He is referring to does Antony look after and
Lepidus. He is speaking 3 How Lepidus behave like h: A
with Octavius. horse ? How does
2.
Why does he call the man horse ?
'slight horse a plentiful suppi.
unmeritable' ? What is he only fit for ? Ans. Antony gives his trained him to ight, to ston
Ans. Antony calls him a feeble man of no of food. He has
horse ara
merit and gallop. The movements of his
because he has a very poor opinion of says that
controlled by his wishes. Antony
Lepidus. Antony feels that he (Lepidus) is fit must be guided
only to be used for errands. Lepidus is like his horse. He short he has n
trained and instructed. In
3. Explain 'threefold world.
Ans. "Threefold world' refers to the division of
originality.
4. What does
Antony say about Lepidus last of
Roman empire in Europe, Africa and Asia. topic?
4. How does Octavius refute what Antony has
all before changing the
blindly imitates the
just told him ? Ans. Antony says that Lepidus to adopt
manners of others. He is very happy
use.
Ans. Octavius refutes what Antony has said. much
what others have left after
Tauntingly he says if Lepidus is a feeble man 5. What are Brutus and Cassius
busy doing?
of no merit, then his taking Antony's vote with the
How does Antony plan to deal
as to whoshould be marked off to die is not situation ?
justified.
busy raising armies. Antony plans to
5. Explain 'black sentence and 'proscription'. Ans. They areresources
gather and form a firm alliance to
Ans. Black sentence means capital punishment unite together and make the best use of their
and proscription means list of laws for those means. This is necessary to fight the enemy.
people who are condemned by the state to
die and their properties are to be confiscated QUESTION 4
by the government.
ANTONY -And now, Octavius,
QUESTION 3 Listen great things:Brutus and Cassius
OCTAVIUS - You may do your will; Are levying powers: we must straight make head;
But he's a tried and valiant soldier. 1. What does Antony mean by 'great things' ?
ANTONY - So is ny horse, Octavius; and for that Why does he say 'great things' as compared
to who ?
I do appoint him store of provender.
Ans. 'Great - things' here means great news, the
1. Who is the elder of the two speakers
Antony or Octavius ? Why do you think latest information. He says great things
because this news is much more important
Octavius tells Antony to 'do your wil> ?
than wasting time in discussing Lepidus.
Ans. Antony is the elder of the two speakers. 2. What does he tell Octavius regarding Brutus
Octavius asks Antony to do as he likes
and Cassius ?
because he admits Antony's seniority though
he disagrees with him. Ans. He tells Octavious that Brutus and Cassius
2. How does Octavius defend Lepidus ? are raising armies and so they must also
Ans. Octavius says that Lepidus is not just a
gather their resources and get ready for the
War.
donkey fit to carry loads, but he is a brave 3. What does Antony suggest they
soldier. He adds that Antony must not forget
do to overcome all should noW
this quality of Lepidus. dangers ?
ICSE Self-Study- Lit. in English Paperll -10
Ans. He says that they should consult how
hidden dangers may be exposed and obvious
dangers may be easily encountered.
What does Octavius reply ?
4.
Octavius replies that they are like the bear
Ans. tiedtothe stake and they are fighting against
their enemies who are like a ring of dogs. He
adds that some outwardly smiling persons
haveill-will in their hearts. Ar
. What is your opinion regarding Octavius in
this scene ?
Ans. We feel that Octavious is brave, sincere
and respecttul to Antony. He has to follow
Antonyif he wants to take revenge for the
murder of Caesar.
QUESTION 5
oCTAVIUS- Let us do so: for we are at the stake,
Ad bay'd about with many enemies;
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear.
Milions of mischiefs.
1. Explain the metaphor Octavius uses about A
'stake' and 'bay'd about' ? (a popular sport
in Elizabethan times)
Ans. Octaviusfeels that they are like the bear tied
to the stake and fighting against a ring of
dogs.
It means that they are surrounded by enemies
in the same way as in the popular sport the
bear is tied and dogs are left to attack it.
2. What does Octavius fear about people's
smiles ?
Ans. He fears that those, who outwardly claim
hidden
that they are friends, but actually are
are
enemies, are more dangerous. They
smiling villains.
regarding the wisdom
What is your opinion and Oactavius ? Who
displayed by Antony
«PPears to be wiser and
more rational ?
answer.
Give reasons to substantiate your
very wise in
Ans. and Octavius are
Antony
nandling the situation. They
anticipate
JULIUS CAESAR
wisely the plans of their enemies and act
accordingly. No wonder they succeed in
defeating the enemy. Whereas Antony is
more practical and ruthless. Octavious is
wiser and more rational.
What is the sharp contrast between the
noble Brutus and the Triumvirs in their
intentions to seize power ?
Ans. Brutus is noble and patriotic. He assumes
leadership though he is not fit for the role of
a politician. He lacks foresight and is not a
good judgeof persons. But in sharp contrast,
the new triumvirs Antony, Octavius and
Lepidus - are ambitious. Antony leading the
group is practical, cold blooded and ruthless.
He is also hypocrite at times. Brutus was clear
that only Caesar should be killed, but Antony
is ready to killeven his own nephew.
In what way does Antony appear to be
ruthless and hypocritical ? What sharp
contrast is portrayed in Antony from what
he was earlier in Act III?
Ans. Antony is ruthless as he does not mind
putting his own nephew to death. He is
hypocritical also. He wants to use Lepidus for
his benefit and then discard him when he is
of no use. Earlier in Act III he was pretending
to be a lover of the masses, but now he is
preparing alist of those who are to be put
to death. He is ambitious, cold blooded,
hypocrite.
