Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene II, Part 2
Evergreen
book, Page: 32 to 38
Cassius – I know that virtue to be in you, ,..............................Antony: Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous. He is a noble Roman, and well given.
Glossary
Virtue:
moral excellence; goodness : सद्गुण;
नैतिक उत्कृष्टता
: ନୈତିକ ଉତ୍କର୍ଷ;
ସଦ୍ଗୁଣ
Outward: external; visible : बाहरी;
दृश्यमान
: ବାହ୍ୟ;
ଦୃଶ୍ୟମାନ
Favour: appearance; facial look : रूप;
बाहरी रूप-रंग
: ଚେହେରାର ଦେଖା;
ରୂପ
Honour: respect; dignity : सम्मान;
प्रतिष्ठा
: ସମ୍ମାନ;
ମର୍ଯ୍ୟାଦା
Subject: topic; matter : विषय;
मामला
: ବିଷୟ;
ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗ
Single self: oneself alone : स्वयं अकेला;
केवल अपने लिए
: ନିଜେ ଏକା;
କେବଳ ନିଜ ପାଇଁ
Had as lief: would rather; would prefer : बल्कि पसंद करना;
अधिक पसंद करना
: ବରଂ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବା;
ଅଧିକ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବା
In awe of: in great fear and respect of : भय और सम्मान से प्रभावित
: ଭୟ ଓ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାରେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ
Raw: cold and unpleasant : बहुत ठंडा और अप्रिय
: ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଥଣ୍ଡା ଓ ଅପ୍ରୀତିକର
Gusty: windy; stormy : तेज़ हवा वाला;
तूफानी
: ପବନବହୁଳ;
ଝଡ଼ୁଆ
Tiber: the river flowing through Rome : रोम से होकर बहने वाली नदी
: ରୋମ ଦେଇ ପ୍ରବାହିତ ଟାଇବର ନଦୀ
Chafing: rubbing or striking angrily : रगड़ना;
क्रोध से टकराना
: ଘଷିବା;
ରାଗରେ ଆଘାତ କରିବା
Shores: banks of a river : नदी के किनारे
: ନଦୀତଟ;
କୂଳ
Darest thou: do you dare : क्या तुम साहस करते हो?
: ତୁମେ କି ସାହସ କରୁଛ?
Flood: overflowing body of water; swollen river : बाढ़ का पानी;
उफनती नदी
: ବନ୍ୟାଜଳ;
ପ୍ରବଳ ଜଳସ୍ରୋତ
Yonder: over there; at some distance : वहाँ;
कुछ दूरी पर
: ସେଠାରେ;
କିଛି ଦୂରରେ
Upon the word: immediately; as soon as it was said : कहते ही;
तुरंत
: କଥା ଶୁଣିବାମାତ୍ରେ;
ତତ୍କ୍ଷଣାତ୍
Accoutred: dressed or equipped : वस्त्र पहने हुए;
सुसज्जित
: ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା;
ସଜ୍ଜିତ
Plunged: jumped or dived suddenly into : अचानक कूद पड़ा;
डुबकी लगाई
: ହଠାତ୍ ଡେଇଁ ପଡ଼ିବା;
ବୁଡ଼ିଯିବା
Bade: ordered; told : आदेश दिया;
कहा
: ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ;
କହିଲେ
Torrent: a fast and powerful stream of water : तेज़ और शक्तिशाली जलधारा
: ପ୍ରବଳ ଜଳସ୍ରୋତ
Roared: made a loud, deep sound : गरजा;
तेज़ आवाज़ की
: ଗର୍ଜନ କଲା;
ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡ ଶବ୍ଦ କଲା
Buffet: strike or struggle against : टकराना;
संघर्ष करना
: ଆଘାତ କରିବା;
ସଂଘର୍ଷ କରିବା
Lusty: strong and vigorous : बलवान;
शक्तिशाली
: ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ;
ବଳିଷ୍ଠ
Sinews: tendons; strong muscles : मांसपेशियाँ;
स्नायु
: ପେଶୀ;
ସ୍ନାୟୁ
Stemming: stopping or resisting the flow : प्रवाह को रोकना;
प्रतिरोध करना
: ପ୍ରବାହକୁ ରୋକିବା;
ପ୍ରତିରୋଧ କରିବା
Controversy: conflict; struggle : विवाद;
संघर्ष
: ବିବାଦ;
ସଂଘର୍ଷ
Ere: before : पहले; पूर्व में
: ପୂର୍ବରୁ;
ଆଗରୁ
Arrive: reach a place : पहुँचना
: ପହଞ୍ଚିବା
Proposed: intended; planned : प्रस्तावित;
नियोजित
: ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରିତ;
ଯୋଜିତ
Sink: go down beneath the water : डूब जाना
: ବୁଡ଼ିଯିବା
Ancestor: a person from whom one is descended : पूर्वज;
पितृपुरुष
: ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷ;
ପିତୃପୁରୁଷ
Flames: burning fire : लपटें;
अग्निशिखाएँ
: ଅଗ୍ନିଶିଖା;
ଜ୍ୱାଳା
Troy: an ancient city famous in Greek mythology : यूनानी पौराणिक कथाओं का प्राचीन नगर ट्रॉय
: ଗ୍ରୀକ୍ ପୁରାଣର ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ଟ୍ରୟ ନଗରୀ
Anchises: father of Aeneas in Roman mythology : रोमन पौराणिक कथाओं में एनीयस के पिता एन्काइसीज़
: ରୋମାନ୍ ପୁରାଣରେ ଏନିଆସଙ୍କ ପିତା ଆଙ୍କିସିସ
Tired: exhausted; lacking strength : थका हुआ;
शक्तिहीन
: କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ;
ଅବସନ୍ନ
Wretched: miserable; unhappy : दुखी;
दयनीय
: ଦୁଃଖୀ;
ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶାଗ୍ରସ୍ତ
Creature: living being; person : जीव;
प्राणी;
व्यक्ति
: ଜୀବ;
ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି
Bend: bow down : झुकना;
नत होना
: ନଇଁବା;
ନତ ହେବା
Carelessly: without care or attention : लापरवाही से;
असावधानी से
: ଅସାବଧାନତାର ସହିତ;
ବେପରୁଆ ଭାବରେ
Nod: move the head downward : सिर हिलाना;
सिर झुकाना
: ମୁଣ୍ଡ ନୁଆଁଇବା;
ମୁଣ୍ଡ ହଲାଇବା
Fever: illness causing high body temperature : बुखार;
ज्वर
: ଜ୍ୱର
Fit: an attack or period of illness : दौरा;
बीमारी का प्रकोप
: ରୋଗର ଆକ୍ରମଣ;
ଅସୁସ୍ଥତାର ଅବସ୍ଥା
Mark: notice; observe : ध्यान देना;
देखना
: ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରିବା;
ଦେଖିବା
Shake: tremble; move violently : काँपना;
थरथराना
: ଥରିବା;
କମ୍ପିବା
Coward: lacking courage : कायर;
डरपोक
: ଭୀରୁ;
କାପୁରୁଷ
Lips: the two soft parts surrounding the mouth : होंठ
: ଓଠ
Fly from: disappear from : दूर हो जाना;
गायब हो जाना
: ଦୂରେଇଯିବା;
ହଜିଯିବା
Bend of the eye: expression or force of the eye : आँखों की दृष्टि का प्रभाव
: ଆଖିର ଦୃଷ୍ଟିର ପ୍ରଭାବ
Awe: great fear and respect : भय और सम्मान की भावना
: ଭୟମିଶ୍ରିତ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧା;
ସମ୍ମାନମିଶ୍ରିତ ଭୟ
Lustre: brightness; shine : चमक;
तेज
: ଚମକ;
ଦୀପ୍ତି
Groan: make a deep sound because of pain : दर्द से कराहना
: କଷ୍ଟରେ କରାହିବା;
ଆର୍ତ୍ତନାଦ କରିବା
Tongue: the organ in the mouth; here, speech : जीभ;
यहाँ वाणी या भाषण
: ଜିଭ;
ଏଠାରେ ବାକ୍ଶକ୍ତି
Speeches: formal talks or addresses : भाषण;
वक्तव्य
: ଭାଷଣ;
ବକ୍ତବ୍ୟ
Alas: an expression of sorrow : हाय;
अफसोस
: ହାୟ;
ଦୁଃଖ ପ୍ରକାଶର ଶବ୍ଦ
Amaze: surprise greatly : बहुत आश्चर्यचकित करना
: ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟଚକିତ କରିବା
Feeble: weak; lacking strength : दुर्बल;
कमजोर
: ଦୁର୍ବଳ;
ଶକ୍ତିହୀନ
Temper: nature; physical constitution : स्वभाव;
शारीरिक प्रकृति
: ସ୍ୱଭାବ;
ଶାରୀରିକ ଗଠନ
Get the start of: gain an advantage over : आगे निकल जाना;
बढ़त हासिल करना
: ଅନ୍ୟଠାରୁ ଆଗକୁ ବଢ଼ିବା;
ଅଗ୍ରଗତି କରିବା
Majestic: grand; noble and impressive : राजसी;
भव्य और प्रभावशाली
: ରାଜକୀୟ;
ଗମ୍ଭୀର ଓ ମହାନ
Bear the palm: win first place; be the greatest : प्रथम स्थान प्राप्त करना;
सबसे श्रेष्ठ होना
: ପ୍ରଥମ ସ୍ଥାନ ଅଧିକାର କରିବା;
ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ହେବା
Shout: loud cry of approval or excitement : जयकार;
ऊँची आवाज़ में पुकार
: ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ୱରର ଧ୍ୱନି;
ଜୟଧ୍ୱନି
Flourish: a loud musical sound used on a ceremonial occasion : समारोह में बजाई जाने वाली तेज़ संगीत-ध्वनि
: ଉତ୍ସବୀୟ ସଙ୍ଗୀତଧ୍ୱନି
Applauses: expressions of approval by clapping : तालियाँ;
प्रशंसा
: କରତାଳି;
ପ୍ରଶଂସାଧ୍ୱନି
Heaped: piled up; bestowed in large amounts : ढेर लगाना;
बहुत अधिक देना
: ଗଦା କରିବା;
ବହୁ ପରିମାଣରେ ଦେବା
Honours: marks of respect or distinction : सम्मान;
प्रतिष्ठा
: ସମ୍ମାନ;
ଗୌରବ
Bestride: sit or stand with a leg on each side of : दोनों ओर पैर रखकर खड़ा या बैठना
: ଦୁଇ ପାର୍ଶ୍ୱରେ ପାଦ ରଖି ଦଖଲ କରିବା
Colossus: a person or thing of enormous size or power : विशालकाय व्यक्ति;
अत्यंत शक्तिशाली व्यक्ति
: ବିଶାଳକାୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି;
ବିରାଟ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି
Petty: small; insignificant : तुच्छ;
नगण्य
: ତୁଚ୍ଛ;
ନଗଣ୍ୟ
Dishonourable: lacking honour or respect : अपमानजनक;
अनादरपूर्ण
: ଅସମ୍ମାନଜନକ;
ଅପମାନଜନକ
Graves: burial places : कब्रें;
समाधियाँ
: ସମାଧିସ୍ଥଳ;
କବର
Fates: destinies; what happens in one's life : भाग्य;
नियति
: ଭାଗ୍ୟ;
ନିୟତି
Fault: mistake; responsibility for a problem : दोष;
गलती
: ଦୋଷ;
ତ୍ରୁଟି
Stars: heavenly bodies; here, symbolically, destiny : तारे;
यहाँ भाग्य के प्रतीक
: ତାରାମଣ୍ଡଳ;
ଏଠାରେ ଭାଗ୍ୟର ପ୍ରତୀକ
Underlings: people of lower rank or status : अधीनस्थ लोग;
निम्न पद के लोग
: ଅଧସ୍ଥ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି;
ନିମ୍ନସ୍ତରୀୟ ଲୋକ
Sounded: pronounced; spoken aloud : उच्चारित;
ज़ोर से कहा गया
: ଉଚ୍ଚାରିତ;
ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ୱରରେ କୁହାଯାଇଥିବା
Conjure: call upon by magic; invoke : जादू से बुलाना;
आह्वान करना
: ମନ୍ତ୍ରବଳରେ ଆହ୍ୱାନ କରିବା;
ଆବାହନ କରିବା
Spirit: supernatural being; ghost : आत्मा;
प्रेत
: ଆତ୍ମା;
ଭୂତ
At once: immediately; all together : तुरंत;
एक साथ
: ତତ୍କ୍ଷଣାତ୍;
ଏକାସାଙ୍ଗରେ
Meat: food; flesh used as food : भोजन;
मांस
: ଖାଦ୍ୟ;
ମାଂସ
Breed: quality or stock of a group of people : वंश;
नस्ल;
कुल
: ବଂଶ;
ଜାତିର ଗୁଣ
Noble bloods: people of noble birth or character : कुलीन वंश के लोग;
श्रेष्ठ लोग
: ଅଭିଜାତ ବଂଶର ଲୋକ;
ମହାନ ବଂଶଜ
Age: a period of history; era : युग;
काल
: ଯୁଗ;
କାଳ
Famed: famous; celebrated : प्रसिद्ध;
विख्यात
: ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ;
ଖ୍ୟାତନାମା
Walks: broad streets or public places : चौड़ी सड़कें;
सार्वजनिक मार्ग
: ପ୍ରଶସ୍ତ ରାସ୍ତା;
ଚଳାଚଳ ସ୍ଥାନ
Encompassed: surrounded; included : घेरना;
चारों ओर से समेटना
: ଘେରି ରହିବା;
ଅନ୍ତର୍ଭୁକ୍ତ କରିବା
Brooked: tolerated; endured : सहन किया;
बर्दाश्त किया
: ସହ୍ୟ କରିବା;
ସହିବା
Eternal: everlasting; without end : शाश्वत;
अनंत
: ଚିରନ୍ତନ;
ଅନନ୍ତ
Devil: evil supernatural being; symbol of extreme evil : शैतान;
अत्यंत दुष्ट शक्ति
: ଶୟତାନ;
ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଷ୍ଟ ଶକ୍ତି
State: position of power or authority : सत्ता की स्थिति;
पद
: ଶକ୍ତିର ସ୍ଥିତି;
ପଦମର୍ଯ୍ୟାଦା
Jealous: suspicious or distrustful : संदेहशील;
ईर्ष्यालु
: ସନ୍ଦେହପ୍ରବଣ;
ଈର୍ଷାପରାୟଣ
Work me to: persuade or influence me to do something : किसी काम के लिए मुझे प्रेरित या प्रभावित करना
: କିଛି କରିବାକୁ ମୋତେ ପ୍ରବର୍ତ୍ତାଇବା
Aim: an idea or understanding of something intended : धारणा;
उद्देश्य
: ଧାରଣା;
ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ
Recount: tell or narrate : वर्णन करना;
सुनाना
: ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିବା;
କହିବା
Hereafter: later; in the future : बाद में;
भविष्य में
: ପରେ;
ଭବିଷ୍ୟତରେ
Present: current; this particular time : वर्तमान;
इस समय
: ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ;
ଏହି ସମୟ
Entreat: request earnestly; beg : विनती करना;
प्रार्थना करना
: ଅନୁରୋଧ କରିବା;
ବିନତି କରିବା
Moved: influenced or persuaded : प्रभावित;
प्रेरित
: ପ୍ରଭାବିତ;
ପ୍ରବର୍ତ୍ତିତ
Consider: think carefully about : विचार करना;
सोच-समझकर देखना
: ବିଚାର କରିବା;
ଭାବିବା
Patience: ability to wait calmly : धैर्य;
सहनशीलता
: ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ;
ସହନଶୀଳତା
Meet: suitable; appropriate : उपयुक्त;
उचित
: ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ;
ଯୋଗ୍ୟ
Chew upon: think deeply about : गहराई से विचार करना
: ଗଭୀରଭାବେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବା
Villager: a person living in a village : गाँव में रहने वाला व्यक्ति;
ग्रामीण
: ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀ
Repute: regard; consider : मानना;
समझना
: ମନେ କରିବା;
ଭାବିବା
Conditions: circumstances or situations : परिस्थितियाँ;
अवस्थाएँ
: ପରିସ୍ଥିତି;
ଅବସ୍ଥା
Like to: likely to : संभावना होना
: ସମ୍ଭାବନା ଥିବା
Lay upon: impose upon; place a burden on : थोपना;
भार डालना
: ଉପରେ ଚାପାଇବା;
ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ଦେବା
Weak words: words that seem insignificant or lacking force : कमज़ोर या प्रभावहीन शब्द
: ଦୁର୍ବଳ କଥା;
ପ୍ରଭାବହୀନ କଥା
Struck: affected; impressed : प्रभावित किया;
प्रभावित हुआ
: ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କଲା;
ଆଘାତ କଲା
Show of fire: display of enthusiasm or passion : उत्साह या जोश का प्रदर्शन
: ଉତ୍ସାହ ବା ଉତ୍ତେଜନାର ପ୍ରକାଶ
Train: group of attendants following an important person : किसी महत्वपूर्ण व्यक्ति के साथ चलने वाले अनुचरों का दल
: ଅନୁଚରବର୍ଗ;
ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଥିବା ଦଳ
Pluck: pull or tug : खींचना
: ଟାଣିବା;
ଟାଣି ଧରିବା
Sleeve: part of a garment covering the arm : आस्तीन
: ପୋଷାକର ହାତା
Sour: harsh; unpleasant in manner : कठोर;
अप्रिय स्वभाव वाला
: କଠୋର;
ଅପ୍ରସନ୍ନ
Proceeded: happened; took place : घटित हुआ;
हुआ
: ଘଟିଲା;
ଘଟିଥିଲା
Worthy of note: important enough to be noticed : ध्यान देने योग्य;
महत्वपूर्ण
: ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟଣୀୟ;
ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ
Angry spot: a red mark showing anger : क्रोध के कारण माथे पर उभरा लाल निशान
: କ୍ରୋଧର ଲାଲ ଚିହ୍ନ
Brow: forehead, especially above the eyes : भौंह के ऊपर का माथे का भाग
: କପାଳ;
ଭ୍ରୂଉପରି ଅଂଶ
Chidden: scolded; rebuked : डाँटा हुआ;
फटकारा हुआ
: ଗାଳି ଖାଇଥିବା;
ଭର୍ତ୍ସିତ
Ferret eyes: sharp, searching eyes : तीखी और खोजी निगाहें
: ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ଓ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନଶୀଳ ଆଖି
Fiery: fierce; full of anger : उग्र;
क्रोध से भरा हुआ
: ଅଗ୍ନିପରି ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ;
କ୍ରୋଧପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ
Crossed: opposed; contradicted : विरोध किया;
बाधा डाली
: ବିରୋଧ କରିବା;
ବାଧା ଦେବା
Conference: formal discussion or meeting : औपचारिक चर्चा;
बैठक
: ଆଲୋଚନା;
ବୈଠକ
Senators: members of the Roman Senate : रोमन सीनेट के सदस्य
: ରୋମାନ୍ ସିନେଟର ସଦସ୍ୟମାନେ
Fat: having a large, well-fed body : मोटा;
भारी शरीर वाला
: ମୋଟା;
ଭାରି ଶରୀରର
Sleek-headed: having smooth, well-groomed hair : चिकने और सलीके से सँवारे हुए बालों वाला
: ଚିକ୍କଣ ଓ ସୁସଜ୍ଜିତ କେଶ ଥିବା
Yond: that over there : वह वहाँ;
वहाँ स्थित
: ସେଠାରେ ଥିବା;
ସେହି
Lean: thin; not fat : दुबला;
पतला
: ପତଳା;
କ୍ଷୀଣ
Hungry look: a thin, restless appearance suggesting ambition or
dissatisfaction : दुबला और बेचैन रूप,
जो महत्वाकांक्षा या असंतोष दर्शाता है
: କ୍ଷୁଧାର୍ତ୍ତ ଓ ଅଶାନ୍ତ ଦେଖା;
ଆକାଂକ୍ଷୀ ଚେହେରା
Dangerous: likely to cause harm or trouble : खतरनाक;
हानिकारक
: ବିପଜ୍ଜନକ;
କ୍ଷତିକାରକ
Noble: honourable; of high character : महान;
सम्माननीय;
उच्च चरित्र वाला
: ମହାନ;
ସମ୍ମାନନୀୟ;
ଉଚ୍ଚଚରିତ୍ରସମ୍ପନ୍ନ
Well given: of good character; well-disposed : अच्छे स्वभाव का;
सद्भावी
: ସଦ୍ଗୁଣସମ୍ପନ୍ନ;
ସୁସ୍ୱଭାବର
Summary
This extract is from Act
I, Scene II of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. It presents an important
conversation between Cassius and Brutus in which Cassius begins to
influence Brutus against Caesar. The scene also reveals Caesar’s growing power
and his suspicion of Cassius.
At the beginning of the extract, Cassius praises Brutus for his virtue and
noble character. He says that although he knows Brutus’s outward
appearance, he also recognises the goodness within him. Cassius then begins to
speak about honour and freedom. He says that he does not want to live in fear
of another human being. He reminds Brutus that both of them were born free,
just like Caesar, and that they are equally capable of enduring hardships.
Cassius then recalls an incident in which Caesar challenged him to swim
across the dangerous River Tiber. The river was swollen and turbulent
because of the cold, windy weather. Cassius immediately accepted the challenge
and jumped into the river. Caesar followed him. However, when they reached the
middle of the river, Caesar became frightened and weak and cried out for
Cassius to save him. Cassius rescued Caesar and carried him safely through the
waves. By recalling this incident, Cassius wants Brutus to understand that
Caesar is not naturally superior to them.
Cassius compares himself to Aeneas, the legendary Roman hero who carried
his aged father Anchises out of the burning city of Troy. Cassius says that,
just as Aeneas carried his father, he himself carried the exhausted Caesar out
of the dangerous waters of the Tiber. He bitterly observes that the same Caesar
whom he once had to rescue is now treated almost like a god, while Cassius is
expected to bow before him.
