ICSE Class 9 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 Important Question Answers

 

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• Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 Textbook Questions
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• Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 Summary, Explanation
• Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 Character Sketch
• ICSE Class 9 English Lesson Notes

 

ICSE Class 9 English Drama  Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 Textbook Questions

 

ASSIGNMENTS

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Brutus having sleepless nights?
(a) Because of the stormy weather outside.
(b) Because of his inner turmoil.
(c) He is suffering from insomnia.
(d) Because of his fear of being a co-conspirator against Caesar.
Ans. (b) Because of his inner turmoil.

2. Which of the following is NOT true about Brutus’ feelings for Caesar?
(a) He loves Caesar.
(b) Caesar’s death will be for the good of Rome.
(c) He has a personal grudge against Caesar.
(d) He fears the people would choose Caesar as their king.
Ans. (c) He has a personal grudge against Caesar.

3. Brutus does not agree with Cassius on the issue of taking mutual oath because he considers
(a) they are true Romans fighting for a just cause.
(b) they are true Romans fighting for an unjust cause.
(c) it is below their dignity to take an oath.
(d) it is an attempt to take their test.
Ans. (a) they are true Romans fighting for a just cause.

4. Why does Brutus not want Cicero to join the group of conspirators?
(a) Cicero is Caesar’s trustworthy
(b) Cicero is known for shifting loyalties
(c) Cicero is indecisive
(d) Cicero is irresolute
Ans. (c) Cicero is indecisive

5. Why is Brutus against killing Antony after the murder of Caesar?
(a) Antony will be powerless after Caesar’s death
(b) Antony devoted his life to sports and wildness
(c) They must not appear as butchers to the people.
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (d) All of the above.

6. How does Decius Brutus say he would persuade Caesar to come to the Senate?
(a) By flattery
(c) By persuasion
(b) By deceit
(d) By showing fear
Ans. (a) By flattery

7. According to Cassius, what could prevent Caesar from coming to the Senate?
(a) The signs and portents given by the storm
(b) The warning given by the Soothsayer
(c) The report given by his loyal friends
(d) All of the above
Ans. (a) The signs and portents given by the storm

8. What is Portia’s complaint against Brutus?
(a) He has been ignoring her
(b) He has been talking to strangers
(c) He has been behaving unnaturally
(d) He has been sleepwalking
Ans. (c) He has been behaving unnaturally

9. With whom does Portia compare herself?
(a) Her uncle, Brutus
(c) Her father, Cato
(b) Her legendary mother
(d) None of the above
Ans. (c) Her father, Cato

10. Portia pleads with Brutus to share his secret with her claiming which of the following?
(a) Equal rights of wifehood
(b) Being his childhood friend
(c) Being his well-wisher
(d) Being his close confidant
Ans. (a) Equal rights of wifehood

11. What does ‘darkness’ signify in this scene?
(a) Fear in Brutus’ mind
(b) Suspicion in Brutus’ mind
(c) Confusion in Brutus’ mind
(d) Calmness in Brutus’ mind
Ans. (a) Fear in Brutus’ mind

12. Which literary device is used in this scene to reveal Brutus’ confused state of mind?
(a) Anaphora
(b) Soliloquy
(c) Personification
(d) Irony
Ans. (b) Soliloquy

13. Which argument does Brutus give to convince himself to join the conspirators against Caesar?
(a) Once crowned, Caesar would get them killed
(b) Once crowned, Caesar would cause end of Rome
(c) Once crowned, Caesar would become uncontrollable
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Once crowned, Caesar would become uncontrollable

14. Brutus uses which of the following phrases for Caesar?
(a) Butcher of butchers
(b) Slayer of Rome
(c) Devil’s soul
(d) Serpent’s egg
Ans. (d) Serpent’s egg

15. Brutus justifies his act of joining the conspirators to assassinate Caesar by defining it as
(a) moral and necessary
(b) spiritual and purifying
(c) cleansing and moralising
(d) worldly-wise and needful
Ans. (b) spiritual and purifying

16. Which of the following acts of Brutus, after joining the conspirators, does NOT indicate his dictatorial behaviour?
(a) Vetoes the inclusion of Cicero
(b) Objects to the killing of Antony
(c) Accedes to the plan of brutally murdering Caesar
(d) Agrees to killing Antony.
Ans. (b) Objects to the killing of Antony

17. While pleading with Brutus, Portia appeals to which of his traits?
(a) His sense of honour
(b) His sense of pride
(c) His sense of friendship
(d) His sense of loyalty
Ans. (a) His sense of honour

18. Why do the conspirators want to win over Brutus to their side?
(a) His integrity and personal reputation in Rome
(b) His method of planning and executing.
(c) His sharp knowledge of Republicanism
(d) His love for Caesar
Ans. (a) His integrity and personal reputation in Rome

19. Which characteristic trait of Caesar does Decius Brutus’ character reveal in this scene?
(a) Patriotism
(b) Loyal friend
(c) Betrayal of friendship
(d) Irritable vanity
Ans. (d) Irritable vanity

20. In his mind how does Brutus justify killing Caesar?
(a) Spiritual and Purifying
(b) A necessary evil
(c) Vanquishing Rome’s foe
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Ans. (b) A necessary evil

CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Lucius
I will, my lord.
Brutus [Exit]
It must be by his death: and, for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown’d:
How that might change his nature, there’s the question:
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
And that craves wary walking.

