JULIUS CAESAR, Act 2, Scene 2, Page 86 to 94: PARAPHRASE, GLOSSARY, SUMMARY & QUESTION-ANSWERS

 

JULIUS CAESAR, Act 2, Scene 2, Page 86 to 94

(Pages are set according to ICSE, Evergreen Text Book.)

A room in Caesar’s house

[Thunder and lightning. Enter Caesar, in his nightgown.]

Caesar: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.

Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out

'Help, ho!  They murder Caesar!’ Who’s within?

[Enter a Servant.]

Servant: My lord?

Caesar

Go bid the priests do present sacrifice,

And bring me their opinions of success.

Servant

I will, my lord.

[Exit Servant, enter Calpurnia.]

Calpurnia

What mean you, Caesar?  Think you to walk forth?

You shall not stir out of your house today.

Caesar

Caesar shall forth.  The things that threatened me

Ne'er looked but on my back; when they shall see

The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.

Calpurnia

Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,

Yet now they fright me. There is one within,

Besides the things that we have heard and seen,

Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.

A lioness hath whelpèd in the streets,

And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead.

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds

In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol.

The noise of battle hurtled in the air,

Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.

O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,

And I do fear them.

Caesar

What can be avoided

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?

Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions

Are to the world in general as to Caesar.

Calpurnia

When beggars die, there are no comets seen;

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

Caesar

Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.

Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,

It seems to me most strange that men should fear,

Seeing that death, a necessary end,

Will come when it will come.

[Re-enter Servant.]

What say the augurers?

Servant

They would not have you to stir forth today.

Plucking the entrails of an offering forth

They could not find a heart within the beast.

Caesar

The gods do this in shame of cowardice.

Caesar should be a beast without a heart

If he should stay at home today for fear.

No, Caesar shall not.  Danger knows full well

That Caesar is more dangerous than he.

We are two lions littered in one day,

And I the elder and more terrible;

And Caesar shall go forth.

Calpurnia

Alas, my lord,

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.

Do not go forth today.  Call it my fear

That keeps you in the house, and not your own.

We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house,

And he shall say you are not well today.

Let me upon my knee prevail in this.

Caesar

Mark Antony shall say I am not well,

And for thy humour I will stay at home.

[Enter Decius Brutus.]

Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.

Decius Brutus

Caesar, all hail!  Good morrow, worthy Caesar.

I come to fetch you to the Senate House.

Caesar

And you are come in very happy time

To bear my greeting to the senators

And tell them that I will not come today.

"Cannot" is false; and "that I dare not," falser.

I will not come today — tell them so, Decius.

Calpurnia

Say he is sick.

Caesar

Shall Caesar send a lie?

Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far

To be afraid to tell greybeards the truth?

Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

Decius Brutus

Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,

Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.

Caesar

The cause is in my will; I will not come.

That is enough to satisfy the Senate.

But for your private satisfaction,

Because I love you, I will let you know.

Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.

She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,

Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,

Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans

Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.

And these does she apply for warnings and portents

And evils imminent, and on her knee

Hath begged that I will stay at home today.

Decius Brutus

This dream is all amiss interpreted.

It was a vision fair and fortunate.

Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,

In which so many smiling Romans bathed,

Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck

Reviving blood, and that great men shall press

For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.

This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

Caesar

And this way have you well expounded it.

Decius Brutus

I have when you have heard what I can say —

And know it now — the senate have concluded

To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.

If you shall send them word you will not come,

Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock

Apt to be rendered, for someone to say

'Break up the senate till another time,

When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'

If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper

'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?

Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear, dear love

To your proceeding bids me tell you this,

And reason, to my love, is liable.

Caesar

How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!

I am ashamèd I did yield to them.

Give me my robe, for I will go.

[Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, and Cinna.]

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.

Publius

Good morrow, Caesar.

Caesar

Welcome, Publius.

What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?

Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,

Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy

As that same ague which hath made you lean.

What is't o'clock?

Brutus

Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.

Caesar

I thank you for your pains and courtesy.

[Enter Antony.]

See, Antony, that revels long a-nights,

Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony.

Antony

So to most noble Caesar.

Caesar

[To Calpurnia] Bid them prepare within.

I am to blame to be thus waited for.

[Exit Calpurnia.]

Now, Cinna.  Now, Metellus.  What, Trebonius!

I have an hour's talk in store for you;

Remember that you call on me today.

Be near me, that I may remember you.

Trebonius

Caesar, I will —

[Aside] and so near will I be,

That your best friends shall wish I had been further.

Caesar

Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;

And we, like friends, will straightway go together.

Brutus

[Aside] That every like is not the same, O Caesar,

The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!

[Exit.]

JULIUS CAESAR, Act 2, Scene 2, Page 86 to 94

(Pages are counted according to ICSE, Evergreen Text Book.)

A room in Caesar’s house

Caesar: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.

………………….The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!

[Exit.]

Glossary

nightgown — a loose garment worn while sleeping / सोते समय पहना जाने वाला ढीला वस्त्र
at peace — calm, quiet / शांत अवस्था में
thrice — three times / तीन बार
cried out — shouted loudly / ज़ोर से चिल्लाया
bid — command, order / आदेश देना
present sacrifice — perform a ritual offering immediately / तुरंत बलि चढ़ाना
opinions of success — interpretation of omens / शुभ-अशुभ संकेतों की राय
stir out — move out, leave / बाहर निकलना
forth — out, outside / बाहर
threatened — gave warning of danger / धमकी दी
vanished — disappeared / लुप्त हो गए
ceremonies — superstitious rituals / अंधविश्वासी रीति-रिवाज
recounts — narrates, describes / वर्णन करता है
watch — night guards / रात्रि प्रहरी
horrid — extremely frightening / अत्यंत भयानक
lioness — female lion / शेरनी
whelped — gave birth to young ones / बच्चों को जन्म दिया
yawned — opened wide / चौड़ा खुलना
yielded up — gave out, released / बाहर निकाल दिया
ranks and squadrons — military formations / सैन्य पंक्तियाँ और टुकड़ियाँ
drizzled — fell lightly like rain / बूंदों में गिरा
hurtled — rushed violently / तेज़ी से गूँजा
neigh — sound made by horses / घोड़े की हिनहिनाहट
groan — sound of pain / पीड़ा की कराह
shriek — scream sharply / तीखी चीख
beyond all use — highly unnatural, ominous / अत्यंत अशुभ
avoided — escaped, prevented / टाला गया
purposed — planned, decided / निश्चित किया गया
predictions — prophecies, omens / भविष्यवाणियाँ
in general — for everyone / सामान्य रूप से
beggars — poor people / भिखारी
blaze forth — shine brightly to announce / प्रकट करना
valiant — brave, courageous / वीर
taste of death — experience death / मृत्यु का अनुभव
augurers — priests who interpret omens / शकुन देखने वाले पुजारी
entrails — internal organs of sacrificed animal / बलि पशु की आँतें
cowardice — lack of courage / कायरता
beast — animal / पशु
danger knows full well — danger clearly understands / खतरा भली-भाँति जानता है
littered — born (of animals) / जन्मे
elder — older / बड़ा
consumed — destroyed / नष्ट हो गया
confidence — over-self belief / अति आत्मविश्वास
humour — personal wish, mood / इच्छा, मनोभाव
prevail — succeed in persuading / मनवा लेना
fetch — bring, escort / लेने आना
cannot — lack of ability / असमर्थता
dare not — lack of courage / साहस न होना
greybeards — old men / वृद्ध पुरुष
satisfy — please, convince / संतुष्ट करना
private satisfaction — personal explanation / व्यक्तिगत संतोष
statue — statue, image / मूर्ति
fountain — source flowing out / फव्वारा
spouts — outlets, pipes / धाराएँ
lusty — strong, energetic / बलवान
bathe — wash / स्नान करना
portents — signs of future events / भविष्य के संकेत
imminent — about to happen / निकट आने वाला
amiss — wrongly / गलत
expounded — explained clearly / स्पष्ट व्याख्या की
concluded — decided / निर्णय लिया
mock — ridicule / उपहास
apt — likely / संभव
whisper — speak secretly / फुसफुसाना
proceeding — action, movement / कार्य, आगे बढ़ना
liable — subject to, influenced by / अधीन
yield — give in / मान जाना
robe — outer garment / चोगा
ague — fever / बुखार
courtesy — politeness / शिष्टाचार
revels — enjoys parties / मौज-मस्ती करता है
notwithstanding — in spite of / इसके बावजूद
waited for — kept expecting / प्रतीक्षा करवाई
store — planned, reserved / संचित
aside — words spoken to oneself / स्वगत कथन
yearns — deeply longs, aches / व्याकुल होना

