ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 5, Scene 4 Important Question Answers
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Related:
- Julius Caesar Act 5, Scene 4 Summary, Explanation
- Julius Caesar Act 5, Scene 4 Character Sketch
- ICSE Class 10 English Lesson Notes
ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 5, Scene 4 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENTS
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who refers to himself as “A foe to tyrants” in this scene?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cato
(c) Lucilius
(d) Antony
Ans. (b) Cato
2. Young Cato died following which of the following ideals proclaimed by his father?
(a) Stoicism
(b) Republicianism
(c) Epicureanism
(d) None of the above
Ans. (b) Republicianism
3. Who among the following impersonates Brutus to give him (Brutus) time to flee?
(a) Cato
(b) Cassius
(c) Lucilius
(d) None of the above
Ans. (c) Lucilius
4. Which theme of the play is reflected by Lucilius’ act of risking his life by pretending as Brutus?
(a) Deception
(b) Sin and Suffering
(c) Wrong Moral Choices
(d) Loyalty
Ans. (d) Loyalty
5. Lucilius says, “The gods defend him from so great a shame.” What is the shame Lucilius is referring to?
(a) Being taken as a prisoner
(b) Being killed by the enemy
(c) Being defeated by the enemy
(d) Being defeated by the tyrants
Ans. (a) Being taken as a prisoner
6. Whom does Antony describe as “a prize no less in worth”?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cassius
(c) Lucilius
(d) Cato
Ans. (c) Lucilius
CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. Lucilius
O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius,
And mayst be honour’d, being Cato’s son.
First Soldier
Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius
Only I yield to die:
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight,
[Offering money
Kill Brutus, and be honour’d in his death.
(i) Who is young Cato? What reference was made in the play earlier about his father?
Ans. Young Cato is the brother of Brutus’s wife, Portia, and the son of the famous Stoic philosopher, Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Younger), who committed suicide rather than submit to Caesar’s tyranny. The play refers to his father as a staunch Republican and a model of Roman virtue, whose honor was often invoked by Brutus.
(ii) In what respect, the death of young Cato is similar to that of Titinius?
Ans. The death of young Cato is similar to that of Titinius in that both men died a noble and brave death fighting for the Republican cause and their principles. Titinius killed himself with Cassius’s sword after wrongly believing Cassius was captured and wanting to prove his devotion. Cato died fighting openly, shouting his noble name.
(iii) Why would the enemy soldiers not wish to kill Lucilius? Why would Lucilius want to be killed? How does Lucilius escape death?
Ans. The enemy soldiers would not wish to kill Lucilius because they believe he is the important general Brutus, and they want the honor of bringing him alive to Antony. Lucilius wants to be killed immediately to prevent his deception from being discovered and to protect the real Brutus’s escape. Lucilius escapes death because Antony intervenes after recognizing his bravery and loyalty, ordering his men to keep Lucilius safe and treat him kindly.
(iv) What is meant by “Only I yield to die: There is so much that then wilt kill me straight”?
Ans. This means that Lucilius is surrendering only with the expectation of an immediate execution, not to become a prisoner. By saying ‘There is so much’, he is offering the soldier a bribe to kill him right away, urging the soldier to claim the honor of assassinating Brutus instantly.
(v) Who discovers that Lucilius was pretending to be Brutus? What does that person think of Lucilius?
Ans. Antony discovers that Lucilius was pretending to be Brutus. Antony is deeply impressed by Lucilius’s bravery and loyalty. He considers Lucilius ‘A prize no less in worth’ than Brutus. Antony orders his soldiers to keep Lucilius safe and treat him with kindness, stating he would prefer to have such honorable men as friends than as enemies.
2. Lucilius
Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough:
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
(i) In what sense is Brutus safe enough? How are the second and the third lines of the third lines of the extract prophetic, i.e., indicative of what is going to take place?
Ans. Brutus is ‘safe enough’ in the sense that he is protected from the dishonor of capture. Lucilius is certain that Brutus would never allow himself to be taken alive by the enemy. The lines are prophetic because they indicate Brutus’s suicide is imminent. ‘No enemy / Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus’ predicts that Brutus will take his own life, ensuring he dies with honor and is found ‘like Brutus, like himself’.
