Julius Caesar - Act 2 Scene 1

Workbook Answers:
MCQs
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (a) 8. (c) 9. (c) 10. (a) 11. (c) 12. (b)
13. (c) 14. (d) 15. (b) 16. (c) 17. (a) 18. (a) 19. (d) 20. (a)

Contextual questions:
1. (i). Where does this scene take place? Who is Lucius? What he been asked to
do?
Answer: The scene takes place in Brutus’ orchard. Lucius is Brutus’ servant. In this
scene, Lucius has been asked to a light a taper (candle) in Brutus’ study.

(ii) In what mood is Brutus? What does it refer to? Whose death is suggested?
Answer: Brutus is contemplative and troubled in this scene. The “it” refers to dealing
with Caesar’s rise of power Brutus feels that Caesar rise of power could lead to his
becoming the king which in turn may lead to tyranny. Brutus is implying that
Caesar’s execution is required not because of personal grievances or enmity
against Caesar, but for the benefit of Rome’s overall welfare. He believes Caesar’s
ambition and the prospect of being anointed king will transform his personality and
endanger the Roman Republic. So, the death mentioned here is Julius Caesar’s
assassination.

(iii) Who has convinced Brutus to take such a step? What is the motive of Brutus for
taking such a decision as expressed in the extract? W hat does it reveal about
Brutus?
Answer: Cassius had persuaded Brutus to join the plot by appealing to his feeling of
honour, patriotism, and dread of Caesar becoming a tyrant. In this excerpt, Brutus’
motivation for pondering assassination is his concern for Rome’s well-being. It
demonstrates that Brutus is a man of principle, prepared to sacrifice his personal
loyalty to Caesar for the sake of the Roman Republic.

(iv) What danger does Brutus foresee if the person is crowned as a king? Ho wis
this danger expressed by referring to the “bright day” and the “adder”?
Answer: Brutus worries about Caesar becoming king and uses metaphors in his
soliloquy to express his concern. He describes Rome's current state as a republic
using the metaphor of a "bright day." Caesar is symbolized by an "adder,"
suggesting that like a snake, he must be stopped before he becomes a threat.
Brutus fears that Caesar's ambition will transform him into a tyrant, endangering the
Roman Republic.
(v) What are your feelings for Brutus at this juncture? Give two reasons to justify
your feelings.
Answer: I feel angry at his justification of a gruesome murder – Brutus has made up
his mind to kill Ceasar, however he does not have a particular personal grievance
against Caesar. He argues that Caesar should be assassinated not for what he is at
present but for what he could become in the future. Brutus is of the opinion that
once crowned, Caesar will be beyond the power of anyone else to check him.
Finally, Brutus seems to distort his view of Caesar by saying – “therefore think him
as a serpent’s egg”.

2. (i) “So Caesar may”. What may Caesar do? Your answer must refer to the
metaphor of the ladder, used by Brutus in his speech. How does Brutus intend to
prevent Caesar from doing so?
Answer: “So Caesar may,” through these words Brutus is fears that Caesar may
become a tyrant or become powerful, which is implied through the metaphor of the
ladder. Brutus intends to prevent Caesar from ascending this metaphorical ladder to
power, essentially stopping him from becoming a tyrant or dictator. Brutus suggests
that they take action before Caesar can take further steps towards becoming a king.
Brutus intends to kill Caesar and thus stop him from becoming a tyrant.

(ii) Give the meaning: “And since the quarrel / Will bear no colour for the thing he is /
Fashion it thus.
Answer: In Brutus’ perspective, there is no justifiable reason (colour) to oppose
Caesar based on his current state. Caesar, at the moment, has not committed any
wrong doing of that nature. Romans must therefore reframe their argument. Instead
of accusing Ceaser of present offenses, they should assert that if his current
authority is augmented further, it may lead to undesirable outcomes. The phrase,
“Fashion it thus” implies presenting the argument in this manner.

