A, Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow: 1. Brutus. As Caesar loved me, I weep for him ; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at he was valiant, I honour him ; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. tears, for his love; joy for his fortune ; honour for his valour ; and death, his ambition, Who is here so base, that would be a bondman ? If any, ; for him I have offended. Who is here so rude, that would not be aR Ifany, speak; for him Ihave offended. Who is here so vile, that will not his country ?If any, speak ; for him have offended. I pause for a reply, Lines. 25 (i bond man ~ slave. (ii) vile - wicked. . L To whom does Brutus speak these words ? When ? Where ? Why ? ns. These words are spoken by Brutus from the pulpit in the Forum. Brutus is speaking t _ the Roman people who have gathered to know the reasons why he murdered Ca alongwith the other conspirators. The citizens of Rome wanted to hear the reasons for ___assassination of Caesar so that they could make an important political decision. __ Q.II. Whats the situation at this time ? Describe briefly. Ans. The people of Rome were terrified and confused following the murder of Caesar =a Senate House. Caesar had been their hero and benefactor and they were angry and want tohear the reasons that the conspirators could give them to explain Caesar’s assassination Earlier the people had run away from the Senate House to save their lives followi Caesars murder. But now they had gathered in the Forum and the angry mob demandi ‘an explanation. The crowd is tense and dangerous waiting for Brutus to explain the brutal murder of their idol and hero, namely, Caesar. _ Q.IlI. What reasons does he give for killing Caesar ? Were his motives genuine. ‘Ans. Brutus explains to the mob that he had very strong moral reasons for killing Caesar Brutus tells them that he loved and honoured Caesar for his bravery but he murdered hhim because he was ambitious. According to Brutus he killed Caesar as a moral duty because Caesar wanted to rule over Rome like a tyrant. Brutus says that he did nothing ‘wrong and anyone who did not want to become a slave, who was not wicked, who lovet his freedom and who was a Roman would have killed Caesar like Brutus. Brutus geniunely believed that Caesar would have become a tyrant if he had become a king. He felt that th people of Rome would have suffered under his cruel, absolute rule and so for the love 0 Rome and his countrymen he had to resort to violence and kill Caesar even though hi respected and loved him personally. Brutus was a virtuous man who never deviate from what he judged to be the path of his moral duty and so he genuinely believed tha e ‘he was doing the right action in killing Caesar, ~ Q-IV. What are the main characteristics of his speech ? What does it reveal about him ? ‘Ans, The speech of Brutus is sober and formal, Brutus speaks in the simple prose because h believe, that people will accept that he had a just cause and will not want him to presen it differently. He appeals to their intellect and their sense of reason and so delivers ; formal and dry speech. He speaks what he believes to be true and does not add any frill to it. He gives an honest account of his reasons. Brutus in his speech reveals his sober anc intellectual nature. For him moral values are more important than love for another 0 even love for one’s own honour. Brutus shows that he was a man who truly believed tha pt Arun Deep’s .C.S.E. Julius CeSpe Sere ny thing for thelove of his country and country- mers eas ight _ QV. What is the reaction of the people to his speech ? Why ? Ans. The mob listened quietly to Brutus because they respected his honesty, dignity and upright attitude. They felt satisfied with the reasons he gave them and were impressed with his calm and dignified manner. They hailed him as a hero and even wished to crown him. But they did not become emotional with his speech. They infact did not understand Brutus’ speech and the reasons he gave them. They were not as intellectual as Brutus and he failed to realise this. He felt that as his cause was just and the people wanted to crown him, so he was a success. 2. Brutus. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar, than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enroll’d in the Capitol ; his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy ; nor his offences enforc’d, for which he suffered death. Lines. 36-42 Meanings: (i) enrolled - recorded, maintained, (ii) Extenuated - lessened, reduced. (ii) enforced —exaggerated, heightened Q.I. “Then none have I offended” refers to a particular part of Brutus’ speech. What is the essence of this part referred to ? ‘Ans. Brutus in his speech explains to the public that he killed Caesar because of his evil ambition due to which he wanted to have absolute power over Rome. Brutus tells them that by | Killing Caesar he had liberated Rome. His offence was against those who wanted to be slaves so if there was anyone in the crowd who was base enough to want to be a slave he : should speak. His next question is for that man who does not feel proud to be a Roman because only he would feel that Brutus had not done his moral duty by killing Caesar who wanted to rule over Rome. In the end Brutus asks that man in the crowd to reply who was wicked and did not love his country. Only such a man would be offended by Caesar's murder because no patriot would want a tyrant to make his country suffer. He then waits for a reply from anyone in the crowd who would tell him that Brutus was an offender. But when no one answers Brutus feels satisfied that he had succeeded in telling the people his reasons and they have agreed with him. He then asks if he can assume that for murdering Caesar, that they were all satisfied that he no one felt offended with had performed his duty towards Rome. Q.IL Brutus’ speech is typical to his nature. What made this an unsuitable style for the audience he was addressing ? ‘Ans. Brutus was sober, honest and simple kind of a man. He had no use for guile and superficial embellishment. He was almost puritanical in his