(i) Where does this scene take place? Who is Lucius? What has he been asked to do?
Ans. This scene takes place in Brutus’s orchard during the early morning hours. Lucius is Brutus’s young servant. Brutus has asked him to fetch a taper i.e. a candle from his study and bring it to him.

(ii) In what mood is Brutus? What does it refer to? Whose death is suggested?
Ans. Brutus is in a contemplative and deeply troubled mood. ‘It’ refers to the decision to kill Caesar. The death suggested is that of Julius Caesar. Brutus is grappling with the moral and ethical implications of his actions.

(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? What does it reveal about Brutus?
Ans. Cassius has been the primary person to convince Brutus to take this step by subtly manipulating him and appealing to his sense of honor. However, the text shows that Brutus’s motive, as he sees it, is not a personal one, but for the general good of Rome. This decision reveals Brutus’s idealism and patriotism, as he is willing to sacrifice his friendship with Caesar to protect the Republic from a potential tyrant.

(iv) What danger does Brutus foresee if the person is crowned as a king? How is this danger expressed by referring to the “bright day” and the “adder”?
Ans. Brutus foresees that if Caesar is crowned, his nature will change for the worse, and he will become a tyrannical ruler. This danger is expressed through a metaphor, ‘It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; And that craves wary walking’. Brutus means that just as the warmth of a bright day can cause a venomous snake i.e. an adder to come out, the power and glory of being crowned king can bring out the hidden, corrupt side of Caesar’s nature, which would make him dangerous.

(v) What are your feelings for Brutus at this juncture? Give two reasons to justify your feelings.
Ans. At this juncture, one can feel a mix of pity and respect for Brutus. I feel pity for him because he is clearly tormented by his decision, as he is sacrificing his personal love for Caesar for what he believes is a higher cause. He is not acting out of malice, but from a misguided sense of honor. I also feel respect for him because he is shown to be a man of great integrity and principle. Unlike the other conspirators, he has a strong moral code and is motivated by a genuine desire for the good of Rome, which makes his decision all the more tragic.

2. Brutus
So Caesar may;
Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities;
And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg,
Which, hatch’d, would, as his kind, grow mischievous.
And kill him in the shell.

(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?
Ans. ‘So Caesar may’ refers to the possibility that Caesar, once he attains the ‘upmost round’ of power, will turn his back on those who helped him climb, just as an ambitious person on a ladder turns his back on the lowliness he rose from. Brutus intends to prevent this by killing Caesar, the ‘serpent’s egg’, before he can become a venomous and tyrannical ruler.

(ii) Give the meaning: “And, since the quarrel/ Will bear no colour for the thing he is/ Fashion it thus.”
Ans. This means that since their argument or quarrel against Caesar has no justifiable reason based on his current actions, they must frame it differently. They must find a new way to justify their actions since they cannot argue that Caesar has already committed a crime.

(iii) What is meant by “augmented”? How can Caesar be augmented? How had there already been an attempt to augment him?
Ans. Augmented means to be made greater or increased. Caesar can be augmented by being crowned king, which would give him absolute power. There had already been an attempt to augment him by Mark Antony, who had publicly offered Caesar a crown at the Lupercal festival.

(iv) To whom is a “serpent’s egg” compared? What does Brutus want to communicate by using comparison of a “serpent’s egg”?
Ans. The serpent’s egg is a metaphor for Caesar. By using this comparison, Brutus wants to communicate that although Caesar is not yet harmful, the potential for him to become a tyrannical and mischievous ruler is inherent, just as a serpent’s egg holds a dangerous creature within. Therefore, the only way to prevent him from becoming a danger is to kill him before his potential for evil can hatch.

(v) What price would Brutus pay later by preventing a “serpent’s egg” from being hatched?
Ans. By killing Caesar, Brutus will pay a high price later. The price is his own downfall, the loss of his moral standing, and eventually, his life. His actions lead to a civil war that ultimately destroys the Republic he sought to save. He will also later be haunted by the ghost of Caesar, showing the personal and psychological toll of his decision.

3. Brutus
Tis good. Go to the gate; somebody knocks.
[Exit Lucius]
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I have not slept.
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim is
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream:
The genius and the mortal instruments
Are then in council; and the state of man,
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then
The nature of an insurrection.

(i) To what does Brutus reply, “Tis good.” Who is knocking at the gate? Why has he come?
Ans. Brutus replies, ‘’Tis good,’ after his servant Lucius informs him that it is the Ides of March, the day they have planned to carry out the assassination. He has been anxious about the date. A knock sounds at the gate, which Lucius is sent to answer. The person knocking is Cassius, accompanied by the other conspirators. He has come to meet Brutus and finalize the plans for the assassination of Caesar.

(ii) What is the impact of Cassius’ earlier discussion on Brutus?
Ans. The impact of Cassius’s earlier discussion on Brutus has been profound and disruptive. Brutus says, ‘Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept’. The word ‘whet’ means to sharpen or stimulate. This shows that Cassius’s words have ignited a severe internal conflict in Brutus, leading to his sleepless nights and deep anxiety over the moral implications of their plan.