(iii) What is meant by “augmented”? How can Caesar be augmented? How had
there already been an attempt to augment him?
Answer: "Augmented" means to increase or enhance. Brutus believes that if
Caesar's power and authority are boosted, he could become more ambitious and
potentially turn into a tyrant. During the Lupercal feast, there was already an attempt
to increase Caesar's authority by offering him the throne. Brutus advises against
giving him even more power.

(iv) To whom is a “serpent’s egg compared? What does Brutus want to communicate
by using comparison of a “serpent’s egg”?
Answer: The serpent’s egg is compared to Caesar. Brutus wishes to convey that,
just as a snake’s egg, if allowed to hatch, will develop into a dangerous and lethal
serpent, Caesar, if granted more power and authority, will become a menace to
Rome. The comparison emphasizes the potential danger of allowing Caesar to
continue his ascent to power.

(v) What price would Brutus pay later by preventing a serpent’s egg from being
hatched?
Answer: Brutus’ tragedy is both, a public one (in effect, he destroys the thing he is
trying to preserve, for republican freedom falls to the tyranny of three men) and a
private one(the death of Portia and his happiness). In fact, he destroys his personal
life as well as the Republic which he hopes to protect.

3. (i) To what does Brutus reply, “Tis good”? Who is knocking at the gate? Why has
he come?
Answer: Lucius comes back with one of the anonymous letters(written by Cassius ,
as we know), which he found on the windowsill of Brutus’ study. By the light of the
meteors, Brutus reads the message, urging him to save Rome. Lucius informs
Brutus that the fifteen days of March are over, at which, Brutus replies, “tis good”.
Cassius is knocking at the door. He is accompanied by the other conspirators:
Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber and Trebonius. He has come with other
conspirators to discuss the plan of action to ensure success in their conspiracy.

(ii) What is the impact of Cassius’ earlier discussion on Brutus?

Answer: Cassius’ earlier discussion has had an enormous effect on Brutus. Cassius
manages to convince Brutus to join him in the conspiracy to murder Caesar. Brutus
believes that the growing power of Caesar is a threat to Rome’s liberty. This talk
makes Brutus restless and unable to sleep as he grapples (struggles) with Cassius’
moral and political quandary (dilemma). Brutus believes that it is his duty to relieve
Rome of Caesar’s tyranny.

(iii) In what type of mental frame is Brutus? Why does he compare his mental
condition to a nightmare or a horrid dream?
Answer: Brutus is mentally troubled. He has nothing against Caesar but believes
that Caesar’s death would be good for Rome. His commitment to kill Caesar is
motivated by his sense of moral duty. The interval between the actual execution of a
frightful deed and the first impulse to execute it, is like a scary and bizarre dream. It
is a period of immense uncertainty.
(iv). Give the meaning of:
a. All the interim is like a phantasma.
b. The genius and the mortal instrument / are then in council.
Answer: (a) According to Brutus the interval (interim) between the first idea of doing
dreadful things and doing it is like a horror dream (phantasma). This shows Brutus’
inner conflict.
(b). Just as various groups within the society are in conflict during a civil war, Brutus’
inner genius (his inner sense of reason and duty) and the mortal instruments (i.e.
the practical issues of carrying out the plot) are at odds. This inner battle resembles
the turbulence of a state during a civil insurgency, with dissension and strife, within
the kingdom of his own mind.
(v) In the last lines of the extract, the mental condition of Brutus is compared to a
civil war. Explain how the comparison is made.
Answer: The rational powers (the genius) and the passions of the body(mortal
instruments) are engaged in an argument (in council). And man’s nature, like a small
kingdom, then suffers due to the nature of their revolt.

4. (i) Who comes after this extract? How are they dressed? Who informs Brutus of
their arrival?
Answer: The conspirators – Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, and
Trebonius, come after this extract. Their hats are pulled down up to their ears,
cloaks covering their faces. They are unrecognizable due to the way they are
dressed up. Brutus’ assistant, Lucius informs him of their arrival.