attitude and a prosaic man for whom the path of duty was of supreme importance. Even his speech was therefore a reflection of his personality. It was direct and appealed to the intellect. It stated his reasons for Caesar's murder in straight forward prose. It was logical and colourless like a lecture in a class-room. It did not contain melodrama, excitement or even pathos and irony. Brutus appealed to the sense of reason of the public. But unfortunately he forgot that he was not addressing the intelligensia. The Roman mob could be influenced by anyone provided | he appealed to their emotions. Brutus relied on the justness of his cause and the belief that reasoning would convince the public. He did not employ any tactics to appeal to the . emotions, greed and murky minds of the public. He believed that everyone was possessing OO ‘Comprehension Passages 209 ‘Arun Deep’s LC.S.E. Julius Caesara See on the good qualities that he had and so presented his case in an honest, intellectual He did not realise that it was the wrong approach. — Q. IIL. Whatis the major theme of his speech ? Did the audience really understand his How do their reactions prove this ? ‘Ans. Brutus, as he acknowledges in his speech, appeals to the sense of reason and wisdom, the public and not to their emotions. He tells them about his sense s honour and justi which had convinced him that the murder of Caesar was necessary for the good of Rot It was his moral duty to save Rome from the clutches of a tyrant, to save the ae becoming slaves and to preserve the honour and liberty of Rome. Brutus explains in speech that he had followed his sense of duty by killing Caesar who was ambitious. B Brutus failed to realise that his intellectual speech was not understood by the unedu at commoners. They listened quietly because they respected his upright and dignifi personality. They were impressed by his honesty and hailed him as their hero. They e wanted to crown him and shout - ‘Let him be Caesar’ But this clearly shows that they had, failed to be moved by him and did not understand his reasons for the necessary murder ‘of Caesar. For them Caesar was already the symbol of kingship and the next king or ‘Caesar should be Brutus. It becomes clear that they had no idea whether Caesar’s ambition, ‘was wrong or not, justified or not. Q. IV. Explain the lines, “The question of his death . suffered death.” ‘Ans. Brutus explains to the mob that the matter and events leading to Caesar’s death would maintained on record in the Capitol. He assures the public that Caesar’s achievement and glories would in no way be lessened to spoil his image. He would receive the appreciation due for his good and glorious deeds. Even his faults would not be exaggerated, to make him appear worse. Everything about him would be honestly and truthfully, recorded. Q. V. How does Brutus’ speech prove that he was a better philosopher than an able statesman or political leader ? What fatal mistake does he make at this point. ‘Ans. Brutus was an idealist and a thinker and aill his decisions were based on an abstract code: of duty and not on the practical consideration of the problem in hand. His decision to murder Caesar, his disregard of Cassius’ warnings about Antony, his permission to Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral were all mistakes committed by a theorist meddling in the practical affairs of a politician. In his speech also Brutus remains a slave to his stoie philosophy. He bases his entire speech on the surmise that the murder of Caesar was necessary because it was his moral duty towards Rome to liberate it from a tyrant. He appeals to the reason of the public and not their emotions. He takes it for granted that they were all people of admirable qualities who would accept that his cause was just and would be convinced by his reason as he himself was. When the crowd shouts that he should be crowned as the next Caesar he confidently believes that he had succeeded. But he grossly and fatally misjudges the fickleness of the mindless, greedy and emotional mob. They could as easily be swayed by someone appealing to their emotions . Someone whom they understood. They had listened to Brutus not because they understood his intellectual reasoning but because they respected him. His speech was not an appeal to the emotions of the public, it was a lecture which they heard in a class-room. If Brutus had thought like a politician he would have employed devious methods in his speech to impress the public, to incite their emotions, to control them. But he misjudges them fatally. They are swayed by Antony's passionate appeal to mutiny. Brutus should have realise the reality of the Roman mob, understood their greed, emotions and murky minds ‘Comprehension Passages 210 Arun Deep’s LC.S.E. Juliuswith them. But he innocently hands them over to. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones ; So let it be with Caesar. Lines. 80-83 (i) interred — buried under the earth. ‘Ashe walks up to the pulpit, Antony tells the Plebians that he is “beholding” to them. Explain the irony here. ‘As Antony walks up to the platform he ironically tells the public that he is grateful or | “beholding” to them for the sake of Brutus. They fail to uriderstand that he is mocking them. He seems to take off where Brutus has left. He knows that at that point the crowd ‘was with Brutus and admired and respected him. But he also knew that he would soon ‘with his eloquence win them to his side and against Brutus. He would use the fickle publicagainst Brutus and the conspirators, incite them to a mutiny. So he ironically thanks them in the beginning before starting his speech. Little did the mindless mob or the idealistic Brutus know that Antony would use them to achieve his purpose, his revenge. ‘What do the Plebians say, as Antony comes up to speak, that shows their hostility to him in defence of Brutus. ‘The Plebians respected and admired Brutus for his honesty and uprightness. He was their hero and they wanted to hear nothing against him. Hence, when Antony is about to speak they make it clear that at that point they were with Brutus