(iii) In what type of mental frame is Brutus? Why does he compare his mental condition to a nightmare or a horrid dream?
Ans. Brutus is in an extremely agitated and conflicted mental state. He compares his condition to a nightmare or a ‘horrid dream’ because the time between conceiving the dreadful plot and actually executing it is filled with turmoil and anxiety. This period is not real life but a torturous, dream-like state of mind where his ‘genius’ i.e. his soul or rational mind and ‘mortal instruments’ i.e. his physical body and passions are in conflict.

(iv) Give the meaning of:
(a) all the interim is/ Like a phantasma.
Ans. This phrase means that the entire period of time between the initial thought of the plot and the act of carrying it out feels like a hallucination or an unreal, frightening vision.

(b) the genius and the mortal instruments/ Are then in council.
Ans. the genius and the mortal instruments/ Are then in council: This means that Brutus’s mind i.e. the ‘genius’ and his physical body and emotions i.e. the ‘mortal instruments’ are engaged in a tense and conflicted debate. His rational self and his human passions are at odds with each other.

(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.
Ans. Brutus compares his mental condition to a civil war by stating that ‘the state of man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection’ . He sees his mind as a ‘little kingdom’ where a battle is taking place. His reason and conscience are clashing with his emotions and the external pressures to act. This internal conflict is as violent and destructive as a civil war, leaving his mind in a state of chaos and turmoil. The comparison highlights the severe psychological distress Brutus is experiencing.

4. Brutus
They are the faction. O conspiracy,
Sham’st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night,
When evils are most free? O, then, by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, conspiracy;
Hide it in smiles and affability:
For if thou path, thy native semblance on,
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention.

(i) Who comes after this extract? How are they dressed? Who informs Brutus of their arrival?
Ans. After this extract, the conspirators arrive: Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius. They are dressed with their hats pulled low over their faces and their cloaks pulled up, hiding their identities. Lucius, Brutus’s servant, informs him of their arrival, noting that he couldn’t recognize them.

(ii) What is meant by the “faction” and “thy dangerous brow”?
Ans. ‘The faction’ refers to the group of conspirators who have come to meet Brutus to finalize the plan to assassinate Caesar. ‘Thy dangerous brow’ refers to the true, monstrous, and threatening nature of the conspiracy itself.

(iii) How does conspiracy disguise itself at night and during the day?
Ans. At night, the conspiracy’s true ‘dangerous brow’ is free to show itself because ‘evils are most free’ in the darkness. However, Brutus advises that during the day, the conspiracy must hide its monstrous nature, not in a literal dark cavern, but by disguising itself with ‘smiles and affability’, a friendly and pleasant appearance.

(iv) What is referred to as “Erebus”? If conspiracy were to appear with its “native semblance on,” what would happen?
Ans. Erebus refers to a place of utter darkness in Greek mythology, often a synonym for hell or the underworld. If the conspiracy were to appear with its ‘native semblance on’ i.e. in its true, monstrous form, it would be so ugly that not even the deepest darkness of Erebus could hide it from being found out and prevented.

(v) Why is it necessary to disguise the conspiracy? Give two of the precautions taken by the conspirators to hide the conspiracy.
Ans. It is necessary to disguise the conspiracy to prevent the conspirators from being discovered and arrested before they can act. Brutus warns that if the conspiracy’s monstrous nature were revealed, not even Erebus i.e. the underworld’s darkness could hide it from prevention or discovery. The conspirators take several precautions to hide their identities and purpose. First, they wear their hats pulled down and their cloaks pulled up to hide their faces from view, even from their own allies. Second, Brutus advises them to hide their true intentions with ‘smiles and affability’ during the day, so their looks do not reveal their deadly purpose to the public.

5. Brutus
What need we any spur but our own cause,
To prick us to redress? what other bond
Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word,
And will not palter? And what other oath
Than honesty to honesty engag’d,
That this shall be, or we will fall for it?

(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.
Ans. The ‘we’ refers to Brutus and the other conspirators. Their cause is to liberate Rome from tyranny and prevent Caesar from becoming king. Brutus argues that their cause itself serves as a ‘spur’, or a motivating force. It’s a cause so noble that it should naturally compel them to act, eliminating the need for any additional pressure or promise. The righteousness of their mission should be enough to drive them forward.

(ii) Who had suggested the idea of taking an oath? Why did Brutus dismiss that idea? Was Brutus’ decision wise? Why?
Ans. Cassius had suggested the idea of taking a formal oath. Brutus dismissed it, arguing that their commitment to the cause should be based on their honor as Romans, not on a sworn promise. He believed an oath was only necessary for those with a weak or wicked purpose. Brutus’s decision was not wise. While it reflects his noble character, it overlooks the reality that an oath provides a tangible bond and a shared commitment, which could have helped keep the conspirators united and prevented some from faltering.