Summary in English:

The scene opens in Caesar’s house during a night filled with thunder and lightning, indicating unrest and ominous signs. Caesar is awake, noting that neither heaven nor earth has been at peace, and he recalls that Calpurnia cried out thrice in her sleep, exclaiming that Caesar was being murdered. Alarmed, he summons a servant and orders the priests to perform a sacrifice and report their findings about omens.

Calpurnia enters and urges Caesar not to leave the house, citing her terrifying dreams and strange occurrences she has witnessed: a lioness giving birth in the streets, graves opening and releasing the dead, warriors fighting fiercely in the clouds, and blood raining on the Capitol. She interprets these as warnings of imminent danger to Caesar and pleads with him on her knees.

Caesar, however, dismisses her fears, asserting that destiny is determined by the gods and cannot be avoided. He famously says that “cowards die many times before their deaths” while the brave experience death only once. He compares himself to a lion, claiming that danger is less powerful than he is. When the augurers report that the sacrificed beast had no heart, Caesar interprets it as a sign of cowardice and rejects their warning, demonstrating his pride, courage, and confidence in fate.

Calpurnia’s emotional appeal initially convinces Caesar to stay home, and he agrees, saying that Mark Antony will inform the Senate that he is unwell. But soon Decius Brutus arrives and cleverly reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream positively, claiming that Caesar’s statue spouting blood is a good omen that will revive Rome and benefit the state. He also warns that if Caesar stays home, the Senate may mock him, appealing to Caesar’s pride and ambition.

Persuaded by Decius, Caesar changes his mind and decides to go to the Senate. He asks for his robe, greets his companions, and invites them to drink wine before leaving. The scene ends with Brutus expressing his inner conflict in an aside, reflecting his moral struggle over Caesar’s growing power and the conspirators’ plot, highlighting the tension between loyalty, friendship, and political duty.

This scene explores major themes such as fate versus free will, courage versus fear, omens and superstition, pride and ambition, and the tension between private affection and public duty. Caesar’s dismissal of warnings and reliance on his own will foreshadows the tragedy to come.

Summary in Hindi:

यह दृश्य सीज़र के घर में शुरू होता है, जहाँ रात में असामान्य तूफान और बिजली चल रही है, जो अशांति और भयावह संकेत दर्शाता है। सीज़र जाग रहा है और नोट करता है कि ना तो आकाश और ना ही पृथ्वी शांत हैं, और याद करता है कि कैल्पर्निया ने अपने सपनों में तीन बार पुकारा कि सीज़र की हत्या हो रही है। वह चिंतित होकर एक नौकर को बुलाता है और याजकों को बलिदान करने और भविष्यफल बताने का आदेश देता है।

कैल्पर्निया प्रवेश करती हैं और सीज़र से घर से बाहर न जाने का आग्रह करती हैं, अपने डरावने सपनों और विचित्र घटनाओं का हवाला देती हैं: सड़कों में शेरनी का बच्चा जन्म लेना, कब्रें खुलना और मृतकों का बाहर आना, बादलों में सैनिकों का युद्ध करना, और कैपिटोल पर रक्त गिरना। वह इसे सीज़र के जीवन पर तुरंत खतरे के संकेत के रूप में देखती हैं और अपने घुटनों पर बैठकर उनसे प्रार्थना करती हैं।

सीज़र, हालांकि, उनके डर को खारिज कर देते हैं, कहते हैं कि भाग्य भगवानों द्वारा निर्धारित है और इसे टाला नहीं जा सकता। वह प्रसिद्ध पंक्ति कहते हैं कि “कायर अपने मृत्यु से पहले कई बार मरते हैं”, जबकि वीर केवल एक बार मृत्यु का सामना करते हैं। वह खुद को शेर से तुलना करते हैं और कहते हैं कि खतरा उनसे कम शक्तिशाली है। जब याजकों ने बलिदान किए गए जानवर में दिल नहीं पाया, तो सीज़र इसे कायरता का संकेत मानते हुए चेतावनी को खारिज कर देते हैं, जिससे उनकी गर्व, साहस और भाग्य में विश्वास प्रकट होता है।

कैल्पर्निया की भावनात्मक अपील पहले उन्हें घर पर रहने के लिए मनाती है, और वह कहते हैं कि मार्क एंटनी संसद को बताएंगे कि मैं बीमार हूं। लेकिन जल्द ही डेसीयस ब्रूटस आते हैं और चालाकी से कैल्पर्निया के सपने की सकारात्मक व्याख्या करते हैं, दावा करते हैं कि सीज़र का रक्त बहता हुआ प्रतिमा रोम को पुनर्जीवित करेगा और राज्य के लिए लाभदायक होगा। वह चेतावनी देते हैं कि यदि सीज़र घर पर रहेंगे तो संसद उनका मजाक उड़ा सकती है, जो सीज़र के गर्व और महत्वाकांक्षा को जगाता है।

डेसीयस से प्रभावित होकर, सीज़र अपना मन बदल लेते हैं और संसद जाने का निर्णय लेते हैं। वह अपना वस्त्र मांगते हैं, अपने साथियों का अभिवादन करते हैं और जाने से पहले उन्हें शराब पीने का आमंत्रण देते हैं। दृश्य का अंत ब्रूटस के अंदरूनी संघर्ष के विचार से होता है, जो सीज़र की बढ़ती शक्ति और षड्यंत्र की चिंता को दर्शाता है, और निष्ठा, मित्रता और राजनीतिक कर्तव्य के बीच तनाव को उजागर करता है।

यह दृश्य भाग्य बनाम स्वतंत्र इच्छा, साहस बनाम भय, अशुभ संकेत और अंधविश्वास, गर्व और महत्वाकांक्षा, और निजी प्रेम और सार्वजनिक कर्तव्य के बीच तनाव जैसी प्रमुख विषयों को उजागर करता है। चेतावनियों को नजरअंदाज करना और अपने इरादों पर भरोसा करना सीज़र की आगामी त्रासदी की ओर इशारा करता है।

Paraphrase in English and Hindi

Caesar: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.
English: Neither the sky nor the earth has been calm tonight.
Hindi: आज रात न आकाश शांत रहा है, न धरती।

Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out
English: Three times Calpurnia cried aloud while sleeping.
Hindi: कैलपर्निया ने नींद में तीन बार ज़ोर से चिल्लाया।

'Help, ho! They murder Caesar!’ Who’s within?
English: She shouted, “Help! They are killing Caesar!” Who is there?
Hindi: वह चिल्लाई—“बचाओ! वे सीज़र की हत्या कर रहे हैं!” अंदर कौन है?

Servant: My lord?
English: Yes, my lord?
Hindi: जी, मेरे स्वामी?