Cassius next recalls another occasion when Caesar suffered from a fever in
Spain. He says that Caesar became so weak that he trembled, lost the colour
from his lips, and lost the brightness of his eyes. Caesar even groaned and
begged for water like a sick girl. Cassius is amazed that a man so physically
weak has been able to become so powerful and dominate the Roman world.
At this point, there is a shout and flourish from the crowd. Brutus
believes that the people are celebrating some new honour given to Caesar.
Cassius uses this opportunity to strengthen his argument against Caesar. He
compares Caesar to a Colossus, a gigantic figure, standing over the
narrow world. He says that ordinary Romans are like insignificant people
walking beneath Caesar’s enormous legs and searching for dishonourable graves.
Cassius then expresses one of the most important ideas in the extract: people
are masters of their own fate. He tells Brutus that their weakness is not
caused by the stars or destiny but by themselves because they allow themselves
to become “underlings.” He questions why the name Caesar should be
considered greater than Brutus. He argues that the two names are equally
noble and powerful. He asks what special quality Caesar possesses that has made
him so great.
Cassius then criticises Rome itself. He says that Rome has lost its tradition
of noble leadership and has become dominated by one man. He remembers the
earlier Brutus, an ancestor of Brutus, who would never have tolerated
even the devil ruling Rome as easily as a king. Through this historical
reference, Cassius indirectly encourages Brutus to follow his ancestor’s
example and defend Roman freedom.
Brutus, however, does not immediately agree to Cassius’s ideas. He tells
Cassius that he understands that Cassius loves him and that he has some idea of
what Cassius is trying to persuade him to do. Brutus says that he has already
thought about the political situation in Rome but will discuss his thoughts
later. For the present, he promises to listen patiently to Cassius and consider
his arguments.
Brutus then makes his own position clear. He says that he would rather be a
poor villager than live as a Roman under harsh and humiliating conditions.
This statement is important because it shows that Brutus values Roman freedom
and honour more than personal comfort or political power. Cassius is pleased
because he realises that his words have awakened strong feelings in Brutus.
Soon Caesar and his followers enter. Brutus and Cassius stop their
private conversation. Cassius tells Brutus to pull Casca by the sleeve as they
pass. Casca, who has a sour or unpleasant manner, will tell Brutus what
important events have taken place during the games.
Brutus notices that Caesar looks angry, while his followers appear
frightened or disturbed. Calphurnia is pale, and Cicero has sharp, fiery eyes.
Brutus suspects that something unusual has happened, but Cassius says that
Casca will explain everything.
Caesar then calls Antony and tells him that he wants people around him
who are physically well-fed and comfortable-looking. He dislikes thin,
restless-looking men because he believes that such men think too much and may
be dangerous. Caesar specifically points to Cassius, saying that Cassius
has a lean and hungry appearance and thinks too much.
Antony reassures Caesar that he need not fear Cassius. He describes Cassius as a
noble Roman and a well-disposed man. However, the audience understands that
Antony’s reassurance does not necessarily mean that Cassius is harmless. In
fact, Cassius is already beginning to plan against Caesar.
Central Idea
The extract mainly shows Cassius’s
attempt to turn Brutus against Caesar. Cassius argues that Caesar is an
ordinary, physically weak man who has gained extraordinary power only because
the Romans have allowed him to do so. He appeals to Brutus’s love of freedom,
honour, Roman tradition and republican values. Brutus does not openly join
Cassius’s cause yet, but his words show that he is already deeply concerned
about Caesar’s growing power.
Importance of the Extract
This extract is important because it marks a major step in Cassius’s conspiracy against Caesar. Cassius carefully chooses arguments that will appeal to Brutus’s character. At the same time, Caesar’s suspicion of Cassius foreshadows the conflict that will soon develop between Caesar and the conspirators. The extract therefore prepares the audience for the conspiracy and Caesar’s eventual assassination.
सारांश
यह अंश विलियम शेक्सपियर के प्रसिद्ध नाटक Julius
Caesar के Act I, Scene II से लिया गया है। इस अंश में Cassius
और
Brutus के बीच हुई महत्त्वपूर्ण बातचीत दिखाई गई है।
Cassius, Brutus को Caesar के विरुद्ध प्रभावित करने का प्रयास करता है। साथ ही,
Caesar की बढ़ती हुई शक्ति और
Cassius के प्रति उसके संदेह का भी पता चलता है।
आरम्भ में Cassius,
Brutus के सद्गुण और श्रेष्ठ चरित्र की प्रशंसा करता है। वह कहता है कि वह
Brutus के बाहरी व्यक्तित्व को ही नहीं,
बल्कि उसके भीतर मौजूद नैतिक गुणों को भी अच्छी तरह जानता है। इसके बाद
Cassius सम्मान,
स्वतंत्रता और आत्मसम्मान की बात करता है। वह कहता है कि वह किसी दूसरे मनुष्य के सामने भयभीत होकर जीना पसंद नहीं करेगा। वह
Brutus को याद दिलाता है कि वे दोनों भी
Caesar की तरह स्वतंत्र पैदा हुए हैं और वे भी कठिन परिस्थितियों को सहन कर सकते हैं।
इसके बाद
Cassius River Tiber में हुई एक घटना का वर्णन करता है। एक दिन नदी अत्यन्त उफान पर थी और उसका पानी तेज़ी से बह रहा था।
Caesar ने
Cassius को चुनौती दी कि क्या वह उसके साथ नदी में कूदकर दूसरी ओर तैर सकता है।
Cassius ने बिना किसी डर के चुनौती स्वीकार कर ली और नदी में कूद गया।
Caesar भी उसके पीछे गया,
लेकिन बीच नदी में
Caesar कमजोर पड़ गया और डूबने लगा। उसने
Cassius से सहायता माँगी।
Cassius ने
Caesar को बचाया और उसे नदी से बाहर निकाल लिया।
Cassius इस घटना की तुलना Aeneas
और उसके पिता
Anchises की प्रसिद्ध कथा से करता है। जिस प्रकार
Aeneas ने जलते हुए
Troy से अपने वृद्ध पिता
Anchises को अपने कंधे पर उठाकर बचाया था,
उसी प्रकार
Cassius ने थके हुए
Caesar को
Tiber की लहरों से बचाया था।
Cassius को इस बात पर बहुत आश्चर्य और क्रोध है कि जिस व्यक्ति को उसने कभी बचाया था,
वही
Caesar अब लगभग देवता के समान शक्तिशाली माना जा रहा है,
जबकि
Cassius को उसके सामने झुकना पड़ता है।
इसके बाद
Cassius Spain में Caesar के बीमार पड़ने की घटना याद करता है।
Caesar को तेज़ बुखार आया था और उस समय वह बहुत कमजोर हो गया था।
Cassius ने देखा कि
Caesar काँप रहा था,
उसके होंठों का रंग उड़ गया था और उसकी आँखों की चमक समाप्त हो गई थी। वह दर्द से कराह रहा था और उसने पानी माँगा था।
Cassius इस बात पर आश्चर्य करता है कि इतना कमजोर व्यक्ति आज पूरे रोमन संसार पर इतना प्रभाव कैसे जमा चुका है।
इसी समय भीड़ की ओर से जयकार और संगीत की आवाज़ आती है।
Brutus अनुमान लगाता है कि लोग
Caesar को कोई नया सम्मान मिलने पर उसका स्वागत कर रहे हैं।
Cassius इस अवसर का उपयोग
Brutus को
Caesar के विरुद्ध भड़काने के लिए करता है। वह
Caesar की तुलना एक विशाल Colossus
से करता है। उसके अनुसार
Caesar इतना विशाल और शक्तिशाली बन गया है कि दूसरे रोमन उसके पैरों के नीचे छोटे और महत्वहीन दिखाई देते हैं।
इसके बाद
Cassius एक अत्यन्त महत्त्वपूर्ण विचार प्रस्तुत करता है—मनुष्य स्वयं अपने भाग्य का निर्माता है। वह
Brutus से कहता है कि उनकी दुर्बलता उनके सितारों या भाग्य के कारण नहीं है,
बल्कि इसलिए है क्योंकि वे स्वयं
Caesar को अपने ऊपर शासन करने दे रहे हैं। वह कहता है कि
Brutus और
Caesar दोनों के नाम समान रूप से सम्माननीय हैं। फिर वह प्रश्न करता है कि
Caesar का नाम
Brutus के नाम से अधिक महान क्यों माना जाए।
Cassius आगे कहता है कि Rome
ने अपनी महान परम्परा और श्रेष्ठ नेतृत्व खो दिया है। अब ऐसा लगता है कि पूरे
Rome में केवल
Caesar ही एक महान व्यक्ति है। वह
Brutus को उसके पूर्वज Brutus
की याद दिलाता है। वह कहता है कि
Brutus का वह पूर्वज इतना स्वतंत्रता-प्रेमी था कि वह
Rome में किसी राजा को शासन करने की अनुमति नहीं देता।
Cassius का उद्देश्य स्पष्ट है—वह चाहता है कि वर्तमान
Brutus भी अपने पूर्वज की तरह
Rome की स्वतंत्रता की रक्षा करे।
Brutus Cassius की बातों को तुरंत स्वीकार नहीं करता। वह कहता है कि वह समझता है कि
Cassius उससे प्रेम करता है और यह भी समझता है कि
Cassius उसे किस कार्य के लिए तैयार करना चाहता है।
Brutus स्वीकार करता है कि उसने
Rome की वर्तमान राजनीतिक स्थिति के बारे में पहले से सोचा है। फिर भी वह कहता है कि वह
Cassius की बातों पर विचार करेगा और उचित समय पर उसका उत्तर देगा।
Brutus आगे कहता है कि वह ऐसी कठिन और अपमानजनक परिस्थितियों में
Rome का नागरिक बने रहने की अपेक्षा एक साधारण ग्रामीण व्यक्ति बनना पसंद करेगा। इससे स्पष्ट होता है कि
Brutus के लिए व्यक्तिगत सुख से अधिक महत्त्वपूर्ण सम्मान,
स्वतंत्रता और
Rome का गौरव है।
Cassius यह सुनकर प्रसन्न होता है क्योंकि उसे लगता है कि उसकी बातें
Brutus के मन में प्रभाव उत्पन्न कर रही हैं।
इसी बीच Caesar
अपने अनुचरों के साथ वहाँ आता है।
Brutus और
Cassius अपनी निजी बातचीत रोक देते हैं।
Cassius Brutus से कहता है कि जब
Casca उनके पास से गुज़रे तो उसकी आस्तीन खींचना।
Casca अपने रूखे और अप्रसन्न स्वभाव के कारण आज के खेलों में हुई महत्त्वपूर्ण घटनाओं के बारे में उन्हें बताएगा।
Brutus ध्यान देता है कि Caesar
बहुत क्रोधित दिखाई दे रहा है।
Caesar के साथ आए अन्य लोग भी परेशान और भयभीत लगते हैं।
Calphurnia का चेहरा पीला है और
Cicero की आँखें तीखी तथा क्रोध से भरी हुई दिखाई देती हैं।
Brutus समझ जाता है कि कुछ असामान्य हुआ है।
अन्त में
Caesar Antony को बुलाता है और उससे कहता है कि उसके आसपास ऐसे लोग होने चाहिए जो मोटे,
स्वस्थ और प्रसन्न दिखाई दें तथा रात में अच्छी तरह सोते हों।
Caesar विशेष रूप से
Cassius के दुबले और चिंतित चेहरे को देखकर कहता है कि वह बहुत अधिक सोचता है और ऐसे लोग खतरनाक होते हैं। इससे स्पष्ट होता है कि Caesar
Cassius पर पूरी तरह विश्वास नहीं करता।
Antony Caesar को आश्वस्त करता है कि उसे
Cassius से डरने की आवश्यकता नहीं है। वह
Cassius को एक महान
Roman और अच्छे स्वभाव वाला व्यक्ति बताता है। लेकिन दर्शक जानते हैं कि
Cassius वास्तव में
Caesar के विरुद्ध षड्यंत्र रच रहा है।
मुख्य भाव
इस अंश का मुख्य विषय Cassius
द्वारा
Brutus को Caesar के विरुद्ध भड़काना और प्रभावित करना है।
Cassius यह सिद्ध करने का प्रयास करता है कि
Caesar कोई असाधारण व्यक्ति नहीं है और उसकी शक्ति केवल इसलिए बढ़ी है क्योंकि
Romans ने उसे स्वयं इतना शक्तिशाली बनने दिया है। वह
Brutus की स्वतंत्रता-प्रेम,
सम्मान,
देशभक्ति और
Roman परम्पराओं की भावना को जागृत करता है।
अंश का महत्त्व
यह अंश नाटक की आगामी घटनाओं के लिए बहुत महत्त्वपूर्ण है। यहीं से Caesar
के विरुद्ध षड्यंत्र की नींव मजबूत होती है।
Cassius Brutus के मन में
Caesar के विरुद्ध संदेह पैदा करने में सफल होने लगता है। दूसरी ओर,
Caesar का
Cassius के प्रति संदेह भविष्य के संघर्ष का संकेत देता है। इस प्रकार यह अंश आगे होने वाले षड्यंत्र और
Caesar की हत्या की पृष्ठभूमि तैयार करता है।
ଅଂଶଟିର ବିସ୍ତୃତ ସାରାଂଶ
ଏହି ଅଂଶଟି ୱିଲିୟମ୍ ଶେକ୍ସପିୟରଙ୍କ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ନାଟକ Julius
Caesar ର Act I, Scene II ରୁ ନିଆଯାଇଛି। ଏହି ଅଂଶରେ Cassius
ଓ
Brutusଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ହୋଇଥିବା ଏକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଥୋପକଥନ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳେ।
Cassius, Brutusଙ୍କୁ Caesarଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କରିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରେ। ଏହା ସହିତ
Caesarଙ୍କ ବଢ଼ୁଥିବା ଶକ୍ତି ଏବଂ
Cassiusଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି
Caesarଙ୍କ ସନ୍ଦେହ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଏ।
ଆରମ୍ଭରେ Cassius,
Brutusଙ୍କ ସଦ୍ଗୁଣ ଓ ଉତ୍ତମ ଚରିତ୍ରର ପ୍ରଶଂସା କରେ। ସେ କହେ ଯେ ସେ କେବଳ
Brutusଙ୍କ ବାହ୍ୟ ରୂପକୁ ନୁହେଁ,
ତାଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ଥିବା ନୈତିକ ଗୁଣକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭଲଭାବେ ଜାଣେ। ଏହାପରେ
Cassius ସମ୍ମାନ,
ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଓ ଆତ୍ମମର୍ଯ୍ୟାଦା ବିଷୟରେ କହେ। ସେ କହେ ଯେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ମଣିଷକୁ ଭୟ କରି ଜୀବନ ବିତାଇବାକୁ ସେ ପସନ୍ଦ କରେ ନାହିଁ। ସେ
Brutusଙ୍କୁ ମନେ ପକାଇ ଦିଏ ଯେ ସେମାନେ ଦୁହେଁ
Caesarଙ୍କ ପରି ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ଭାବେ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇଛନ୍ତି ଏବଂ କଷ୍ଟ ସହିବାର କ୍ଷମତା ମଧ୍ୟ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଅଛି।
ତା’ପରେ
Cassius Tiber ନଦୀରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଏକ ଘଟଣାର ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରେ। ଦିନେ ନଦୀଟି ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଉତ୍ତାଳ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ପାଣି ଦ୍ରୁତ ଗତିରେ ପ୍ରବାହିତ ହେଉଥିଲା।
Caesar, Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଥିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନଦୀରେ ଡେଇଁ ପଡ଼ି ଅନ୍ୟ ପାର୍ଶ୍ୱକୁ ପହଞ୍ଚିପାରିବ କି ନାହିଁ।
Cassius ନିର୍ଭୟ ଭାବରେ ସେହି ଆହ୍ୱାନ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରି ନଦୀରେ ଡେଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା।
Caesar ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ପଛେ ପଛେ ନଦୀକୁ ଡେଇଁଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ନଦୀର ମଝିରେ
Caesar ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଲେ ଏବଂ ବୁଡ଼ିଯିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ସେ
Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଡାକିଲେ।
Cassius Caesarଙ୍କୁ ବଞ୍ଚାଇ ନଦୀରୁ ବାହାରକୁ ଆଣିଲେ।
Cassius ଏହି ଘଟଣାକୁ Aeneas
ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତା
Anchisesଙ୍କ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ କାହାଣୀ ସହିତ ତୁଳନା କରେ। ଯେପରି
Aeneas ଜଳୁଥିବା
Troy ନଗରୀରୁ ତାଙ୍କ ବୃଦ୍ଧ ପିତା
Anchisesଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ କାନ୍ଧରେ ବୋହି ରକ୍ଷା କରିଥିଲେ,
ସେହିପରି
Cassius ମଧ୍ୟ କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ
Caesarଙ୍କୁ
Tiber ନଦୀର ଭୟଙ୍କର ତରଙ୍ଗରୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିଥିଲେ।
Cassius ଏଥିରେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଓ କ୍ଷୁବ୍ଧ ଯେ ଯେଉଁ
Caesarଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଦିନେ ରକ୍ଷା କରିଥିଲେ,
ସେହି
Caesar ଆଜି ପ୍ରାୟ ଦେବତାଙ୍କ ପରି ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ବୋଲି ଗଣ୍ୟ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି,
ଯେତେବେଳେ
Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ନଇଁବାକୁ ପଡ଼ୁଛି।
ଏହାପରେ
Cassius Spainରେ Caesarଙ୍କ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ହେବାର ଘଟଣା ମନେ ପକାଏ।
Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଜ୍ୱର ହୋଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ।
Cassius ଦେଖିଥିଲେ ଯେ
Caesar ଥରୁଥିଲେ,
ତାଙ୍କ ଓଠର ରଙ୍ଗ ଫିକା ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖିର ଚମକ ମଧ୍ୟ ହ୍ରାସ ପାଇଥିଲା। ସେ ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣାରେ କରାହୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ପାଣି ମାଗିଥିଲେ।
Cassius ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରେ ଯେ ଏତେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ମଣିଷଟି କିପରି ସମଗ୍ର
Roman ଜଗତ ଉପରେ ଏତେ ବଡ଼ ପ୍ରଭାବ ପକାଇପାରିଛି।
ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଜନତାଙ୍କ ପକ୍ଷରୁ ଜୟଧ୍ୱନି ଓ ସଙ୍ଗୀତର ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣାଯାଏ।
Brutus ଅନୁମାନ କରନ୍ତି ଯେ
Caesarଙ୍କୁ କୌଣସି ନୂତନ ସମ୍ମାନ ମିଳିଥିବାରୁ ଲୋକମାନେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି।
Cassius ଏହି ସୁଯୋଗକୁ
Brutusଙ୍କୁ
Caesarଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ଉତ୍ତେଜିତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରେ। ସେ
Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ବିଶାଳ Colossus
ସହିତ ତୁଳନା କରେ। ତାଙ୍କ ମତରେ
Caesar ଏତେ ବଡ଼ ଓ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ହୋଇଯାଇଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ
Romans ତାଙ୍କ ବିଶାଳ ପାଦତଳେ ଚାଲୁଥିବା ଛୋଟ ଓ ତୁଚ୍ଛ ମଣିଷ ପରି ଦେଖାଯାଉଛନ୍ତି।
ତା’ପରେ
Cassius ଏକ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଥା କହେ—ମଣିଷ ନିଜ ଭାଗ୍ୟର ନିଜେ ନିର୍ମାତା। ସେ
Brutusଙ୍କୁ କହେ ଯେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଦୁର୍ବଳତା ତାଙ୍କ ତାରା କିମ୍ବା ଭାଗ୍ୟ ଯୋଗୁଁ ନୁହେଁ;
ବରଂ ସେମାନେ ନିଜେ
Caesarଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ ଉପରେ ଶାସନ କରିବାକୁ ଦେଉଛନ୍ତି। ସେ କହେ ଯେ Brutus
ଓ
Caesar ଦୁହିଁଙ୍କ ନାମ ସମାନ ଭାବରେ ମହାନ। ତେବେ
Caesarଙ୍କ ନାମ
Brutusଙ୍କ ନାମଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ମହାନ କାହିଁକି ବୋଲି ସେ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କରେ।
Cassius ଆହୁରି କହେ ଯେ Rome
ତାହାର ମହାନ ପରମ୍ପରା ଓ ଉତ୍ତମ ନେତୃତ୍ୱ ହରାଇଛି। ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଏପରି ଲାଗୁଛି ଯେ ସମଗ୍ର
Romeରେ କେବଳ
Caesar ହିଁ ଜଣେ ମହାନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି। ସେ
Brutusଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷ Brutusଙ୍କ କଥା ମନେ ପକାଇ ଦିଏ। ସେ କହେ ଯେ ସେହି ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷ ଏତେ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତାପ୍ରେମୀ ଥିଲେ ଯେ ସେ
Romeରେ ଜଣେ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ସହଜରେ ଶାସନ କରିବାକୁ ଦେଇନଥାନ୍ତେ।
Cassiusଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ—ସେ ଚାହୁଁଛି ଯେ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନର
Brutus ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ପରି
Romeର ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତାର ସୁରକ୍ଷା କରନ୍ତୁ।
Brutus ତୁରନ୍ତ
Cassiusଙ୍କ କଥାକୁ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ସେ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ
Cassius ତାଙ୍କୁ ଭଲ ପାଆନ୍ତି ଏବଂ
Cassius ତାଙ୍କୁ କେଉଁ କାମ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରୁଛନ୍ତି,
ତାହା ସେ ବୁଝିପାରୁଛନ୍ତି।
Brutus ସ୍ୱୀକାର କରନ୍ତି ଯେ
Romeର ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନର ରାଜନୈତିକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଭାବିଛନ୍ତି। ତଥାପି ସେ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ
Cassiusଙ୍କ କଥାକୁ ସେ ବିଚାର କରିବେ ଏବଂ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସମୟରେ ତାହାର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେବେ।
Brutus ଆହୁରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏପରି କଠିନ ଓ ଅପମାନଜନକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ
Romeର ନାଗରିକ ହୋଇ ରହିବା ଅପେକ୍ଷା ସେ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀ ହୋଇ ରହିବାକୁ ଅଧିକ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବେ। ଏଥିରୁ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ହୁଏ ଯେ
Brutusଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ସୁଖଠାରୁ ସମ୍ମାନ,
ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଓ
Romeର ଗୌରବ ଅଧିକ ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ।
Cassius ଏହା ଶୁଣି ଖୁସି ହୁଏ,
କାରଣ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଲାଗେ ଯେ ତାଙ୍କ କଥା
Brutusଙ୍କ ମନରେ ପ୍ରଭାବ ପକାଇଛି।
ଏହି ସମୟରେ Caesar
ତାଙ୍କ ଅନୁଚରମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସେଠାକୁ ଆସନ୍ତି।
Brutus ଓ
Cassius ସେମାନଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ବନ୍ଦ କରନ୍ତି।
Cassius Brutusଙ୍କୁ କହେ ଯେ
Casca ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖ ଦେଇ ଯିବା ସମୟରେ ତାଙ୍କ ହାତା ଟାଣିବାକୁ।
Casca ତାଙ୍କ ରୁକ୍ଷ ଓ ଅପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ସ୍ୱଭାବ ପାଇଁ ପରିଚିତ ଏବଂ ଆଜିର ଖେଳରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଘଟଣା ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିପାରିବ।
Brutus ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar
ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ କ୍ରୋଧିତ ଦେଖାଯାଉଛନ୍ତି।
Caesarଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଥିବା ଅନ୍ୟ ଲୋକମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଚିନ୍ତିତ ଓ ଭୟଭୀତ ଦେଖାଯାଉଛନ୍ତି।
Calphurniaଙ୍କ ମୁହଁ ଫିକା ଦେଖାଯାଉଛି ଏବଂ
Ciceroଙ୍କ ଆଖି ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ଓ କ୍ରୋଧରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଦେଖାଯାଉଛି।
Brutus ବୁଝିପାରନ୍ତି ଯେ କିଛି ଅସାଧାରଣ ଘଟିଛି।
ଶେଷରେ
Caesar Antonyଙ୍କୁ ଡାକନ୍ତି ଏବଂ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ତାଙ୍କ ଚାରିପାଖରେ ଏପରି ଲୋକ ରହିବା ଉଚିତ ଯେଉଁମାନେ ମୋଟା,
ସୁସ୍ଥ ଓ ସୁଖୀ ଦେଖାଯାଆନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ରାତିରେ ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ଶୋଇଥାଆନ୍ତି।
Caesar ବିଶେଷ କରି
Cassiusଙ୍କ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଓ ଚିନ୍ତିତ ଚେହେରାକୁ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ବହୁତ ଅଧିକ ଚିନ୍ତା କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଏପରି ଲୋକ ବିପଜ୍ଜନକ ହୋଇପାରନ୍ତି। ଏଥିରୁ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ହୁଏ ଯେ Caesar,
Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭାବରେ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରୁନଥିଲେ।
Antony Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଆଶ୍ୱାସନା ଦିଅନ୍ତି ଯେ
Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ନେଇ ଭୟ କରିବାର କୌଣସି କାରଣ ନାହିଁ। ସେ
Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ଜଣେ ମହାନ
Roman ଓ ଭଲ ସ୍ୱଭାବର ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ବୋଲି କହନ୍ତି। କିନ୍ତୁ ଦର୍ଶକମାନେ ଜାଣନ୍ତି ଯେ
Cassius ପ୍ରକୃତରେ
Caesarଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ଷଡ଼ଯନ୍ତ୍ର ରଚନା କରୁଛନ୍ତି।
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଭାବ
ଏହି ଅଂଶର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ବିଷୟ ହେଉଛି Cassiusଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା
Brutusଙ୍କୁ Caesarଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କରିବା।
Cassius ପ୍ରମାଣ କରିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରେ ଯେ
Caesar କୌଣସି ଅସାଧାରଣ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ନୁହଁନ୍ତି ଏବଂ
Romans ନିଜେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଏତେ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ହେବାକୁ ଦେଇଥିବାରୁ ତାଙ୍କର ଶକ୍ତି ବଢ଼ିଛି। ସେ
Brutusଙ୍କ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତାପ୍ରେମ,
ସମ୍ମାନବୋଧ,
ଦେଶପ୍ରେମ ଓ
Roman ପରମ୍ପରା ପ୍ରତି ଆସକ୍ତିକୁ ଜାଗ୍ରତ କରେ।
ଅଂଶଟିର ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ
ଏହି ଅଂଶଟି ନାଟକର ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଘଟଣାଗୁଡ଼ିକ ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ। ଏଠାରୁ Caesarଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ଷଡ଼ଯନ୍ତ୍ରର ଭିତ୍ତି ଆହୁରି ଦୃଢ଼ ହୁଏ।
Cassius, Brutusଙ୍କ ମନରେ
Caesarଙ୍କ ବିରୋଧରେ ସନ୍ଦେହ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବାରେ ସଫଳ ହେବାକୁ ଲାଗେ। ଅନ୍ୟପଟେ,
Caesarଙ୍କ
Cassius ପ୍ରତି ସନ୍ଦେହ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତର ସଂଘର୍ଷର ସଙ୍କେତ ଦିଏ। ଏହିପରି ଭାବରେ ଏହି ଅଂଶଟି ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଷଡ଼ଯନ୍ତ୍ର ଓ
Caesarଙ୍କ ହତ୍ୟା ପାଇଁ ପୃଷ୍ଠଭୂମି ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରେ।
Text With Paraphrase
Cassius: I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
As well as I do know your outward favour.