(iii) Explain what is meant by “honesty to honesty engag’d”. Why is honesty very important for Brutus and his men?
Ans. ‘Honesty to honesty engag’d’ means that each man’s integrity is pledged to the integrity of the others. They are bound by their mutual virtue and honor, rather than a formal oath. Honesty is crucial for Brutus because it is the foundation of the nobility he is trying to uphold. He believes that their cause is so virtuous that it should be powered by the inherent honesty of those involved, not by a shallow promise. For Brutus, their sincerity is their greatest bond.

(iv) Give the meaning of: “That this shall be, or we will fall for it?”
Ans. This phrase means that they are committed to ensuring their plan succeeds, and that they will either achieve their goal or die trying. It is a vow of commitment to the cause, indicating their willingness to lay down their lives for it.

(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?
Ans. According to Brutus, an oath is typically taken by ‘priests and cowards and men cautelous’, or those who are weak, deceitful, and suspicious. He convinces his group to uphold their Roman nobility by appealing to their sense of honor. He argues that their shared Roman blood, which is noble by nature, is a sufficient bond. He states that if any Roman breaks his promise, it is a sign of a ‘several bastardy’, or a kind of illegitimate birth, which dishonors their ancestry. He believes their cause is so just that their integrity alone should be enough to drive them, without the need for an external oath.

6. Brutus
O, name him not: let us not break with him;
For he will never follow any thing
That other men begin.
Cassius
Then leave him out.
Casca
Indeed he is not fit.
Decius
Shall no man else be touch’d but only Caesar?

(i) Who is him? What did Brutus want to leave him out of? What reason had just been given in his favour?
Ans. ‘Him’ is referring to Cicero, a highly respected and influential Roman senator. Brutus wanted to leave him out of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. The reason just given in his favor by Metellus was that his ‘silver hairs’, or old age and wisdom, would lend credibility and ‘buy men’s voices’ to support their actions.

(ii) Explain “let us not break with him.” Why does Brutus say this?
Ans. ‘Let us not break with him’ means ‘let’s not reveal our plan to him’. Brutus says this because he knows Cicero’s personality. He believes that Cicero is too proud and independent and ‘will never follow anything That other men begin’. Brutus thinks Cicero would not join a plot he wasn’t the leader of.

(iii) What is the meaning of “touch’d” here? Who else, does Cassius now mention
should be “touch’d”? What is his reason?
Ans. ‘Touch’d’ means to be physically harmed or killed. Cassius mentions that Mark Antony should also be ‘touch’d’, or killed. His reason is that Antony is a devoted friend of Caesar’s and a clever planner i.e. ‘a shrewd contriver’ who could use his influence to seek revenge and cause problems for the conspirators after Caesar is gone.

(iv) Brutus overrides Cassius. Why? What does it reveal about Brutus?
Ans. Brutus overrides Cassius’s suggestion to kill Antony because he wants the assassination to look like a noble act of sacrifice, not a bloody murder. He argues, ‘Let us be sacrificers but not butchers’, and that killing Antony would make their cause seem vengeful. This reveals Brutus’s idealism and naiveté. He is so focused on the honorable appearance of their actions that he overlooks the practical, and ultimately deadly, threat that Antony poses.

(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.
Ans. Cassius objects to sparing Antony, saying he fears the ‘engrafted love’ Antony has for Caesar. He believes that this deep friendship will motivate Antony to seek revenge. Cassius’s objection is later completely justified after Caesar’s death. Antony, whom Brutus allowed to live, delivered a powerful and emotional speech at Caesar’s funeral that turned the Roman public against the conspirators, ultimately leading to their downfall and defeat in the civil war.

7. Cassius
Yet I fear him;
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar-
Brutus
Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him.
If he love Caesar, all that he can do
Is to himself, – take thought and die for Caesar:
And that were much he should; for he is given
To sports, to wildness, and much company.
Trebonius
There is no fear in him; let him not die;
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.
[Clock strikes]

(i) What is the occasion for the dialogue? What is meant by “ingrafted love”? Name the person being talked about in the dialogue.
Ans. The occasion for this dialogue is the conspirators’ meeting at Brutus’s house, where they are finalizing their plans to assassinate Caesar. ‘Ingrafted love’ means a deep, ingrained, or rooted love, like a branch grafted onto a tree. The person being talked about in the dialogue is Mark Antony.

(ii) How does Brutus dismiss Cassius’ fear of that person?
Ans. Brutus dismisses Cassius’s fear of Antony in two ways. First, he claims that if Antony truly loves Caesar, the most he can do is kill himself out of grief. Second, he argues that Antony is not a serious threat because he is a fun-loving person, ‘given to sports, to wildness, and much company’. Brutus believes that Antony’s carefree nature makes him incapable of posing a serious political danger.

(iii) Why does Trebonius say that there is no cause to fear that man?
Ans. Trebonius agrees with Brutus and adds that there is no need to fear Antony because he will be so consumed with grief and despair over Caesar’s death that he will not have the power or will to act against them. He says that Antony will ‘live, and laugh at this hereafter’, suggesting that the event will be so overwhelming that Antony will be rendered harmless and only live to laugh at his own misfortune later.

(iv) Give the meaning of: “For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter.”
Ans. This phrase means that Antony will survive the assassination, and once the initial shock and grief pass, he will be so overwhelmed by the event that he will only be able to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Trebonius implies that Antony is not a threat because he will be emotionally and psychologically defeated.

