Character Sketch from ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 3, Scene 2 of Brutus, Mark Antony and Plebeians
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Brutus, Mark Antony and Plebeians from ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 3, Scene 2.
- Character Sketch of Brutus
- Questions related to the Character of Brutus
- Character Sketch of Mark Antony
- Questions related to the Character of Mark Antony
- Character Sketch of Plebeians
- Questions related to the Character of Plebeians
Related:
- Julius Caesar Act 3, Scene 2 Summary, Explanation
- Julius Caesar Act 3, Scene 2 Question Answers
- ICSE Class 10 English Lesson Notes
Character Sketch of Brutus
Brutus is presented as a highly principled and logical man who believes he acted for the good of Rome. He addresses the crowd calmly, using reason to justify the assassination. He explains that he killed Caesar not because he loved him less, but because he loved Rome more, and he feared Caesar’s ambition would enslave the people. Brutus is so confident in his honorable motives that he willingly allows Antony to speak after him, a decision that ultimately proves to be a major miscalculation.
Questions related to the Character of Brutus
Q1. How does Brutus justify Caesar’s assassination?
Q2. Why does Brutus allow Antony to give the speech?
Character Sketch of Mark Antony
Mark Antony is portrayed as a loyal friend of Caesar and a master manipulator. He is not a direct participant in the assassination, but he uses the opportunity of his funeral speech to turn the plebeians against the conspirators. He begins his speech with a respectful, almost humble tone, calling Brutus and the other assassins ‘honorable men’ in a way that is gradually revealed to be deeply sarcastic. Antony uses powerful rhetorical devices, emotional appeals, and props like Caesar’s body and will to systematically dismantle Brutus’s arguments and stir the crowd into a violent mob. He pretends to be a simple, ‘plain blunt man’ but is, in fact, a brilliant orator who knows exactly how to control and incite the emotions of the people.
Questions related to the Character of Mark Antony
Q1. What chance does Antony get to take revenge for the killing of his friend?
Q2. What is Antony’s aim in giving the speech?
Character Sketch of Plebeians
The Plebeians are shown to be fickle and easily swayed. At the beginning of the scene, they are full of anger and a desire for answers. They are initially convinced by Brutus’s speech and his logical appeal to Roman patriotism. They even want to crown him as the new Caesar and celebrate him as a hero. However, within minutes, Antony’s emotional and manipulative speech completely changes their minds. They quickly forget their admiration for Brutus and become filled with rage and a thirst for revenge against the ‘traitors’. The plebeians represent the unstable and irrational nature of the masses, highlighting how easily they can be led by a powerful speaker who understands their desires and emotions, rather than their reason.
Questions related to the Character of Plebeians
Q1. Describe the incident when we get to see the fickle-mindedness of the plebeians.
Q2. How does Antony succeed in arousing the plebeians?