Caesar: Go bid the priests do present sacrifice,
English: Go and ask the priests to perform a sacrifice immediately.
Hindi: जाओ और पुजारियों से तुरंत बलि कराने को कहो।

And bring me their opinions of success.
English: Bring me their interpretation of the signs.
Hindi: और उनके शुभ-अशुभ संकेतों की राय लेकर आओ।

Servant: I will, my lord.
English: I will do so, my lord.
Hindi: मैं ऐसा ही करूँगा, स्वामी।

Calpurnia: What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth?
English: What do you intend, Caesar? Do you plan to go out?
Hindi: सीज़र, आपका क्या विचार है? क्या आप बाहर जाने का सोच रहे हैं?

You shall not stir out of your house today.
English: You must not leave the house today.
Hindi: आज आप घर से बाहर नहीं जाएँगे।

Caesar: Caesar shall forth.
English: Caesar will go out.
Hindi: सीज़र अवश्य बाहर जाएगा।

The things that threatened me
English: The dangers that threatened me
Hindi: जो खतरे मुझे धमका रहे थे

Ne'er looked but on my back;
English: They have only attacked me from behind.
Hindi: वे हमेशा मेरी पीठ पीछे से आए हैं।

when they shall see
English: When they see
Hindi: जब वे देखेंगे

The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.
English: Caesar’s face, they will disappear.
Hindi: सीज़र का सामना करते ही वे समाप्त हो जाएँगे।

Calpurnia: Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
English: Caesar, I have never believed in superstitions.
Hindi: सीज़र, मैं कभी अंधविश्वासों में विश्वास नहीं करती।

Yet now they fright me.
English: But now they terrify me.
Hindi: पर अब वे मुझे डरा रहे हैं।

There is one within,
English: There is a person inside
Hindi: अंदर एक व्यक्ति है

Besides the things that we have heard and seen,
English: Apart from what we have heard and seen
Hindi: जो कुछ हमने देखा और सुना है, उसके अलावा

Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch.
English: He tells of terrifying sights seen by the guards.
Hindi: वह पहरेदारों द्वारा देखे गए भयानक दृश्य बता रहा है।

A lioness hath whelpèd in the streets,
English: A lioness has given birth in the streets.
Hindi: सड़कों पर एक शेरनी ने बच्चों को जन्म दिया।

And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead.
English: Graves have opened and released the dead.
Hindi: कब्रें खुल गईं और मृतकों को बाहर निकाल दिया।

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds
English: Fierce warriors fought battles in the sky.
Hindi: आकाश में भयंकर योद्धा युद्ध करते दिखाई दिए।

In ranks and squadrons and right form of war,
English: In proper military formations.
Hindi: युद्ध की पूर्ण व्यवस्था में।

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol.
English: Which rained blood upon the Capitol.
Hindi: जिससे कैपिटल पर रक्त बरसा।

The noise of battle hurtled in the air,
English: The sounds of battle echoed in the air.
Hindi: युद्ध का शोर हवा में गूँज रहा था।

Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan,
English: Horses neighed and dying men groaned.
Hindi: घोड़े हिनहिनाए और मरते हुए लोग कराहे।

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets.
English: Ghosts screamed and ran through the streets.
Hindi: भूत सड़कों पर चीखते-चिल्लाते घूम रहे थे।

O Caesar, these things are beyond all use,
English: O Caesar, these signs are extremely ominous.
Hindi: ओ सीज़र, ये संकेत अत्यंत अशुभ हैं।

And I do fear them.
English: And I am afraid of them.
Hindi: और मैं उनसे भयभीत हूँ।

Caesar: What can be avoided
English: What can be avoided
Hindi: क्या टाला जा सकता है

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
English: That which the gods have already decided?
Hindi: जिसे शक्तिशाली देवताओं ने निश्चित कर दिया है?

Yet Caesar shall go forth;
English: Still, Caesar will go out.
Hindi: फिर भी सीज़र बाहर जाएगा।

for these predictions
English: Because these predictions
Hindi: क्योंकि ये भविष्यवाणियाँ

Are to the world in general as to Caesar.
English: Apply to everyone, not only Caesar.
Hindi: पूरी दुनिया के लिए हैं, केवल सीज़र के लिए नहीं।

Calpurnia: When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
English: When poor people die, no comets appear.
Hindi: जब भिखारी मरते हैं, तो धूमकेतु नहीं दिखते।

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
English: The heavens announce the deaths of kings.
Hindi: आकाश राजाओं की मृत्यु का संकेत देता है।

Caesar: Cowards die many times before their deaths;
English: Cowards suffer death many times through fear.
Hindi: कायर लोग मृत्यु से पहले कई बार मरते हैं।

The valiant never taste of death but once.
English: Brave men die only once.
Hindi: वीर पुरुष केवल एक बार मृत्यु का स्वाद चखते हैं।

Seeing that death, a necessary end,
English: Since death is unavoidable
Hindi: क्योंकि मृत्यु अनिवार्य है

Will come when it will come.
English: It will arrive at its appointed time.
Hindi: वह अपने समय पर ही आएगी।

Caesar: What say the augurers?
English: What do the priests predict?
Hindi: पुजारी क्या भविष्यवाणी कर रहे हैं?

Servant: They would not have you to stir forth today.
English: They advise you not to go out today.
Hindi: वे आज आपको बाहर न जाने की सलाह देते हैं।

Plucking the entrails of an offering forth
English: When they examined the entrails of the sacrificed animal
Hindi: जब उन्होंने बलि दिए गए पशु की आँतें निकालीं

They could not find a heart within the beast.
English: They found no heart inside the animal.
Hindi: उन्हें उस पशु में हृदय नहीं मिला।

Caesar: The gods do this in shame of cowardice.
English: The gods are mocking cowardice by this sign.
Hindi: देवता कायरता को लज्जित करने के लिए ऐसा कर रहे हैं।

Caesar should be a beast without a heart
English: Caesar himself would be heartless
Hindi: सीज़र स्वयं हृदयहीन पशु बन जाएगा

If he should stay at home today for fear.
English: If he stays home today out of fear.
Hindi: यदि वह भय के कारण आज घर पर रुका रहे।

No, Caesar shall not.
English: No, Caesar will not stay back.
Hindi: नहीं, सीज़र ऐसा नहीं करेगा।

Danger knows full well
English: Danger knows very well
Hindi: खतरा अच्छी तरह जानता है

That Caesar is more dangerous than he.
English: That Caesar is more dangerous than danger itself.
Hindi: कि सीज़र स्वयं खतरे से अधिक खतरनाक है।

We are two lions littered in one day,
English: We are like two lions born on the same day,
Hindi: हम एक ही दिन जन्मे दो शेरों के समान हैं,

And I the elder and more terrible;
English: And I am the older and fiercer one.
Hindi: और मैं बड़ा तथा अधिक भयानक हूँ।

And Caesar shall go forth.
English: Therefore Caesar will go out.
Hindi: इसलिए सीज़र बाहर जाएगा।

Calpurnia: Alas, my lord,
English: Alas, my lord,
Hindi: हाय, मेरे स्वामी,

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence.
English: Your wisdom is destroyed by overconfidence.
Hindi: आपका विवेक अत्यधिक आत्मविश्वास में नष्ट हो गया है।

Do not go forth today.
English: Do not go out today.
Hindi: आज बाहर मत जाइए।

Call it my fear
English: Say it is my fear
Hindi: इसे मेरा डर कह दीजिए

That keeps you in the house, and not your own.
English: That keeps you at home, not your own fear.
Hindi: जो आपको घर में रोके, न कि आपका अपना भय।

We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house,
English: We will send Mark Antony to the Senate.
Hindi: हम मार्क एंटनी को सीनेट भेज देंगे।

And he shall say you are not well today.
English: And he will say you are unwell today.
Hindi: और वह कहेगा कि आप आज अस्वस्थ हैं।

Let me upon my knee prevail in this.
English: Let me beg you on my knees.
Hindi: मुझे घुटनों पर बैठकर यह विनती करने दीजिए।