Well, honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you;
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter’s cold as well as he.
For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me “Darest thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood
And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in
And bade him follow; so indeed he did.
The torrent roared, and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy.
But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
Caesar cried “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake. ’Tis true, this god did shake.
His coward lips did from their colour fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan.
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
“Alas,” it cried “Give me some drink, Titinius”
As a sick girl. You gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Cassius tells Brutus that he knows very well that Brutus possesses
virtue and moral goodness, just as he knows Brutus's outward appearance. He
says that his present subject is honour. He does not know what Brutus and other
people think about life, but as far as he himself is concerned, he would rather
die than live in fear of another human being who is no better than himself.
Cassius reminds Brutus that he was born a free man, just as Caesar was, and
Brutus was also born free. Cassius and Brutus eat and live in the same way as
Caesar and can endure the cold of winter just as well as he can. Therefore,
Caesar is not naturally superior to them.
Cassius then recalls an incident involving Caesar and himself on the River
Tiber. Once, on a very cold and windy day, the Tiber was rough and its waters
were beating violently against its banks. Caesar challenged Cassius to jump
into the dangerous river with him and swim to a particular point. Cassius
immediately accepted the challenge. He jumped into the river in the clothes he
was wearing and asked Caesar to follow him. Caesar did so. The river was
extremely powerful, and both men struggled against its strong current with all
their physical strength. They tried to overcome and resist the force of the
water. However, before they could reach their intended destination, Caesar
became exhausted and cried to Cassius to help him because he was sinking.
Cassius then compares himself to Aeneas, their legendary ancestor, who had
carried his aged father Anchises on his shoulder away from the flames of Troy.
In the same way, Cassius had carried the exhausted Caesar out of the dangerous
waters of the Tiber. Cassius is deeply irritated by the fact that the very man
whom he once rescued is now treated like a god, while Cassius himself has been
reduced to an insignificant person who must bow whenever Caesar merely gives
him a casual nod.
Cassius further reminds Brutus that Caesar once suffered from a fever while he
was in Spain. During the fever, Cassius saw Caesar trembling badly. He
sarcastically points out that this so-called “god” was capable of trembling
like an ordinary weak human being. Caesar's frightened lips became pale, and
his eyes, which normally had such a powerful and commanding expression that
they could frighten the whole world, lost their brightness. Cassius also heard
him groan in weakness and pain.
The same tongue that once commanded the Romans to pay attention to Caesar and
record his speeches in their books had become so weak that Caesar cried out for
some drink from Titinius like a sick girl. Cassius is therefore amazed that a
man who was so physically weak and vulnerable could rise above the whole Roman
world and become its greatest and most powerful man. Through this speech,
Cassius tries to convince Brutus that Caesar is only an ordinary human being
and does not deserve the extraordinary power and worship that Rome is giving
him.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Cassius Brutus से कहता है कि वह अच्छी तरह जानता है कि Brutus के भीतर सद्गुण, नैतिकता और सम्मान की भावना है, जैसे वह उसके बाहरी रूप-रंग को जानता है। वह कहता है कि इस समय उसकी बातचीत का मुख्य विषय सम्मान है। उसे नहीं पता कि Brutus और दूसरे लोग जीवन के बारे में क्या सोचते हैं, लेकिन जहाँ तक उसका अपना प्रश्न है, वह अपने जैसे ही एक मनुष्य से डरकर जीने की अपेक्षा मरना अधिक पसंद करेगा। Cassius Brutus को याद दिलाता है कि वह भी Caesar की तरह एक स्वतंत्र व्यक्ति के रूप में जन्मा था और Brutus भी स्वतंत्र पैदा हुआ था। Cassius और Brutus भी Caesar की तरह भोजन करते हैं और सर्दी की ठंड को उसी प्रकार सहन कर सकते हैं। इसलिए Caesar स्वाभाविक रूप से उनसे श्रेष्ठ नहीं है।
इसके बाद Cassius Tiber नदी की एक पुरानी घटना सुनाता है। एक बार बहुत ठंडे और तेज़ हवा वाले दिन Tiber नदी बहुत उफान पर थी और उसकी लहरें उसके किनारों से जोर से टकरा रही थीं। Caesar ने Cassius को चुनौती दी कि वह उसके साथ उस उफनती हुई नदी में कूदे और एक निश्चित स्थान तक तैरे। Cassius ने तुरंत चुनौती स्वीकार कर ली। वह अपने पहने हुए कपड़ों सहित नदी में कूद गया और Caesar को भी उसके पीछे आने के लिए कहा। Caesar भी उसके पीछे नदी में कूद गया। नदी की धारा बहुत तेज़ थी और दोनों ने अपनी पूरी शारीरिक शक्ति से उस धारा का सामना किया। वे पानी की शक्ति को रोकते हुए आगे बढ़ रहे थे। लेकिन अपने लक्ष्य तक पहुँचने से पहले Caesar थक गया और उसने Cassius से सहायता के लिए पुकारते हुए कहा कि वह डूब रहा है।
Cassius अपनी तुलना Aeneas से करता है। Aeneas उनके महान पूर्वज थे, जिन्होंने Troy नगर में लगी आग से अपने वृद्ध पिता Anchises को अपने कंधे पर उठाकर बचाया था। उसी प्रकार Cassius ने थके हुए Caesar को Tiber नदी की लहरों से बचाया था। Cassius को इस बात पर बहुत क्रोध और आश्चर्य है कि जिस Caesar को उसने कभी डूबने से बचाया था, वही अब देवता के समान माना जाता है, जबकि Cassius स्वयं एक तुच्छ और दयनीय व्यक्ति की तरह Caesar के सामने झुकने के लिए मजबूर है, यदि Caesar केवल लापरवाही से उसकी ओर सिर हिला दे।
Cassius आगे बताता है कि जब Caesar Spain में था, तब उसे बुखार आया था। बुखार के दौरे के समय Cassius ने देखा था कि Caesar बुरी तरह काँप रहा था। Cassius व्यंग्यपूर्वक कहता है कि यह तथाकथित देवता भी एक साधारण कमजोर मनुष्य की तरह काँप सकता था। Caesar के भयभीत होंठ पीले पड़ गए थे और उसकी आँखों की चमक भी समाप्त हो गई थी। उसकी आँखों की वही प्रभावशाली दृष्टि, जो सामान्यतः पूरी दुनिया को भयभीत करती थी, उस समय कमजोर पड़ गई थी। Cassius ने उसे कराहते हुए भी सुना था।
Caesar की वही जीभ, जो कभी Romans को उसकी बातों पर ध्यान देने और उसके भाषणों को पुस्तकों में लिखने का आदेश देती थी, उस समय इतनी कमजोर और असहाय हो गई थी कि Caesar ने Titinius से एक बीमार लड़की की तरह कुछ पीने के लिए माँगा था। Cassius को इसलिए बहुत आश्चर्य होता है कि इतना कमजोर और नाजुक व्यक्ति पूरे महान Roman संसार से आगे निकल गया और अकेले ही सर्वोच्च शक्ति और सम्मान प्राप्त कर बैठा। इस पूरे भाषण के माध्यम से Cassius Brutus को यह समझाने की कोशिश करता है कि Caesar कोई देवता नहीं बल्कि एक साधारण मनुष्य है और Rome द्वारा उसे दी जा रही अत्यधिक शक्ति तथा सम्मान का वह अधिकारी नहीं है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Cassius, Brutusଙ୍କୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ Brutusଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ସଦ୍ଗୁଣ, ନୈତିକତା ଓ ସମ୍ମାନବୋଧକୁ ଭଲଭାବେ ଜାଣନ୍ତି, ଯେପରି ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ବାହ୍ୟ ରୂପକୁ ଜାଣନ୍ତି। ସେ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତାଙ୍କର ଆଲୋଚନାର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ବିଷୟ ହେଉଛି ସମ୍ମାନ। Brutus ଓ ଅନ୍ୟ ଲୋକମାନେ ଜୀବନ ବିଷୟରେ କ’ଣ ଭାବନ୍ତି, ସେ ଜାଣନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ; କିନ୍ତୁ ତାଙ୍କ ନିଜ କଥା କହିଲେ, ନିଜ ପରି ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ମଣିଷକୁ ଭୟ କରି ବଞ୍ଚିବାଠାରୁ ମରିଯିବାକୁ ସେ ଅଧିକ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବେ। Cassius
Brutusଙ୍କୁ ମନେ ପକାଇଦିଅନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ Caesarଙ୍କ ପରି ଜଣେ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ମଣିଷ ଭାବରେ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇଥିଲେ ଏବଂ Brutus ମଧ୍ୟ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ଭାବରେ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇଥିଲେ। Cassius ଓ Brutus ମଧ୍ୟ Caesarଙ୍କ ପରି ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଖାଆନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଶୀତର ଥଣ୍ଡାକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ Caesarଙ୍କ ପରି ସହିପାରନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ Caesar ସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ ଭାବରେ ସେମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ନୁହନ୍ତି।
ଏହାପରେ Cassius
Tiber ନଦୀରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଏକ ପୁରୁଣା ଘଟଣା ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରନ୍ତି। ଥରେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଥଣ୍ଡା ଓ ପବନବହୁଳ ଦିନରେ Tiber ନଦୀ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଉତ୍ତାଳ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତାହାର ଜଳ କୂଳରେ ଜୋରରେ ଆଘାତ କରୁଥିଲା। Caesar, Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ଆହ୍ୱାନ କଲେ ଯେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସେହି ବିପଜ୍ଜନକ ନଦୀରେ ଡେଇଁ ପଡ଼ି ଏକ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ପହଞ୍ଚିବେ। Cassius ତୁରନ୍ତ ଏହି ଆହ୍ୱାନ ଗ୍ରହଣ କଲେ। ସେ ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା ପୋଷାକ ସହିତ ନଦୀକୁ ଡେଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଲେ ଏବଂ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ପଛରେ ଆସିବାକୁ କହିଲେ। Caesar ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ପଛରେ ନଦୀକୁ ଡେଇଁ ପଡ଼ିଲେ। ନଦୀର ସ୍ରୋତ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ପ୍ରବଳ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଉଭୟେ ନିଜର ସମସ୍ତ ଶାରୀରିକ ଶକ୍ତି ଦେଇ ସେହି ସ୍ରୋତ ସହିତ ସଂଘର୍ଷ କରି ଆଗକୁ ବଢ଼ିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ Caesar ଥକିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ବୁଡ଼ିଯିବା ଭୟରେ Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଡାକିଲେ।
Cassius ନିଜକୁ Aeneasଙ୍କ ସହିତ ତୁଳନା କରନ୍ତି। Aeneas ସେମାନଙ୍କର ମହାନ ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷ ଥିଲେ, ଯିଏ Troy ନଗରୀର ଅଗ୍ନିରୁ ନିଜ ବୃଦ୍ଧ ପିତା Anchisesଙ୍କୁ କାନ୍ଧରେ ବୋହି ଉଦ୍ଧାର କରିଥିଲେ। ସେହିପରି Cassius ମଧ୍ୟ କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ Caesarଙ୍କୁ Tiber ନଦୀର ପ୍ରବଳ ତରଙ୍ଗରୁ ଉଦ୍ଧାର କରିଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ଏହା ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଅନ୍ୟାୟ ଓ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟଜନକ ଲାଗେ ଯେ ଯେଉଁ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଦିନେ ଡୁବିଯିବାରୁ ବଞ୍ଚାଇଥିଲେ, ସେହି Caesar ଆଜି ଦେବତା ପରି ସମ୍ମାନିତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି; ଅନ୍ୟପକ୍ଷରେ Cassius ନିଜେ ଜଣେ ତୁଚ୍ଛ ଓ ଦୟନୀୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ପରି Caesarଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ନୁଆଇବାକୁ ବାଧ୍ୟ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି।
Cassius ଆହୁରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar Spainରେ ଥିବାବେଳେ ଥରେ ଜ୍ୱରରେ ପୀଡ଼ିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ। ଜ୍ୱରର ଆକ୍ରମଣ ସମୟରେ Cassius ଦେଖିଥିଲେ ଯେ Caesar ଭୟଙ୍କର ଭାବରେ ଥରୁଥିଲେ। ତେଣୁ Cassius ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏହି କଥିତ “ଦେବତା” ମଧ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ମଣିଷ ପରି ଥରିପାରନ୍ତି। Caesarଙ୍କ ଭୟଭୀତ ଓଠରୁ ରଙ୍ଗ ହଟିଯାଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖିର ଚମକ ମଧ୍ୟ ହ୍ରାସ ପାଇଥିଲା। ଯେଉଁ ଆଖିର ପ୍ରଭାବଶାଳୀ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ସମଗ୍ର ଜଗତକୁ ଭୟଭୀତ କରୁଥିଲା, ସେହି ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ମଧ୍ୟ ସେତେବେଳେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା। Cassius ତାଙ୍କୁ ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣାରେ କରାହୁଥିବା ମଧ୍ୟ ଶୁଣିଥିଲେ।
ଯେଉଁ Caesarଙ୍କ ଜିଭ ଥରେ Romansମାନଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ କଥା ଧ୍ୟାନର ସହିତ ଶୁଣିବାକୁ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଭାଷଣଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ପୁସ୍ତକରେ ଲେଖିବାକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଇଥିଲା, ସେହି ଜିଭ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଏତେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଓ ଅସହାୟ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା ଯେ Caesar ଜଣେ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ଝିଅ ପରି Titiniusଙ୍କୁ କିଛି ପିଇବାକୁ ମାଗିଥିଲେ। ତେଣୁ Cassius ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୁଅନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏତେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ସ୍ୱଭାବର ଓ ଶାରୀରିକ ଭାବରେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଜଣେ ମଣିଷ କିପରି ସମଗ୍ର ମହାନ Roman ଜଗତଠାରୁ ଆଗକୁ ବଢ଼ି ଏକାକୀ ସର୍ବୋଚ୍ଚ ସମ୍ମାନ ଓ ଶକ୍ତି ଅଧିକାର କରିପାରିଲେ। ଏହି ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭାଷଣରେ Cassius Brutusଙ୍କୁ ବୁଝାଇବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar କୌଣସି ଦେବତା ନୁହନ୍ତି; ସେ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ମଣିଷ ଏବଂ Rome ତାଙ୍କୁ ଯେଉଁ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଶକ୍ତି ଓ ସମ୍ମାନ ଦେଉଛି, ସେଥିପାଇଁ ସେ ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ନୁହନ୍ତି।
Cassius: Why, man, he doth
bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
“Brutus” and “Caesar”—what should be in that
“Caesar”?
Why should that name be sounded more than
yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with ’em,
“Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.”
Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
When went there by an age, since the great flood,
But it was famed with more than with one man?
When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome,
That her wide walks encompassed but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough
When there is in it but one only man.
O, you and I have heard our fathers say
There was a Brutus once that would have brooked
Th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE: Cassius
says that Caesar has become so powerful that he seems to stand over the whole
world like the enormous Colossus, a gigantic statue. Ordinary Romans like
Cassius and Brutus seem tiny beneath him. They are forced to live under his
enormous political power and may eventually be left with nothing but
dishonourable deaths. Cassius reminds Brutus that human beings can sometimes
control their own destiny. Their failure is not caused by the stars or fate;
rather, it is their own fault that they have allowed themselves to become
Caesar's subjects and inferiors.
Cassius then compares the names “Brutus” and “Caesar.” He asks why the name
Caesar should be considered greater or more important than the name Brutus. If
the two names are written together, Brutus's name is equally fine. If they are
spoken aloud, Brutus's name sounds just as good. If their names are weighed,
both are equally important. Even if their names are used in magic to summon a
spirit, “Brutus” would summon a spirit just as quickly as “Caesar.” Cassius is
therefore arguing that there is nothing inherently superior about Caesar's name
or status.
