JULIUS CAESAR – ACT IV, SCENE III, PART 3, GLOSSARY, PARAPHRASE, QUESTION & ANSWERS

 JULIUS CAESAR – ACT IV, SCENE III, PART 3,

Extract - 1: Messala: Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor…………. Cassius: No more, Good night; Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence.

1. Glossary

1. Public declaration or condemnation → An official public announcement condemning someone, often leading to punishment or outlawry.

2. Selfsame tenor → Exactly the same tone or content.

3. Official declaration → A government-issued announcement.

4. Proscription → Official banishment or outlawry; in Ancient Rome it also meant publishing a list of people to be killed or exiled.

5. Bills of outlawry → Written notices that declare someone an outlaw and strip away legal protection.

6. Fugitive → Someone running away from the law.

7. Cicero being one → Cicero was among those killed in the proscription.

8. Order of proscription → The official command that outlawed and condemned certain people to death.

9. Methinks → “I think” or “it seems to me.”

10. Aught of her → Anything about her.

11. As you are a Roman → As a true Roman citizen.

12. Bear the truth → Tolerate or endure the truth.

13. By strange manner → In an unusual or shocking way.

14. With meditating → By thinking beforehand.

15. Endure → Bear or tolerate without complaint.

16. Even so great men great losses should endure → Even great men must suffer great losses patiently.

17. To our work alive → Let’s return to our urgent business.

18. Marching to Philippi → Moving their army to Philippi (a city in Macedonia, Greece).

19. Seek us → The enemy comes to attack us.

20. Waste his means → Use up his resources.

21. Weary his soldiers → Tire out his soldiers.

22. Nimbleness → Quickness, readiness to act.

23. Forced affection → People forced to support you, not truly loyal.

24. Grudged us contribution → Resented giving us money or supplies.

25. New-added and encouraged → Reinforced with fresh troops and morale.

26. Cut him off → Stop or intercept him.

27. Our cause is ripe → Our situation is at its peak; now is the right time to act.

28. Decline → Downward slope or weakening stage.

29. There is a tide in the affairs of men → There is a critical moment of opportunity in people’s lives.

30. Taken at the flood → Seized at its highest point, when it can carry you forward.

31. Bound in shallows and in miseries → Stuck in difficulties and failures.

32. Current when it serves → Opportunity when it appears.

33. Lose our ventures → Lose our chances or undertakings.

34. The deep of night → The middle of the night.

35. Niggard with a little rest → Spare ourselves just a little time for sleep.

36. Rise, and hence → Get up and depart (move out).

2. Paraphrase

Messala: I have letters too, of exactly the same content. They include an official declaration that Octavius, Antony and Lepidus have put to death a hundred senators by proscription and outlawry.

Brutus: My letters don’t match yours — mine say seventy senators were killed, including Cicero.

Cassius: Cicero too

Messala: Yes, Cicero is dead, executed under that order of proscription. Did you get any news from your wife, my lord?

Brutus: No, Messala.

Messala: Nothing written about her in your letters?

Brutus: Nothing.

Messala: That seems strange.

Brutus: Why do you ask? Have you heard anything of her?

Messala: No, my lord.

Brutus: Now, as a Roman, tell me the truth.

Messala: Then, like a Roman, be brave: she is dead, and in a strange way.

Brutus: Farewell, Portia. I’ve been thinking that death comes to all eventually; that thought helps me bear it now.

Messala: Yes, great men should endure great losses. But my own nature could not bear it so calmly.

Cassius: I’m as practiced in self-control as Brutus.

Brutus: Well, let’s return to business. What do you think of marching to Philippi right now?

Cassius: I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Brutus: Why not?

Cassius: It’s better to let the enemy come to us. They’ll waste their resources and tire their soldiers, while we remain rested and nimble.

Brutus: Good reasons must give way to better ones. The people between here and Philippi only pretend to support us. They resent us for taking their supplies. If the enemy marches through their lands, they’ll recruit fresh troops and come against us stronger. If we meet them at Philippi, we cut them off from that advantage.

Cassius: Hear me, good brother.

Brutus: Excuse me, but also note that we’ve already gathered all the friends we can. Our army is full and our cause is at its peak. The enemy is growing stronger every day. We are at our best moment; if we wait, we’ll decline. There’s a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads to fortune. If missed, the whole journey of life can be trapped in shallows and miseries. We are now on such a full sea. We must take the current while it serves, or lose our chance.

Cassius: Then, as you will, let’s march to Philippi.

Brutus: It’s the middle of the night now. Nature calls us to rest. Is there anything more to say?

Cassius: Nothing more. Good night. Tomorrow morning we rise early and march.

3. 15 One-Mark Questions

1. Q: Who brings letters to Brutus and Cassius?

A: Messala.

2. Q: How many senators do Messala’s letters say were killed?

A: One hundred senators.