Caesar: Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
English: Mark Antony will say that I am unwell,
Hindi: मार्क एंटनी कहेगा कि मैं अस्वस्थ हूँ,

And for thy humor I will stay at home.
English: And to satisfy you, I will stay home.
Hindi: और तुम्हारी प्रसन्नता के लिए मैं घर रुक जाऊँगा।

[Enter Decius Brutus.]
English: Decius Brutus enters.
Hindi: डेसियस ब्रूटस प्रवेश करता है।

Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so.
English: Here comes Decius Brutus; he will inform them.
Hindi: यह रहा डेसियस ब्रूटस; वही उन्हें बताएगा।

Decius Brutus: Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar.
English: Greetings, Caesar! Good morning, noble Caesar.
Hindi: जय हो, सीज़र! सुप्रभात, महान सीज़र।

I come to fetch you to the Senate House.
English: I have come to escort you to the Senate.
Hindi: मैं आपको सीनेट भवन ले जाने आया हूँ।

Caesar: And you are come in very happy time
English: You have come at a very suitable moment
Hindi: तुम बहुत उचित समय पर आए हो

To bear my greeting to the senators
English: To convey my message to the senators
Hindi: सीनेटरों को मेरा संदेश देने के लिए

And tell them that I will not come today.
English: And tell them that I will not come today.
Hindi: और उनसे कहो कि मैं आज नहीं आऊँगा।

"Cannot" is false; and "that I dare not," falser.
English: Saying “I cannot” is false; saying “I dare not” is even more false.
Hindi: “मैं नहीं आ सकता” कहना गलत है; “मैं डरता हूँ” कहना उससे भी अधिक गलत।

I will not come today — tell them so, Decius.
English: I choose not to come today—tell them that.
Hindi: मैं आज आना नहीं चाहता—उन्हें यही बताना।

Calpurnia: Say he is sick.
English: Say that he is ill.
Hindi: कह देना कि वह बीमार है।

Caesar: Shall Caesar send a lie?
English: Should Caesar send a lie?
Hindi: क्या सीज़र झूठ भेजे?

Have I in conquest stretched mine arm so far
English: Have I extended my power so far in conquests
Hindi: क्या मैंने विजय में अपनी शक्ति इतनी दूर तक बढ़ाई है

To be afraid to tell greybeards the truth?
English: Only to fear telling old men the truth?
Hindi: कि अब बूढ़े लोगों से सच कहने में डरूँ?

Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
English: Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.
Hindi: डेसियस, जाकर कह दो कि सीज़र नहीं आएगा।

Decius Brutus: Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
English: Mighty Caesar, tell me some reason,
Hindi: महान सीज़र, मुझे कोई कारण बताइए,

Lest I be laughed at when I tell them so.
English: Otherwise they may mock me.
Hindi: नहीं तो वे मेरा उपहास करेंगे।

Caesar: The cause is in my will; I will not come.
English: The reason is my will; I choose not to come.
Hindi: कारण मेरी इच्छा है; मैं नहीं आना चाहता।

That is enough to satisfy the Senate.
English: That should satisfy the Senate.
Hindi: यही सीनेट के लिए पर्याप्त है।

But for your private satisfaction,
English: But for your personal understanding,
Hindi: लेकिन तुम्हारी व्यक्तिगत संतुष्टि के लिए,

Because I love you, I will let you know.
English: Because I like you, I will explain.
Hindi: क्योंकि मैं तुम्हें पसंद करता हूँ, इसलिए बताता हूँ।

Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.
English: My wife Calpurnia is keeping me at home.
Hindi: मेरी पत्नी कैलपर्निया मुझे घर पर रोक रही है।

She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,
English: She dreamed she saw my statue,
Hindi: उसने सपना देखा कि उसने मेरी मूर्ति देखी,

Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
English: Which flowed like a fountain with many outlets,
Hindi: जो सौ धाराओं वाले फव्वारे की तरह बह रही थी,

Did run pure blood;
English: Pouring out pure blood.
Hindi: जिससे शुद्ध रक्त बह रहा था।

and many lusty Romans
English: And many strong Romans
Hindi: और अनेक बलवान रोमी

Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.
English: Came smiling and bathed their hands in it.
Hindi: मुस्कुराते हुए आए और उसमें अपने हाथ धोए।

And these does she apply for warnings and portents
English: She interprets these as warnings and omens
Hindi: वह इन्हें चेतावनी और अपशकुन मानती है

And evils imminent,
English: And signs of approaching evil,
Hindi: और निकट आने वाले अनिष्ट के संकेत,

And on her knee
English: And kneeling down
Hindi: और घुटनों के बल बैठकर

Hath begged that I will stay at home today.
English: She has begged me to stay home today.
Hindi: उसने मुझसे आज घर पर रहने की विनती की।

Decius Brutus: This dream is all amiss interpreted.
English: This dream has been wrongly interpreted.
Hindi: इस सपने की गलत व्याख्या की गई है।

It was a vision fair and fortunate.
English: It was a good and fortunate vision.
Hindi: यह शुभ और सौभाग्यशाली सपना था।

Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
English: Your statue pouring blood from many openings,
Hindi: आपकी मूर्ति से अनेक धाराओं में रक्त बहना,

In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
English: In which smiling Romans bathed,
Hindi: जिसमें मुस्कुराते रोमी स्नान कर रहे थे,

Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
English: Means that Rome will draw strength from you.
Hindi: इसका अर्थ है कि रोम आपसे शक्ति प्राप्त करेगा।

Reviving blood,
English: Life-giving blood,
Hindi: जीवनदायी रक्त,

and that great men shall press
English: And great men will eagerly seek
Hindi: और महान लोग उत्सुकता से चाहेंगे

For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
English: Tokens, relics, and marks of honor.
Hindi: स्मृति-चिह्न, अवशेष और सम्मान-चिह्न।

This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.
English: This is what the dream signifies.
Hindi: कैलपर्निया का सपना यही संकेत देता है।

Caesar: And this way have you well expounded it.
English: You have explained it very well.
Hindi: तुमने इसकी अच्छी व्याख्या की है।

Decius Brutus: I have, when you have heard what I can say —
English: I have, and now hear what else I say—
Hindi: मैंने की है, और अब आगे सुनिए—

And know it now — the senate have concluded
English: Know this now—the Senate has decided
Hindi: यह जान लीजिए—सीनेट ने निर्णय लिया है

To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
English: To crown mighty Caesar today.
Hindi: आज महान सीज़र को मुकुट पहनाने का।

If you shall send them word you will not come,
English: If you tell them you will not come,
Hindi: यदि आप कह दें कि आप नहीं आएँगे,

Their minds may change.
English: They may change their decision.
Hindi: उनका विचार बदल सकता है।

Besides, it were a mock
English: Besides, it would be a joke
Hindi: इसके अलावा, यह उपहास होगा

Apt to be rendered, for someone to say
English: For someone to say
Hindi: कि कोई कहे

'Break up the senate till another time,
English: “Dismiss the Senate till another day
Hindi: ‘सीनेट को किसी और दिन के लिए स्थगित कर दो

When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
English: When Caesar’s wife has better dreams.”
Hindi: जब सीज़र की पत्नी को अच्छे सपने आएँ।’

If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
English: If Caesar stays hidden, won’t they whisper
Hindi: यदि सीज़र छिप जाए, तो क्या वे फुसफुसाएँगे नहीं

'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
English: “Look, Caesar is afraid”?
Hindi: ‘देखो, सीज़र डर गया है’?

Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear, dear love
English: Forgive me, Caesar, for my deep affection
Hindi: मुझे क्षमा करें, सीज़र, मेरे गहरे प्रेम के कारण

To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
English: Compels me to tell you this.
Hindi: मुझे यह कहने के लिए बाध्य करता है।

And reason, to my love, is liable.
English: And reason supports my love.
Hindi: और तर्क मेरे प्रेम का समर्थन करता है।

Caesar: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
English: How foolish your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
Hindi: अब तुम्हारे डर कितने मूर्खतापूर्ण लगते हैं, कैलपर्निया!

