JULIUS CAESAR

1) How do the heavens blaze forth the death of Julius Caesar?

Caesar refuses to believe that the various unnatural and unusual things
that have been sighted or have been heard of by Calpurnia are a kind of
warning sent by the God themselves. He feels that these ill omens are
meant for the common people and not for the mighty Caesar. To counter
this Calpurnia says that the heavens proclaim the death of only great men
and nothing unusual happens when a common person is about to die.
2) What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?
Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar not to go to the senate house on that
day because of the various ill-omens that she has seen and heard about.
She fears that Caesars life is in danger so she forbids him from venturing
out of the house. Therefore she goes down on her knees and begs with
folded hands that let him not venture outside out of fear in his mind but
for the fear in her mind.
3) Why does Calpurnia say that Caesars wisdom is consumed in
confidence? What does she mean?
When Caesar refuses to heed to Calpurnias fear and insists upon going to
the senate house, she comments that his wisdom is being clouded and
overshadowed by his over confidence, so he is not able to think clearly
and act wisely.
4) What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus
interpret the dream?
Calpurnia dreams a Caesars statue with many spouts on it. She sees
blood oozing out of his statue and many smiling Romans coming and
bathing their hands in it. Decius Brutus interprets the dream as a fair and
fortunate vision. He says the vision of Romans bathing in Caesars blood
signifies that Caesars great life will influence so many Roman people
who will gather around him and stain their handkerchiefs in his blood
which will serve as colors added to a coat of arms. He tactfully changes
the meaning of the dream.
5) Why is Decius more successful in persuading Caesar than
Calpurnia?

Calpurnia's plea merely appeals to Caesar's emotions whereas Decius

Brutus' arguments appeal to his bloated ego, vanity and his ambition.
Moreover, Caesar considers him a well-wisher and a friend of him. Thus
he was more successful in persuading Caesar rather than Calpurnia.
6) What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How
does Caesar respond to it?
Metellus Cimber approaches Caesar to cancel his brother, Publius
Cimbers punishment, recall him from banishment and grant him
freedom. Caesar refuses to listen to his plea as he feels that he always
takes a decision after serious consideration and he will not be swayed by
begging and pleading. He says his judgement on this is as constant as the
northern star.
7) Who says Et tu Brute? When are these words spoken? Why?
Caesar utters these words when he is stabbed by Brutus. Caesar had
always considered Brutus as a loyal friend, so when he is stabbed by
Brutus who joins the conspirators, he is totally shocked and utters these
words in disbelief.
8) In the moments following Caesars death what do the conspirators
proclaim to justify Caesars death?
Soon after slaying Caesar, Cinna proclaims that they are free and tyrant is
dead. Cassius sends some of his fellow conspirators to the platform to cry
out, Liberty, freedom and enfranchisement. Since Caesar was popular
among the masses and his death could lead to a rebellion, this
proclamation was made to convince them that with Caesars murder
democratic rights would be restored to them.
9) Whom does Antony call the choice and master spirits of this age?
Why?
Antony calls Caesars assassins the choice and master spirits of this
age. He uses this expression to express his sarcasm as they have
murdered the choicest and most powerful man of Rome. Moreover,
Antony purposely praises the traitors as he does not want to provoke
them and wishes to give them the impression that he is on their side so
that he would get an opportunity to avenge Caesars death.

10) Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesars

funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?
Cassius objects to allowing Antony to speak at the funeral because he
feels Antony might say something that may sway and move the emotions
of the people of Rome. Brutus overcomes his objection by saying that he
will go to the pulpit first and explain to the people the cause and need of
killing Caesar. He will then announce that Antony speaks with their
permission and is here to pay tributes to Caesar.
11)What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing
Antony to speak at Caesars funeral?
The conspirators made it clear to Antony that he would not blame them in
his speech and that he would only praise Caesar, mentioning to the public
that he speaks with their consent. Apart from this, his address to the
public would begin only after Brutus had addressed the gathering.
12) When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Antony
call Brutus and the others?
Antony calls Brutus and the others butchers and seeks Caesars
forgiveness for being gentle and submissive with his murderers. He
pledges to avenge Caesars brutal killing.
13) What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in
Rome?
Antony prophesises over Caesars wounds that Italy will be involved in
civil war and violence. Domestic fury and fierce civil strife shall destroy
all parts of Rome. Blood and destruction will become so common and the
sight of dreadful weapons so familiar that mothers will smile when they
hold their dead babies. Terrible deeds will replace pity and mercy and
Caesars spirit will come to avenge his own death with Ate, the Goddess
of revenge by his side.
14) What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
Brutus speaks on behalf of the conspirators to justify Caesars
assassination by saying that he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar.