3. Q: How many senators do Brutus’s letters say were killed?

A: Seventy senators.

4. Q: Who among the senators killed is especially mentioned?

A: Cicero.

5. Q: What does ‘proscription’ mean in this context?

A: Official outlawry or order to kill.

6. Q: Whose death shocks Cassius?

A: Cicero’s death.

7. Q: Who informs Brutus about Portia’s death?

A: Messala.

8. Q: How does Brutus bear Portia’s death?

A: Calmly, with patience.

9. Q: Where do Brutus and Cassius plan to meet their enemy?

A: At Philippi.

10. Q: Which plan does Cassius prefer initially?

A: To wait and let the enemy come to them.

11. Q: Which plan does Brutus prefer?

A: To march to Philippi and face the enemy there.

12. Q: Why does Cassius want the enemy to march first?

A: The enemy will waste resources and tire their soldiers.

 

13. Q: Why does Brutus want to go to Philippi quickly?

A: To prevent the enemy from gaining fresh troops and advantage.

14. Q: What metaphor does Brutus use for opportunity?

A: “There is a tide in the affairs of men…”

15. Q: What do Brutus and Cassius decide at the end?

A: To march to Philippi early next morning

4. 15 One-Mark Questions

1. Q: Who brings letters to Brutus and Cassius?

A: Messala.

2. Q: How many senators do Messala’s letters say were killed?

A: One hundred senators.

3. Q: How many senators do Brutus’s letters say were killed?

A: Seventy senators.

4. Q: Who among the senators killed is especially mentioned?

A: Cicero.

5. Q: What does ‘proscription’ mean in this context?

A: Official outlawry or order to kill.

6. Q: Whose death shocks Cassius?

A: Cicero’s death.

7. Q: Who informs Brutus about Portia’s death?

A: Messala.

8. Q: How does Brutus bear Portia’s death?

A: Calmly, with patience.

9. Q: Where do Brutus and Cassius plan to meet their enemy?

A: At Philippi.

10. Q: Which plan does Cassius prefer initially?

A: To wait and let the enemy come to them.

11. Q: Which plan does Brutus prefer?

A: To march to Philippi and face the enemy there.

12. Q: Why does Cassius want the enemy to march first?

A: The enemy will waste resources and tire their soldiers.

13. Q: Why does Brutus want to go to Philippi quickly?

A: To prevent the enemy from gaining fresh troops and advantage.

14. Q: What metaphor does Brutus use for opportunity?

A: “There is a tide in the affairs of men…”

15. Q: What do Brutus and Cassius decide at the end?

A: To march to Philippi early next morning

5. 40 MCQs

1. Who brings letters about the proscriptions to Brutus and Cassius?

A) Titinius

B) Messala

C) Lucius

D) Decius

Answer: B) Messala

2. According to Messala’s letters, how many senators have been put to death?

A) 50

B) 70

C) 100

D) 30

Answer: C) 100

3. According to Brutus’s letters, how many senators have been put to death?

A) 100

B) 60

C) 80

D) 70

Answer: D) 70

4. Who among the senators is specifically named as dead?

A) Lepidus

B) Cicero

C) Cassius

D) Casca

Answer: B) Cicero

5. What does “proscription” mean in this passage?

A) Promotion

B) Outlawry and execution

C) Reward

D) Escape

Answer: B) Outlawry and execution

6. Who informs Brutus of Portia’s death?

A) Cassius

B) Titinius

C) Messala

D) Antony

Answer: C) Messala

7. How does Brutus initially react to Portia’s death?

A) He faints

B) He becomes angry

C) He calmly accepts it

D) He laughs

Answer: C) He calmly accepts it

8. Messala praises Brutus’s ability to:

A) Fight

B) Speak

C) Endure great losses

D) Plan battles

Answer: C) Endure great losses

9. Where is the proposed battlefield?

A) Athens

B) Philippi

C) Rome

D) Sardis

Answer: B) Philippi

10. Cassius’s first plan about the battle is to:

A) Attack Rome

B) Wait and let the enemy come

C) Surrender

D) Split the army

Answer: B) Wait and let the enemy come

11. Brutus’s plan is to:

A) Retreat to Greece

B) Go to Rome

C) March to Philippi

D) Ask for peace

Answer: C) March to Philippi

12. Cassius thinks the enemy will ____ if they march first.

A) Gain courage

B) Waste resources and tire their men

C) Get more friends

D) Lose their way

Answer: B) Waste resources and tire their men

13. Brutus worries that the people between Sardis and Philippi:

A) Are secretly plotting

B) Will supply the enemy

C) Are forced supporters

D) Will flee

Answer: C) Are forced supporters

14. Why does Brutus want to go to Philippi before the enemy arrives?

A) To get Caesar’s will

B) To cut off enemy reinforcements

C) To rest more

D) To escape Octavius

Answer: B) To cut off enemy reinforcements

15. Brutus says “our cause is ripe.” This means:

A) Their cause is weakening

B) Their cause is at its peak

C) Their cause is secret

D) Their cause is rotten

Answer: B) Their cause is at its peak

16. Cassius fears that waiting will:

A) Anger the gods

B) Strengthen Brutus

C) Help the enemy grow stronger

D) Make them tired

Answer: C) Help the enemy grow stronger

17. “There is a tide in the affairs of men” means:

A) Life is like a storm

B) Fortune comes once and must be seized

C) Sea travel is dangerous

D) War is inevitable

Answer: B) Fortune comes once and must be seized

18. Missing the tide of opportunity leads to:

A) Victory

B) Riches

C) Shallows and miseries

D) Promotion

Answer: C) Shallows and miseries

19. After Brutus’s speech, Cassius decides to:

A) Surrender

B) March to Philippi

C) Flee to Egypt

D) Send more spies

Answer: B) March to Philippi

20. What time of day is it during their discussion?

A) Early morning

B) Midday

C) Deep night

D) Afternoon

Answer: C) Deep night

21. “Niggard with a little rest” means:

A) Sleep a lot

B) Spare only a little time for sleep

C) Rest forever

D) Work all night

Answer: B) Spare only a little time for sleep

22. Who says “Even so great men great losses should endure”?

A) Cassius

B) Messala

C) Brutus

D) Antony

Answer: B) Messala

23. Who shows the most stoic character in this passage?

A) Messala

B) Cassius

C) Brutus

D) Titinius

Answer: C) Brutus

24. What quality of Cassius appears when he yields to Brutus’s plan?

A) Pride

B) Flexibility

C) Anger

D) Carelessness

Answer: B) Flexibility

25. What happens to Cicero according to Messala?

A) He is crowned

B) He flees

C) He is killed under proscription

D) He joins Cassius

Answer: C) He is killed under proscription

26. Messala’s tone in reporting news is:

A) Excited

B) Sad and factual

C) Humorous

D) Mocking

Answer: B) Sad and factual

27. Brutus’s patience at Portia’s death is based on:

A) His hatred for her

B) His belief in fate and death’s certainty

C) His ignorance

D) His desire for revenge

Answer: B) His belief in fate and death’s certainty

28. Cassius initially wants the enemy to:

A) Come to Sardis

B) Stay at Philippi

C) Fight in Rome

D) Disband

Answer: A) Come to Sardis

29. Brutus argues that their legions are:

A) Tired and weak

B) Brim-full and strong

C) Small and scattered

D) In rebellion

Answer: B) Brim-full and strong

30. Brutus fears the enemy will be:

A) “New-added and encouraged”

B) “Weary and tired”

C) “Lost and confused”

D) “Without weapons”

Answer: A) “New-added and encouraged”

31. Brutus uses which natural image to explain opportunity?

A) A mountain

B) A river tide

C) A forest

D) A storm

Answer: B) A river tide

32. “On such a full sea are we now afloat” implies:

A) They are literally on a boat

B) They are at the height of opportunity

C) They have no money

D) They are fleeing by sea

Answer: B) They are at the height of opportunity

33. Cassius says he has “as much of this in art as …” meaning:

A) He is equally skilled in self-control

B) He is a painter

C) He writes poetry

D) He loves Portia

Answer: A) He is equally skilled in self-control

34. Who ends the meeting by suggesting rest?

A) Messala

B) Cassius

C) Brutus

D) Titinius

Answer: C) Brutus

 

35. What do Brutus and Cassius plan to do the next morning?

A) Return to Rome

B) Rise early and march to Philippi

C) Hide from Antony

D) Send spies to Philippi

Answer: B) Rise early and march to Philippi

36. What does the scene reveal about the Triumvirs (Octavius, Antony, Lepidus)?

A) They are merciful

B) They are powerful and ruthless

C) They are weak and divided

D) They are fleeing

Answer: B) They are powerful and ruthless

37. What does Portia’s death symbolise in the play?

A) Brutus’s lack of loyalty

B) The personal cost of civil war

C) The end of Rome

D) Messala’s betrayal

Answer: B) The personal cost of civil war

38. Which theme of the play is highlighted by the tide metaphor?

A) Greed

B) Power of destiny and opportunity

C) Love and friendship

D) Revenge

Answer: B) Power of destiny and opportunity

39. Why is the debate over Philippi strategically important?

A) It decides who rules Rome

B) It determines their battle position

C) It frees prisoners

D) It makes Cassius happy

Answer: B) It determines their battle position

40. The overall tone of this passage is:

A) Comedic and light

B) Tragic and strategic

C) Romantic and poetic

D) Celebratory and joyful

Answer: B) Tragic and strategic

6. 10 Two-Mark Questions

1. Q: What conflicting reports about the proscription do Brutus and Messala receive?

A: Messala’s letters report that one hundred senators, including Cicero, have been executed by Octavius, Antony and Lepidus. Brutus’s letters say only seventy senators are dead. This contrast shows the confusion and brutality following Caesar’s assassination and the growing power of the Triumvirs.