(v) Which of the three men prove to be right and in what way?
Ans. Cassius proves to be the most right of the three. His fear that Antony’s deep love for Caesar would make him a dangerous enemy is completely justified. Brutus and Trebonius’s underestimation of Antony is a fatal mistake. After Caesar’s assassination, Antony delivers a powerful and emotional speech that turns the Roman public against the conspirators, ultimately leading to their downfall and death.

TEST AND EVALUATION

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Brutus
“Shall Rome, etc.” Thus must I piece it out;
Shall Rome stand under one man’s awe? What, Rome?
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The Tarquin drive, when he was call’d a king
“Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreated
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise:

(i) What has just been read by Brutus? Who had placed the letter? Why and by whom was the letter sent? (3)
Ans. Brutus has just read a letter that was placed in his study. The letter’s full message is ‘Brutus, thou sleep’st. Awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!’ The letter was placed there by his servant, Lucius, who found it near the window. It was sent by Cassius as part of his larger plan to manipulate Brutus. Cassius had several of these letters delivered to different parts of Brutus’s house to give the impression that the citizens of Rome were pleading for his intervention.

(ii) What message was being conveyed to Brutus? How did he react to the message? (3)
Ans. The letter’s message was a veiled plea for Brutus to take action to save Rome. The phrase ‘Shall Rome, etc.’ is a call for him to remember his duty to the Republic and not let Rome fall under the authority of a single ruler. Brutus reacts with intense emotion and a renewed sense of purpose. He is deeply affected by the call to action, feeling a moral and ancestral responsibility to ‘speak and strike’ against Caesar for the sake of Rome. He interprets the letter as a direct appeal from the city itself.

(iii) Who was the Tarquin? What reference is made to the ancestors of Brutus in the extract? (3)
Ans. The Tarquin was the last king of Rome, a tyrannical ruler named Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. The reference to the ancestors of Brutus is a historical one. Brutus’s family lineage, the Junius Brutus line, was famous for leading the rebellion that drove the Tarquin from Rome and established the Roman Republic. This historical legacy places a profound burden of honor and duty on Brutus, as he is expected to uphold his family’s reputation for protecting Roman liberty.

(iv) State in your own words the promise made by Brutus to Rome.(3)
Ans. Brutus promises Rome that if his actions will truly ‘redress’, or fix, the city’s problems, he will fully carry out the demands of the letter. He vows to take up the responsibility of speaking and striking for Rome’s sake, just as his ancestors did. His promise is to be the savior of the Republic, if that is indeed what the situation requires.

(v) What aspect of the character of Brutus is highlighted in the extract? Give two reasons to justify your answer.(4)
Ans. This extract highlights Brutus’s deep sense of honor and patriotism. He is not swayed by personal gain or hatred, but by what he perceives as a duty to his country and a legacy to uphold. First, he immediately connects the anonymous letter to his own family history, seeing himself as a direct heir to the noble actions of his ancestors who founded the Republic by expelling a king. This shows his strong commitment to his heritage and a Republic. Second, he takes the message as a direct appeal from Rome itself and makes a promise to his country, demonstrating that his primary loyalty is to the Republic, not to any individual, not even Caesar.

2. Brutus
Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius,
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs,
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards;
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar.
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar;
And in the spirit of men there is no blood:
O that we, then, could come by Caesar’s spirit,
And not dismember Caesar!

(i) What is the “course” referred to in the extract? Under what circumstances will it look bloody? (3)
Ans. The ‘course’ refers to the plan of action the conspirators will take. It will look ‘too bloody’ if they decide to kill both Caesar and Mark Antony. Brutus argues that killing Caesar is necessary, but killing Antony would be an act of excessive and unnecessary violence, making them appear as merciless killers rather than principled liberators.

(ii) Who is referred to as “the head and the limbs”? What is meant by “Like wrath in death and envy afterwards”? (3)
Ans. ‘The head’ refers to Julius Caesar, as he is the leader and the central figure of power. ‘The limbs’ refers to Mark Antony, whom Brutus sees as merely an extension of Caesar’s power and influence. ‘Like wrath in death and envy afterwards’ means that their actions would seem like a vengeful killing followed by a cowardly act of jealousy against a secondary figure .

(iii) What arguments are given by Cassius to justify that Antony should not outlive Caesar? (3)
Ans. Cassius argues that Antony should not outlive Caesar because he is a ‘shrewd contriver’ i.e. a clever and dangerous schemer who is deeply loyal to Caesar. Cassius fears that Antony would use his considerable influence and connections to avenge Caesar’s death and pose a significant threat to the conspirators’ safety and the success of their cause.

(iv) What is meant by: “Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers?” What is Brutus’ idealistic attitude on the killing of Caesar? (3)
Ans. Brutus’s famous line means that they must perform the killing as a solemn and necessary ritual for the good of Rome, not as a brutal and senseless slaughter. He wants their act to be seen as a sacrifice to the gods of liberty and justice. His idealistic attitude on killing Caesar is that the assassination is not a murder but a noble purging of a threat. He believes they are taking a life to save the Republic and must do so with dignity and purpose, not with rage or cruelty.

