Character Sketch from ICSE Class 9 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 1, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Mark Antony and the Soothsayer

 

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 Julius Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Mark Antony and the Soothsayer from ICSE Class 9 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 1, Scene 2.

 

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Character Sketch of Julius Caesar

Caesar is at the height of his power and popularity. He’s confident and proud, and the people of Rome adore him. However, he also seems a bit overconfident. When a soothsayer warns him to ‘Beware the ides of March’, he dismisses it as a foolish superstition. He believes he is in complete control of his own fate, which is a flaw that others will later take advantage of. We also see his physical weaknesses when Casca reveals he has the ‘falling sickness’ i.e. epilepsy and that he appeared weak during a fever in Spain.

 

Questions related to the Character of Julius Caesar

Q1. How do we see Caesar’s overconfidence?
Q2. How does Caesar respond to the soothsayer?

 

Character Sketch of Brutus

Brutus is a highly respected and noble Roman. He is a friend of Caesar’s, but he loves the Roman Republic even more. He is deeply conflicted. On one hand, he loves and admires Caesar; on the other, he fears that Caesar’s ambition will turn Rome into a monarchy, destroying the freedom of its citizens. He is an honorable man who is easily persuaded by appeals to patriotism. This scene shows him at war with himself, which is a theme that will continue throughout the play.

 

Questions related to the Character of Brutus

Q1. What conflicts is going on in the mind of Brutus?
Q2. Describe the Character of Brutus

 

Character Sketch of Cassius

Cassius is the main conspirator against Caesar. He is clever, manipulative, and jealous of Caesar’s power. He doesn’t like the idea of anyone being more powerful than himself. In this scene, he works to get Brutus on his side by flattering him and planting seeds of doubt about Caesar’s fitness to rule. He tells stories to show that Caesar is just a normal man, not a god, and he famously says that the fault lies not in their stars, but in themselves, for being ‘underlings’. He sees himself as Brutus’s ‘mirror’, showing him the potential for greatness that he cannot see in himself.

 

Questions related to the character of Cassius

Q1. What leads Cassius to conspire against Caesar?
Q2. How does Cassius get Brutus with the conspirators?

 

Character Sketch of Casca

Casca is a conspirator who plays a significant role in this scene. He’s a blunt, cynical man who speaks in a rough, sarcastic style. He tells Brutus and Cassius what happened at the games, that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, and Caesar refused it each time, though he secretly seemed to want it. Casca’s rude, mocking way of speaking provides some humor, but his news is serious. He confirms Caesar’s ambition and shows how the Roman public is ready to see him as a king.

 

Questions related to the character of Casca

Q1. Describe Casca
Q2. What proof of Caesar’s ambition does Casca provide?

 

Character Sketch of Mark Antony

Mark Antony is Caesar’s loyal and athletic friend. He is presented as a man of action who is carefree and enjoys life. He follows Caesar’s every command without question, showing his deep loyalty. Caesar trusts him implicitly and even asks him to touch his wife, Calphurnia, in a traditional race to cure her infertility. Later, Caesar’s ‘fat, sleek-headed’ men comment to Antony that ‘lean and hungry’ men like Cassius are dangerous, showing that Caesar sees Antony as a safe, loyal ally.

 

Questions related to the character of Mark Antony

Q1. Describe the bond between Mark and Caesar?
Q2. Is Mark a healer?

 

Character Sketch of the Soothsayer

The Soothsayer is a minor but crucial character. His only line, ‘Beware the ides of March’, is the most famous line in the play and serves as a major moment of foreshadowing. He represents fate and the supernatural forces that seem to be at play, but Caesar’s quick dismissal of him highlights Caesar’s fatal overconfidence.

 

Questions related to the character of the Soothsayer

Q1. What prediction does the soothsayer make?
Q2. Is the soothsayer able to convince Caesar?