(ii) What is meant by the “faction” and “thy dangerous brow”?

Answer: “Faction” means people who are part of a common goal or purpose. The
term “faction” is used to for the conspirators – Cassius, Casca, Cinna, Decius,
Metellus Cimber and Trebonius here, who have come together to conspire against
Julius Caesar. “Thy dangerous brow” – with these words, Brutus questions the
conspirators’ decision to carry out their intentions at night, when it is easier to
conceal their deeds. He’s basically questioning if the conspirators are too frightened
to operate during the day because they’d have to face scrutiny.

(iii) How does conspiracy disguise itself at night and during the day?
Answer: At night, conspiracy conceals its actual intents and acts in the darkness.
During the day they hide their dark objectives beneath smiles and affability by
pretending to be nice and harmless.

(iv) What is referred to as “Erebus”? If conspiracy were to appear with its “native
semblance on”, what would happen?
Answer: In Greek mythology, Erebus was a location linked with gloom and shadow
(hell). If the conspiracy went forward , showing its real self(native semblance), not
even the darkness of hell would be able to prevent it from carrying out its purpose.
The conspirators must hide their evil intentions behind a mask of courtesy and
smiles.

(v) Why is it necessary to disguise the conspiracy? Give two of the precautions
taken by the conspirators to hide the conspiracy.
Answer: It is necessary to hide the conspiracy because they are planning a
dangerous and potentially treasonous act, the assassination of Caesar. To escape
the discovery by authorities and loyalists, they must keep their intentions disguised.
The conspirators took two steps to conceal their conspiracy.
Firstly, they chose to have their meetings and discussions at night, when it was dark,
making it more difficult for others to witness and identify them.
Also, during the day, the conspirators were disguise their true sentiments and
objectives beneath smiles and good behaviour to avoid arousing suspicion or
seeming as a threat to others around them.

5. (i) Who are referred to as the “we”? What is “our own cause”? State in your own
words how the cause itself is a spur.
Answer: The “we” refers to Brutus himself and the other conspirators. “Our own
cause” refers to their plan for the conspiracy, which is to kill Julius Caesar. The
cause is a spur because they decided that if Julius Caesar is crowned the king, his
reign may turn into tyranny. This cause to end the power of Caesar, acts as their
incentive and driving force. They are so certain that they are doing the right thing
and that itself is motivation for them. They do not need any oath, as their desire for
justice is enough to motivate them.

(ii) Who had suggested the idea of taking an oath? Why did Brutus dismiss that
idea? Was Brutus’ decision wise? Why?
Answer: Cassius had suggested the idea of taking an oath, but Butus dismissed it.
Brutus believed that they, the conspirators were noble Romans who didn’t need
anything other than the understanding by which honourable men have each other to
do a certain thing or die in the attempt. No, at the end, he destroys everything he
stood for.

(iii) Explain what is meant by “honesty to honesty engag’d”. Why is honesty very
important for Brutus and his men?
Answer: “Honesty to honesty engag’d” means a promise made by one honest man
to another, signifies that the conspirators’ commitment to sincerity and integrity binds
them. Brutus is a true patriot and a man of integrity. Because of his personal
reputation, conspirators would like to have him as their leader.

(iv) Give the meaning of: “That this shall be, or we will fall for it?”
Answer: “That this shall be, or we will fall for it” indicates that they are entirely
dedicated to their cause and will either succeed in their mission to kill Caesar, or
they themselves would die while executing their plan.

(v) According to Brutus who normally takes an oath? How does Brutus convince his
group to uphold Roman nobility rather than depend on an oath?
Answer: According to Brutus, priests, cowards, deceiving men, old and feeble men –
untrustworthy men normally would take oaths. By appealing to their feeling of honor,
patriotism and the justice of their cause, Brutus convinces the group to maintain
Roman nobility rather than rely on an oath. He claims that their joint devotion to the
well-being of Rome as well as their united willingness to speak out against Caesar,
should be enough reason to stand united and successfully execute their plan.
6. (i) Who is ‘him’? What did Brutus want to leave him out of? What reason had just
been given in his favour?
Answer: “him” here, refers to Cicero. Brutus wants to leave him out of the conspiracy
to kill Julius Caesar. The reason given in his favour is that he is irresolute and will
not follow any course of action which has been initiated by others.