According to him, Caesar was an ambitious man and if alive could be a

threat to Roman liberty and freedom. He was slain as he was ambitious,
obstinate and egoistic and this behavior of Caesar was a big risk to the
whole of Rome, so they were left with no other choice, but to kill him.
15) Why is Antonys speech more effective?
Antony made an effective and persuasive speech and so is able to strike
the right chord with the people who begin to understand him as his
speech appeals to their heart. He rouses the basic sentiments of the
people by cleverly directing his speech towards Caesars greatness as a
ruler and as a human being and is finally able to turn the tables against
the conspirators. In stark contrast to Brutuss cold and intellectual speech,
Antonys speech is more passionate, hence it is more effective.
16) How was Antony successful in instigating the people of Rome
against the conspirators?
Antony uses various rhetorical devices to produce the desired effect that
is needed to instigate the people of Rome against the conspirators. He
plays to the basic sentiments of the common people, the mob. He very
cleverly directs his speech towards Caesars greatness as a human being
and his ill-fated death in the hands of the conspirators. In this way he was
able to arouse the basic instinct of revenge against the conspirators by
stating that Caesar has left everything he had to the people in his will and
so he cannot be called ambitious.
17) Give two instances from the play, Julius Caesar to prove that
Mark Antony was a good orator.
Mark Antony was indeed a good orator as is evident from instances in the
play Julius Caesar. His funeral speech is indeed a masterpiece of
unparalleled oratory. He targets the peoples emotion by proving to the
people the greatness of Caesar. He ironically uses the word honourable
in reference to Brutus very artfully convincing the people about the fact
that Brutus is everything but honourable. The rhetoric devices in his
speech adds great effect to his speech. He rouses the basic sentiments of
the people by cleverly directing his speech towards Caesars greatness as

a ruler and as a human being and is finally able to turn the tables against
the conspirators.
18) Bring out the characteristic features of Mark Antony in the play,
Julius Caesar.
Mark Antony is Caesars true friend and confidant. He is genuinely
grieved after Caesar is brutally murdered by the conspirators. But he is
shrewd and manipulative and does not lose his intelligence when he sees
Caesars slain body. He pretends to be in favour of the conspirators. He
cleverly waits for the right moment to show his loyalty towards Caesar.
He is a good orator and with his crafty speech is successful in instigating
the mob and turns the tables against the conspirators.
19) Why did Cassius hatch a conspiracy to murder Caesar?
Caesar was an able general and mighty conqueror who had brought great glory
to Rome. But many of the senators were jealous of Caesars growing power and
immense popularity. Out of greed for power, money and fame, Cassius instigates a
conspiracy to murder Caesar. To legitimize his plan in the eyes of the Romans, he
had to win over Brutus to his side as Brutus was the most trusted and respected
person in Rome.
20) What characteristics are displayed by the Roman mob in the play?
Discuss how the mob changed the fate of the main character in the play.
Mob is of strategic importance in the plays of Shakespeare. They give us a deep
insight to the main characters and is instrumental in turning the tides of events.
They glorified Caesar when he brought victory and filled the coffers of Rome.
They rejoiced in his honour, worshipped him and put him on a pedestal as hero.
But the commoners are too vulnerable, very easily swayed and exhibit herd
mentality. When Brutus convinces them that Caesars murder was justified in the
interest of Rome, they believed him; but when Mark Antony plays on their
emotions, they rise in mutiny. They are overwhelmed to hear of Caesars will and
pledge to cause death. So, we can conclude by painting the mob to be very foolish,
greedy, gullible and fickle minded.