and hostile to Antony. A b man from the crowd remarks “were best he speak no harm of Brutus heare” Il. Why then, do they stay to listen to Antony ? What statement does Antony make te disarm his audience straightway ? : Inspite of being hostile the Plebians stay to listen to him because Brutus had pleaded with them not to leave and to hear the speech of Antony. He had requested the public to stay and hear Antony's speech dealing with Caesar's glory. He tells them that Antony ‘was speaking with his permission. So out of respect and admiration for their hero, Brutus, the public stays to listen to Antony. Antony understands their mood and manipulates them deftly. He knows that the audience is on Brutus’ side so he thanks the crowd for the sake of Brutus. The remark “ For Brutus’ sake I am beholding to you,” serves to disarm the audience and they stay to listen to him. He then further wins them over when he addresses them as “ you gentle Romans, -.” /, What does Antony skillfully and indirectly convey through the lines, “The evil that men.......... it be with Caesar.” Does he infact intend to bury Caesar’s goodness ? Antony knows that he had to initially deal with a hostile audience. So he advances gradually, feeling and testing their reactions. He does not start with Caesar’s praise rather adopts a humble and apologetic tone. Brutus in his speech had said that Caesars glories and failings would be kept on record in the Capitol. They would not be forgotten with _ his funeral. But Antony very cleverly refers to this when he says that Caesar's demerits would survive in the memories of the people but his qualities, his goodness and his "greatness would be buried along with his corpse and be forgotten. He, thus, very cleverly ninds the people of Caesar’s greatness and magnanimity. He does not praise Caesar ctly but appeals to the public’s emotions, to the publics love for their dead hero, who ‘Arun Deep’s LCS.E. Julay dead, ready to be forgotten. This incites the mob and without realising ra sympathies for Caesar are awakened. Antony had no intention of tue goodness but he knew that he had to proceed carefully and cunningly. Very deftly Starts the fire in their hearts. Very modestly he states his intentions of burying alongwith his goodness but we know that was not the truth. Very imperceptibly he arousing the sympathy of the crowd and achieving his aim. , Q. V. These lines are an illustration ofa tactic that Antony uses to produce a particular on his audience. Pick out another instance of this from his speech. ‘Ans. Antony was a master at the art of eloquent oratory. He knew how to gauge the reacti of his audience and to take them gradually to a pitch of heightened emotional frenzy. plays deftly with the emotions of the Plebians. He starts with a hostile audience and ahumble and apologetic tone but grows more and more bold as he senses his success: then does exactly as he likes with them. He praises Caesar indirectly and reminds audience of his greatness in lines such as “He was my friend, faithful and just to me ; But Brutus says he was ambitious ; and Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill ; Did this in Caesar seem ambitious.” Nowhere does he blame Brutus or praise Caesar directly but at the same time he moves the ‘compassion of the people, making them yearn to hear more about Caesar and igniting a fire in their hears. 4, Antony. _O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me ; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me. Lines. 109-112 Meanings : (i) judgement — basic intelligence. (ii) brutish beasts — wild animals. (iii) reason — logic, (iv) bear —be patient. (v) heart is in the coffin — heart is full of grief. (vi) pause — wait for } heart to calm down. Q. I. To whom does Antony say these words ? When ? Where ? What effect does he hope to. _ create? Ans, These words are part of Antony's speech which he delivers in the Forum on the occasion of Caesar's funeral. He is addressing the Roman Plebians who have gathered there for Caesar's funeral and have already heard the speech of Brutus. Antony hopes to sway the sentiments of the crowd with the power of his oratory. He aims to make his audience more receptive and favourable. To nullify their hostility by appealing to their emotions and arouse their compassion for Caesar. He wants to ignite the fire of revenge and mutiny’ against Caesar’s murderers in their hearts. Q. Il. Explain, “O judgement - - lost their reason.” Ans. Antony very cunningly deals with the hostile crowd. He does not appeal to their reason’ or intellect rather his appeal is to their emotions, to their hearts. He uses the devices of flattery, mockery, passion, appeals to their greed, and even ridicules them to achieve his ends. He uses the technique of verbal persuasion whereby he uses words which would Comprehension Passages 212 Arun Deep’s L.C.S.E. Julius Caesat— QIIL Qiv. ‘Ans. incite his audience to show emotions which he wants. He accuses indirectly when he says that even common intelligence had become the property of wild animals and the people of Rome had lost their power to reason intelligently. He cleverly questions the wisdom of the people who have failed to realise the treachery of Caesar's murderers. He, infact, wants the public to react into thinking that they have to sit in judgement on the murderers of Caesar, their benefactor. Only then would they be wiser than animals. Why does he say, “bear with me ?” What effect does this have on the audience ? . Antony cleverly uses his feelings and speech to sway the emotions of the crowd. With his humble behavior, genuine grief and subtle accusations he makes the crowd view Caesar's assassination not as an act motivated by moral duty rather a cold-blooded and brutal murder. He uses words in such a manner that the audience understands that they actually mean the opposite. He uses his grief to skillfully induce similar emotions in the hearts of the public. He reminds them of Caesar enriching the treasury of Rome, of refusing the crown and then suggests that they have lost their reason by not mournig for such a great man. But even before they