Cassius then asks, in great frustration, what Caesar has been eating that has
made him so powerful and great. He is really asking what has made an ordinary
man rise to such extraordinary power. He feels ashamed of the age in which they
live and declares that Rome has lost its tradition of producing brave and noble
men. He remembers that, throughout the long history of Rome, it had never
previously been famous for being controlled by only one man. Yet now the entire
city of Rome seems to contain only Caesar. Cassius uses this as evidence that
Caesar has become too powerful and that Roman freedom is in danger.
Finally, Cassius reminds Brutus of their fathers' stories about an earlier
Brutus. That Brutus was so determined to protect the freedom of Rome that he
would rather have allowed even the eternal Devil to rule Rome than allow a king
to govern it. Cassius indirectly appeals to Brutus's family name and sense of
duty. He wants Brutus to remember the courage of his ancestor and to oppose
Caesar's growing power.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE: Cassius कहता है कि
Caesar इतना शक्तिशाली हो गया है कि वह पूरे संसार पर एक विशाल
Colossus की तरह खड़ा दिखाई देता है।
Colossus एक बहुत बड़ी मूर्ति थी। इसके विपरीत
Cassius और
Brutus जैसे सामान्य
Roman लोग उसके विशाल पैरों के नीचे चलते हुए बहुत छोटे दिखाई देते हैं। वे
Caesar की अत्यधिक राजनीतिक शक्ति के अधीन जीवन जी रहे हैं और अंततः उन्हें अपमानजनक मृत्यु भी मिल सकती है।
Cassius Brutus को याद दिलाता है कि मनुष्य कभी-कभी अपने भाग्य के स्वयं निर्माता होते हैं। उनकी दुर्दशा के लिए केवल भाग्य या सितारे जिम्मेदार नहीं हैं;
वे स्वयं जिम्मेदार हैं क्योंकि उन्होंने अपने आपको
Caesar का अधीनस्थ बनने दिया है।
इसके बाद
Cassius “Brutus” और “Caesar” नामों की तुलना करता है। वह पूछता है कि
Caesar का नाम
Brutus के नाम से अधिक महत्वपूर्ण क्यों माना जाए। यदि दोनों नाम साथ लिखे जाएँ,
तो
Brutus का नाम भी उतना ही सुंदर और सम्मानित है। यदि दोनों नाम बोले जाएँ,
तो
Brutus का नाम भी उतना ही अच्छा सुनाई देता है। यदि दोनों नामों को तौला जाए,
तो दोनों का महत्व समान है। यहाँ तक कि यदि इन नामों का प्रयोग किसी आत्मा को जादुई रूप से बुलाने के लिए किया जाए,
तो
“Brutus” भी उतनी ही जल्दी आत्मा को बुला सकता है जितनी जल्दी
“Caesar”।
Cassius यह सिद्ध करना चाहता है कि
Caesar के नाम या पद में स्वाभाविक रूप से ऐसी कोई श्रेष्ठता नहीं है जो उसे
Brutus से महान बनाए।
इसके बाद
Cassius बहुत व्यंग्य और क्रोध के साथ पूछता है कि आखिर उनका
Caesar ऐसा क्या खाता है जिससे वह इतना महान और शक्तिशाली हो गया है। वास्तव में वह पूछ रहा है कि एक साधारण मनुष्य इतनी असाधारण शक्ति का अधिकारी कैसे बन गया। वह अपने समय को शर्मनाक बताता है और कहता है कि
Rome ने अपने महान और वीर कुलीन लोगों की परंपरा खो दी है। वह याद करता है कि
Rome के लंबे इतिहास में पहले कभी ऐसा समय नहीं आया था जब पूरा
Rome केवल एक व्यक्ति के कारण प्रसिद्ध हुआ हो। लेकिन अब ऐसा लगता है कि पूरे
Rome में केवल
Caesar ही एकमात्र व्यक्ति है।
Cassius इसे इस बात का प्रमाण मानता है कि
Caesar ने अत्यधिक शक्ति प्राप्त कर ली है और
Rome की स्वतंत्रता खतरे में है।
अंत में
Cassius Brutus को उनके पूर्वजों द्वारा सुनाई गई एक पुराने
Brutus की कहानी याद दिलाता है। वह पुराना
Brutus Rome की स्वतंत्रता के लिए इतना दृढ़ था कि वह
Rome में किसी राजा के शासन को स्वीकार करने के बजाय वहाँ स्वयं शैतान को भी शासन करने देता।
Cassius इस उदाहरण के माध्यम से
Brutus की पारिवारिक परंपरा और उसके कर्तव्य-बोध को जगाना चाहता है। वह चाहता है कि
Brutus अपने पूर्वज के साहस को याद करे और
Caesar की बढ़ती हुई शक्ति का विरोध करे।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE: Cassius କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ
Caesar ଏତେ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ହୋଇଯାଇଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ସମଗ୍ର ପୃଥିବୀ ଉପରେ ଏକ ବିଶାଳ
Colossus ପରି ଠିଆ ହୋଇଥିବା ଭଳି ଲାଗୁଛନ୍ତି।
Colossus ଏକ ବହୁତ ବଡ଼ ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଥିଲା। ତାହାର ବିଶାଳ ପାଦ ତଳେ
Cassius ଓ
Brutus ପରି ସାଧାରଣ
Roman ଲୋକମାନେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଛୋଟ ଦେଖାଯାଉଛନ୍ତି। ସେମାନେ
Caesarଙ୍କ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ରାଜନୈତିକ ଶକ୍ତି ଅଧୀନରେ ବଞ୍ଚିବାକୁ ବାଧ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ଶେଷରେ ଅପମାନଜନକ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ପାଇପାରନ୍ତି।
Cassius Brutusଙ୍କୁ ମନେ ପକାଇଦିଅନ୍ତି ଯେ ମଣିଷ କେତେକ ସମୟରେ ନିଜ ଭାଗ୍ୟର ନିଜେ ନିର୍ମାତା ହୋଇପାରେ। ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଦୁରବସ୍ଥା ପାଇଁ କେବଳ ଭାଗ୍ୟ କିମ୍ବା ତାରାମାନେ ଦାୟୀ ନୁହନ୍ତି;
ସେମାନେ ନିଜେ ଦାୟୀ,
କାରଣ ସେମାନେ ନିଜକୁ
Caesarଙ୍କ ଅଧୀନସ୍ଥ ହେବାକୁ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।
ତା’ପରେ
Cassius “Brutus” ଓ “Caesar” ନାମ ଦୁଇଟିର ତୁଳନା କରନ୍ତି। ସେ ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ
Caesarଙ୍କ ନାମ
Brutusଙ୍କ ନାମଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କାହିଁକି ହେବ। ଯଦି ଦୁଇଟି ନାମକୁ ଏକାଠି ଲେଖାଯାଏ,
ତେବେ
Brutusଙ୍କ ନାମ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେତିକି ସୁନ୍ଦର ଓ ସମ୍ମାନଜନକ। ଯଦି ଦୁଇଟି ନାମକୁ ଉଚ୍ଚାରଣ କରାଯାଏ,
Brutus ନାମଟି ମଧ୍ୟ ସେତିକି ଭଲ ଶୁଣାଯାଏ। ଯଦି ଦୁଇଟି ନାମକୁ ତଉଲାଯାଏ,
ତେବେ ଉଭୟର ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ସମାନ। ଏପରିକି ଯଦି ଏହି ନାମଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଯାଦୁ କରି କୌଣସି ଆତ୍ମାକୁ ଡାକିବା ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରାଯାଏ,
“Brutus” ମଧ୍ୟ “Caesar” ପରି ଶୀଘ୍ର ଏକ ଆତ୍ମାକୁ ଡାକିପାରିବ। ତେଣୁ
Cassius କହିବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ
Caesarଙ୍କ ନାମ କିମ୍ବା ପଦରେ ଏପରି କୌଣସି ସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠତା ନାହିଁ ଯାହା ତାଙ୍କୁ
Brutusଙ୍କଠାରୁ ମହାନ କରେ।
ଏହାପରେ
Cassius ବହୁତ କ୍ରୋଧ ଓ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗରେ ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର
Caesar ଏପରି କ’ଣ ଖାଉଛନ୍ତି ଯାହା ତାଙ୍କୁ ଏତେ ମହାନ ଓ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ କରିଦେଇଛି। ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ସେ ପଚାରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ମଣିଷ କିପରି ଏତେ ଅସାଧାରଣ ଶକ୍ତିର ଅଧିକାରୀ ହୋଇଗଲେ। ସେ ନିଜ ସମୟକୁ ଲଜ୍ଜାଜନକ ବୋଲି କହନ୍ତି ଏବଂ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ
Rome ନିଜର ବୀର ଓ ମହାନ ବଂଶର ପରମ୍ପରା ହରାଇଛି।
Romeର ଦୀର୍ଘ ଇତିହାସରେ ପୂର୍ବରୁ କେବେ ଏପରି ସମୟ ଆସିନଥିଲା,
ଯେତେବେଳେ ସମଗ୍ର
Rome କେବଳ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ହୋଇଥିଲା। କିନ୍ତୁ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଲାଗୁଛି ଯେ ସମଗ୍ର
Romeରେ କେବଳ
Caesar ହିଁ ଏକମାତ୍ର ପ୍ରଭାବଶାଳୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି।
Cassius ଏହାକୁ
Caesarଙ୍କ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଶକ୍ତି ଓ
Romeର ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ପ୍ରତି ଥିବା ବିପଦର ପ୍ରମାଣ ଭାବେ ଦେଖୁଛନ୍ତି।
ଶେଷରେ
Cassius Brutusଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତାମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଶୁଣିଥିବା ଜଣେ ପୁରୁଣା
Brutusଙ୍କ କଥା ମନେ ପକାଇଦିଅନ୍ତି। ସେହି ପୁରୁଣା
Brutus Romeର ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ପ୍ରତି ଏତେ ଦୃଢ଼ ଥିଲେ ଯେ
Romeରେ ଜଣେ ରାଜା ଶାସନ କରିବାକୁ ଦେବାଠାରୁ ସେ ସେଠାରେ ଅନନ୍ତ ଶୟତାନକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଶାସନ କରିବାକୁ ସହିଥାନ୍ତେ।
Cassius ଏହି ଉଦାହରଣ ଦ୍ୱାରା
Brutusଙ୍କ ପରିବାରର ମହାନ ପରମ୍ପରା ଓ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟବୋଧକୁ ଜାଗ୍ରତ କରିବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ
Brutus ନିଜ ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ସାହସକୁ ମନେ ପକାଇ
Caesarଙ୍କ ବଢ଼ୁଥିବା ଶକ୍ତିର ବିରୋଧ କରନ୍ତୁ।
Brutus: That you do love me, I am nothing jealous.
What you would work me to, I have some aim.
How I have thought of this, and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter. For this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further moved. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Brutus tells Cassius that he has no doubt that Cassius genuinely loves
and cares for him. He also understands what Cassius is trying to persuade him
to do. Brutus says that he has already thought about Caesar, the present
situation, and the difficult times in Rome, but he will explain his thoughts at
a later time. For the moment, he requests Cassius, as a friend, not to try to
influence or persuade him any further.
Brutus says that he will carefully think about everything Cassius has already
said. He will also patiently listen to whatever more Cassius has to say. After
hearing him fully, Brutus will choose an appropriate time to consider and
respond to such serious and important matters. Until then, he asks Cassius to
think about one important point: Brutus would rather live as a simple villager
than consider himself a Roman citizen if being a Roman means living under the
harsh and oppressive conditions that Rome may soon have to endure. Brutus's
words reveal that he deeply values Rome's freedom and dignity and is seriously
concerned about the political situation, although he is not yet ready to openly
declare his decision.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Brutus Cassius से कहता है कि उसे इस बात पर बिल्कुल संदेह नहीं है कि Cassius वास्तव में उससे प्रेम करता है और उसका भला चाहता है। वह यह भी समझ रहा है कि Cassius उसे किस काम के लिए तैयार करना या प्रेरित करना चाहता है। Brutus कहता है कि उसने Caesar, वर्तमान परिस्थितियों और Rome के इन कठिन समयों के बारे में पहले से ही बहुत सोचा है, लेकिन वह अपने विचारों को बाद में विस्तार से बताएगा। अभी के लिए वह Cassius से मित्रता के आधार पर अनुरोध करता है कि वह उसे और अधिक प्रभावित या किसी निर्णय के लिए प्रेरित करने का प्रयास न करे।
Brutus कहता है कि Cassius ने अब तक जो कुछ कहा है, वह उस पर गंभीरता से विचार करेगा। Cassius आगे जो कुछ कहना चाहता है, उसे भी वह धैर्यपूर्वक सुनेगा। उसकी पूरी बात सुनने के बाद Brutus ऐसे गंभीर और महत्वपूर्ण विषयों पर विचार करने तथा उचित उत्तर देने के लिए उपयुक्त समय निकालेगा। तब तक वह Cassius से एक महत्वपूर्ण बात पर विचार करने को कहता है: यदि Rome में रहने का अर्थ ऐसी कठोर और अपमानजनक परिस्थितियों में रहना है, जैसी परिस्थितियाँ उस समय उन पर आने वाली हैं, तो Brutus स्वयं को Rome का नागरिक कहने की अपेक्षा एक साधारण ग्रामीण व्यक्ति बनकर रहना अधिक पसंद करेगा। इससे पता चलता है कि Brutus Rome की स्वतंत्रता और सम्मान को बहुत महत्व देता है तथा वर्तमान राजनीतिक स्थिति को लेकर गंभीर रूप से चिंतित है, यद्यपि वह अभी अपना अंतिम निर्णय स्पष्ट रूप से व्यक्त नहीं करता।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Brutus Cassiusଙ୍କୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Cassius ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଭଲ ପାଆନ୍ତି ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ମଙ୍ଗଳ ଚାହାନ୍ତି—ଏହି କଥା ନେଇ Brutusଙ୍କର କୌଣସି ସନ୍ଦେହ ନାହିଁ। Cassius ତାଙ୍କୁ କେଉଁ କାମ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରେରିତ କିମ୍ବା ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରୁଛନ୍ତି, ସେ କଥା ମଧ୍ୟ Brutus କିଛି ମାତ୍ରାରେ ବୁଝିପାରୁଛନ୍ତି। Caesar, ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନର ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ଓ Romeର ଏହି କଠିନ ସମୟ ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିଛନ୍ତି, କିନ୍ତୁ ନିଜର ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରା ସେ ପରେ ବିସ୍ତାରରେ କହିବେ। ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ପାଇଁ ସେ Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ଜଣେ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଭାବରେ ଅନୁରୋଧ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଆଉ ଅଧିକ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କିମ୍ବା କୌଣସି ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରବର୍ତ୍ତିତ ନ କରନ୍ତୁ।
Brutus କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Cassius ଏପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଯାହା କହିଛନ୍ତି, ସେ ସେସବୁ କଥା ଭଲଭାବରେ ବିଚାର କରିବେ। Cassius ଆହୁରି ଯାହା କହିବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି, ସେସବୁକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ Brutus ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟର ସହିତ ଶୁଣିବେ। ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଥା ଶୁଣିବା ପରେ ଏପରି ଗମ୍ଭୀର ଓ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବିଷୟ ଉପରେ ବିଚାର କରି ଉତ୍ତର ଦେବା ପାଇଁ ସେ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସମୟ ବାଛିବେ। ସେ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ Cassius ଗୋଟିଏ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଥା ମନେ ରଖନ୍ତୁ ବୋଲି Brutus କହୁଛନ୍ତି—ଯଦି Romeର ନାଗରିକ ହୋଇ ରହିବାର ଅର୍ଥ ଏପରି କଠିନ ଓ ଅପମାନଜନକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ ରହିବା, ଯାହା ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଆସିବାକୁ ଯାଉଛି, ତେବେ Brutus ନିଜକୁ Romeର ପୁତ୍ର ବୋଲି କହିବାଠାରୁ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀ ହୋଇ ରହିବାକୁ ଅଧିକ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବେ। ଏହାରୁ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଏ ଯେ Brutus Romeର ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଓ ସମ୍ମାନକୁ ବହୁତ ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ଦିଅନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନର ରାଜନୈତିକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ନେଇ ଗଭୀର ଭାବରେ ଚିନ୍ତିତ; ତଥାପି ସେ ଏପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ନିଜର ଚୂଡ଼ାନ୍ତ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଭାବରେ କହିନାହାନ୍ତି।
Cassius: I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from
Brutus.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE: Cassius is pleased that his apparently weak and
simple words have produced such a strong emotional reaction in Brutus. He means
that although he did not openly force Brutus to make a decision, his arguments
have awakened courage, anger, or determination in Brutus. Cassius is encouraged
because he can see that Brutus is beginning to respond to his ideas about
Caesar's growing power.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE: Cassius प्रसन्न है कि उसके साधारण और कमजोर दिखाई देने वाले शब्दों ने Brutus के भीतर इतना उत्साह, क्रोध या दृढ़ संकल्प उत्पन्न कर दिया है। उसका आशय है कि उसने Brutus पर सीधे कोई दबाव नहीं डाला, फिर भी उसके तर्कों ने Brutus के मन में Caesar की बढ़ती हुई शक्ति के विरुद्ध विचार और भावना को जागृत कर दिया है। Cassius को अब विश्वास होने लगता है कि Brutus उसके विचारों से प्रभावित हो रहा है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE: Cassius ଖୁସି ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ତାଙ୍କର ଦୁର୍ବଳ ବୋଲି ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିବା କଥାଗୁଡ଼ିକ Brutusଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଏତେ ତୀବ୍ର ଭାବନା, କ୍ରୋଧ କିମ୍ବା ଦୃଢ଼ତା ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିପାରିଛି। ସେ ସିଧାସଳଖ ଭାବରେ Brutusଙ୍କ ଉପରେ କୌଣସି ଚାପ ପକାଇନଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କର ଯୁକ୍ତିଗୁଡ଼ିକ Brutusଙ୍କ ମନରେ Caesarଙ୍କ ବଢ଼ୁଥିବା ଶକ୍ତି ବିରୋଧରେ ଚିନ୍ତା ଓ ଭାବନା ଜାଗ୍ରତ କରିଛି। ତେଣୁ Cassius ବୁଝିପାରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Brutus ତାଙ୍କ କଥାରେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି।
Brutus: The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE: Brutus observes that the public games have ended
and Caesar is now returning with the people accompanying him.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE: Brutus कहता है कि सार्वजनिक खेल समाप्त हो गए हैं और Caesar अब अपने साथियों के साथ वापस लौट रहा है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE: Brutus କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସାର୍ବଜନୀନ ଖେଳଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଶେଷ ହୋଇଯାଇଛି ଏବଂ Caesar ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତାଙ୍କ ସହଚରମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଫେରୁଛନ୍ତି।
Cassius: As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve,
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note today.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE: Cassius advises Brutus that when Caesar and his
followers pass by, he should catch Casca by the sleeve and stop him. Cassius
says that Casca, in his usual harsh, blunt and unpleasant manner, will tell
Brutus about the important events that have taken place during the day.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE: Cassius Brutus को सलाह देता है कि जब Caesar और उसके अनुयायी वहाँ से गुजरें, तो वह Casca की आस्तीन पकड़कर उसे रोक ले। Cassius कहता है कि Casca अपने सामान्य रूखे, कठोर और अप्रिय ढंग से Brutus को बताएगा कि आज कौन-कौन-सी महत्वपूर्ण घटनाएँ हुई हैं।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE: Cassius Brutusଙ୍କୁ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଦେଉଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ଅନୁଗାମୀମାନେ ସେଠାରୁ ଯିବା ସମୟରେ Brutus, Cascaଙ୍କ ଆସ୍ତିନ ଧରି ତାଙ୍କୁ ଅଟକାଇବେ। Cassius କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Casca ତାଙ୍କର ସାଧାରଣ ରୁକ୍ଷ, କଠୋର ଓ ଅପ୍ରୀତିକର ଢଙ୍ଗରେ ଆଜି ଘଟିଥିବା ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଘଟଣାଗୁଡ଼ିକ Brutusଙ୍କୁ କହିବେ।
(Re-enter Caesar and his followers.)
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE: Caesar enters the scene again, accompanied by his
followers.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE: Caesar अपने अनुयायियों के साथ फिर से मंच पर प्रवेश करता है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE: Caesar ତାଙ୍କର ଅନୁଗାମୀମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ପୁନର୍ବାର ମଞ୍ଚରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରନ୍ତି।
Brutus: I will do so. But look you, Cassius,
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar’s brow,
And all the rest look like a chidden train.
Calphurnia’s cheek is pale, and Cicero
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
As we have seen him in the Capitol,
Being crossed in conference by some senators.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Brutus says that he will follow Cassius’s advice and speak to Casca.
However, he asks Cassius to observe Caesar carefully. Brutus notices an angry
expression on Caesar’s forehead. Caesar’s followers also look frightened and
uncomfortable, as if they have just been severely scolded by someone.
Calphurnia’s face looks pale, which suggests that she is worried or disturbed.