(v) What is the “spirit of Caesar”? What inevitable act they must indulge in to take possession of the spirit of Caesar? Give a reason to justify your answer. (4)
Ans. The ‘spirit of Caesar’ refers to his ambition, political influence, and potential to become a tyrant, the very essence of what the conspirators fear. Brutus says, ‘O that we… could come by Caesar’s spirit, And not dismember Caesar!’ This reveals his wish to eliminate the political threat without resorting to bloodshed. However, the inevitable act they must indulge in to get at this ‘spirit’ is the physical killing of Caesar. Brutus himself acknowledges this when he says, ‘But, alas, Caesar must bleed for it’. The reason is that, in their view, Caesar’s spirit and his physical being are inextricably linked; they cannot remove his political power without ending his life.

3. Cassius
But it is doubtful yet
Whether Caesar will come forth today or no;
For he is superstitious grown of late,
Quite from the main opinion he held once
Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies;
It may be, these apparent prodigies,
The unaccustom’d terror of this night,
And the persuasion of his augurers.
May hold him from the Capitol today.

(i) What day and what time is referred to in the extract? What is referred to as “doubtful yet”? (3)
Ans. The day referred to in the extract is the Ides of March. The time is the early morning, just before dawn. What is referred to as ‘doubtful yet’ is whether Julius Caesar will leave his house and go to the Capitol to attend the Senate meeting on that day.

(ii) Where is Caesar supposed to go that morning? Why was his going there important for Cassius and others? (3)
Ans. Caesar is supposed to go to the Capitol that morning. His presence there is crucial for Cassius and the other conspirators because it is the location they have chosen for the assassination. The success of their plan depends entirely on Caesar arriving at the Capitol as expected.

(iii) What three things could hold Caesar back? (3)
Ans. According to Cassius, three things could hold Caesar back from going to the Capitol. First, he has become superstitious, a new change for him. Second, the strange and scary signs of the storm, which Cassius calls ‘apparent prodigies’, might make him afraid. Third, the warnings and advice from his official diviners, or ‘augurers’, might persuade him to stay home.

(iv) What opinion had Caesar held before? How would he verify whether he should go out that morning? (3)
Ans. Before this time, Caesar had a different opinion; he did not believe in superstitions, dreams, or ceremonies. He did not pay much attention to such things. He would verify whether he should go out that morning by listening to his augurers. These were priests who would examine the insides of animals to predict the future or to give advice. Their opinion would be very important to him in his new superstitious state of mind.

(v) Who offers a solution for a problem arising from Caesar’s superstition preventing him from going out? What does he say in this regard about Caesar and his weaknesses? (4)
Ans. Decius Brutus offers a solution to the problem. He says he can persuade Caesar to go to the Capitol despite his superstitions. Decius states that Caesar’s main weakness is his susceptibility to flattery. He knows that Caesar loves to be praised and that he can manipulate Caesar by telling him that he hates flatterers, which ironically is the greatest form of flattery itself. Decius’s words highlight Caesar’s vanity and overconfidence, which Decius plans to exploit to get him to the Senate.

4. Brutus
O ye gods,
Render me worthy of this noble wife!
[Knocking within
Hark, hark! one knocks. Portia, go in awhile;
And by and by thy bosom shall partake
The secrets of my heart.
All my engagements I will construe to thee,
All the charactery of my sad brows.
Leave me with haste.
[Exit Portia]
Lucius, who’s that knocks?

(i) Brutus considers Portia as his “noble wife.” With reference to her ancestry, devotion to her husband and endurance show briefly how Portia is a noble wife. (3)
Ans. Portia proves her nobility through her lineage, devotion, and endurance. Her ancestry is noble as she is the daughter of the revered Roman statesman Cato. Her devotion is shown by her deep concern for her husband’s well-being and her insistence on being a true partner, not a mere companion. Her endurance is proven by her self-inflicted wound, which she bears with patience to show Brutus that she is strong enough to handle his secrets.

(ii) What are the secrets of Brutus’ heart? Why are they to be known by Portia “by and by”? (3)
Ans. The secrets of Brutus’s heart are his involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar and his deep inner turmoil over the moral implications of his decision. They are to be known by Portia ‘by and by’, which means later on or soon, because a knock sounds at the gate, interrupting their conversation. Brutus must attend to the new arrivals before he can share his secrets with his wife.

(iii) What is meant by “All the charactery of my sad brows”? Why are his brows said to be sad? (3)
Ans. ‘All the charactery of my sad brows’ means that Brutus will explain the ‘writing’ or the expression of sadness on his face. He is saying that he will reveal the full meaning of his somber and troubled expression. His brows are said to be sad because his mind is burdened with the immense weight of the conspiracy, the conflict between his love for Caesar and his duty to Rome, and the sleepless nights he has endured.

(iv) Whom does Lucius bring in? Describe the visitor and state the purpose of his visit. (3)
Ans. Lucius brings in Caius Ligarius. The visitor is described as a sick man with a handkerchief wrapped around his head. The purpose of his visit is to join the conspiracy. Metellus Cimber, one of the conspirators, had previously mentioned him as a potential recruit because he ‘doth bear Caesar hard’, meaning he holds a grudge against Caesar, and he respects Brutus deeply.