could consider him to be critical of them he starts trying to divert their attention and humbly requests them to “bear withme”. To forgive him for being overcome with grief for his friend Caesar. He pauses to test them, to judge their teaction. He had achieved what he wanted. The people are moved with grief and show the same emotions as him. They have forgotten the appeal of Brutus and are in full sympathy with Antony and grieve for Caesar along with him. Why does he say he must pause ? What does this tactic reveal about Antony ? Antony wants to pause to test his audience, to see whether they are moved to sympathy alongwith him. It is a device used by him to gauge the reactions of his audience. He requests a pause to divert their attention so that they would not find him too critical of them. He cries for effect and to induce a similar emotion of grief in the hearts of the public. The crowd is moved to share Antony's grief. They are impressed and agree with him. Antony by using this tactic of pause and effect reveals his ability to control the emotions of his audience. He shows his better knowledge of human nature and of mob psychology. He successfully imparts his own grief and passion to the crowd and then waits for their reactions. 1, To whose speech is his a contrast ? Explain, in brief, how ? . Unlike Brutus Antony appeals to the emotions of his audience and not to their reason. He knew that Brutus’ speech had not been understood by the mindless mob because he spoke to them asf they were of his intellectual level, But Antony knows that the citizens are not reasonable men. Brutus speaks in prose and a sober tone, while Antony uses drama and imagination to excite the passion of the mob. He discards logic and appeals to their basic emotions. Unlike Brutus he uses his grief and passion to work the crowd upto a climax, using his words and action to bring them to a frenzy. He suggests that the killers are dishonourable by calling them honourable men. He tears the robe from the corpse and reveals its wounds. All these are devices with which he ignites the fire in the hearts of the audience and makes them clamour for revenge. Brutus had only appealed to the intellect of the crowd and they had failed to understand his reason. The crowd had wanted to make Brutus king, the very aspiration, the ambition, for which Caesar had been murdered. Clearly the mob had not understood Brutus or his intellectual reasonings. It was Antony's passionate speech, his suggestions, subtle manipulations, verbal and visual examples that had excited the mob and brought them to a frenzy of action by his speech. ‘Comprehension Passages 213 ‘Arun Deep’s LCS.E, Julius Caesar — ae5. Antony. — O masters ! If I were dispos'd to stir Your hearts and minds to rhutiny and rage. Ishould do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong. Who, you all know, are honourable men. I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar; I found it in his closet ; this his will. Lines. 126-1 Meanings: (i) masters - friends. (ii) disposed — inclined, desirous. (iii) stir — instigate, inci (io) mutiny ~ rebellion. (2) rage — anger fury. (vi) parchment — document, official (vii) closed ~ private room, chamber. Q. I. To what aspect of the mob’s character are the above lines an appeal to-? How ? Ans. In the above lines Antony appeals to their sense of justice for the dead Caesar and at the men who had harmed him. But he cleverly disguises his accusations and repeate ; : calls Caesar’s assassins noble and honourable men. His ironical reference to the murderer’ | honour is in reality his way of conveying the opposite meaning to his audience, soon understand it to mean dishonourable. He is a perfect actor and enjoys in conveyi what he is not speaking. He cunningly suggests to his audience that the murderers mt P| be punished even while saying that they were men of honour. He makes the idea 3 Tevenge and mutiny germinate in their minds even while pretending to reject it. He does not directly tell them to become angry and revolt but indirectly suggests that they have been wronged so mutiny would be the right action for them. He arouses the curiosity of | the mob by showing them Caesar's will but not reading it. He brings their sense of anger 1 and bitterness toa pitch and then again changes it to curiosity so that again he will control their emotions and actions. He is completely their master now and can move them in any direction he likes. Q. Il. How does Antony stir the mob to mutiny ?Describe the tactics he uses here. Ans. Antony deftly controls the moods of the mob. He suggests an idea to them and after ithas taken a hold of their emotions he pretends to reject it. He incites them to anger and revolt while pretending that he did not intend to create a mutiny. He calls Brutus and Cassius honourable men but he clearly wants the mob to understand the opposite, that they were dishonourable. Antony claims that he would not want to wrong the assassins and would rather wrong himself and the crowd but his real aim is to turn the fury of the mob towards the “so called” men of honour, the murderers. With a cunning use of subtle suggestion and rhetoric Antony heightens the sense of the wrong committed by the assassins and ignites the fire for revenge in the mob who now harbour feelings of revolt in their hearts. Q. Ill. Why does Antony mention the will ? What reaction does this cause in his audience. bi Ans. Antony till now had been only giving indirect suggestions. He had moved from humility to irony, flattery and even ridicule. Now he wants to arouse their curiosity by giving them something concrete as proof of Caesar's greatness, of whathe might have bequeathed to them. But he doesnot read it as yet he withholds it and heightens the sense of expectancy, of-drama, of suspense. He has complete control of his audience. They are on tenterhooks to hear what he says about its contents. He flatters them subtly and delays to tell them, Comprehension Passages 214 Arun Deep’s 1.C.S.E. Julius= contents, wanting them to show their curiosity and expectancy. He has brought them toa condition where he can twist