Cicero has sharp, restless and fiery eyes. Brutus has seen Cicero with the same
kind of expression in the Capitol when some senators opposed him or disagreed
with him during an important discussion. Thus, Brutus notices that something
unusual and serious seems to have happened.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Brutus कहता है कि वह Cassius की सलाह मानकर Casca से बात करेगा। लेकिन वह Cassius से Caesar को ध्यान से देखने के लिए कहता है। Brutus देखता है कि Caesar के माथे पर क्रोध के भाव स्पष्ट दिखाई दे रहे हैं। Caesar के साथ चलने वाले बाकी लोग भी डरे हुए और असहज दिखाई दे रहे हैं, मानो उन्हें अभी-अभी किसी ने बहुत बुरी तरह डाँटा हो। Calphurnia
का चेहरा पीला दिखाई दे रहा है, जिससे पता चलता है कि वह चिंतित या परेशान है। Cicero की आँखों में तीखी, बेचैन और क्रोधपूर्ण चमक है। Brutus ने Capitol में Cicero को ऐसी ही आँखों के साथ तब देखा था, जब कुछ Senators ने किसी महत्वपूर्ण बातचीत के दौरान उसका विरोध किया था या उसकी बात से असहमति जताई थी। इस प्रकार Brutus समझ जाता है कि वहाँ कुछ असामान्य और गंभीर घटना अवश्य हुई है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Brutus କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ Cassiusଙ୍କ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଅନୁସାରେ Cascaଙ୍କ ସହ କଥା ହେବେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ Cassiusଙ୍କୁ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଭଲଭାବରେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି। Brutus ଦେଖୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesarଙ୍କ କପାଳରେ କ୍ରୋଧର ଭାବ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଭାବରେ ଦେଖାଯାଉଛି। Caesarଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଥିବା ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭୟଭୀତ ଓ ଅସ୍ୱସ୍ଥ ଦେଖାଯାଉଛନ୍ତି, ଯେପରି ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କେହି ଏମାତ୍ର ଭଲଭାବରେ ଗାଳି ଦେଇଛି। Calphurniaଙ୍କ ମୁହଁ ଫିକା ଦେଖାଯାଉଛି, ଯାହାରୁ ସେ ଚିନ୍ତିତ କିମ୍ବା ବିଚଳିତ ଥିବା ଜଣାପଡ଼େ। Ciceroଙ୍କ ଆଖିରେ ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ, ଅସ୍ଥିର ଓ କ୍ରୋଧପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ଦେଖାଯାଉଛି। Brutus Ciceroଙ୍କୁ Capitolରେ ଏହିପରି ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ସେତେବେଳେ ଦେଖିଥିଲେ, ଯେତେବେଳେ କିଛି Senator ଏକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଆଲୋଚନା ସମୟରେ ତାଙ୍କ କଥାର ବିରୋଧ କରିଥିଲେ କିମ୍ବା ତାଙ୍କ ମତ ସହିତ ଅସମ୍ମତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ। ଏହିପରି ଭାବରେ Brutus ବୁଝିପାରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେଠାରେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ କିଛି ଅସାଧାରଣ ଓ ଗମ୍ଭୀର ଘଟଣା ଘଟିଛି।
Cassius: Casca will tell us what the matter is.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Cassius says that Casca will explain what has happened and reveal the
reason for the unusual behaviour and expressions of Caesar and his companions.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Cassius कहता है कि Casca ही बताएगा कि वास्तव में क्या हुआ है और Caesar तथा उसके साथियों के असामान्य व्यवहार का कारण क्या है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Cassius କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ କ’ଣ ଘଟିଛି ଏବଂ Caesar ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ସହଚରମାନଙ୍କର ଅସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ ବ୍ୟବହାରର କାରଣ କ’ଣ, Casca ହିଁ ସେ ବିଷୟରେ କହିବେ।
Caesar: Antonius!
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Caesar calls Antony to get his attention.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Caesar Antony को अपनी ओर ध्यान देने के लिए पुकारता है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Caesar Antonyଙ୍କ ଧ୍ୟାନ ଆକର୍ଷଣ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଡାକୁଛନ୍ତି।
Antony: Caesar?
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Antony responds to Caesar's call and asks what he wants.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Antony Caesar की पुकार का उत्तर देते हुए पूछता है कि वह क्या चाहता है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Antony Caesarଙ୍କ ଡାକର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଇ ପଚାରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ କ’ଣ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି।
Caesar: Let me have men about me that are fat,
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep a-nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look.
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Caesar tells Antony that he would prefer to have well-fed,
comfortable-looking men around him. By “sleek-headed men,” he means men who
look neat, well-groomed and contented. He also prefers men who sleep peacefully
at night. Caesar then points out Cassius, whose thin and hungry appearance
makes him look serious and dissatisfied. Caesar believes that Cassius thinks
too much and is always observing and analysing matters. In Caesar's opinion,
men who think deeply and critically can be dangerous because they may question
authority and secretly oppose those in power.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Caesar Antony से कहता है कि वह अपने आसपास ऐसे लोगों को रखना पसंद करेगा जो अच्छी तरह खाए-पिए, सुखी और आरामदायक जीवन जीने वाले दिखाई दें। “Sleek-headed men” से उसका आशय ऐसे लोगों से है जो साफ-सुथरे, व्यवस्थित और संतुष्ट दिखाई देते हैं। वह ऐसे लोगों को भी पसंद करता है जो रात में चैन से सोते हैं। इसके बाद Caesar
Cassius की ओर संकेत करता है, जिसका दुबला और भूखा-सा चेहरा उसे गंभीर और असंतुष्ट दिखाता है। Caesar मानता है कि Cassius बहुत अधिक सोचता है और हर बात को ध्यान से देखता तथा उसका विश्लेषण करता है। Caesar के विचार में जो लोग गहराई से और आलोचनात्मक ढंग से सोचते हैं, वे खतरनाक हो सकते हैं, क्योंकि वे सत्ता पर प्रश्न उठा सकते हैं और शासक का गुप्त रूप से विरोध कर सकते हैं।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Caesar Antonyଙ୍କୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ନିଜ ଚାରିପାଖରେ ଏପରି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ରଖିବାକୁ ପସନ୍ଦ କରନ୍ତି, ଯେଉଁମାନେ ଭଲଭାବରେ ଖାଇପିଇ ସୁଖୀ ଓ ଆରାମଦାୟକ ଜୀବନ ବିତାଉଥିବା ପରି ଦେଖାଯାଆନ୍ତି। “Sleek-headed men” ବୋଲି ସେ ପରିଷ୍କାର, ସୁସଜ୍ଜିତ ଓ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିବା ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ବୁଝାଉଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ଏପରି ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ପସନ୍ଦ କରନ୍ତି, ଯେଉଁମାନେ ରାତିରେ ଆରାମରେ ଶୋଇପାରନ୍ତି। ତା’ପରେ Caesar Cassiusଙ୍କ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଇଙ୍ଗିତ କରି କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ ତାଙ୍କର ଚେହେରା ଦୁବଳ ଓ ଭୋକିଲା ପରି ଦେଖାଯାଉଛି। Caesar ଭାବୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Cassius ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଚିନ୍ତା କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସବୁ ବିଷୟକୁ ଗଭୀର ଭାବରେ ନିରୀକ୍ଷଣ ଓ ବିଶ୍ଳେଷଣ କରନ୍ତି। Caesarଙ୍କ ମତରେ ଏପରି ଗଭୀର ଓ ସମାଲୋଚନାତ୍ମକ ଭାବରେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରୁଥିବା ଲୋକ ବିପଜ୍ଜନକ ହୋଇପାରନ୍ତି, କାରଣ ସେମାନେ କ୍ଷମତାକୁ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କରିପାରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଶାସକଙ୍କୁ ଗୁପ୍ତ ଭାବରେ ବିରୋଧ କରିପାରନ୍ତି।
Antony: Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous.
He is a noble Roman, and well given.
1. ENGLISH PARAPHRASE
Antony tells Caesar not to be afraid of Cassius because he does not
consider him dangerous. He describes Cassius as a noble and respectable Roman
who has a good nature and good intentions. Antony therefore believes that
Cassius does not pose any real threat to Caesar.
2. HINDI PARAPHRASE
Antony Caesar से कहता है कि Cassius से डरने की कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है, क्योंकि वह उसे खतरनाक नहीं मानता। वह Cassius को एक महान और सम्मानित Roman बताता है, जिसका स्वभाव अच्छा है और जिसकी नीयत भी अच्छी है। इसलिए Antony को विश्वास है कि Cassius
Caesar के लिए कोई वास्तविक खतरा नहीं है।
3. ODIA PARAPHRASE
Antony Caesarଙ୍କୁ କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ଭୟ କରିବାର କୌଣସି ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ନାହିଁ, କାରଣ ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିପଜ୍ଜନକ ମନେ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ସେ Cassiusଙ୍କୁ ଜଣେ ମହାନ ଓ ସମ୍ମାନିତ Roman ବୋଲି କହୁଛନ୍ତି, ଯାହାଙ୍କର ସ୍ୱଭାବ ଓ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ଭଲ। ତେଣୁ Antonyଙ୍କ ମତରେ Cassius Caesarଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ କୌଣସି ପ୍ରକୃତ ବିପଦ ନୁହନ୍ତି।
ONE-MARK
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What does Cassius say he knows about
Brutus?
Ans. Cassius says that he knows Brutus possesses virtue, just as he
knows Brutus’s outward appearance.
2. What does Cassius know about Brutus besides his virtue?
Ans. Cassius says that he knows Brutus’s outward appearance or physical
qualities as well as he knows his virtue.
3. What is the subject of Cassius’s story?
Ans. Cassius says that honour is the subject of his story, as he begins
discussing the equality between himself, Brutus and Caesar.
4. What does Cassius say about what other men think of life?
Ans. Cassius says he cannot tell what Brutus and other men think about
life, because their personal opinions may differ.
5. What does Cassius mean by “I had as lief not be as live”?
Ans. Cassius means that he would rather not exist than continue living
in fear and submission to another human being.
6. What does Cassius dislike about Caesar’s position?
Ans. Cassius dislikes having to live in awe of Caesar, an ordinary human
being who has gained extraordinary power over others.
7. Why does Cassius say he was born free as Caesar?
Ans. Cassius says this to emphasize that he and Caesar were born equally
free, so Caesar has no natural superiority.
8. What does Cassius say about Brutus’s birth?
Ans. Cassius reminds Brutus that he too was born free, just like Caesar
and Cassius, and therefore deserves equal dignity.
9. How does Cassius compare himself and Brutus with Caesar?
Ans. Cassius says they were born equally free, ate equally well and
could endure winter’s cold just as Caesar could.
10. What happened on the raw and gusty day?
Ans. On a cold and windy day, Caesar challenged Cassius to leap into the
turbulent Tiber and swim to the opposite point.
11. What was the condition of the Tiber when Caesar challenged Cassius?
Ans. The Tiber was turbulent and violently beating against its banks
because of the rough and windy weather.
12. What challenge did Caesar give Cassius?
Ans. Caesar challenged Cassius to jump into the angry flood of the Tiber
with him and swim to a particular point.
13. How did Cassius respond to Caesar’s challenge?
Ans. Cassius immediately plunged into the river fully clothed and
ordered Caesar to follow him into the dangerous water.
14. Did Caesar follow Cassius into the Tiber?
Ans. Yes, Caesar followed Cassius into the turbulent Tiber after Cassius
boldly plunged into the river and challenged him.
15. What does “the torrent roared” suggest?
Ans. It suggests that the Tiber was flowing violently and noisily,
making their swimming challenge extremely difficult and dangerous.
16. How did Cassius and Caesar struggle against the river?
Ans. They fought against the powerful current using their strong muscles
and determination, trying to overcome the river’s force.
17. What happened before they reached the proposed point?
Ans. Before reaching their destination, Caesar became exhausted and
cried to Cassius for help because he feared that he would sink.
18. What did Caesar cry to Cassius?
Ans. Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” revealing that he was
unable to overcome the river by himself.
19. Whom does Cassius compare himself with while rescuing Caesar?
Ans. Cassius compares himself with Aeneas, the legendary ancestor who
carried his aged father Anchises from the flames of Troy.
20. Whom did Aeneas carry from Troy?
Ans. Aeneas carried his old father Anchises on his shoulders while
escaping from the flames of the destroyed city of Troy.
21. Whom did Cassius rescue from the Tiber?
Ans. Cassius rescued the exhausted Caesar from the waves of the Tiber
after Caesar became unable to continue swimming.
22. Why does Cassius feel humiliated by Caesar’s present position?
Ans. Cassius feels humiliated because the man he once rescued has become
powerful enough to make Cassius bow before him.
23. How does Cassius describe himself in relation to Caesar?
Ans. Cassius describes himself as a wretched creature who must bend his
body whenever Caesar casually nods at him.
24. Where did Caesar suffer from a fever?
Ans. Caesar suffered from a fever when he was in Spain, and Cassius
personally witnessed his weakness during the illness.
25. What did Cassius observe when Caesar’s fever was at its worst?
Ans. Cassius observed Caesar shaking severely during his fever,
demonstrating that the supposedly powerful Caesar was physically weak.
26. What happened to Caesar’s lips during his illness?
Ans. Caesar’s lips lost their colour, showing his physical weakness and
fear when he was suffering from the fever.
27. What happened to Caesar’s eye during his fever?
Ans. Caesar’s once-commanding eye lost its brightness and lustre,
showing that illness temporarily destroyed his impressive appearance.
28. What did Cassius hear Caesar do during his illness?
Ans. Cassius heard Caesar groan in weakness and discomfort while
suffering from his fever in Spain.
29. What did Caesar’s tongue ask Titinius for?
Ans. Caesar’s tongue weakly cried to Titinius for some drink, revealing
his helplessness during the attack of fever.
30. Why does Cassius compare Caesar to a sick girl?
Ans. Cassius compares Caesar to a sick girl to emphasize how helpless,
weak and frightened Caesar appeared during his illness.
31. Why is Cassius amazed by Caesar’s success?
Ans. Cassius is amazed that a physically weak man like Caesar has gained
control over the powerful Roman world.
32. What does Cassius mean by “a feeble temper”?
Ans. “A feeble temper” refers to Caesar’s physical weakness and lack of
bodily strength, which Cassius contrasts with his enormous political power.
33. What does Caesar “bear the palm” mean?
Ans. It means Caesar has gained first place, supremacy and victory over
the Roman world, despite his physical weaknesses.
34. What happens after Cassius speaks about Caesar’s weakness?
Ans. A shout and flourish are heard, and Brutus concludes that another
public celebration is probably honouring Caesar.
35. What does Brutus think the new applause is for?
Ans. Brutus believes the applause is for some new honours that have been
granted to Caesar by the Roman people.
36. What does Cassius compare Caesar to?
Ans. Cassius compares Caesar to a Colossus, a gigantic figure whose
enormous presence seems to dominate the entire Roman world.
37. What is a Colossus in Cassius’s comparison?
Ans. A Colossus represents something enormous and dominating; Cassius
uses it to show how Caesar towers over ordinary Roman citizens.
38. How does Cassius describe ordinary Romans under Caesar?
Ans. Cassius says ordinary Romans walk beneath Caesar’s huge legs and
search helplessly for places where they may die dishonourably.
39. What does Cassius say about human beings and their fates?
Ans. Cassius says that human beings can sometimes control their own
destinies instead of passively accepting whatever fate appears to impose.
40. Where does Cassius say the fault lies?
Ans. Cassius says the fault lies not in the stars or fate but within
themselves because they have accepted an inferior position.
41. What does Cassius mean by “underlings”?
Ans. “Underlings” means people occupying an inferior or subordinate
position, especially those who have submitted to Caesar’s authority.
42. Why does Cassius compare the names “Brutus” and “Caesar”?
Ans. Cassius compares them to show Brutus that Caesar’s name is not
inherently greater, more honourable or more powerful than his.
43. What does Cassius ask about the name “Caesar”?
Ans. Cassius asks what special quality exists in the name “Caesar” that
makes it deserve greater respect than the name “Brutus.”
44. How does Cassius compare the two names when written?
Ans. Cassius says that when written together, “Brutus” is just as fair
or respectable a name as “Caesar.”
45. How does Cassius compare the names when spoken?
Ans. Cassius says that when spoken aloud, “Brutus” sounds just as
suitable and impressive as “Caesar.”
46. How does Cassius compare the names when weighed?
Ans. Cassius says that if the names were weighed symbolically, “Brutus”
would be just as heavy and important as “Caesar.”
47. What does Cassius mean by “conjure with ’em”?
Ans. He means using the names in magical invocation, claiming that
“Brutus” would summon a spirit as effectively as “Caesar.”
48. What does Cassius say would happen if “Brutus” were used to summon a
spirit?
Ans. Cassius says that “Brutus” would summon a spirit just as quickly
and effectively as the name “Caesar.”
49. What does Cassius ask about Caesar’s greatness?
Ans. Cassius sarcastically asks what Caesar feeds on that has enabled
him to grow so extraordinarily powerful and great.
50. Why does Cassius say, “Age, thou art shamed”?
Ans. Cassius feels ashamed that his age has allowed one ordinary man to
gain such extraordinary power over the Roman state.
51. Why does Cassius say that Rome has lost the breed of noble bloods?
Ans. Cassius believes Rome has lost its tradition of producing brave,
independent and noble men capable of resisting tyranny.
52. What does Cassius say about Rome’s earlier history?
Ans. Cassius says that Rome had never previously become famous for being
dominated by a single individual throughout its history.
53. Why does Cassius question whether Rome can still be called Rome?
Ans. Cassius questions Rome’s identity because the entire city now
appears politically dominated by Caesar alone.
54. What does Cassius mean by “room enough” in Rome?
Ans. Cassius ironically suggests that Rome seems spacious enough for
only one man because Caesar has completely dominated the entire city.
55. What story about an earlier Brutus does Cassius recall?
Ans. Cassius recalls that an earlier Brutus would never have tolerated a
king ruling Rome, even if the ruler were the Devil.
56. What does the earlier Brutus represent to Cassius?
Ans. The earlier Brutus represents courage, patriotism and resistance to
monarchy, reminding the present Brutus of his family’s republican tradition.
57. What does Brutus say about Cassius’s love for him?
Ans. Brutus says that he has no doubt that Cassius genuinely loves him
and acts out of concern for his welfare.
58. What does Brutus understand about Cassius’s purpose?
Ans. Brutus understands that Cassius is trying to persuade or influence
him to take some action against Caesar’s growing power.
59. What does Brutus promise to do with Cassius’s words?
Ans. Brutus promises to consider carefully what Cassius has already said
and patiently listen to whatever he has yet to say.
60. Why does Brutus ask Cassius not to move him further?
Ans. Brutus wants time to think independently and avoid making an
immediate decision under Cassius’s emotional influence.
61. What does Brutus say he will do later?
Ans. Brutus says he will recount his own thoughts about the political
situation and the troubled times at a later time.
62. What does Brutus mean by “chew upon this”?
Ans. Brutus means that Cassius should think carefully and deeply about
the important statement he is about to make.
63. What would Brutus rather be than a Roman under harsh conditions?
Ans. Brutus says he would rather be a simple villager than regard
himself as a Roman living under oppressive and humiliating conditions.
64. What does Brutus’s statement reveal about his feelings toward Rome?
Ans. It reveals that Brutus deeply values Rome’s freedom and honour and
would reject Roman citizenship if it meant accepting oppression.
65. Why is Cassius glad after speaking with Brutus?
Ans. Cassius is glad because his apparently weak words have produced a
strong emotional response in Brutus.
66. What happens when Caesar and his followers re-enter?
Ans. Caesar returns with his followers after the games, while Brutus and
Cassius observe their unusual and disturbed appearance.
67. What does Cassius tell Brutus to do when Caesar passes?
Ans. Cassius tells Brutus to pull Casca by the sleeve because Casca will
explain what important events occurred during the day.
68. How does Cassius describe Casca’s manner?
Ans. Cassius describes Casca as having a sour or harsh manner,
suggesting that he usually speaks bluntly and unpleasantly.
69. What does Brutus notice on Caesar’s brow?
Ans. Brutus notices an angry expression glowing on Caesar’s forehead,
suggesting that Caesar is disturbed or furious about something.
70. How do Caesar’s followers appear to Brutus?
Ans. Caesar’s followers appear like a group of people who have just been
scolded, frightened and uncomfortable after some unpleasant event.
71. What is the condition of Calphurnia’s cheek?
Ans. Calphurnia’s cheek is pale, suggesting that she is frightened,
worried or disturbed by something that has recently happened.
72. How does Cicero look?
Ans. Cicero has sharp, restless and fiery eyes, resembling his
expression when senators previously opposed him during a discussion in the
Capitol.
73. When had Brutus seen Cicero with such eyes before?
Ans. Brutus had seen Cicero with similarly fiery eyes in the Capitol
when some senators had opposed him during a conference.
74. Who does Cassius say will explain the situation?
Ans. Cassius says that Casca will explain what has happened and reveal
the reason for Caesar’s unusual anger and behaviour.
75. Whom does Caesar call?
Ans. Caesar calls Antony by his name, “Antonius,” to get his attention
and speak privately about Cassius.
76. What kind of men does Caesar prefer around him?
Ans. Caesar prefers well-fed, cheerful-looking and comfortable men who
appear contented and sleep peacefully at night.
77. Why does Caesar dislike men like Cassius?
Ans. Caesar dislikes men like Cassius because they think deeply, observe
carefully and may question or challenge his authority.
78. How does Caesar describe Cassius’s appearance?
Ans. Caesar describes Cassius as having a lean and hungry appearance,
suggesting that he looks serious, dissatisfied and constantly thoughtful.
79. Why does Caesar consider thoughtful men dangerous?
Ans. Caesar considers thoughtful men dangerous because they may analyse
his actions critically, distrust his authority and potentially oppose his
power.
80. What does Antony say about Cassius?
Ans. Antony tells Caesar not to fear Cassius because he considers him a
noble Roman who is good-natured and well-intentioned.
81. How does Antony describe Cassius’s character?
Ans. Antony describes Cassius as a noble Roman and “well given,” meaning
that he considers Cassius respectable, honourable and well-disposed.