I am ashamèd I did yield to them.
English: I am ashamed I gave in to them.
Hindi: मुझे लज्जा है कि मैंने उन्हें स्वीकार किया।

Give me my robe, for I will go.
English: Give me my robe; I will go.
Hindi: मेरा वस्त्र दो; मैं जाऊँगा।

And look where Publius is come to fetch me.
English: See, Publius has come to fetch me.
Hindi: देखो, पब्लियस मुझे लेने आ गया है।

Publius: Good morrow, Caesar.
English: Good morning, Caesar.
Hindi: सुप्रभात, सीज़र।

Caesar: Welcome, Publius.
English: Welcome, Publius.
Hindi: स्वागत है, पब्लियस।

What, Brutus, are you stirred so early too?
English: Brutus, are you awake so early too?
Hindi: ब्रूटस, क्या तुम भी इतनी जल्दी उठ गए?

Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius,
English: Good morning, Casca. Caius Ligarius,
Hindi: सुप्रभात, कास्का। काइयस लिगैरियस,

Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy
English: Caesar was never such an enemy to you
Hindi: सीज़र कभी तुम्हारा इतना बड़ा शत्रु नहीं था

As that same ague which hath made you lean.
English: As the fever that has weakened you.
Hindi: जितना वह बुखार जिसने तुम्हें दुबला कर दिया।

What is't o'clock?
English: What time is it?
Hindi: कितने बजे हैं?

Brutus: Caesar, 'tis strucken eight.
English: It has struck eight o’clock.
Hindi: आठ बज चुके हैं।

Caesar: I thank you for your pains and courtesy.
English: Thank you for your effort and politeness.
Hindi: आपके परिश्रम और शिष्टाचार के लिए धन्यवाद।

See, Antony, that revels long a-nights,
English: See Antony, who parties late at night,
Hindi: देखो, एंटनी, जो रात भर आनंद करता है,

Is notwithstanding up.
English: Is awake despite that.
Hindi: फिर भी जाग रहा है।

Good morrow, Antony.
English: Good morning, Antony.
Hindi: सुप्रभात, एंटनी।

Antony: So to most noble Caesar.
English: Good morning to you too, noble Caesar.
Hindi: आपको भी सुप्रभात, महान सीज़र।

Caesar: [To Calpurnia] Bid them prepare within.
English: Tell them to make preparations inside.
Hindi: उनसे भीतर तैयारी करने को कहो।

I am to blame to be thus waited for.
English: I am at fault for keeping them waiting.
Hindi: मुझे दोषी होना चाहिए कि मैंने उन्हें प्रतीक्षा करवाई।

Now, Cinna. Now, Metellus. What, Trebonius!
English: Now, Cinna; now, Metellus; Trebonius too!
Hindi: अब, सिन्ना। अब, मेटेलस। क्या, ट्रेबोनियस!

I have an hour's talk in store for you;
English: I have an hour-long talk planned for you.
Hindi: मेरे पास तुमसे एक घंटे की बातचीत है।

Remember that you call on me today.
English: Remember to approach me today.
Hindi: याद रखना, आज मुझसे बात करना।

Be near me, that I may remember you.
English: Stay close so I remember you.
Hindi: मेरे पास रहना ताकि मैं तुम्हें याद रखूँ।

Trebonius: Caesar, I will —
English: Caesar, I will—
Hindi: सीज़र, मैं रहूँगा—

[Aside] and so near will I be,
English: (Aside) And I will be very close,
Hindi: (स्वगत) और मैं बहुत पास रहूँगा,

That your best friends shall wish I had been further.
English: So close that your friends will wish I were farther away.
Hindi: इतना पास कि तुम्हारे मित्र चाहेंगे मैं दूर होता।

Caesar: Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
English: Friends, come inside and drink some wine with me.
Hindi: मित्रों, भीतर आओ और मेरे साथ शराब पीओ।

And we, like friends, will straightway go together.
English: Then we will go together as friends.
Hindi: फिर हम मित्रों की तरह साथ चलेंगे।

Brutus: [Aside] That every like is not the same, O Caesar,
English: (Aside) Appearances can be deceiving, O Caesar.
Hindi: (स्वगत) हर समानता सच्ची नहीं होती, ओ सीज़र।

The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon!
English: Brutus’s heart aches thinking of this.
Hindi: ब्रूटस का हृदय यह सोचकर व्याकुल हो उठता है।

[Exit.]
English: They leave.
Hindi: वे बाहर जाते हैं।

MCQs

1.    Where is Caesar at the opening of Act II, Scene II?
A. The Capitol
B. The Senate House
C. His house
D. The Forum
Answer: C. His house

2.    What is the time of day when the scene begins?
A. Midnight
B. Before dawn
C. Noon
D. Evening
Answer: B. Before dawn

3.    What natural phenomena are heard at the beginning of the scene?
A. Rain and wind
B. Thunder and lightning
C. Earthquake
D. Fire
Answer: B. Thunder and lightning

4.    How many times does Calpurnia cry out in her sleep?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Thrice
D. Four times
Answer: C. Thrice

5.    What words does Calpurnia utter in her sleep?
A. “Beware the ides”
B. “Help me, Caesar”
C. “They murder Caesar”
D. “Rome is ruined”
Answer: C. “They murder Caesar”

6.    What garment is Caesar wearing when he enters?
A. Toga
B. Armor
C. Nightgown
D. Robe
Answer: C. Nightgown

7.    Whom does Caesar first call after hearing Calpurnia?
A. Antony
B. A servant
C. Decius
D. Brutus
Answer: B. A servant

8.    What does Caesar order the servant to do?
A. Call Antony
B. Bring wine
C. Fetch Calpurnia
D. Bid the priests do present sacrifice
Answer: D. Bid the priests do present sacrifice

9.    What does Calpurnia beg Caesar to do?
A. Delay the Senate meeting
B. Send Antony instead
C. Stay at home
D. Consult Decius
Answer: C. Stay at home

10. What reason does Calpurnia first give for her fear?
A. The priests’ warning
B. Her dream
C. The storm
D. Caesar’s illness
Answer: B. Her dream

11. What animal does Calpurnia say gave birth in the streets?
A. Wolf
B. Horse
C. Lioness
D. Serpent
Answer: C. Lioness

12. Where does Calpurnia say warriors fought in the air?
A. Over Rome
B. Over the Capitol
C. In the Forum
D. In the clouds
Answer: D. In the clouds

13. What did the warriors’ combat rain down upon the Capitol?
A. Fire
B. Stones
C. Blood
D. Ash
Answer: C. Blood

14. How does Caesar interpret these prodigies?
A. As warnings for him alone
B. As omens for Rome in general
C. As lies
D. As tricks of priests
Answer: B. As omens for Rome in general

15. What example does Caesar give to prove omens are universal?
A. Earthquakes
B. Thunder
C. Comets
D. Storms
Answer: C. Comets

16. According to Caesar, for whom do comets appear?
A. Common men
B. Soldiers
C. Princes
D. Priests
Answer: C. Princes

17. What famous line does Caesar speak about cowardice and death?
A. “The brave never fear”
B. “Death waits for all”
C. “Cowards die many times before their deaths”
D. “Fear is the enemy”
Answer: C. “Cowards die many times before their deaths”

18. What do the priests fail to find in the sacrificed beast?
A. Liver
B. Brain
C. Blood
D. Heart
Answer: D. Heart

19. How does Caesar interpret the absence of the heart?
A. As death approaching
B. As divine punishment
C. As cowardice
D. As illness
Answer: C. As cowardice