them anyway retinas tout Q.IV. What does Antony do before he finally reveals the contents of the will ? Why ? Ans. Before reading Caesar’s will he heightens their suspense by saying that they would feel sorry if they knew the contents of the will, they would become mad with anger at the murderers of Caesar because they were men of feeling and not made of wood and stone. ‘He hints that Caesar had made them his heirs thus appealing to their greed. The crowd demands that he read the will to them and shout that Caesar's murderers were traitors. The speech of Brutus is forgotten and Antony now controls the mob. He now resorts to ‘one more tactic and seeks their permission to come down and show them Caesar's bloody corpse, the blood stained mantle and speaks of the wound given to Caesar by Brutus, their ‘beloved’ hero. He uses this visual example of Caesars mutilated body to incite the mob to violence, revealing the treachery of the killers. Antony extols the virtues of the honourable assassins and at the same time says that he was not a good enough speaker otherwise he would move “The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny”. The mob, unable to understand the irony of his words are now in a frenzy of revenge and anger. They do not tealise that he has incited them, the will is forgotten and all they want is to look for the killers of Caesar. Antony has achieved his aim, the mob is mutinous. 6. Antony. _O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! Then, I, and you and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourish’ d over us. O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel The dint of pity ; These are gracious drops. Lines, 194-198 Meanings : (i) fall - reduced to nothing. (ii) treason ~ treachery, betrayal. (ii) perceive ~ see, it is visible. (iv) dint - impression, impact. Whose ‘fall’ does he refer to ? Where did he fall ? What effect did this person’s fall have on them ? ‘Ans. Antony refers to Caesar's fall after Brutus inflicted the final wound with his dagger. He says that the treachery of Brutus, his friend, broke Caesar‘s heart and he fell at the feet of Pompey’s statue. According to Antony Caesar's fall symbolised the death of everything noble and heroic. The mighty Caesar fell at the feet of his enemy’s statue. This showed the height of his betrayal, the extreme treachery of his friends who killed someone who Teposed trust in them. Antony says that Caesar‘s fall was significant as it was also their fall and Antony's fall. They all fell with the dying Caesar, all those who loved him and ‘were loyal to him. It was their defeat because treachery and betrayal had triumphed. Symbolically, all true Romans died alongwith Caesar when he fell under the sword of traitors because no one had saved the noble Caesar. Q.IL Explain, “bloody treason.” Whom is he now exposing ? What effect does this have on the audience ? Ans. Antony accuses that treachery had triumphed when Caesar was murdered. Till now he had made indirect accusations but now he knows that the mob is on his side and there is noneed to be subtle. He now openly blames the conspirators for Caesars death. No longer does he call them “honourable and noble men.” Antony throws aside all pretence and exposes their act of treachery by calling it” bloody treason.” He tells them how the treachery of his friends had defeated the mighty Caesar. He shows them Caesar's mantle, Q Comprehension Passages 215 Arun Deep’s 1.C.S.E. Julius Caesar . 2‘The anger of the mob is roused, they ne en They are ready to revolt, to kill rous friends. ish the murdi torn and mutilated by his traitorov excited to a frenzy and seek to puni traitors and assassins of Caesar. i F Q. 11. Why do the audience weep now ? How is this a contrast to their rea j speech ? ‘Ans. Antony's appeal to the emo! at Caesar's death. They feel sad ction to Bi i ople had roused sentiments of pity and so tions ofthe PeOP I ae sar’s body and their hearts are ful grief to hear the treachery that killed the noble Caesar. Antony be appealed to Piural feelings of sympathy over a dead body and they wept 10F theta treacherously Killed. The public had heard the speech of Brutus calmly ané Sea gs if hearing a lecture in a classroom. They had shown no reaction 1 the intellei F words of Bretus because they had failed to understand him. Their emotions had not stirred and so they soon forgot his speech when Antony appealed to their sentiments human instincts. | | Q.IV. Whatis Antony’s tone here ? What does he directly accuse the people of ? Why does he say their tears were gracious drops ? ‘Ans. Antony uses a mocking and rhetorical tone here to tell the people that they had not dons their duty in trying to save Caesar. He accuses them of letting treachery triumph when ‘aesar. He ironically thanks them reality they should have punished the murderers of C: for feeling pity for the slain Caesar, the man who had been their benefactor but who had been treacherously killed by his friends. And what had they done except shed tears. They { had not avenged his death. They were simply shedding tears on seeing Caesar's mutilated body and torn robes. He accused them of not reacting, of not punishing the traitors wha had done such harm to Caesar. He mocks their sympathy which can only move them to shed tears. He ridicules their pity and thanks them for their kind tears because they should be acting to punish the traitors and not simply crying. Q. V. What reaction did Antony draw from the audience by the end of the scene ? ‘Ans. Antony's passionate appeal to the audience succeeds in rousing the mob to scream for the blood of the traitors and they are in a rebellious mood. He had aroused the sentiments of the mob to such a climax of violence and fury and they are ready for mutiny. He had successfully started the process which would lead to the death and destruction of the conspirators and avenge the death of Caesar. The audience which had initially been hostile afinieny are now under his complete control and he can manipulate them any way he likes. B. Read Act III scene (ii) carefully and answer the questions given below precisely. Q. 