(ii) Who has just been killed when Lucilius is captured? Who has captured Lucilius? What have they done with him?
Ans. Young Cato has just been killed when Lucilius is captured. He is captured by the First Soldier and later joined by the Second Soldier, who are fighting for Antony and Octavius. They have mistakenly taken him prisoner, believing he is the valuable prize, Brutus, and have brought him to Antony.
(iii) “The gods defend him from so great a shame!” What was considered shameful according to the Roman custom?
Ans. According to Roman custom, the ‘shame’ Lucilius refers to is being taken alive as a prisoner by an enemy. For a Roman noble, especially a general, capture meant humiliation, being paraded in a victor’s triumph, and often eventual execution or slavery. Suicide was often preferred as an honorable death to maintain dignity.
(iv) What is happening on the battlefield? Who is emerging victorious?
Ans. The second battle of Philippi is taking place, and it is still raging indicated by the earlier stage direction, ‘Alarum’. The forces of Antony and Octavius i.e. the Triumvirs are clearly emerging victorious, as the Republican forces i.e. Brutus and Cassius’s army have been defeated, and their leaders are either captured or in retreat.
(v) There seems to be two objectives in Lucilius’ impersonating Brutus. What do you think are these objectives?
Ans. Lucilius’s act of impersonating Brutus serves two critical and selfless objectives. First, the primary goal is diversionary; by loudly proclaiming ‘I am Brutus’, he draws the immediate attention of the enemy soldiers, redirecting their pursuit and focus onto himself. This precious time allows the real Brutus a greater chance to escape and flee the battlefield, increasing his chances of survival or at least granting him time to arrange an honorable death. Second, the objective is to ensure Brutus’s honor is protected, even in defeat. Lucilius fully intends to die, sacrificing his own life under the guise of Brutus to prevent the enemy from claiming the personal glory of capturing or killing the true Brutus. This sacrifice safeguards the historical integrity and final dignity of his leader.
ICSE Class 10 English Drama Julius Caesar Act 5, Scene 4 Extra Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. Who first encourages his countrymen to ‘hold up your heads’ and keep fighting at the start of the scene?
A. Antony
B. Lucilius
C. Brutus
D. Cato
Ans. C. Brutus
Q2. What is the main reason Lucilius pretends to be Brutus?
A. To get himself captured and save his life.
B. To confuse the enemy and lead them away from the real Brutus.
C. To challenge Antony to a duel.
D. To mourn the death of Cato.
Ans. B. To confuse the enemy and lead them away from the real Brutus.
Q3. What does Cato do before he is killed?
A. He kills the First Soldier.
B. He runs away from the battlefield.
C. He proclaims his name and lineage loudly to the enemy.
D. He tries to negotiate a peace treaty.
Ans. C. He proclaims his name and lineage loudly to the enemy.
Q4. When Lucilius is captured, what does he initially offer the First Soldier?
A. His sword
B. A promise of pardon
C. Money to kill him immediately
D. Information about Brutus’s location
Ans. C. Money to kill him immediately
Q5. How does Lucilius say the noble Brutus will be found, ‘alive or dead’?
A. Hidden in a tent
B. Like a Roman soldier
C. Like himself
D. Surrendering to Octavius
Ans. C. Like himself
Q6. Which character is killed in this scene?
A. Brutus
B. Lucilius
C. Antony
D. Cato
Ans. D. Cato
Q7. When the soldiers think they have captured Brutus, where do they decide to take the prisoner?
A. To the Roman Senate
B. To Antony
C. To Octavius’s tent
D. To his own army
Ans. B. To Antony
Q8. How does Antony react when he realizes the prisoner is not Brutus but Lucilius?
A. He orders Lucilius to be executed immediately.
B. He is angry and disappointed.
C. He orders his men to treat Lucilius kindly as a valuable man.
D. He asks Lucilius to lead him to Brutus.
Ans. C. He orders his men to treat Lucilius kindly as a valuable man.
Q9. What did Antony say he would rather have men like Lucilius as?
A. Hostages
B. Friends
C. Slaves
D. Messengers
Ans. B. Friends
Q10. At the end of the scene, what is Antony’s final instruction to his soldiers?