2. Q: How does Brutus react to Portia’s death?

A: Brutus remains calm and composed. He says he has long meditated on the certainty of death, so he can endure her loss with patience. This shows his stoic Roman character and self-control even in personal tragedy.

3. Q: How does Messala describe Brutus’s endurance?

A: Messala admires Brutus, saying great men should endure great losses. He also confesses that he himself could not have borne such a loss so stoically, recognising Brutus’s extraordinary self-discipline.

4. Q: Why does Cassius prefer to wait instead of marching to Philippi?

A: Cassius reasons that if the enemy comes to them, the enemy will waste supplies and tire their soldiers, while Brutus and Cassius’s army stays rested and nimble, gaining a tactical advantage in their own territory.

5. Q: Why does Brutus disagree with Cassius about waiting for the enemy?

A: Brutus argues that the people between their camp and Philippi are unwilling supporters. If the enemy marches through, they will gain new recruits and strength. By going to Philippi first, Brutus hopes to cut off this advantage.

6. Q: What does Brutus mean by “our cause is ripe”?

A: Brutus means their army is at its peak in numbers and morale. They have already gathered all their allies. Delaying will weaken them while the enemy grows stronger. Acting now gives them the best chance of victory.

7. Q: Explain the metaphor “There is a tide in the affairs of men.”

A: Brutus compares opportunity to the rising tide of the sea. If taken at its highest point (“the flood”), it carries men to success. If missed, life is left stranded in shallows and miseries. This motivates him to strike at once.

8. Q: What decision do Brutus and Cassius finally take about Philippi?

A: After Brutus’s speech about opportunity, Cassius agrees to march to Philippi. They decide to meet the enemy there at dawn, believing this will give them the best chance before their army’s strength declines further.

9. Q: How does the scene end?

A: It ends with Brutus noting it is late at night. Both leaders decide to rest briefly, planning to rise early and begin their march to Philippi, showing disciplined military planning despite personal grief.

10. Q: What qualities of Brutus emerge in this passage?

A: Brutus appears stoic, disciplined and farsighted. He calmly accepts Portia’s death, debates strategy rationally, and uses powerful metaphors to inspire Cassius. He values timely action and seizing opportunity, demonstrating his leadership in crisis.

7. 5 Three-Mark Questions

1. Q: Compare Cassius’s and Brutus’s strategies about fighting at Philippi.

A: Cassius wants to wait for the enemy to attack, believing this will exhaust their resources and leave Brutus’s army rested. Brutus wants to march to Philippi immediately, fearing that delay will strengthen the enemy with new recruits. Brutus’s view is opportunistic and proactive, while Cassius’s is defensive and cautious. Their debate reflects differing military philosophies but ends with Cassius yielding to Brutus’s stronger reasoning.

 

2. Q: How does Shakespeare show Brutus’s stoicism through Portia’s death?

A: When told of Portia’s death, Brutus shows remarkable calm. He claims that meditating on the inevitability of death has prepared him to endure it. This stoic response underlines his Roman ideals of self-control and duty above personal feeling. Even Messala and Cassius are surprised by his composure, which sets Brutus apart as a disciplined, philosophical leader.

3. Q: What is the significance of the “tide in the affairs of men” speech?

A: This speech is a turning point in the strategy. It encapsulates Shakespeare’s theme of seizing opportunity. Brutus argues that like a tide, fortune must be taken at its height or lost forever. This metaphor convinces Cassius to march to Philippi. Dramatically, it foreshadows their coming defeat — they take the tide, but it leads to disaster, showing fate’s irony.

4. Q: In what way does the conversation reflect the political situation after Caesar’s death?

A: The letters of Messala and Brutus reveal mass executions and outlawry under the triumvirs. Cicero’s death and Portia’s suicide emphasise the chaos and despair following Caesar’s assassination. The conspirators have lost moral ground and face a stronger, more ruthless opposition. The scene shows their shrinking circle of support and the high stakes of the coming battle.

5. Q: How does this scene prepare for the final conflict of the play?

A: This scene bridges private grief and public duty. Brutus’s acceptance of Portia’s death and his strategic debate with Cassius reveal both personal loss and military pressure. The decision to march to Philippi sets the stage for the climactic battle. Shakespeare uses the tide metaphor and the night setting to create a sense of urgency, foreshadowing the tragic end of Brutus and Cassius.

COURTESY: Meta AI & ChatGPT

Compiled by Dr. Shankar D Mishra

 

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