1. Where does this scene open ? What is the state of the mob at this time ? What do they need and demand ? Ans. The scene opens in the Forum where the Plebians have gathered. They are tense and in state of excitement following the murder of Caesar who had been their idol, hero and benefactor. They express their anger and demand that they be satisfied with acceptable reasons which would explain the assassination of their hero, Julius Caesar. : Q. Il. What does Brutus do to satisfy them ? According to Brutus, why was Caesar killed ? Ans, Brutus requests the crowd to follow him so that he could give them an explanation of the a for the murder. He divides the mob into two groups so that he could address one my | a would explain to the second group. Brutus explains that even though he wed and respected Caesar yet he had murdered him because of his vile ambiti ‘Comprehension Passages 216 ‘Arun Deep’s L.C.S.E. Julius_ Caesar had aspirations of establishing absolute control after becoming king and Brutus ’ out of his sense of moral duty towards Rome had killed Caesar. 3 What is the crowds reaction to Brutus ? Describe the ways in which they declare their a, loyalty to Brutus. Ans. The crowd listens calmly and attentively to Brutus because they respect and honour his Ages uprightness and dignity of manner. However, they do not really understand his intellectual ___ reasoning but they are satisfied. In the end they declare their loyalty to him by wishing to : crown him as king and a man in the crowd states “Let him be Caesar.” Q.IV. Does the crowd understand the reasons for Caesar's assassination ? Quote the line (s) that support your answer. “Ans. Brutus appeals to the reason and intellect of the mob. He delivers his speech in sober Py and states his reasons in a dry and formal manner. His intellectual reasoning that Caesar had to be murdered due to his aspirations and that Rome had to be saved from : him are not really understood by the crowd. It becomes evident when a citizen suggests that Brutus be crowned as king. He says “Let him be Caesar” symbolising that in their minds Caesar was a symbol of kingship and they had always regarded him as their ruler. now want to confer absolute control to Brutus, the very aspirations for which Brutus had killed Caesar. ~ Q.V. Why does the crowd turn against Caesar at this point. "Ans. The crowd had just heard the speech of Brutus explaining the reasons why Caesar's murder was necessary. The Roman people honoured and respected Brutus as an upright and hhonest man. He stood for integrity and moral values. So they considered him their hero and if he told them that Caesar had meant them harm they believed him. They were fickle in their loyalties and forgot their earlier heroes and idols as soon as they acquired ‘anew one to worship. So now they turned against Caesar and Brutus was their new idol. {Q. VI. How do they react when Antony enters carrying Caesars body ? Who persuades them fo stay and listen to Antony ? Why does he do so? ‘Ans. When Antony enters carrying Caesar's body the crowd is hostile. One man calls out that (Caesar was a tyrant while another thanks luck for saving Rome from Caesar and getting them rid of him. The public is on the side of Brutus and the conspirators and do not want tohear Antony. But Brutus persuades them to stay and listen to Antony's speech who had his permission to speak. Brutus believed that Antony was sincere to him and meant no hharm. He wanted that Antony should perform the last rites and ceremonies at Caesar's funeral according to the Roman tradition. He believed that it would benefit the conspirators when he told the people that Antony spoke with their permission It would add to their image of doing the right things and meaning no harm to anyone. They would appear morally just and magnanimons. Q.VIl. It was customary to praise the dead in a funeral speech. Explain why Antony begins his speech with the line. “I come to bury Caesar, not praise him.” Ans. Antony was an astute judge of human nature and understood well mob psychology. He ‘was also a shrewd politician who was a master at the technique of saying something but conveying the opposite to his audience. He knew that after the speech of Brutus the crowd was on his side and hostile to Caesar and Antony. So he takes up from where Brutus left. He says thathe does not want to praise Caesar and had come to bury him and his goodness. But actually he means the opposite. He uses the tactics of suggestion, reminding his audience that even though they had forgotten yet he remembered the qualities of Caesar. Compeension Passes 217 ‘Arun Deep’s LC.S.E, Julius CaesarQ. VII. Antony does, infact, praise ‘Ans. Antony in his speech uses the devi Q. IX. What does he remind the people of, to prove that Caes Ans. Q.X. Anton: Ans. Comprehension Passages 218 Arun Deep’s I.C.S.E. Julius me only to bury Caesar and grief and mood. his speech where shether he really ca! He leaves it to them to understand w! a praise him. He slowly incites them until they reflect his grief Caesar. Pick out other ‘instances in hat he says he will do. ce of suggestion. ite, He calls the murderers 0! ‘ds ironically till his audience w eee He pretends to say something it £ Caesar “noble” and “honoural Pee cana treed wor mnderstands them to dishonourable He uses rhetoric when he says “he hath brought many Whose ransom did the general coffers fill ; ‘ Did this in Caesar seem ambitious.” He further states that Brutus said that Caesar: ambitious and he was an honourable man. Antony again says something while futons the audience to understand the opposite. He humbly claims “I speak not disprove what Brutus spoke. But here I am to speak what Ido know.” Accusing the audience in a subtle manner of n mourning for Caesar he says that intelligence seemed to have become the property wild beasts and “men have lost their reason.” captives home to Rome, ar had in fact been (a) a itious. warrior ; (b) generous. (c) sympathetic and kind ; (d) unamb minds the people how (@) To prove that Caesar had been a great warrior Antony re “hath brought many captives home to Rome. ” () He further