(ii) Explain “let us not break with him”. Why does Brutus say this?
Answer: “Let us not break with him” suggests that they, the conspirators should not
include Cicero, in the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar, as Brutus feels that he
cannot be trusted. Brutus believes that Cicero would not fully commit to a plan that
was not started by him. This suggestion is accepted by Cassius and Casca.

(iii) What is the meaning of “touch’d here”? Who else, does Cassius now mention,
should be “touch’d”? What is his reason?
Answer: Here “touch’d” means targeted to be killed. Cassius wants to kill Mark
Antony along with Caesar. He feels that Mark Antony, who so loved by Caesar,
should outlive him. Moreover, he feels that Mark Antony is a clever schemer, with his
resources he could easily harm them all. To prevent that Mark Antony should be
killed along with Caesar.

(iv) Brutus overrides Cassius. Why? What does it reveal about Brutus?
Answer: Brutus overrides Cassius because he vetoes the inclusion of Cicero into the
group. He limits the objective of the plot (only Caesar is to be killed and not Mark
Antony), for they are sacrificers and not butchers. This way their act will not appear
envious but necessary. People will call them purgers and not murderers. Brutus
assures the conspirators not to worry about Mark Antony because once Caesar is
killed, he will be powerless and not a threat at all.

(v) In his turn Cassius does not agree with Brutus’ ideas. State the objection put
forth by Cassius and tell how his objection was later justified.
Answer: Cassius says that Antony will turn out to be a mischievous schemer with
enough resources to cause great harm to the conspirators. This objection is later
justified when Mark Antony turns against the conspirators and becomes a formidable
foe. Cassius’ original suspicion about Mark Antony’s devotion to Caesar turns out to
be correct. Brutus loses everything and was forced to flee from Rome.

7. (i) What is the occasion for the dialogue? What is meant by “ingrafted love”?
Name the person being talked about in the dialogue.
Answer: The person being talked about is Mark Antony. The occasion for the
dialogues is that the conspirators are planning the murder of Julius Caesar and
debating whether to kill Mark Antony as well. The term “ingrafted love “refers to
ungrafted or deep-rooted love which Mark Antony feels for Julius Caesar and vice
versa.
(ii) How does Brutus dismiss Cassius’ fear of that person?
Answer: Brutus feels that Cassius should not fear Mark Antony as he loves Caesar
so much that he may take his own life for him. Moreover, Antony is focused on
games, irresponsible behaviour and enjoying the company of a large number of
friends, so he would not grieve Caesar’s death much.

(iii) Why does Trebonius say that there is no cause to fear that man?
Answer: Trebonius says that there is no cause to fear Mark Anthony and not to kill
him because after Caesar’s death he will continue to live and will even laugh at what
has happened.

(iv) Give the meaning of: “for he will leave and laugh at this hereafter”.
Answer: These words are spoken by Trebonius after Cassius suggests killing Mark
Antony along with Caesar. But Trebonius dismisses his fear by stating that they
should allow him to live, because “he will live his life as usual and laugh at his
(Caesar’s murder) later.

(v) Which of the three men prove to be right and in what way?
Answer: Of the three men, (Cassius, Brutus and Trebonius), Cassius proves to be
right as he was the first one to propose Mark Antony’s assassination along with
Caesar. He believed that Mark Antony was very loyal to Caesar and being a clever
schemer, with his resources, he could easily harm them all. We see that later Mark
Antony turns against the conspirators and becomes a formidable foe. He seeks
revenge for Caesar’s murder thus proving Cassius right about his intentions.