20. Which animals does Caesar compare himself and danger to?
A. Wolves
B. Bulls
C. Lions
D. Eagles
Answer: C. Lions

21. Who does Caesar say is more dangerous?
A. Danger
B. The Senate
C. Calpurnia
D. Caesar himself
Answer: D. Caesar himself

22. What does Calpurnia accuse Caesar of lacking?
A. Courage
B. Wisdom
C. Mercy
D. Faith
Answer: B. Wisdom

23. What solution does Calpurnia suggest instead of Caesar going?
A. Cancel the meeting
B. Send Antony
C. Postpone the Senate
D. Consult Decius
Answer: B. Send Antony

24. Why does Caesar agree to stay home at first?
A. Priests’ warning
B. Fear of death
C. Calpurnia’s fear
D. Illness
Answer: C. Calpurnia’s fear

25. Who arrives and challenges Caesar’s decision?
A. Brutus
B. Antony
C. Decius Brutus
D. Cassius
Answer: C. Decius Brutus

26. What reason does Caesar give Decius for staying home?
A. Illness
B. Fear
C. His will
D. Priests’ advice
Answer: C. His will

27. What dream does Caesar describe to Decius?
A. Caesar murdered
B. Rome burning
C. His statue spouting blood
D. Lions roaming streets
Answer: C. His statue spouting blood

28. How does Decius interpret the dream?
A. As a warning of death
B. As a sign of tyranny
C. As a fortunate vision
D. As superstition
Answer: C. As a fortunate vision

29. According to Decius, what will Romans do with Caesar’s blood?
A. Fear it
B. Worship it
C. Bathe their hands in it
D. Avoid it
Answer: C. Bathe their hands in it

30. What honor does Decius say the Senate plans for Caesar?
A. A statue
B. A triumph
C. A crown
D. A feast
Answer: C. A crown

31. What fear does Decius use to persuade Caesar finally?
A. Loss of power
B. Senate’s anger
C. Mockery of fear
D. Antony’s betrayal
Answer: C. Mockery of fear

32. What phrase suggests Caesar might appear afraid?
A. “Caesar is sick”
B. “Caesar hides himself”
C. “Caesar delays”
D. “Caesar doubts”
Answer: B. “Caesar hides himself”

33. What does Caesar ask for after deciding to go?
A. His sword
B. His crown
C. His robe
D. His shield
Answer: C. His robe

34. Who arrives to escort Caesar?
A. Publius
B. Cicero
C. Flavius
D. Lepidus
Answer: A. Publius

35. What time does Brutus say it is?
A. Six
B. Seven
C. Eight
D. Nine
Answer: C. Eight

36. Whom does Caesar tease for loving sleep?
A. Brutus
B. Casca
C. Antony
D. Trebonius
Answer: C. Antony

37. What does Caesar invite the conspirators to do before leaving?
A. Pray
B. Eat
C. Drink wine
D. Rest
Answer: C. Drink wine

38. Which conspirator speaks an aside about keeping close to Caesar?
A. Casca
B. Cinna
C. Trebonius
D. Metellus
Answer: C. Trebonius

39. What does Brutus express in his closing aside?
A. Pride
B. Fear
C. Determination
D. Inner conflict
Answer: D. Inner conflict

40. What decision does Caesar finally make in this scene?
A. To stay home
B. To delay the Senate
C. To go to the Capitol
D. To send Antony
Answer: C. To go to the Capitol

One-Mark Questions

1.    Where does Act II, Scene II take place?
It takes place in a room in Caesar’s house.

2.    What natural disturbances are present at the beginning of the scene?
Thunder and lightning are present.

3.    How many times does Calpurnia cry out in her sleep?
Calpurnia cries out three times.

4.    What words does Calpurnia utter while dreaming?
She cries, “Help, ho! They murder Caesar!”

5.    Whom does Caesar first summon after hearing Calpurnia?
Caesar summons a servant.

6.    What instruction does Caesar give the servant?
He orders the servant to ask the priests to perform a sacrifice and report the outcome.

7.    What does Calpurnia urge Caesar not to do?
She urges him not to leave the house.

8.    Which terrifying event does Calpurnia say occurred in the streets?
She says a lioness gave birth in the streets.

9.    What unusual sight involving the dead does Calpurnia describe?
She says graves opened and released their dead.

10. Where did the fiery warriors appear to fight?
They fought in the clouds.

11. What did the combat in the sky rain upon the Capitol?
It rained blood upon the Capitol.

12. How does Caesar initially view the ominous events?
He says they are general signs meant for the whole world.

13. What example does Caesar give about comets?
He says comets appear at the deaths of princes.

14. What does Caesar say cowards do before dying?
He says cowards die many times before their actual death.

15. What do the augurers fail to find in the sacrificed animal?
They fail to find a heart.

16. How does Caesar interpret the absence of the heart?
He interprets it as a sign of cowardice.

17. What animal does Caesar compare himself to?
He compares himself to a lion.

18. Who does Calpurnia suggest should go to the Senate instead of Caesar?
She suggests Mark Antony should go.

19. On whose account does Caesar initially agree to stay home?
He agrees to stay home for Calpurnia’s sake.

20. Who arrives to fetch Caesar to the Senate?
Decius Brutus arrives to fetch him.

21. What reason does Caesar give Decius for not going to the Senate?
He says it is his will not to go.

22. What dream of Calpurnia does Caesar describe to Decius?
He describes her dream of his statue spouting blood.

23. How does Decius interpret the dream?
He interprets it as a sign of honour and benefit to Rome.

24. What honour does Decius say the Senate plans for Caesar?
He says the Senate plans to offer Caesar a crown.

25. What fear does Decius suggest the Senate may have about Caesar?
He suggests they may think Caesar is afraid.

26. What makes Caesar change his decision finally?
Decius’s interpretation and persuasion make him change his decision.

27. What does Caesar ask for after deciding to go?
He asks for his robe.

28. What time does Brutus say it is?
He says it is eight o’clock.

29. What does Caesar invite his companions to do before leaving?
He invites them to drink wine with him.

30. What feeling does Brutus express in his aside at the end?
He expresses deep inner anguish and moral conflict.

Two-Mark Questions

1.    Why does Calpurnia ask Caesar not to go to the Senate?
Calpurnia fears for Caesar’s life because of her ominous dream and the strange occurrences she has observed, including a statue spouting blood and other unnatural events, which she interprets as warnings that Caesar may be in danger if he goes out.

2.    What strange events does Calpurnia describe to Caesar?
She describes several unnatural events: a lioness giving birth in the streets, graves opening, fiery warriors fighting in the clouds, and blood raining on the Capitol, all of which she believes are signs predicting imminent danger for Caesar.

3.    How does Caesar respond to Calpurnia’s fears?
Caesar dismisses the omens, saying that what is destined by the gods cannot be avoided and that danger knows he is more dangerous, showing his belief in fate and his own courage, and refusing to stay home out of fear.

4.    What does Caesar mean by saying “Cowards die many times before their deaths”?
He means that those who fear death suffer repeatedly in imagination, while the brave confront it once; he uses this to justify his decision to go to the Senate, emphasizing courage over superstition or fear.

5.    What warning do the augurers give to Caesar?
The augurers report that the sacrificed animal had no heart, which they interpret as an ominous sign. They advise Caesar not to leave the house, but he chooses to interpret it as a challenge to cowardice rather than a real threat.

6.    How does Caesar interpret the absence of the heart in the sacrificed animal?
He interprets it as a shameful sign for those who might be cowardly, asserting that he would be more cowardly than the beast itself if he stayed home, showing his pride and confidence in his own strength and destiny.

7.    How does Decius Brutus persuade Caesar to go to the Senate?
Decius reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream positively, claiming it shows Caesar’s blood will give life to Rome and that great men will honour him, convincing Caesar that the dream signals power and glory rather than danger, thus changing his mind.