Multiple Choice Questions Set 1
1. What quality does Cassius say he knows to be present in Brutus?
A. Wealth
B. Ambition
C. Virtue
D. Courage
Ans. C. Virtue
2. What does Cassius say he knows about Brutus as well as his virtue?
A. His family background
B. His outward favour
C. His political position
D. His military achievements
Ans. B. His outward favour
3. What does Cassius say is the subject of his story?
A. Power
B. Friendship
C. Honour
D. War
Ans. C. Honour
4. What does Cassius say he cannot tell?
A. What Caesar thinks of Rome
B. What Brutus and other men think of life
C. What Antony thinks of him
D. What Casca thinks of Caesar
Ans. B. What Brutus and other men think of life
5. What would Cassius rather do than live in awe of another person?
A. Become a soldier
B. Leave Rome
C. Not be alive
D. Become a villager
Ans. C. Not be alive
6. What does Cassius mean when he says, “I was born free as Caesar”?
A. He was Caesar’s relative
B. He was born in Caesar’s household
C. He was naturally as free as Caesar
D. He was Caesar’s political equal by office
Ans. C. He was naturally as free as Caesar
7. Which two things does Cassius say he and Caesar could do equally well?
A. Fight and rule
B. Eat well and endure winter’s cold
C. Swim and fight
D. Speak and command
Ans. B. Eat well and endure winter’s cold
8. What kind of day was it when Caesar challenged Cassius to swim?
A. Hot and sunny
B. Calm and pleasant
C. Raw and gusty
D. Warm and rainy
Ans. C. Raw and gusty
9. Which river did Caesar challenge Cassius to cross?
A. Nile
B. Tiber
C. Rubicon
D. Po
Ans. B. Tiber
10. How does Cassius describe the Tiber at that time?
A. Calm and shallow
B. Clear and peaceful
C. Troubled and angry
D. Warm and pleasant
Ans. C. Troubled and angry
11. What did Caesar challenge Cassius to do?
A. Fight him
B. Cross a bridge
C. Leap into the flood and swim to a certain point
D. Rescue a soldier
Ans. C. Leap into the flood and swim to a certain point
12. What did Cassius do immediately after Caesar’s challenge?
A. He refused
B. He called for help
C. He plunged into the river
D. He challenged Antony
Ans. C. He plunged into the river
13. What does “Accoutred as I was” mean in the context?
A. Cassius was wearing his clothes and equipment
B. Cassius was completely unprepared
C. Cassius was dressed for battle
D. Cassius had removed his clothes
Ans. A. Cassius was wearing his clothes and equipment
14. What did Cassius tell Caesar to do after he entered the river?
A. Turn back
B. Follow him
C. Call Antony
D. Wait for help
Ans. B. Follow him
15. What does “the torrent roared” indicate?
A. The river was peaceful
B. The river was flowing violently
C. The river had dried up
D. The river was unusually warm
Ans. B. The river was flowing violently
16. How did Cassius and Caesar struggle against the river?
A. By using boats
B. By swimming with the current
C. By fighting against its force with their strength
D. By holding onto the shore
Ans. C. By fighting against its force with their strength
17. What happened before Cassius and Caesar reached the proposed point?
A. Cassius became frightened
B. Caesar cried for help
C. Antony arrived
D. The river became calm
Ans. B. Caesar cried for help
18. What exactly did Caesar cry?
A. “Help me, Antony, or I sink!”
B. “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”
C. “Save me, Brutus, or I die!”
D. “Help me, Titinius, or I drown!”
Ans. B. “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”
19. Whom does Cassius compare himself with while describing his rescue of
Caesar?
A. Romulus
B. Hercules
C. Aeneas
D. Anchises
Ans. C. Aeneas
20. Whom did Aeneas carry from the flames of Troy?
A. Caesar
B. Anchises
C. Cassius
D. Brutus
Ans. B. Anchises
21. What did Cassius do that he compares with Aeneas’s action?
A. He carried Caesar from the flames of Troy
B. He rescued Caesar from the waves of the Tiber
C. He saved Caesar from an army
D. He protected Caesar from the senators
Ans. B. He rescued Caesar from the waves of the Tiber
22. What does Cassius find ironic about Caesar’s present status?
A. Caesar has become poor after being wealthy
B. Caesar, whom Cassius once rescued, has become powerful enough to make
Cassius bow to him
C. Caesar has left Rome
D. Caesar has become a soldier
Ans. B. Caesar, whom Cassius once rescued, has become powerful enough to
make Cassius bow to him
23. What happened to Caesar when he was in Spain?
A. He was wounded
B. He suffered from a fever
C. He was defeated
D. He was imprisoned
Ans. B. He suffered from a fever
24. What did Cassius observe when Caesar’s fever was upon him?
A. Caesar laughed
B. Caesar slept peacefully
C. Caesar shook
D. Caesar fought bravely
Ans. C. Caesar shook
25. What happened to Caesar’s lips during his illness?
A. They became swollen
B. They lost their colour
C. They became red
D. They were injured
Ans. B. They lost their colour
26. What happened to Caesar’s eye during his fever?
A. It became brighter
B. It lost its lustre
C. It became blind
D. It became swollen
Ans. B. It lost its lustre
27. What did Cassius hear Caesar do during his illness?
A. Shout orders
B. Sing
C. Groan
D. Laugh
Ans. C. Groan
28. What did Caesar’s tongue ask Titinius for?
A. Food
B. Wine
C. Some drink
D. Medicine
Ans. C. Some drink
29. To whom does Cassius compare Caesar during his illness?
A. A frightened child
B. A sick girl
C. A weak soldier
D. An old man
Ans. B. A sick girl
30. Why does Cassius find Caesar’s rise amazing?
A. Caesar was very young
B. Caesar was physically weak yet gained supremacy over the Roman world
C. Caesar had no army
D. Caesar was unknown in Rome
Ans. B. Caesar was physically weak yet gained supremacy over the Roman world
31. What does Cassius mean by Caesar “bear the palm alone”?
A. Caesar has won a sporting contest
B. Caesar alone possesses supreme power and honour
C. Caesar has become a priest
D. Caesar has retired from public life
Ans. B. Caesar alone possesses supreme power and honour
32. What stage direction follows Cassius’s speech about Caesar’s weakness?
A. Enter Antony
B. Exit Brutus
C. Shout. Flourish.
D. Enter Casca
Ans. C. Shout. Flourish.
33. What does Brutus think the new shout and applause are for?
A. Caesar’s departure
B. Some new honours given to Caesar
C. Antony’s victory
D. Cassius’s speech
Ans. B. Some new honours given to Caesar
34. What does Cassius compare Caesar to after hearing the applause?
A. A king
B. A giant
C. A Colossus
D. A god
Ans. C. A Colossus
35. What does the comparison with a Colossus suggest about Caesar?
A. He is physically small
B. He dominates the Roman world through his enormous power
C. He is a great swimmer
D. He is a famous athlete
Ans. B. He dominates the Roman world through his enormous power
36. How does Cassius describe ordinary Romans in relation to Caesar?
A. As his equals
B. As his servants and underlings
C. As his friends
D. As his teachers
Ans. B. As his servants and underlings
37. What does Cassius say about human beings and their fates?
A. They can sometimes be masters of their own fates
B. They can never control anything
C. Only Caesar controls fate
D. The gods control every human action
Ans. A. They can sometimes be masters of their own fates
38. According to Cassius, where is the fault that Romans are underlings?
A. In the stars
B. In Caesar
C. In themselves
D. In the gods
Ans. C. In themselves
39. What does Cassius say is NOT responsible for their condition?
A. Their weakness
B. Their stars
C. Their decisions
D. Their actions
Ans. B. Their stars
40. What does Cassius compare when he says, “Brutus” and “Caesar”?
A. Their armies
B. Their names
C. Their wealth
D. Their families
Ans. B. Their names
41. What does Cassius ask about the name “Caesar”?
A. Why it should be forgotten
B. Why it should be sounded more than “Brutus”
C. Why it should be written differently
D. Why Caesar changed his name
Ans. B. Why it should be sounded more than “Brutus”
42. What does Cassius say about the names “Brutus” and “Caesar” when
written?
A. Caesar’s name is longer
B. Brutus’s name is as fair as Caesar’s
C. Caesar’s name is more beautiful
D. Brutus’s name is meaningless
Ans. B. Brutus’s name is as fair as Caesar’s
43. What does Cassius say about the names when spoken?
A. “Brutus” sounds inferior
B. “Brutus” is just as suitable to the mouth as “Caesar”
C. “Caesar” cannot be pronounced
D. “Brutus” sounds like a foreign name
Ans. B. “Brutus” is just as suitable to the mouth as “Caesar”
44. What does Cassius say about the names when they are symbolically
weighed?
A. Caesar is heavier
B. Brutus is heavier
C. They are equally heavy
D. Neither has any weight
Ans. C. They are equally heavy
45. What does Cassius claim “Brutus” can do when used in conjuring?
A. Defeat Caesar
B. Start a spirit just as “Caesar” can
C. Stop the Senate
D. Raise an army
Ans. B. Start a spirit just as “Caesar” can
46. What does Cassius sarcastically ask Caesar to be feeding on?
A. Gold
B. Ambition
C. Meat
D. Power
Ans. C. Meat
47. Why does Cassius say, “Age, thou art shamed”?
A. Caesar is too old
B. One man has gained excessive power over Rome
C. Rome has become wealthy
D. Brutus is too young
Ans. B. One man has gained excessive power over Rome
48. What does Cassius believe Rome has lost?
A. Its army
B. Its wealth
C. The breed of noble bloods
D. Its territory
Ans. C. The breed of noble bloods
49. What does Cassius find unusual about Rome’s history?
A. Rome had always been ruled by one man
B. Rome had never previously been dominated by one man alone
C. Rome had no famous leaders
D. Rome had never fought wars
Ans. B. Rome had never previously been dominated by one man alone
50. What does Cassius mean when he says Rome has “room enough” with only one
man?
A. Rome has become physically larger
B. Caesar has so completely dominated Rome that only he seems important
C. Rome has become empty
D. Rome has lost its buildings
Ans. B. Caesar has so completely dominated Rome that only he seems important
51. Which earlier Roman does Cassius mention?
A. Antony
B. Cicero
C. Brutus
D. Casca
Ans. C. Brutus
52. What would the earlier Brutus have refused to tolerate in Rome?
A. A foreign army
B. The Devil himself ruling Rome
C. Caesar’s friendship
D. Public games
Ans. B. The Devil himself ruling Rome
53. What does the earlier Brutus represent in Cassius’s argument?
A. Love of monarchy
B. Resistance to tyranny and defence of Roman freedom
C. Military weakness
D. Personal ambition
Ans. B. Resistance to tyranny and defence of Roman freedom
54. What does Brutus say about Cassius’s love for him?
A. He doubts it
B. He is not jealous or suspicious of it
C. He rejects it
D. He fears it
Ans. B. He is not jealous or suspicious of it
55. What does Brutus understand about Cassius’s purpose?
A. Cassius wants him to leave Rome
B. Cassius wants to influence him toward a particular course of action
C. Cassius wants to become king
D. Cassius wants to fight Antony
Ans. B. Cassius wants to influence him toward a particular course of action
56. What does Brutus say he will do with Cassius’s arguments?
A. Immediately reject them
B. Consider them carefully
C. Tell Caesar about them
D. Forget them
Ans. B. Consider them carefully
57. How does Brutus promise to listen to Cassius?
A. Angrily
B. Secretly
C. With patience
D. Carelessly
Ans. C. With patience
58. What does Brutus mean by “chew upon this”?
A. Eat something
B. Think carefully about what has been said
C. Forget the discussion
D. Speak immediately
Ans. B. Think carefully about what has been said
59. What would Brutus rather be than a Roman living under harsh conditions?
A. A soldier
B. A king
C. A villager
D. A senator
Ans. C. A villager
60. What does Brutus’s statement about being a villager reveal?
A. He dislikes rural life
B. He values freedom and dignity more than status
C. He wants to abandon Rome permanently
D. He wants to become a farmer
Ans. B. He values freedom and dignity more than status
61. What effect do Cassius’s “weak words” have on Brutus?
A. They make Brutus laugh
B. They awaken considerable emotional fire in Brutus
C. They make Brutus angry with Cassius
D. They have no effect
Ans. B. They awaken considerable emotional fire in Brutus
62. Who enters with his followers after Cassius speaks to Brutus?
A. Antony
B. Caesar
C. Cicero
D. Casca
Ans. B. Caesar
63. What does Brutus say after Caesar returns?
A. The Senate is meeting
B. The games are done and Caesar is returning
C. Caesar has left Rome
D. Antony is approaching
Ans. B. The games are done and Caesar is returning
64. Whom does Cassius tell Brutus to stop?
A. Antony
B. Cicero
C. Casca
D. Calphurnia
Ans. C. Casca
65. How does Cassius describe Casca’s manner?
A. Cheerful
B. Sour
C. Gentle
D. Noble
Ans. B. Sour
66. What does Cassius expect Casca to tell Brutus?
A. Caesar’s future plans
B. What important events have occurred that day
C. The result of a battle
D. Brutus’s family history
Ans. B. What important events have occurred that day
67. What does Brutus notice on Caesar’s brow?
A. Fear
B. An angry spot
C. Sweat
D. Blood
Ans. B. An angry spot
68. How do Caesar’s followers appear to Brutus?
A. Like a celebrating crowd
B. Like a chidden train
C. Like soldiers ready for battle
D. Like peaceful citizens
Ans. B. Like a chidden train
69. What does Calphurnia’s pale cheek suggest?
A. Happiness
B. Health
C. Fear or anxiety
D. Pride
Ans. C. Fear or anxiety
70. What kind of eyes does Cicero have?
A. Gentle and calm eyes
B. Ferret and fiery eyes
C. Weak and sleepy eyes
D. Bright and cheerful eyes
Ans. B. Ferret and fiery eyes
71. Where had Brutus previously seen Cicero with such eyes?
A. In Spain
B. On the battlefield
C. In the Capitol
D. At the games
Ans. C. In the Capitol
72. Why had Cicero looked like this in the Capitol?
A. He had won an argument
B. Some senators had opposed him in conference
C. Caesar had praised him
D. He had become ill
Ans. B. Some senators had opposed him in conference
73. Who does Cassius say will explain what has happened?
A. Antony
B. Caesar
C. Casca
D. Brutus
Ans. C. Casca
74. Whom does Caesar call after returning?
A. Brutus
B. Cassius
C. Antonius
D. Casca
Ans. C. Antonius
75. What sort of men does Caesar say he wants around him?
A. Thin and restless men
B. Fat, sleek-headed men who sleep at night
C. Young soldiers
D. Poor citizens
Ans. B. Fat, sleek-headed men who sleep at night
76. What does Caesar say about Cassius’s appearance?
A. He looks cheerful
B. He has a lean and hungry look
C. He looks noble
D. He looks sleepy
Ans. B. He has a lean and hungry look
77. Why does Caesar consider Cassius dangerous?
A. Cassius is physically strong
B. Cassius thinks too much
C. Cassius commands an army
D. Cassius is wealthy
Ans. B. Cassius thinks too much
78. What does Caesar’s suspicion of Cassius reveal about Caesar?
A. Caesar is completely careless
B. Caesar is perceptive and suspicious of potential political opposition
C. Caesar trusts everyone
D. Caesar dislikes all Romans equally
Ans. B. Caesar is perceptive and suspicious of potential political
opposition
79. What does Antony tell Caesar about Cassius?
A. Cassius is extremely dangerous
B. Caesar should imprison Cassius
C. Caesar should not fear Cassius
D. Cassius should leave Rome
Ans. C. Caesar should not fear Cassius
80. How does Antony describe Cassius?
A. As a dangerous enemy
B. As a noble Roman who is well given
C. As a weak soldier
D. As an ambitious king
Ans. B. As a noble Roman who is well given
81. What does “well given” most nearly mean in Antony’s description of
Cassius?
A. Wealthy
B. Good-natured and well-disposed
C. Generous with money
D. Popular among soldiers
Ans. B. Good-natured and well-disposed
Multiple Choice Questions Set 2
1. In the expression “your outward favour”, the word “favour” most
nearly means:
A. Kindness shown to others
B. Physical appearance or looks
C. Political influence
D. Personal wealth
Ans. B. Physical appearance or looks
2. What does the phrase “for my single self” indicate about Cassius?
A. He is speaking only about his personal feelings
B. He is speaking on behalf of Rome
C. He is describing Caesar’s opinion
D. He is addressing the Senate
Ans. A. He is speaking only about his personal feelings
3. The expression “I had as lief not be as live” means that Cassius would:
A. Rather leave Rome than fight Caesar
B. Prefer death to a life of submission
C. Prefer becoming a soldier to becoming a senator
D. Rather become a king than remain a Roman
Ans. B. Prefer death to a life of submission
4. What does “in awe of” mean in the context?
A. In admiration of
B. In fear and submission to
C. In friendship with
D. In competition with
Ans. B. In fear and submission to
5. The comparison “I was born free as Caesar” emphasizes the:
A. Physical resemblance between Cassius and Caesar
B. Equality of their natural freedom
C. Difference between their families
D. Similarity of their military careers
Ans. B. Equality of their natural freedom
6. What does “raw and gusty day” suggest about the weather?
A. Cold and windy
B. Hot and humid
C. Calm and pleasant
D. Warm and rainy
Ans. A. Cold and windy
7. In “The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores”, the Tiber is presented
as if it were:
A. A frightened child
B. An angry human being
C. A powerful soldier
D. A grieving mother
Ans. B. An angry human being
8. Which literary device is used in “The troubled Tiber chafing with her
shores”?
A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Hyperbole
Ans. B. Personification
9. What does “chafing with her shores” suggest?
A. The river was flowing peacefully
B. The river was violently beating against its banks
C. The river had overflowed completely
D. The river had become shallow
Ans. B. The river was violently beating against its banks
10. What does “Darest thou” mean in modern English?
A. Would you kindly?
B. Do you dare?
C. Are you able?
D. Will you refuse?
Ans. B. Do you dare?
11. What does “yonder point” refer to?
A. A distant point in the river
B. The Senate building
C. Caesar’s palace
D. The opposite shore of Rome
Ans. A. A distant point in the river
12. What does “Upon the word” mean?
A. After hearing a long speech
B. Immediately after the challenge was spoken
C. After consulting Brutus
D. After reaching the shore
Ans. B. Immediately after the challenge was spoken
13. What does “accoutred” mean?
A. Dressed or equipped
B. Frightened
C. Exhausted
D. Unprepared
Ans. A. Dressed or equipped
14. In “I plunged in”, the word “plunged” means:
A. Walked slowly
B. Jumped or dived suddenly
C. Fell asleep
D. Turned away
Ans. B. Jumped or dived suddenly
15. What does “buffet” mean as used in “we did buffet it”?
A. To welcome
B. To strike or struggle against
C. To avoid
D. To cross peacefully
Ans. B. To strike or struggle against
16. What does “lusty sinews” refer to?
A. Strong muscles
B. Brave soldiers
C. Powerful weapons
D. Healthy food
Ans. A. Strong muscles
17. What does “stemming it” mean in the context of the river?
A. Increasing its speed
B. Resisting or stopping its flow
C. Following its current
D. Measuring its depth
Ans. B. Resisting or stopping its flow
18. What does “ere” mean in “But ere we could arrive”?
A. After
B. Before
C. While
D. Although
Ans. B. Before
19. What does “the point proposed” refer to?
A. The place where Caesar wanted Cassius to meet him
B. The destination to which they intended to swim
C. The place where the Senate met
D. The battlefield
Ans. B. The destination to which they intended to swim
20. What does the phrase “our great ancestor” refer to in Cassius’s speech?
A. Caesar
B. Brutus
C. Aeneas
D. Anchises
Ans. C. Aeneas
21. What is the literary significance of the reference to Aeneas and
Anchises?
A. It provides comic relief
B. It is an allusion to a famous classical story
C. It introduces a Roman law
D. It describes Caesar’s ancestry
Ans. B. It is an allusion to a famous classical story
22. What does the comparison with Aeneas emphasize about Cassius?
A. His cowardice
B. His role in rescuing Caesar
C. His loyalty to Antony
D. His desire to become king
Ans. B. His role in rescuing Caesar
23. What contrast is central to Cassius’s description of Caesar?
A. Caesar’s wealth and poverty
B. Caesar’s physical weakness and political greatness
C. Caesar’s youth and old age
D. Caesar’s kindness and cruelty
Ans. B. Caesar’s physical weakness and political greatness
24. What does “wretched creature” suggest about Cassius’s present condition?
A. He feels powerful
B. He feels humiliated and inferior to Caesar
C. He feels physically ill
D. He feels amused
Ans. B. He feels humiliated and inferior to Caesar
25. What does “carelessly but nod” suggest about Caesar’s attitude towards
Cassius?
A. Caesar must make a deliberate effort to command him
B. Even a casual gesture from Caesar can make Cassius submit
C. Caesar respects Cassius deeply
D. Caesar fears Cassius
Ans. B. Even a casual gesture from Caesar can make Cassius submit
26. What does “the fit was on him” refer to?
A. Caesar’s anger
B. Caesar’s fever attack
C. Caesar’s ambition
D. Caesar’s military campaign
Ans. B. Caesar’s fever attack
27. What does “lustre” mean in “Did lose his lustre”?
A. Strength
B. Brightness or brilliance
C. Anger
D. Colour of clothing
Ans. B. Brightness or brilliance
28. What does the phrase “whose bend doth awe the world” suggest about
Caesar’s eye?
A. His gaze is regarded as powerful and intimidating
B. His eye is physically damaged
C. His gaze is gentle and friendly
D. His eye is constantly closed
Ans. A. His gaze is regarded as powerful and intimidating
29. Which contrast is created when Caesar’s commanding eye loses its lustre
during fever?
A. Public power versus private weakness
B. Youth versus old age
C. Wealth versus poverty
D. Friendship versus hatred
Ans. A. Public power versus private weakness
30. What does “feeble temper” mean in the extract?
A. Strong character
B. Weak physical constitution
C. Violent temper
D. Generous nature
Ans. B. Weak physical constitution
31. What does “get the start of” mean in Cassius’s speech?
A. Fall behind
B. Gain an advantage over
C. Run away from
D. Follow closely
Ans. B. Gain an advantage over
32. What does “bear the palm” symbolize?
A. Suffering defeat
B. Winning or holding supremacy
C. Becoming a priest
D. Losing political influence
Ans. B. Winning or holding supremacy
33. Which literary device is strongly present in “he doth bestride the
narrow world / Like a Colossus”?