(v) Briefly state what the visitor says about the personality of Brutus. (4)
Ans. The visitor, Ligarius, speaks highly of Brutus’s personality. He calls him the ‘Soul of Rome’ and a ‘Brave son derived from honorable loins’, showing that he sees Brutus as a noble and patriotic Roman. Ligarius also says that Brutus, ‘like an exorcist’, has a powerful and inspirational presence that has the ability to revive his ‘mortifièd spirit’ i.e. his dead or defeated spirit. He trusts Brutus so completely that he is willing to join his cause and follow him to do no matter what, simply because he trusts that Brutus’s purpose is honorable.

5. Brutus
You are my true and honourable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart.
Portia
If this were true, then should I know this secret.

(i) Just before this extract, Brutus claims he is unwell and Portia does not believe him. Why? (3)
Ans. Portia does not believe Brutus is physically unwell because his behavior is illogical for a sick person. She points out that he has been walking outside in the cold and damp morning air, which would only worsen a sickness. His actions prove to her that his ailment is not physical but a ‘sick offence within his mind’.

(ii) Explain briefly why Portia thinks that Brutus is worried about something. (3)
Ans. Portia believes Brutus is worried because his behavior has been uncharacteristic and strange. She describes how at supper, he suddenly arose and walked around sighing. He also gave her an impatient look and an angry hand gesture, which is not like his usual kind and gentle self.

(iii) What has Portia just said to indicate that she belongs to the inner circle of Brutus’ life? (3)
Ans. Portia has just said that within their marriage, she is ‘his self, his half’ and that she is not just an outsider who keeps him company. She pleads with him to tell her his secrets, arguing that if she is his true and honorable wife, she has a right to know what is bothering him.

(iv) What does Brutus mean when he refers to “the ruddy drops” and his “sad heart”? Why is he feeling this despair? (3)
Ans. ‘The ruddy drops’ refers to the blood that flows through his veins. Brutus means that Portia is as dear to him as life itself. His heart is ‘sad’ because he is filled with despair and torment over his decision to join the conspiracy against Caesar. He is emotionally burdened by the moral conflict between his love for Caesar and his perceived duty to Rome.

(v) Whose daughter was Portia? What proof does Portia give of her strength of character and power of endurance? (4)
Ans. Portia was the daughter of Cato, a renowned Roman statesman known for his integrity and staunch defense of republican ideals. To prove her strength and endurance, Portia gives herself a voluntary wound in her thigh. She bears the pain in silence to show Brutus that if she can handle physical pain without complaint, she is certainly strong enough to be trusted with his emotional burdens and political secrets. This act demonstrates her unwavering resolve and loyalty.

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ICSE Class 9 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1 Extra Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1. According to his soliloquy, what is the primary reason Brutus decides to join the conspiracy against Caesar?
A. He has a personal vendetta against Caesar’s arrogance.
B. He believes Caesar’s ambition, if unchecked, will lead to tyranny.
C. Cassius has promised him a powerful position in the new government.
D. He fears that Caesar’s loyal friends will turn against him.
Ans. B. He believes Caesar’s ambition, if unchecked, will lead to tyranny.

Q2. What literary device does Brutus use when he compares Caesar to a ‘serpent’s egg’?
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
Ans. B. Metaphor

Q3. When the conspirators arrive at Brutus’s house, what action does Brutus advise them to take to hide their true intentions?
A. To wear masks to conceal their identities.
B. To avoid talking to anyone until the deed is done.
C. To hide their faces with their cloaks and hats.
D. To hide it in smiles and affability during the day.
Ans. D. To hide it in smiles and affability during the day.

Q4. Brutus rejects the idea of the conspirators swearing an oath. What is his reason?
A. He fears the oath will be leaked to Caesar’s spies.
B. He believes their cause is so noble that an oath would be unnecessary.
C. He thinks oaths are only for traitors and criminals.
D. He believes it is a practice followed by cowards and men of low standing.
Ans. B. He believes their cause is so noble that an oath would be unnecessary.

Q5. Why does Brutus argue against killing Mark Antony along with Caesar?
A. He believes Antony is too popular with the Roman people.
B. He thinks Antony would be harmless without Caesar.
C. He fears that the people would view them as butchers.
D. Both B and C.
Ans. D. Both B and C.

Q6. How does Decius Brutus convince the conspirators that he can persuade Caesar to come to the Capitol?
A. By threatening him with violence.
B. By appealing to his sense of duty.
C. By using flattery and playing on his vanity.
D. By telling him about a new omen that favors his coronation.
Ans. C. By using flattery and playing on his vanity

Q7. What does Portia do to prove her strength and constancy to Brutus?
A. She tells him she knows his secret already.
B. She threatens to kill herself if he doesn’t confide in her.
C. She willingly gives herself a wound in the thigh.
D. She reminds him that her father, Cato, was a virtuous man.
Ans. C. She willingly gives herself a wound in the thigh.