8.    What does Caesar reveal about Calpurnia’s dream?
He reveals that she dreamed of his statue spouting blood, in which many Romans bathed their hands, and she interpreted it as a warning of danger, begging him on her knees to stay home for his safety.

9.    Why does Caesar agree to stay home temporarily?
He agrees to stay home initially to please Calpurnia, respecting her fears and her role as his wife, even though he is naturally inclined to dismiss omens and act according to his own will.

10. How does Caesar describe the omens and supernatural signs?
Caesar says the omens are meant for the world in general, not just for him, and asserts that what is destined by the gods cannot be avoided, showing his belief in fate and divine purpose over superstition.

11. What is the significance of Caesar comparing himself to a lion?
By calling himself the elder and more terrible lion, Caesar emphasizes his strength and superiority over danger, demonstrating his pride, courage, and unwillingness to show fear even in the face of ominous signs.

12. How does Calpurnia attempt to prevent Caesar from going out?
She kneels and appeals to his love for her, recounts her fears and strange visions, suggests sending Antony instead, and asks Caesar to let her protect him, showing her devotion and her role as a careful observer of omens.

13. What role does Publius play in this scene?
Publius arrives to escort Caesar, and Caesar greets him warmly, showing Caesar’s customary politeness and the ceremonial nature of his departure for the Senate, while also highlighting the presence of loyal attendants around him.

14. How does Brutus express his inner feelings in the scene?
Brutus speaks an aside at the end, revealing his inner conflict, moral tension, and concern about Caesar’s growing power, showing that he is thoughtful and torn between friendship, love of Rome, and political responsibility.

15. What is the overall theme illustrated in this scene?
The scene explores fate versus free will, courage versus fear, and the tension between personal desires and public duty, showing how Caesar interprets omens, dreams, and advice to assert his authority while the conspirators observe his actions closely.

Three-Mark Questions

1.    Why does Calpurnia want Caesar to stay at home, and how does she describe the omens?
Calpurnia wants Caesar to stay home because of a terrifying dream and several unnatural signs she observed: a lioness giving birth in the streets, graves opening, fiery warriors fighting in the clouds, and blood raining on the Capitol. She interprets these as warnings of danger and pleads on her knees, emphasizing her concern for his safety and the importance of heeding these omens.

2.    How does Caesar respond to Calpurnia’s fears, and what does this reveal about his character?
Caesar dismisses Calpurnia’s fears, asserting that fate cannot be avoided and that danger knows he is more powerful. He compares himself to a lion, demonstrating pride, courage, and confidence in his own destiny. This reveals his strong belief in fate, personal strength, and bravery, as well as his willingness to challenge superstition and appear fearless, even in the face of ominous warnings.

3.    What advice do the augurers give Caesar, and how does he interpret it?
The augurers report that the sacrificed beast had no heart, a bad omen, and advise Caesar not to go out. Caesar, however, interprets the absence of the heart as a sign of cowardice, asserting that he would be more cowardly than the beast if he stayed home. He treats the omen as a challenge to his courage, prioritizing pride and bravery over superstition.

4.    How does Decius Brutus reinterpret Calpurnia’s dream to persuade Caesar to go to the Senate?
Decius Brutus tells Caesar that Calpurnia’s dream, showing his statue spouting blood, is a fortunate vision. He claims it symbolizes that Caesar’s blood will revitalize Rome and that Romans will honour him. Decius also warns that if Caesar stays home, the Senate may mock him. By presenting the dream positively, he appeals to Caesar’s pride and ambition, convincing him to change his mind.

5.    What reasons does Caesar give for initially agreeing to stay home, and what does this reveal about his relationship with Calpurnia?
Caesar agrees to stay home temporarily to please Calpurnia, showing respect for her fears and their marital bond. This reveals his willingness to consider his wife’s advice and shows that he values her concern, even though he personally prioritizes courage and destiny. Their interaction highlights the tension between personal affection and public duty in Caesar’s decision-making.

6.    How does Caesar describe the significance of supernatural events, and how does this reflect his beliefs?
Caesar describes omens, dreams, and prodigies as signs meant for the world in general rather than personal warnings. He believes that what is destined by the gods cannot be avoided. This reflects his strong faith in fate and divine order, his dismissal of superstition, and his conviction that courage and action are more important than fear of supernatural signs.

7.    What does the comparison of Caesar and danger to lions signify?
Caesar compares himself and danger to lions, claiming he is the elder and more terrible. This signifies his belief in personal power, courage, and dominance over threats. He presents himself as fearless and superior, emphasizing that danger must respect his strength, and portraying his heroic self-image while rejecting the notion that omens or fear can control his actions.

8.    How does Calpurnia attempt to persuade Caesar to stay home, and what techniques does she use?
Calpurnia kneels, appeals to his love for her, recounts frightening visions, and emphasizes her concern for his life. She suggests sending Mark Antony instead and pleads with Caesar not to risk danger. Her techniques include emotional appeal, reasoning based on observed omens, and invoking her role as his wife to protect him, demonstrating her intelligence, devotion, and persuasive ability.

9.    How does Brutus express his inner feelings in this scene, and what does it reveal about him?
Brutus expresses his inner conflict in an aside, reflecting on Caesar’s growing power and his own moral dilemma. He feels torn between friendship, loyalty, and political responsibility. This reveals Brutus’s thoughtful, reflective nature, his deep concern for Rome, and the beginning of his internal struggle that will lead him to participate in the conspiracy against Caesar.

10. How does the scene illustrate the tension between fate and free will?
The scene shows Caesar interpreting omens, dreams, and advice to make decisions, highlighting the tension between divine signs (fate) and personal choice (free will). Calpurnia’s fears and Decius’s persuasion contrast with Caesar’s pride and belief in destiny, demonstrating that even in a world guided by fate, human action, ambition, and persuasion play a decisive role in shaping events.

Reference To Context

Extract 1:
“Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight.
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out,
‘Help, ho! They murder Caesar!’ Who’s within?”

1.    Who speaks these lines?
Answer: Caesar

2.    What does Caesar mean by “Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace”?
Answer: He means that unnatural events and disturbances indicate unrest in the world.

3.    How many times did Calpurnia cry out in her sleep?
Answer: Thrice

4.    What exactly did Calpurnia say in her sleep?
Answer: “Help, ho! They murder Caesar!”

5.    What does this scene suggest about Caesar’s state of mind?
Answer: Caesar is anxious and aware of ominous signs around him.

6.    Explain in 40 words why Caesar is disturbed by Calpurnia’s cries.
Answer: Caesar is disturbed because Calpurnia’s repeated cries indicate danger to him, suggesting the presence of omens and unrest that might threaten his life, making him alert and cautious despite his usual confidence.

7.    How does this extract reflect the theme of fate versus free will?
Answer: It shows that while Caesar senses warning signs (fate), he will still make a conscious choice whether to heed them or not, reflecting the tension between destiny and personal decision.

Extract 2:
“Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me
Ne'er looked but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanishèd.”

1.    Who says these lines?
Answer: Caesar

2.    What does Caesar mean by “things that threatened me ne’er looked but on my back”?
Answer: Threats never confronted him directly; he faced them with courage.

3.    What is Caesar’s attitude toward danger in this extract?
Answer: He is confident and fearless.

4.    How does this show Caesar’s perception of his own power?
Answer: He sees himself as stronger than danger, almost invincible.

5.    What literary device is used in “they are vanished”?
Answer: Personification

6.    Explain in 40 words how Caesar’s words reflect his arrogance.
Answer: Caesar’s claim that threats vanish when they see him shows pride in his power and invincibility, revealing his overconfidence and disregard for warnings or omens, which foreshadows his vulnerability to the conspiracy.