A. Simile
B. Pun
C. Irony only
D. Onomatopoeia
Ans. A. Simile
34. Why is Caesar compared to a “Colossus”?
A. To show his physical height literally
B. To emphasize his enormous political dominance
C. To show his military uniform
D. To describe his age
Ans. B. To emphasize his enormous political dominance
35. What is the effect of the image “we petty men / Walk under his huge
legs”?
A. It makes the Romans appear powerful
B. It emphasizes their insignificance beneath Caesar’s power
C. It describes an actual giant
D. It creates a humorous scene
Ans. B. It emphasizes their insignificance beneath Caesar’s power
36. What does “dishonourable graves” suggest?
A. Noble deaths in battle
B. The possibility of Romans dying without honour or freedom
C. Caesar’s burial place
D. A cemetery outside Rome
Ans. B. The possibility of Romans dying without honour or freedom
37. The statement “Men at some time are masters of their fates” expresses
the idea of:
A. Complete dependence on destiny
B. Human responsibility and free will
C. The superiority of Caesar
D. The power of the gods alone
Ans. B. Human responsibility and free will
38. Which famous line expresses Cassius’s rejection of fatalism?
A. “He thinks too much.”
B. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves.”
C. “Let me have men about me.”
D. “The games are done.”
Ans. B. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves.”
39. What literary device is most clearly present in “The fault… is not in
our stars, / But in ourselves”?
A. Antithesis
B. Onomatopoeia
C. Pun
D. Apostrophe only
Ans. A. Antithesis
40. What does “stars” symbolically represent in Cassius’s statement?
A. Political leaders
B. Fate or destiny
C. Roman soldiers
D. The gods’ temples
Ans. B. Fate or destiny
41. What does “underlings” mean?
A. Independent leaders
B. Inferior or subordinate people
C. Wealthy citizens
D. Military commanders
Ans. B. Inferior or subordinate people
42. What rhetorical technique does Cassius use by repeatedly comparing
“Brutus” and “Caesar”?
A. Repetition and rhetorical questioning
B. Personification only
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Comic irony
Ans. A. Repetition and rhetorical questioning
43. What is the purpose of Cassius’s comparison of the names “Brutus” and
“Caesar”?
A. To teach Brutus pronunciation
B. To convince Brutus that he is equal in worth to Caesar
C. To insult Brutus’s family
D. To praise Caesar’s name
Ans. B. To convince Brutus that he is equal in worth to Caesar
44. What does “conjure with ’em” refer to?
A. Fighting with the names
B. Using the names in magical invocation
C. Writing the names on a document
D. Comparing their meanings
Ans. B. Using the names in magical invocation
45. Which device is apparent in Cassius’s question, “Upon what meat doth
this our Caesar feed / That he is grown so great?”
A. Rhetorical question
B. Simile
C. Euphemism
D. Alliteration
Ans. A. Rhetorical question
46. Why is Cassius’s question about Caesar’s food not meant literally?
A. Caesar is actually fasting
B. Cassius sarcastically questions the source of Caesar’s extraordinary power
C. Caesar is a vegetarian
D. Cassius wants to invite Caesar to dinner
Ans. B. Cassius sarcastically questions the source of Caesar’s extraordinary
power
47. What does “breed of noble bloods” refer to?
A. Roman horses
B. Noble and courageous Roman families or men
C. Caesar’s relatives
D. Soldiers from foreign lands
Ans. B. Noble and courageous Roman families or men
48. What is suggested by the rhetorical question about Rome being
“encompassed but one man”?
A. Rome has become politically dominated by Caesar
B. Rome has become physically smaller
C. Rome has lost its population
D. Rome has become peaceful
Ans. A. Rome has become politically dominated by Caesar
49. What does “brooked” mean in “would have brooked”?
A. Tolerated or endured
B. Defeated
C. Followed
D. Praised
Ans. A. Tolerated or endured
50. What does the phrase “the eternal devil” emphasize about the earlier
Brutus’s resistance?
A. He would resist even the most powerful evil ruler
B. He worshipped the Devil
C. He feared Caesar
D. He wanted the Devil to rule Rome
Ans. A. He would resist even the most powerful evil ruler
51. What does Brutus mean by saying “I am nothing jealous”?
A. He is jealous of Caesar
B. He has no suspicion that Cassius loves him
C. He dislikes Cassius
D. He envies Cassius’s wealth
Ans. B. He has no suspicion that Cassius loves him
52. What does “What you would work me to” suggest?
A. What Cassius wants Brutus to do
B. What Caesar wants Cassius to build
C. What Brutus wants to write
D. What Antony wants to say
Ans. A. What Cassius wants Brutus to do
53. What does Brutus’s promise to “consider” Cassius’s words reveal?
A. He is impulsive
B. He is thoughtful and cautious
C. He is completely indifferent
D. He is already committed to Caesar
Ans. B. He is thoughtful and cautious
54. What does the expression “such high things” refer to?
A. Matters of great importance and seriousness
B. Tall buildings in Rome
C. Caesar’s physical height
D. Religious ceremonies
Ans. A. Matters of great importance and seriousness
55. What does Brutus mean by “repute himself a son of Rome”?
A. Consider himself a true Roman citizen
B. Become Caesar’s son
C. Leave Rome permanently
D. Become a Roman soldier
Ans. A. Consider himself a true Roman citizen
56. What does “under these hard conditions” suggest?
A. Pleasant circumstances
B. Oppressive and difficult political circumstances
C. Difficult weather
D. Military training
Ans. B. Oppressive and difficult political circumstances
57. What does Cassius mean by “weak words”?
A. Words spoken in a low voice
B. Arguments he considers modest but which have influenced Brutus
C. Words that Brutus could not understand
D. Words spoken by Caesar
Ans. B. Arguments he considers modest but which have influenced Brutus
58. What does “show of fire” metaphorically suggest in relation to Brutus?
A. Physical illness
B. The beginning of strong determination or passion
C. Anger towards Cassius
D. Fear of Caesar
Ans. B. The beginning of strong determination or passion
59. What does “pluck Casca by the sleeve” mean?
A. Attack Casca
B. Catch or pull Casca’s sleeve to stop him
C. Remove Casca’s clothing
D. Push Casca away
Ans. B. Catch or pull Casca’s sleeve to stop him
60. What does “after his sour fashion” tell us about Casca?
A. He is cheerful and polite
B. He has a harsh, blunt manner of speaking
C. He is physically ill
D. He is silent and timid
Ans. B. He has a harsh, blunt manner of speaking
61. What does “worthy note” mean in “What hath proceeded worthy note today”?
A. Something unimportant
B. Something important or noteworthy
C. A musical performance
D. A written letter
Ans. B. Something important or noteworthy
62. What does the “angry spot” on Caesar’s brow symbolize?
A. His physical illness
B. His anger and disturbed state of mind
C. His happiness
D. His fear of Brutus
Ans. B. His anger and disturbed state of mind
63. What does “chidden train” mean?
A. A group of people who appear to have been scolded
B. A group of soldiers preparing for battle
C. A group travelling by train
D. A group celebrating Caesar
Ans. A. A group of people who appear to have been scolded
64. What does “ferret and fiery eyes” suggest about Cicero?
A. His eyes appear sharp, restless and intense
B. His eyes are weak and sleepy
C. His eyes are cheerful and friendly
D. His eyes are physically injured
Ans. A. His eyes appear sharp, restless and intense
65. What does the word “crossed” mean in “Being crossed in conference”?
A. Physically attacked
B. Opposed or contradicted
C. Helped
D. Ignored
Ans. B. Opposed or contradicted
66. What does “conference” mean in this context?
A. A journey
B. A discussion or formal meeting
C. A battle
D. A public celebration
Ans. B. A discussion or formal meeting
67. What does Caesar’s preference for “fat” and “sleek-headed” men reveal?
A. He trusts people who appear contented and carefree
B. He dislikes wealthy people
C. He wants only soldiers around him
D. He admires physically weak men
Ans. A. He trusts people who appear contented and carefree
68. What does “sleek-headed” most nearly suggest?
A. Neatly groomed and well-fed
B. Bald because of illness
C. Poorly dressed
D. Frightened and restless
Ans. A. Neatly groomed and well-fed
69. What does Caesar imply by saying that Cassius “thinks too much”?
A. Cassius is unintelligent
B. Cassius is excessively observant and analytical
C. Cassius is physically weak
D. Cassius is sleepy
Ans. B. Cassius is excessively observant and analytical
70. Which theme is most strongly reflected in Caesar’s fear of Cassius?
A. The danger of independent thought under absolute power
B. The importance of physical strength
C. The value of friendship
D. The beauty of nature
Ans. A. The danger of independent thought under absolute power
71. What does Antony’s statement about Cassius reveal about Antony at this
point?
A. He openly considers Cassius an enemy
B. He does not recognize Cassius as an immediate threat
C. He wants Cassius arrested
D. He knows Cassius is plotting against Caesar
Ans. B. He does not recognize Cassius as an immediate threat
72. Which word in Antony’s speech means “noble or honourable”?
A. Dangerous
B. Given
C. Noble
D. Fear
Ans. C. Noble
73. Which literary device is present in “fat, sleek-headed men”?
A. Alliteration
B. Simile
C. Oxymoron
D. Pun
Ans. A. Alliteration
74. Which literary device is strongly evident in “lean and hungry look”?
A. Visual imagery
B. Personification
C. Paradox
D. Apostrophe
Ans. A. Visual imagery
75. Which literary device is used when Cassius addresses “Age” directly in
“Age, thou art shamed”?
A. Apostrophe
B. Simile
C. Metonymy
D. Onomatopoeia
Ans. A. Apostrophe
76. Which literary device is used in “Rome, thou hast lost the breed of
noble bloods”?
A. Apostrophe and personification
B. Simile and pun
C. Onomatopoeia and irony
D. Oxymoron and hyperbole
Ans. A. Apostrophe and personification
77. Which device is most prominent in “Now is it Rome indeed, and room
enough”?
A. Pun
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Onomatopoeia
Ans. A. Pun
78. What is the effect of the pun on “Rome” and “room”?
A. It humorously suggests that Rome has become large enough for only Caesar
B. It praises Rome’s architecture
C. It describes Caesar’s palace
D. It explains Roman geography
Ans. A. It humorously suggests that Rome has become large enough for only
Caesar
79. Which literary device is used in “we petty men / Walk under his huge
legs”?
A. Metaphorical imagery
B. Euphemism
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Pun only
Ans. A. Metaphorical imagery
80. Which central conflict is most evident in the extract?
A. Love versus friendship
B. Individual liberty versus concentrated political power
C. Wealth versus poverty
D. Youth versus old age
Ans. B. Individual liberty versus concentrated political power
Who Said? / Who Said To Whom?
1. Who said, “I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus”?
Ans. Cassius said these words.
2. Who said to whom, “I had as lief not be as live to be / In awe of such a
thing as I myself”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus, expressing his hatred of living
in submission to another human being.
3. Who said, “I was born free as Caesar; so were you”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus.
4. Who said to whom, “Darest thou, Cassius, now / Leap in with me into this
angry flood”?
Ans. Caesar said these words to Cassius when he challenged him to swim
across the turbulent Tiber.
5. Who said, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”?
Ans. Caesar said these words to Cassius when he became unable to
continue swimming in the Tiber.
6. Who said, “I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor”?
Ans. Cassius said these words while comparing himself with the legendary
Aeneas.
7. Who said, “And this man / Is now become a god”?
Ans. Cassius said these words sarcastically about Caesar’s
transformation from a weak human being into a politically powerful ruler.
8. Who said, “His coward lips did from their colour fly”?
Ans. Cassius said these words while recalling Caesar’s physical weakness
during his fever in Spain.
9.
Who said, “Alas… Give me some drink, Titinius”? Who is recalling these words?
Ans. Caesar said these words when
he was suffering from a fever in Spain. Cassius recalls them while describing
Caesar’s helpless condition to Brutus. He uses the incident to contrast
Caesar’s physical weakness with his present political greatness.
10. Who said, “A man of such a feeble temper should / So get the start of
the majestic world”?
Ans. Cassius said these words, expressing his amazement that a
physically weak Caesar had gained such enormous power.
11. Who said, “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world / Like a
Colossus”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus, comparing Caesar’s enormous
power to that of a gigantic Colossus.
12. Who said to whom, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in
ourselves”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus, arguing that Romans themselves
were responsible for their subordinate condition.
13. Who said, “Why should that name be sounded more than yours?”
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus while comparing the names
“Caesar” and “Brutus”.
14. Who said, “Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus to emphasize the equal power and
dignity of their names.
15. Who said, “Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed / That he is grown
so great?”
Ans. Cassius said these words, sarcastically questioning how Caesar had
become so extraordinarily powerful.
16. Who said, “Age, thou art shamed!”?
Ans. Cassius said these words while lamenting the decline of Rome’s
former greatness and noble traditions.
17. Who said, “Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!”?
Ans. Cassius said these words, criticizing Rome for losing its tradition
of noble and independent citizens.
18. Who said, “Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough / When there is in it
but one only man”?
Ans. Cassius said these words, using a pun on “Rome” and “room” to
criticize Caesar’s domination of Rome.
19. Who said, “There was a Brutus once that would have brooked / Th’ eternal
devil to keep his state in Rome”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus, referring to Brutus’s ancestor
and his opposition to tyranny.
20. Who said, “That you do love me, I am nothing jealous”?
Ans. Brutus said these words to Cassius.
21. Who said, “What you would work me to, I have some aim”?
Ans. Brutus said these words to Cassius, showing that he understood what
Cassius was trying to persuade him to do.
22. Who said, “What you have said I will consider”?
Ans. Brutus said these words to Cassius, promising to think carefully
about Cassius’s arguments.
23. Who said, “What you have to say / I will with patience hear”?
Ans. Brutus said these words to Cassius, showing his willingness to
listen to his further arguments.
24. Who said, “Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this”?
Ans. Brutus said these words to Cassius, asking him to think carefully
about Brutus’s own views.
25. Who said, “Brutus had rather be a villager / Than to repute himself a
son of Rome”?
Ans. Brutus said these words, expressing his preference for freedom over
living as a Roman under oppressive political conditions.
26. Who said, “I am glad that my weak words / Have struck but thus much show
of fire from Brutus”?
Ans. Cassius said these words after noticing that his arguments had
awakened some passion or determination in Brutus.
27. Who said, “The games are done, and Caesar is returning”?
Ans. Brutus said these words to Cassius.
28. Who said to whom, “As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve”?
Ans. Cassius said these words to Brutus, asking him to stop Casca and
learn what had happened during the games.
29. Who said, “Let me have men about me that are fat, / Sleek-headed men,
and such as sleep a-nights”?
Ans. Caesar said these words to Antony, expressing his preference for
contented-looking men rather than thoughtful men like Cassius.
30. Who said to whom, “Fear him not, Caesar; he’s not dangerous. / He is a
noble Roman, and well given”?
Ans. Antony said these words to Caesar about Cassius, assuring Caesar
that Cassius was not dangerous and was an honourable Roman.
Four-Mark Questions
1. Why does Cassius consider himself equal to Caesar in the extract?
Ans. Cassius argues that he and Caesar were both born free and were
equally capable of enduring physical hardships. He recalls how he rescued
Caesar from the dangerous Tiber. Therefore, he cannot understand why Caesar,
once physically weak, should now possess extraordinary power over Rome and make
others submit to him.
2. How does Cassius use the incident in the Tiber to expose Caesar’s
physical weakness?
Ans. Cassius recalls that Caesar once challenged him to swim across the
turbulent Tiber. During the attempt, however, Caesar became frightened and
cried for help because he was sinking. Cassius rescued him from the river. This
memory allows Cassius to contrast Caesar’s former helplessness with his present
political dominance.
3. Explain the significance of Cassius’s comparison of himself with Aeneas.
Ans. Cassius compares himself with Aeneas, who carried his aged father
Anchises from the flames of Troy. Similarly, Cassius carried the exhausted
Caesar from the waves of the Tiber. The comparison emphasizes Cassius’s
strength and Caesar’s weakness and makes Caesar’s present superiority appear
ironic and undeserved.
4. How does Cassius contrast Caesar’s physical weakness with his political
greatness?
Ans. Cassius remembers Caesar suffering from fever in Spain, trembling,
losing the colour of his lips, losing the lustre of his eyes and begging for
drink like a sick girl. Yet this physically weak man has become politically
supreme. Cassius is amazed that such a feeble person should dominate the Roman
world.
5. What does Cassius mean by saying that Caesar “bear[s] the palm alone”?
Ans. “Bear the palm” means to possess victory, honour or supremacy.
Cassius is astonished that Caesar, despite his physical weakness, has gained
complete dominance over Rome. The expression emphasizes Caesar’s exceptional
political position and Cassius’s resentment that one man has become more
powerful than all other Romans.
6. How does Cassius try to awaken Brutus’s sense of equality with Caesar?
Ans. Cassius repeatedly compares the names “Brutus” and “Caesar”. He
argues that both names are equally fair, equally suitable when spoken and
equally powerful when invoked. By doing this, he appeals to Brutus’s pride and
suggests that there is no natural reason why Caesar should possess greater
authority.
7. Explain the meaning and significance of “The fault, dear Brutus, is not
in our stars, / But in ourselves.”
Ans. Cassius rejects the idea that destiny has made Caesar powerful and
the other Romans inferior. He argues that people are partly responsible for
their own condition and can control their fate. He therefore urges Brutus not
to accept political submission passively but to recognize his own power.
8. How does Cassius use the image of the Colossus to describe Caesar?
Ans. Cassius compares Caesar to a Colossus, a gigantic statue, standing
astride the narrow world. Ordinary Romans appear like insignificant “petty men”
walking beneath his huge legs. The image emphasizes Caesar’s enormous political
power and the humiliating condition of those who allow themselves to remain
subordinate to him.
9. What does Cassius mean when he says that Rome has lost “the breed of
noble bloods”?
Ans. Cassius believes that Rome has lost the spirit of its former noble
and independent citizens. In earlier times, Romans resisted domination by a
single ruler. Now Caesar has become so powerful that other Romans appear
insignificant. Cassius uses this idea to awaken Brutus’s concern for Rome’s
traditional freedom.
10. Explain the significance of Cassius’s reference to the earlier Brutus.
Ans. Cassius recalls an earlier Brutus who would never have tolerated
even the Devil ruling Rome as easily as a king. This historical reference
reminds Brutus of his family’s tradition of opposing tyranny. Cassius subtly
encourages him to follow his ancestor’s example and resist Caesar’s growing
political domination.
11. Why does Brutus not immediately accept Cassius’s arguments?
Ans. Brutus is thoughtful and cautious. He acknowledges Cassius’s
affection and understands what Cassius is trying to persuade him to do, but he
refuses to act immediately. He promises to consider the arguments patiently and
discuss them later. His response shows that he is serious but not impulsive.
12. What does Brutus mean by saying he would rather be a villager than a son
of Rome under such conditions?
Ans. Brutus means that Roman citizenship has little value if Rome’s
political conditions destroy personal freedom and dignity. He would prefer an
ordinary village life to living as a Roman under oppressive circumstances. The
statement reveals his strong attachment to liberty and his growing concern
about Rome’s political situation.
13. What is the significance of the expression “chew upon this” in Brutus’s
speech?
Ans. “Chew upon this” is a metaphor meaning to think carefully about
something. Brutus asks Cassius to give him time to reflect on his arguments.
The expression shows Brutus’s thoughtful nature and indicates that Cassius has
succeeded in making him seriously consider the political situation and Caesar’s
growing power.
14. What does Cassius mean by saying that his “weak words” have struck “show
of fire” from Brutus?
Ans. Cassius modestly calls his arguments “weak words”, but he observes
that they have produced a visible emotional response in Brutus. The “fire” is a
metaphor for passion, determination or political concern. Cassius is pleased
because he realizes that Brutus is beginning to think seriously about resisting
Caesar.
15. What does Brutus observe when Caesar and his followers return?
Ans. Brutus notices that Caesar’s brow shows anger and that his
followers look as though they have been scolded. Calphurnia’s cheek is pale,
while Cicero has sharp and fiery eyes. These unusual appearances suggest that
something disturbing or important has happened during the games.
16. Why does Cassius ask Brutus to speak to Casca?
Ans. Cassius knows that Casca can provide information about what
happened during the games. He describes Casca as having a “sour fashion”,
meaning a blunt or harsh manner. Cassius therefore asks Brutus to catch Casca
by the sleeve as they pass and question him about the important events.
17. What is suggested by Calphurnia’s pale cheek and Cicero’s fiery eyes?
Ans. These unusual physical descriptions create an atmosphere of tension
and anxiety. Calphurnia’s pale cheek suggests fear, shock or distress, while
Cicero’s fiery, ferret-like eyes suggest anger and agitation. Brutus notices
these signs because they indicate that Caesar’s return is associated with some
serious or disturbing event.
18. Why does Caesar distrust Cassius?
Ans. Caesar notices that Cassius has a lean and hungry appearance and
says that he thinks too much. Caesar considers thoughtful and observant men
dangerous because they may question his authority or recognize his weaknesses.
His suspicion shows that he is aware of possible opposition even when others do
not see it.
19. What does Caesar’s description of the kind of men he wants around him
reveal about his character?
Ans. Caesar says he prefers fat, sleek-headed men who sleep peacefully
at night. This suggests that he feels safer around contented, uncomplicated
people rather than deeply thoughtful or questioning individuals. His preference
also reveals his suspicion of independent minds and his desire to remain
surrounded by people unlikely to challenge him.