A. To prepare for another battle.
B. To guard the prisoner until morning.
C. To bring news of Brutus (alive or dead) to Octavius’s tent.
D. To release Lucilius as a sign of respect.
Ans. C. To bring news of Brutus (alive or dead) to Octavius’s tent.
Extract Based Questions
Answer the following extract-based questions.
A.
Lucilius
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I!
Brutus, my country’s friend! Know me for Brutus!
[Cato is killed.]
O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius,
And mayst be honored, being Cato’s son.
[Lucilius is taken prisoner.]
First Soldier
Yield, or thou diest.
Lucilius
Only I yield to die.
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight.
Kill Brutus, and be honored in his death.
Q1. Who is Lucilius pretending to be, and why?
Ans. Lucilius pretends to be Brutus. He does this to divert the enemy’s attention and draw danger to himself, allowing the real Brutus a better chance to escape or survive the ongoing battle. This shows his deep loyalty.
Q2. How does Lucilius react to Cato’s death?
Ans. Lucilius praises Cato, calling him young and noble. He expresses admiration for Cato’s courage, comparing his brave death to that of Titinius, who died earlier in the battle. He believes Cato will be honored for his bravery.
Q3. What does Lucilius offer the First Soldier upon capture?
Ans. Lucilius offers the First Soldier money to kill him immediately. He suggests the soldier will be ‘honored’ for killing Brutus, reinforcing his pretense and ensuring a swift death rather than capture.
Q4. Explain the phrase, ‘Only I yield to die’.
Ans. This phrase means Lucilius surrenders only with the intention of being killed, not to become a living captive. He submits to the soldier’s command ‘Yield’ because he sees death as the honorable and immediate outcome for the person pretending to be Brutus.
Q5. Why is Lucilius’s action of pretending to be Brutus significant in the context of the play’s themes?
Ans. Lucilius’s pretense and willingness to die for Brutus highlight the theme of personal loyalty overriding political ideology. His sacrifice is a final act of devotion, paralleling the noble deaths of Cassius and Titinius. It shows the conspirators’ side maintaining honor and brotherhood even in defeat, contrasting with the political maneuvering and pragmatic self-interest shown by some characters earlier. Lucilius ensures Brutus’s escape from the shame of capture.
B.
Antony
Where is he?
Lucilius
Safe, Antony, Brutus is safe enough.
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus.
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
Antony
This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you,
A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe;
Give him all kindness. I had rather have
Such men my friends than enemies.
Q1. How does Lucilius reassure Antony regarding the real Brutus?
Ans. Lucilius assures Antony that the real Brutus is ‘safe enough’. He confidently states that no enemy will ever capture the noble Brutus alive, suggesting that Brutus would choose suicide over the dishonor of being taken captive by his foes.
Q2. What does Lucilius mean by saying Brutus will be found ‘like himself’?
Ans. Lucilius means Brutus will be found having acted honorably and true to his noble character. This implies Brutus would take his own life to avoid being captured and displayed as a defeated enemy, thereby maintaining his integrity and self-respect.
Q3. How does Antony realize the captured man is not Brutus?
Ans. Antony realizes the captured man is not Brutus based on Lucilius’s bold and protective speech about Brutus’s safety and honor. The prisoner’s courage and unwavering loyalty were uncharacteristic of a defeated man begging for mercy.
Q4. What order does Antony give regarding Lucilius?
Ans. Antony orders his soldiers to ‘Keep this man safe’ and ‘Give him all kindness’. He considers Lucilius a valuable prize and wants him treated well, explicitly stating he’d prefer to have such loyal men as friends rather than enemies.
Q5. What does Antony’s treatment of Lucilius reveal about his character and his philosophy on warfare?
Ans. Antony’s clemency reveals his pragmatism and respect for true nobility, even in an enemy. He recognizes Lucilius’s immense loyalty and courage as qualities useful in an ally, calling him ‘a prize no less in worth’ than Brutus. This action shows Antony values building a strong future alliance, potentially recruiting Lucilius over simple revenge or cruelty. His decision highlights his political acumen and ability to look beyond the immediate battle victory to secure better assets for his future leadership.