Q8. Brutus tells Ligarius that he has ‘a piece of work that will make sick men whole’. What does he mean by this?
A. He is going to give Ligarius some medicine for his illness.
B. He is going to kill Caesar to heal the sickness of Rome.
C. He has a new job for Ligarius that will give him purpose.
D. He is promising to take Ligarius to the best doctors in Rome.
Ans. B. He is going to kill Caesar to heal the sickness of Rome.

Q9. What event occurs in the scene that indicates the passage of time and the approach of the assassination?
A. The sun rises in the east.
B. A clock strikes three.
C. Thunder sounds loudly.
D. A bell rings in the distance.
Ans. B. A clock strikes three.

Q10. What is the symbolic significance of the conspirators arriving at night, with their faces covered by their cloaks?
A. It shows that they are afraid of the dark.
B. It symbolizes the dark, secretive, and dishonorable nature of their plot.
C. It represents their allegiance to the underworld gods.
D. It is a common greeting for Roman senators.
Ans. B. It symbolizes the dark, secretive, and dishonorable nature of their plot.

Extract Based Questions

A.
BRUTUS
It must be by his death: and for my part
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown’d:
How that might change his nature, there’s the question:
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder;
And that craves wary walking.

1. What is Brutus’s internal conflict, and how does he resolve it in this extract?
Ans. Brutus’s internal conflict is between his personal love for Caesar and his duty to Rome. He resolves it by deciding that Caesar must die, not for any wrong he has done, but for the potential danger he poses if crowned. He prioritizes the public good over his personal feelings.

2. Explain the metaphor of the ‘bright day’ and the ‘adder’.
Ans. The ‘bright day’ represents the power and glory that comes with being crowned king. The ‘adder’ represents the corrupt, tyrannical nature that Brutus believes will emerge in Caesar once he has absolute power. Just as warmth makes a snake dangerous, power will make Caesar dangerous.

3. What does Brutus’s reasoning reveal about his character?
Ans. Brutus’s reasoning reveals his idealism and patriotism. He is a man of high moral standards who genuinely believes in the Republic’s well-being. He is willing to commit a terrible act i.e. murder for what he sees as a noble and necessary cause, showing that his principles outweigh his personal loyalty.

4. How does Brutus’s decision here contrast with the other conspirators’ motives?
Ans. Brutus’s motive contrasts with the others because his is purely altruistic and philosophical. He has no personal grudge against Caesar. In contrast, characters like Cassius are motivated by envy and a feeling of being overlooked by Caesar, making their conspiracy a blend of personal grievances and political ambitions.

5. Why is this soliloquy essential to understanding Brutus’s role in the play, and how does it foreshadow future events?
Ans. This soliloquy is essential because it establishes Brutus as the tragic hero of the play, driven by honor rather than malice. It shows that he is the moral center of the conspiracy, the one who gives it a semblance of righteousness. His decision to kill Caesar based on a hypothetical threat, rather than an actual offense, foreshadows his later downfall. This flawed reasoning believes that good intentions justify a violent act will lead to consequences he cannot control, ultimately resulting in his death and the chaos he sought to prevent.

B.
PORTIA
Is Brutus sick? And is it physical
To walk unbrac’d and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning? What, is Brutus sick,
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed,
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus.
You have some sick offence within your mind,
Which by the right and virtue of my place
I ought to know of.

1. What does Portia mean when she says, ‘You have some sick offence within your mind?’
Ans. Portia means that Brutus’s distress is not physical but mental or emotional. She recognizes that his unusual behavior, walking outside in the cold and avoiding her is a symptom of a deep and troubling secret or a moral conflict that is making him ill from the inside out.

2. How does Portia contrast Brutus’s actions with his supposed illness?
Ans. Portia contrasts Brutus’s actions by pointing out the illogical nature of his behavior. She questions why, if he were truly sick, he would expose himself to the cold, damp morning air. She believes his actions defy common sense and prove that his ‘sickness’ is not a physical ailment but a secret burden.

3. What is Portia’s argument for why Brutus should confide in her?
Ans. Portia argues that by virtue of their marriage vows, she has the right to share in his secrets and sorrows. She sees herself as his equal partner, not just a casual companion, and she believes their bond of marriage makes his problems also hers. She believes her place is to be his true confidante.

4. What does this exchange between Brutus and Portia reveal about their relationship?
Ans. This exchange reveals that their relationship is deeply loving but strained by Brutus’s secrecy. Portia is not a passive wife; she is intelligent and perceptive, and she challenges Brutus to be honest with her. It shows a powerful sense of partnership that Brutus’s actions are betraying, a partnership she feels entitled to as his wife.

5. How does Portia’s behavior in this scene reflect her character as ‘Cato’s daughter’, and what is the significance of her voluntary wound?
Ans. Portia’s behavior reflects her heritage as ‘Cato’s daughter’ by demonstrating her unwavering strength and resilience. Cato was a Roman statesman known for his unbending principles and fierce commitment to liberty, and Portia seeks to prove she is worthy of that lineage. The voluntary wound in her thigh is a symbolic act. It signifies her immense physical and emotional fortitude, demonstrating that if she can bear such pain in silence, she is certainly strong enough to handle Brutus’s secret. She offers it as proof of her worthiness to be his confidante, arguing that her loyalty and strength make her more than just a typical woman but a true partner in both his successes and his struggles.

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