7.    How does this extract develop the theme of fate versus free will?
Answer: Caesar chooses to ignore omens (free will) despite threatening signs, highlighting human agency in the face of destiny.

Extract 3:
“A lioness hath whelped in the streets,
And graves have yawned and yielded up their dead.
Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds.”

1.    Who reports these events to Caesar?
Answer: Calpurnia

2.    What is unusual about the lioness?
Answer: It gave birth in the streets.

3.    What does “graves have yawned” mean?
Answer: Graves opened and released the dead.

4.    What did the warriors do in the clouds?
Answer: They fought fiercely in military formation.

5.    What is the purpose of these descriptions?
Answer: To indicate supernatural warnings and foreboding omens.

6.    Explain in 40 words how these events affect Caesar’s household.
Answer: The unnatural occurrences terrify Calpurnia and alarm Caesar’s attendants, creating tension and urgency, and serve as warnings that Caesar’s life is in danger, highlighting the anxiety and supernatural atmosphere in the scene.

7.    How does this extract emphasize the theme of superstition?
Answer: It shows how Calpurnia interprets unusual natural and supernatural events as omens, reflecting belief in signs and portents influencing human behaviour.

Extract 4:
“The gods do this in shame of cowardice.
Caesar should be a beast without a heart
If he should stay at home today for fear.”

1.    Who speaks these lines?
Answer: Caesar

2.    What does Caesar say about cowardice?
Answer: That yielding to fear would make him less than human.

3.    What does he mean by “a beast without a heart”?
Answer: He would be lifeless, weak, and cowardly.

4.    How does this reflect Caesar’s self-image?
Answer: He sees himself as brave, strong, and fearless.

5.    Identify the rhetorical device in “a beast without a heart.”
Answer: Metaphor

6.    Explain in 40 words how this extract shows Caesar’s attitude to omens.
Answer: Caesar dismisses warnings, claiming fear is shameful, emphasizing courage and self-confidence over superstition, showing he prioritizes his own will and perception of bravery above the concerns raised by Calpurnia or the augurers.

7.    How does this reinforce the theme of pride?
Answer: Caesar’s pride prevents him from heeding warnings, highlighting arrogance and hubris as central traits that lead to his downfall.

Extract 5:
“Mark Antony shall say I am not well,
And for thy humour I will stay at home.”

1.    Who says these lines?
Answer: Caesar

2.    Who is Mark Antony mentioned in the lines?
Answer: Caesar’s loyal friend and general.

3.    Why does Caesar agree to stay at home temporarily?
Answer: To please Calpurnia’s wishes and humour her fears.

4.    What does “thy humour” mean here?
Answer: Your wish or preference.

5.    How does this show Caesar’s relationship with Calpurnia?
Answer: It shows he respects her concerns and cares for her.

6.    Explain in 40 words how Caesar balances personal feelings and public duty.
Answer: Caesar temporarily yields to Calpurnia to respect her fears while still intending to assert his authority later, showing he negotiates between private affection and public image, demonstrating both his human side and political awareness.

7.    What theme is highlighted in this extract?
Answer: The tension between personal relationships and political responsibility.

Extract 6:
“Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar.
I come to fetch you to the Senate House.”

1.    Who speaks these lines?
Answer: Decius Brutus

2.    What is the purpose of Decius’s visit?
Answer: To escort Caesar to the Senate.

3.    How does Decius greet Caesar?
Answer: He greets him respectfully with “all hail” and “good morrow.”

4.    Identify the tone of Decius’s speech.
Answer: Polite and deferential.

5.    How does this extract show Decius’s role in the plot?
Answer: He is the intermediary persuading Caesar to go, influencing his decision.

6.    Explain in 40 words why Caesar might consider Decius’s visit important.
Answer: Decius’s timely arrival gives Caesar a reason to appear confident and comply with political expectations, while also allowing the conspirators to manipulate him, showing Caesar’s vulnerability to persuasion even when he believes himself fearless.

7.    What theme does this extract illustrate?
Answer: The manipulation of perception and influence in political action.

Extract 7:
“She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.”

1.    Who narrates these lines?
Answer: Caesar

2.    Whose dream is described here?
Answer: Calpurnia’s dream.

3.    What did the statue do in the dream?
Answer: It spouted pure blood like a fountain.

4.    What did Romans do in the dream?
Answer: They bathed their hands in the blood.

5.    How does Caesar interpret the dream initially?
Answer: As a warning of danger to himself.

6.    Explain in 40 words how dreams are used in this scene.
Answer: Dreams serve as symbolic warnings, revealing the fears and superstitions of characters; they influence decision-making, highlight vulnerability, and foreshadow future events, emphasizing the tension between fate and human choice in the narrative.

7.    What theme is emphasized by this dream?
Answer: The power of omens and the tension between fate and free will.

Extract 8:
“This dream is all amiss interpreted.
It was a vision fair and fortunate.
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood.”

1.    Who speaks these lines?
Answer: Decius Brutus

2.    How does Decius reinterpret Calpurnia’s dream?
Answer: As a positive vision signalling honour and benefit to Rome.

3.    What is meant by “Reviving blood”?
Answer: The blood symbolizes life, power, and inspiration Rome will gain from Caesar.

4.    What is Decius’s purpose in reinterpreting the dream?
Answer: To persuade Caesar to attend the Senate.

5.    What literary device is used in “Reviving blood”?
Answer: Metaphor

6.    Explain in 40 words how Decius uses persuasion.
Answer: Decius presents a threatening dream positively, appealing to Caesar’s ambition and pride, suggesting that attending the Senate will enhance his honour, cleverly manipulating perception to ensure Caesar acts in Favor of the conspirators’ plan.

7.    Which theme is reflected in this extract?
Answer: Manipulation through interpretation of omens and ambition.

Extract 9:
“If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be rendered, for someone to say
‘Break up the Senate till another time,
When Caesar’s wife shall meet with better dreams.’”

1.    Who speaks these lines?
Answer: Decius Brutus

2.    What warning does Decius give Caesar?
Answer: That staying home may make the Senate mock him.

3.    What does Decius mean by “it were a mock apt to be rendered”?
Answer: It would look ridiculous and invite ridicule.

4.    How does this appeal to Caesar’s pride?
Answer: It suggests he would appear fearful and weak if he stayed.

5.    What does this show about Decius’s persuasive technique?
Answer: He appeals to Caesar’s vanity and concern for reputation.

6.    Explain in 40 words why Caesar might be swayed by this argument.
Answer: Concerned with honour and public image, Caesar values the Senate’s respect; Decius cleverly frames absence as shameful, making Caesar act out of pride rather than fear, showing Caesar’s susceptibility to manipulation despite his apparent confidence.

7.    Which theme does this extract emphasize?
Answer: The influence of social perception and political manipulation.

Extract 10:
“Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with me;
And we, like friends, will straightway go together.”

1.    Who speaks these lines?
Answer: Caesar

2.    What invitation does Caesar extend?
Answer: He invites his companions to drink wine with him.

3.    What does this show about Caesar’s demeanour?
Answer: He appears courteous, social, and confident.

4.    How does this reflect Caesar’s leadership style?
Answer: He engages personally with companions, showing approachability and authority simultaneously.

5.    What is the dramatic irony in this line?
Answer: The conspirators are his enemies, yet he treats them as friends.

6.    Explain in 40 words the significance of this line in the plot.
Answer: The line highlights Caesar’s trust and lack of suspicion, which makes him vulnerable to the conspirators’ plan, increasing dramatic tension as the audience knows danger awaits while he remains unaware.

7.    Which theme is illustrated here?
Answer: Betrayal and dramatic irony.

 

Courtesy: Different AIs

Compiled and edited by Dr. Shankar D Mishra

For Free English coaching, call at these numbers:

8270604524/8249297412

Please share this link among all your school friends. Thank you.