adds in an indirect manner that Caesar did not make himself rich by keepit the spoils of war for himself alone. He shared them with the people. He hints “whose ransoms did the general coffers fill ;” meaning that the wealth had been shared with all the Roman people. (0) Antony stresses subtly that Caesar w that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept (d) According to Antony if Caesar had been ambitious as Brutus stated he would nob have refused to become the king of Rome. Antony says,” I thrice presented him a kingly crown. Which he did thrice refuse.” able to move his audience from an acceptance of Caesar's death to violent mutiny against his murderers. What aspects of the mob‘s nature does he direct his speech to, so that he is able to do this ? When Antony starts speaking he knows that his audience is on Brutus’ side and hostile t@ him. So he does not start his speech by praising Caesar rather continues where Brutus had left. He praises Brutus and calls him noble and honourable knowing that at that ‘moment Brutus was the public's hero, But slowly and systematically his bitterness becomes more evident with each ironical repetition of the word “honourable” By the end the audience understands that he means dishonourable. He even uses Teen to indirectly praise Caesar and mock at the intelligence of the multitude in not mourning theif benefactor. He ridicules their fickle memories indirectly and flatters them subtly. He reminds them of the conquests of Caesar, the generosity with which he shared with ! and how Caesar had wept alongwith them at their sorrows. Antony adopts a humbl tone and cleverly disguises his accusations. His show of genuine grief induces the emotions in the hearts of the public. He pauses to check their eaten and when satisfi that he has brought them to a pitch he finally appeals to their materialistic greed. sympathetic and kind when he states, “ when__ arouses their curiosity by telling them of Caesar's will, hints that he has made them his “heirs but does not read it. He then asks them to circle around Caesar’s mutilated body ___ giving them a visual example of the treachery of Caesar's friends. The mob is now totally eal in Antony's control, screaming for the blood of Caesar's assassins and excited to mutiny. In his speech Antony resorts to ridicule, flattery, passion and greed for money to bring the mob to a frenzy of anger. His cleverly disguised and subtle accusations make the mob view Caesar’s murder not as a deliverance from serfdom and slavery but as a brutal and ae treacherous act. Q. XI. Having achieved what he set out to do with the mob, what does Antony say that reflects his satisfaction ? What news does he get now ? __ Ans. Antony had wanted to start the process of revenge for Caesar's death by his eloquent ch. And he had succeeded to turn the mob in anyway he wanted. They no longer considered Caesar's death an act of deliverance from slavery rather viewed it as a cold- blooded, brutal murder and screamed for the blood of Caesar’s murderers. Antony is satisfied and reflects it when he says “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt.“ Meanwhile a servant brings Antony the news that Octavius, Caesar’s nephew, had reached Rome alongwith Lepidus and were at Caesar's house. He also tells Antony that they saw Brutus and Cassius riding madly out of the gates of Rome. {Q. XII. How do the mob leave the scene ? What do they intend to do? ‘Ans. The mob are in a mad frenzy. Antony's passionate appeal has roused them to anger and they are in a mutinous mood. They want to seek the conspirators and punish them. They ‘want to honour Caesar by burning his body in the holy temple and with the burning logs set fire to the houses of the traitors. Antony has excited the mob to a revolt. General Comments : ————— This scene is integral to the plot where in the Plebians have to decide a crucial political matter and reach a decision. The crowd can be easily manipulated as is evident by the end of the scene. Emotion is their controlling factor and reason does not sway them. Brutus in his speech appeals to their reason and presents what he considers is his just cause but the audience fails to understand it. They listen to his sober speech delivered in straight forward prose because they respect and honour his uprightness and moral values. But they are not moved, they listen as if to a lecture in a classroom. At the end of his speech they hail him as their hero and even wish to crown him as king. A citizen says “Lethim be Caesar,” thus, echoing the very aspirations for which Brutus had killed Caesar. This makes it clear that they had failed to understand the intellectual reasonings of Brutus. Antony, On the other hand shows his powers of verbal manipulation and eloquent oratory. He appeals to the emotions and sentiments of his audience. A keen judge of human nature he understands mob psychology. He leads them cleverly from hostility to total allegiance. He uses ridicule, flattery, passion and ultimately material greed to control the mob. He knows that it would be foolish to praise Caesar directly in the beginning, so he calls Brutus and the conspirators “noble” and “honourable.” But as his speech progresses he : uses the tactics of indirect accusations, geniune grief and irony to incite his listeners until they finally regard Caesar’s death as a cold blooded murder. Every time Antony uses the | _ word “honourable” his bitterness increases and he waits till the crowd reflects his mood. Ultimately he does away with the innuendoes and gives them the visual example of Caesar’s mutilated body. He speaks of the wound inflicted by noble Brutus and accepts that he was not a good speaker otherwise he would move “he stones of Rome to rise and ion Passages 219 Arun Deep’s I.C.S.E. Julius Caesar. mutiny.” He also appeals to their curiosity and material greed when he mentions and hints that Caesar has made them his heirs. Material gains alongwith the si ; Caesar's bloody corpse take the emotions of the mob to a climax and they scream J death of the murderers. Mutiny and rebellion are the intent of the mob. Antony succeeded. Bet: (Extra Comprehension Extracts) 78 A. Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony : who though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the common wealth; as of you shall not ? With this I depart ; that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. Lines, Meanings : (i) benefit of his death - advantages arising from his death. (ii) commonwealth stat a place in the decision making. Q. I. Who says these lines ? Where ? To whom ? Why ? Ans. Brutus speaks these lines in his speech in the Forum at Caesar's funeral to the crowd Roman people that have gathered there. Brutus speaks these lines because the crowd ha demanded an explanation for the murder of Caesar. After explaining that he had kil Caesar to liberate the Romans from his evil ambitions. Brutus requests the crowd to hea Antony speak in the praise of Caesar, as was the Roman custom. . ‘Q.II. Why did Brutus allow Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral ? Did his decision in doin $0 prove to his benefit. Ans. Brutus believed that Antony’s grief over Caesar’s death was genuine and he did not meat any harm to Brutus and the conspirators. He trusted Antony and believed in his sinoer friendship. But Brutus, himself an idealist, failed to judge the true intentions of Anton) Deceit had no place in the life of Brutus and he never thought that others did not posses the same good qualities as he. Brutus wanted the public to accept Caesar's death as anaé necessitated by Brutus’ wish to save Rome from tyranny, Hence, he wanted that Antony who was Caesar‘s friend should be allowed to perform his last rites and ceremonies was customary. Brutus also told Cassius that it would benefit them in the eyes of the Public. So he permitted Antony to speak. But this was a blunder as Antony incited the people to a mutiny by his passionate speech. Q. III. Explain “as I slew my best country to need my death.” Did Brutus actually mean wha he said. Ans, Brutus was a man of high moral principles and he had followed the path of his mor duty by Killing Caesar. He states that just as he had killed his best friend with his daggel | because he wanted to rule like a tyrant over Rome. Similarl ly, would he use his dagger t@ Kill himself if he was certain that it would be for the good of Rome. Brutus was ready t Sacrifice everything for the honour and love of his country. He was a true patriot. He genuinely believed that love and the honour of Rome were above all considerations had to be preserved at all costs. Comprehension Passages 220 Arun Deep’s I.C.S.E. JuliusB. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle : [remember The first time ever Caesar put it on ; Was on a summer's evening in his tent, That day overcome the Nerv’ Lines. 173-177 Meanings : (i) mantle ~cloak. (ii) Nervi — a formidable enemy tribe defeated by Caesar. Q.I. To whom are these lines addressed ? Who is the speaker ? What is his tone ? Ans. These lines are spoken by Antony in his speech at Caesar's funeral in the Forum. He is addressing the Roman people gathered there. Antony uses sarcasm and veiled irony to tell the Plebians that they had not mourned their benefactor Caesar. They had forgotten that he had once been their hero and idol. They had worshipped him for his bravery and honoured him for the victories he had won for Rome. Antony mocks at the fickleness of the crowd who had so soon forgotten the greatness of Caesar and not shed any tears on his death. _ Q.IL. Explain Antony’s reference to Nervi. What is the purpose of this reference ! ‘Ans. Nervi were one of the most ferocious and dreaded tribe in Gaul, the north-west of modern France. One of the greatest victories won by Caesar was this battle of Sambre fought in the year 57 B.C. Antony reminds the Plebians of how great a warrior and conqueror Caesar was. He indirectly accuses them of forgetting the great victories that Caesar had won for Rome. How fickle they were in their loyalties and changed their idols without shedding any tears at their death. Q. Ill. What does Antony hope to achieve ? Does he succeed ? ‘Ans. Antony aims to remind the Plebians of Caesar's greatness and to rouse them to anger against Caesar's conspirators. His speech is full of innuendoes and indirect accusations which incite the people to avenge the death of their hero. C. Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up. To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable. Lines, 214-216 Meanings : (i) stir — anger, incite. (ii) flood of mutiny - revolt. Q.1. Whom does Antony not want to stir to mutiny ? Who are the honourable men ? How many times in his speech has Antony used the word honourable ? Ans. Antony wants to stir the Roman public to a state of mad frenzy and to a mutiny. He wants them fo punish the murderers of Caesar. Brutus, Cassius and the other conspirators are referred to as honouable men by Antony. Antony uses the word honourable eight times inhis speech and each time his bitterness increases until his audience understands that by honourable he actually means dishonourable. Q.IL Antony says “Let me not stir you up to - mutiny.” Does he actually means what he says? What tactics has he adopted ? Ans. Antony was a shrewd judge of human nature and mob psychology. In his speech he uses the devices of irony, passion, ridicule, drama and temptation to control the mob and manipulate them to act as he wants them to. He knows that the mob had been hostile to him and so he does not praise Caesar directly. He resorts to indirect suggestions. Similarly, +he says something else but conveys an altogether different meaning to his audience. So Comprehension Passages 221 Arun Deep’s L.C.S.E. Julius Caesars on of the mob after hearing Antony's speech. is roused to anger and screams for revenge from the and villians. ‘They scream “Revenge! Seek ! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay | live.” Revolt and Mutiny is in their minds and they are ready to follow. that show Antony is satisfied at his achievement. s over the success of his plan. He has started the process of reve r followed up. He says, “Mischief, thou arta foot, Take thou what co