20. Why does Caesar describe Cassius as having a “lean and hungry look”?
Ans. Caesar uses Cassius’s physical appearance as an indication of his
character. The “lean and hungry look” suggests restlessness, ambition,
alertness and constant thought. Caesar believes such a person may be dangerous
because Cassius is observant and dissatisfied. His description therefore
reveals Caesar’s instinctive suspicion of Cassius.
21. How does Antony respond to Caesar’s suspicion of Cassius?
Ans. Antony calmly tells Caesar not to fear Cassius because he is not
dangerous. He describes Cassius as “a noble Roman” and “well given”, meaning
that he considers Cassius honourable and well-disposed. Antony therefore fails
to recognize the political danger that Cassius may actually represent to
Caesar.
22. How does the extract present the theme of physical weakness versus
political power?
Ans. Cassius repeatedly recalls Caesar’s physical weakness, especially
his inability to survive the Tiber unaided and his illness in Spain. Yet Caesar
has become enormously powerful in Rome. This contrast suggests that political
authority does not necessarily depend upon physical strength and makes Caesar’s
present dominance appear ironic.
23. How does Cassius appeal to Brutus’s pride in this extract?
Ans. Cassius repeatedly emphasizes Brutus’s equality with Caesar. He
compares their names, birth and abilities and suggests that Brutus possesses
qualities equal to Caesar’s. He also reminds Brutus of his ancestor’s
opposition to tyranny. These arguments appeal to Brutus’s honour, pride,
patriotism and sense of Roman independence.
24. Explain the importance of the rhetorical questions used by Cassius.
Ans. Cassius uses rhetorical questions to make Brutus question Caesar’s
extraordinary authority. Questions such as why Caesar’s name should be valued
more than Brutus’s and why one man should dominate Rome force Brutus to think
rather than simply accept the existing situation. They make Cassius’s
persuasion more powerful.
25. How does Cassius use irony in his description of Caesar?
Ans. Cassius ironically calls Caesar a “god” while describing how he
once trembled with fever and begged for drink like a sick girl. The contrast
between Caesar’s supposed godlike status and his physical weakness exposes the
absurdity, in Cassius’s view, of treating Caesar as superior to ordinary
Romans.
26. What does the “Colossus” image reveal about Cassius’s attitude towards
Caesar?
Ans. The Colossus image reveals Cassius’s resentment of Caesar’s
enormous authority. By imagining Caesar standing over the entire world while
ordinary Romans walk beneath him, Cassius presents Caesar as excessively
powerful and other Romans as humiliatingly insignificant. The image strengthens
Cassius’s argument that such domination must not be accepted.
27. How does Shakespeare create a contrast between Caesar’s public image and
private reality?
Ans. Publicly, Caesar is treated almost like a god and receives honours
and applause. Privately, Cassius remembers him as a physically weak man who
trembled with fever and needed rescue from the Tiber. This contrast exposes the
difference between Caesar’s political image and his human limitations.
28. What does the extract reveal about Cassius as a character?
Ans. Cassius appears intelligent, persuasive, observant and politically
ambitious. He carefully studies Caesar’s weaknesses and Brutus’s values and
uses both to influence Brutus. He is also resentful of Caesar’s supremacy and
strongly concerned about Roman freedom. His arguments reveal both his political
skill and his personal jealousy.
29. What does the extract reveal about Brutus’s character?
Ans. Brutus appears thoughtful, honourable, patriotic and cautious. He
does not immediately accept Cassius’s arguments but promises to consider them
patiently. His statement that he would rather be a villager than live under
oppressive conditions reveals his deep attachment to Roman liberty and dignity.
30. Why is the final exchange between Caesar and Antony important?
Ans. The final exchange establishes Caesar’s suspicion of Cassius and
Antony’s failure to recognize the danger. Caesar correctly senses that
Cassius’s thoughtful nature may make him dangerous, while Antony dismisses the
concern and calls him noble. This dramatic irony becomes important because the
audience knows Cassius is secretly opposing Caesar.
Four-Mark Questions
1. How does Cassius attempt to convince Brutus that Caesar is not
naturally superior to him?
Ans. Cassius reminds Brutus that both he and Caesar were born free and
could endure physical hardships equally. He recalls rescuing Caesar from the
Tiber when Caesar was helpless. He also compares their names and suggests that
“Brutus” is as worthy as “Caesar”. Thus, Cassius appeals to Brutus’s equality,
pride and sense of honour.
2. Describe the Tiber incident narrated by Cassius. What does it reveal
about Caesar?
Ans. On a cold, windy day, Caesar challenged Cassius to swim across the
turbulent Tiber. Cassius immediately plunged into the river and asked Caesar to
follow. When the current became difficult, Caesar cried for help. Cassius
rescued him. The incident reveals Caesar’s physical weakness and Cassius’s
strength and courage.
3. How does Cassius use Caesar’s illness in Spain to weaken Caesar’s image?
Ans. Cassius recalls that Caesar suffered from a fever in Spain and
trembled violently during the attack. His lips lost their colour, his eyes lost
their lustre and he groaned helplessly. He even begged for drink like a sick
girl. Cassius contrasts this weakness with Caesar’s present godlike status and
political supremacy.
4. Explain the significance of the comparison between Cassius and Aeneas.
Ans. Cassius compares himself to Aeneas, the legendary Roman ancestor
who carried his father Anchises from the burning city of Troy. Similarly,
Cassius carried the exhausted Caesar from the dangerous waters of the Tiber.
The comparison glorifies Cassius’s courage and strength while emphasizing
Caesar’s former helplessness, making Caesar’s present supremacy seem ironic.
5. How does Cassius use the “Colossus” image to criticize Caesar’s power?
Ans. Cassius compares Caesar to a gigantic Colossus standing over the
world, while ordinary Romans appear as “petty men” walking beneath him. The
image exaggerates Caesar’s political dominance and emphasizes the humiliation
of other Romans. Cassius wants Brutus to realize that Romans have allowed one
man to become unnecessarily powerful.
6. Explain the meaning and importance of “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in
our stars, / But in ourselves.”
Ans. Cassius rejects the belief that fate alone determines human
circumstances. He argues that Romans themselves are responsible for becoming
Caesar’s “underlings”. The statement expresses the theme of free will and
personal responsibility. Cassius uses it to encourage Brutus to take action
rather than passively accept Caesar’s growing authority.
7. How does Cassius use the names “Brutus” and “Caesar” to influence Brutus?
Ans. Cassius argues that there is nothing inherently superior about the
name “Caesar”. He says that “Brutus” is equally fair when written, equally
suitable when spoken and equally powerful when invoked. By repeatedly comparing
the two names, he appeals to Brutus’s pride and persuades him that he is
Caesar’s equal.
8. How does Cassius appeal to Brutus’s patriotism through the history of
Rome?
Ans. Cassius laments that Rome has lost its tradition of noble and
independent citizens because one man now dominates the entire state. He recalls
an earlier Brutus who would never have tolerated even the Devil ruling Rome
like a king. This historical reference appeals to Brutus’s family honour and
Roman patriotism.
9. What is Brutus’s response to Cassius’s persuasion? What does it reveal
about him?
Ans. Brutus does not reject Cassius’s arguments, but neither does he
immediately agree with them. He promises to consider what Cassius has said and
listen patiently to anything further. He says he would rather be a villager
than live under oppressive conditions. His response reveals his thoughtful,
cautious and freedom-loving nature.
10. Explain the significance of Brutus’s statement, “Brutus had rather be a
villager / Than to repute himself a son of Rome.”
Ans. Brutus declares that he would prefer an ordinary village life to
being a Roman citizen under oppressive political conditions. He values personal
freedom and dignity more than the honour of Roman citizenship. The statement is
important because it shows that Cassius has successfully awakened Brutus’s
concern about Rome’s loss of liberty.
11. What do Brutus and Cassius observe when Caesar returns with his
followers?
Ans. Brutus observes several unusual signs among Caesar and his
followers. Caesar has an angry spot glowing on his brow, while his followers
look as though they have been scolded. Calphurnia’s cheek is pale, and Cicero
has sharp, fiery eyes. These details create an atmosphere of tension, anxiety
and political disturbance.
12. How does Shakespeare use physical appearance to reveal the characters’
emotions in this extract?
Ans. Shakespeare uses outward appearance to suggest inner feelings.
Caesar’s angry brow reveals his irritation, Calphurnia’s pale cheek suggests
fear or anxiety, and Cicero’s ferret-like fiery eyes suggest anger and
agitation. Cassius’s “lean and hungry look” suggests thoughtfulness and
ambition. Thus, physical descriptions reveal psychological and political
tension.
13. Why does Caesar consider Cassius dangerous, and what is ironic about
Antony’s response?
Ans. Caesar considers Cassius dangerous because he has a lean, hungry
appearance and thinks too much. Caesar understands that a thoughtful and
observant man may question his authority. Antony, however, dismisses Caesar’s
fear and calls Cassius a noble and well-disposed Roman. The irony is that
Cassius is secretly hostile to Caesar.
14. Discuss the contrast between Caesar’s public greatness and his private
weaknesses in the extract.
Ans. Caesar is publicly treated as almost godlike and receives new
honours and applause. However, Cassius remembers him as a weak swimmer who once
needed rescue and as a sick man who trembled with fever and begged for drink.
This contrast exposes the difference between Caesar’s human weakness and his
extraordinary political power.
15. How does this extract prepare the audience for the political conflict
that follows?
Ans. The extract establishes the growing tension between Caesar’s
increasing power and the Roman desire for freedom. Cassius actively influences
Brutus against Caesar, while Caesar already suspects Cassius. Brutus begins to
consider resistance, whereas Antony underestimates the danger. These
developments prepare the audience for the conspiracy and the coming conflict
surrounding Caesar.
Reference To Context
Extract 1
cassius: I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
As well as I do know your outward favour.
Well, honour is the subject of my story.
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.
I was born free as Caesar; so were you;
We both have fed as well, and we can both
Endure the winter’s cold as well as he.
1. What does Cassius mean by saying that he
knows the “virtue” in Brutus? Why does he mention Brutus’s “outward favour”? [3
marks]
Ans. Cassius means that he recognizes Brutus’s moral goodness, courage
and noble qualities. He also knows Brutus’s outward appearance and reputation.
By praising both his inner virtue and external qualities, Cassius establishes
trust and appeals to Brutus’s honour before presenting his argument against
Caesar’s growing power.
2. Why does Cassius say, “I had as lief not be as live to be / In awe of
such a thing as I myself”? [3 marks]
Ans. Cassius means that he would rather not live than live in fear or
submission to another human being. He strongly values personal freedom and
dignity. The statement reveals his hatred of servitude and prepares the
argument that Caesar, being merely human, should not be treated as superior to
other Romans.
3. How does Cassius establish equality between himself, Brutus and Caesar in
this extract? [3 marks]
Ans. Cassius says that he and Brutus were born as free as Caesar. He
further points out that they can eat equally well and endure the winter’s cold
equally. By emphasizing these common human abilities, Cassius argues that
Caesar possesses no natural superiority that justifies his extraordinary
authority.
4. What is the central idea of this extract, and how does Cassius use it to
influence Brutus? [3 marks]
Ans. The central idea is equality and opposition to submission. Cassius
argues that Brutus and Caesar are equally free and capable as human beings. He
praises Brutus’s virtue and appeals to his sense of honour. Through these
arguments, Cassius subtly encourages Brutus to question Caesar’s superiority
and growing power.
5. How does Cassius’s speech in this extract
reveal his attitude towards Caesar and his own sense of freedom? [4 marks]
Ans. Cassius strongly resents Caesar’s growing superiority and refuses
to accept the idea that one man should dominate others. He considers himself
and Brutus naturally equal to Caesar because all were born free and share the
same human abilities. His statement that he would rather die than live in awe
of another person reveals his deep love of freedom, dignity and independence.
Extract 2
For once, upon a raw and gusty day,
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores,
Caesar said to me “Darest thou, Cassius, now
Leap in with me into this angry flood
And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word,
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in
And bade him follow; so indeed he did.
The torrent roared, and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy.
But ere we could arrive the point proposed,
Caesar cried “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!”
1. What kind of day was it when Caesar challenged Cassius to
swim across the Tiber? How is the river described? (3 Marks)
Ans. It was a raw and gusty day, meaning the weather was cold and windy.
The Tiber was turbulent and violent, with its waters angrily striking against
the shores. Cassius describes the river as an “angry flood” and says that the
roaring torrent made their swimming difficult and dangerous.
2. What challenge did Caesar give Cassius? How did Cassius respond to it? (3
Marks)
Ans. Caesar challenged Cassius to jump into the turbulent Tiber and swim
with him to a distant point. Cassius immediately accepted the challenge. Though
fully dressed, he plunged into the river and asked Caesar to follow him. Caesar
followed, and both struggled against the powerful current.
3. What does the phrase “we did buffet it / With lusty sinews” mean? What
does it reveal about Cassius? (3 Marks)
Ans. The phrase means that Cassius and Caesar fought against the strong
current using their powerful muscles. It shows that Cassius was physically
strong, courageous and determined. He did not hesitate to face the dangerous
river and continued swimming despite the violent current and difficult
conditions.
4. What happened before Caesar and Cassius could reach the intended point?
What does this incident reveal about Caesar? (3 Marks)
Ans. Before they reached their destination, Caesar became unable to
continue swimming and cried to Cassius for help, fearing that he would sink.
The incident reveals Caesar’s physical weakness and dependence on Cassius. It
also provides Cassius with evidence that Caesar was not naturally superior or
invincible.
5. How does Cassius use the Tiber incident to challenge Caesar’s
superiority? (4 Marks)
Ans. Cassius uses the incident to show that Caesar was once physically
weaker than himself. Although Caesar confidently challenged him, he soon became
exhausted and begged Cassius to save him. Cassius, however, continued
struggling against the river and ultimately rescued Caesar. By recalling this
event, Cassius contrasts Caesar’s human weakness with his present political
greatness and questions why Caesar should now be treated as superior.
Extract 3
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake. ’Tis true, this god did shake.
His coward lips did from their colour fly,
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan.
Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
Mark him and write his speeches in their books,
“Alas,” it cried “Give me some drink, Titinius”
As a sick girl. You gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone.
1. Why
does Cassius compare himself to Aeneas in this extract? What does the
comparison suggest? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius compares himself to Aeneas, who carried his aged father
Anchises from the burning city of Troy. Similarly, Cassius carried the
exhausted Caesar from the dangerous waters of the Tiber. The comparison
highlights Cassius’s strength and courage while emphasizing Caesar’s
helplessness and physical weakness at that time.
2. What does Cassius mean when he says that Caesar has “now become a god”
while he is a “wretched creature”? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius is being sarcastic. He contrasts Caesar’s present position
of enormous political power with his own subordinate condition. Although
Cassius once rescued Caesar from drowning, Caesar is now treated almost like a
god, while Cassius must bow to him. This contrast shows Cassius’s resentment of
Caesar’s supremacy.
3. How does Cassius describe Caesar’s illness in Spain? What does this
description achieve? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius recalls that Caesar suffered from a severe fever in Spain.
During the attack, Caesar trembled, his lips lost their colour, his eyes lost
their brightness and he groaned helplessly. Cassius emphasizes these weaknesses
to challenge Caesar’s godlike image and show that Caesar is merely a vulnerable
human being.
4. Explain the irony in Cassius’s statement that “this god did shake.” (3
Marks)
Ans. Cassius ironically calls Caesar a “god” while immediately reminding
Brutus that Caesar trembled during his illness. Gods are traditionally imagined
as powerful and invulnerable, whereas Caesar was physically helpless. The
contrast exposes the difference between Caesar’s exalted public image and his
actual human weakness, strengthening Cassius’s criticism of his authority.
5. How does Cassius use Caesar’s physical weakness to question his political
supremacy? (4 Marks)
Ans. Cassius recalls several examples of Caesar’s physical weakness: he
needed rescue from the Tiber, trembled during fever, lost the colour of his
lips, lost the lustre of his eyes and begged for drink like a sick girl.
Cassius is therefore amazed that such a physically weak man has become
politically supreme. His description exposes the irony of Caesar’s greatness
and strengthens his argument that Caesar does not deserve absolute authority.
Extract 4
cassius : Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
“Brutus” and “Caesar”—what should be in that
“Caesar”?
Why should that name be sounded more than
yours?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name;
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;
Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with ’em,
“Brutus” will start a spirit as soon as “Caesar.”
1. What does Cassius mean by comparing Caesar to a
“Colossus”? How does this image describe the position of other Romans? (3
Marks)
Ans. Cassius compares Caesar to a gigantic Colossus standing over the
world. The image suggests Caesar’s enormous political power and dominance. The
other Romans are described as “petty men” walking beneath his huge legs, which
shows their humiliation, helplessness and subordinate position under Caesar’s
authority.
2. Explain the meaning of “Men at some time are masters of their fates.” How
does it support Cassius’s argument? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius means that people can sometimes control their own destiny
through their choices and actions. He rejects the idea that Caesar’s supremacy
is simply determined by fate. By telling Brutus that their condition is their
own responsibility, Cassius encourages him to take action against Caesar’s
growing power.
3. What does Cassius mean by “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, /
But in ourselves”? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius argues that their subordination is not caused by destiny or
the stars but by their own unwillingness to resist Caesar. The statement
expresses the idea of human responsibility and free will. Cassius wants Brutus
to realize that Romans themselves have allowed Caesar to become overwhelmingly
powerful.
4. How does Cassius compare the names “Brutus” and “Caesar”? Why does he
make this comparison? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius argues that the name “Brutus” is equal to “Caesar” in
appearance, pronunciation and power. He suggests that neither name is naturally
superior. By repeatedly comparing them, Cassius appeals to Brutus’s pride and
persuades him that there is no inherent reason for Caesar to possess greater
authority.
5. How does Cassius use imagery, rhetorical questions and comparison to
persuade Brutus in this extract? (4 Marks)
Ans. Cassius uses the powerful image of Caesar as a “Colossus” to show
his enormous dominance and the Romans’ humiliating submission. His rhetorical
statement about fate challenges the belief in destiny. He then repeatedly
compares “Brutus” and “Caesar” to establish their equality. These techniques
appeal to Brutus’s pride, reason and sense of freedom, making him question
Caesar’s superiority.
Extract 5
Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
When went there by an age, since the great flood,
But it was famed with more than with one man?
When could they say, till now, that talked of Rome,
That her wide walks encompassed but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough
When there is in it but one only man.
O, you and I have heard our fathers say
There was a Brutus once that would have brooked
Th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king.
1. What does Cassius mean by asking, “Upon what meat doth
this our Caesar feed / That he is grown so great”? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius does not literally ask what Caesar eats. He uses a
rhetorical question to express his astonishment and sarcasm at Caesar’s
extraordinary rise in power. Since Caesar is only a human being like other
Romans, Cassius wonders what has made him so powerful and dominant.
2. Why does Cassius say, “Age, thou art shamed! / Rome, thou hast lost the
breed of noble bloods”? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius believes Rome has lost the courage and independence of its
earlier generations. In the past, many noble Romans resisted domination by
individuals. Now Caesar has become overwhelmingly powerful. Cassius therefore
says that Rome’s glorious past has been disgraced because its citizens have
allowed one man to dominate them.
3. What does Cassius mean by saying that Rome is “room enough” when there is
only one man in it? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius uses a pun on “Rome” and “room”. He sarcastically suggests
that although Rome is geographically vast, it has effectively become the
political possession of one man, Caesar. The statement emphasizes Caesar’s
overwhelming authority and the disappearance of political equality and
independence among other Romans.
4. What does Cassius recall about the earlier Brutus? Why is this reference
important? (3 Marks)
Ans. Cassius recalls that an earlier Brutus would never have tolerated
even the Devil ruling Rome like a king. This reference is important because it
reminds Brutus of his family’s tradition of resisting tyranny. Cassius
indirectly urges him to preserve that tradition by opposing Caesar’s growing
dominance over Rome.
5. How does Cassius present Caesar’s rise as a threat to Rome’s traditional
freedom? (4 Marks)
Ans. Cassius presents Caesar’s rise as an unprecedented concentration of
power in one individual. He argues that Rome was once famous for producing many
noble and independent men, but now Caesar alone dominates the entire state.
Through rhetorical questions, apostrophe and the pun on “Rome” and “room”,
Cassius emphasizes Rome’s political humiliation. His reference to Brutus’s
ancestor further appeals to the Roman tradition of resisting tyranny.
Extract 6
brutus: That you do love me, I am nothing jealous.
What you would work me to, I have some aim.
How I have thought of this, and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter. For this present,
I would not, so with love I might entreat you,
Be any further moved. What you have said
I will consider; what you have to say
I will with patience hear, and find a time
Both meet to hear and answer such high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this:
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.
1. What does Brutus mean by
saying, “What you would work me to, I have some aim”? (3 Marks)
Ans. Brutus means that he
understands what Cassius is trying to persuade him to do. He realizes that
Cassius is attempting to influence his thoughts about Caesar and the political
situation in Rome. However, Brutus does not immediately reveal his decision, showing
that he is cautious and thoughtful.
2. Why does Brutus refuse to be “any
further moved” at present? (3 Marks)
Ans. Brutus does not want to make
a hasty decision under Cassius’s influence. He respectfully asks Cassius to
allow him time to consider the arguments already presented. His response shows
his thoughtful and cautious nature. He wants to examine the serious political
matter carefully before deciding what action to take.
3. What does Brutus promise regarding
Cassius’s further arguments? (3 Marks)
Ans. Brutus promises that he will
patiently listen to whatever Cassius has further to say. He will also find a
suitable time to hear and respond to such important matters. This shows that
although he is not ready to act immediately, he is seriously considering
Cassius’s political arguments.
4. What does Brutus mean by “chew upon
this”? What does it reveal about his character? (3 Marks)
Ans. “Chew upon this” means to
think carefully and deeply about something before reaching a conclusion. Brutus
asks Cassius to reflect on his statement about preferring village life to
oppressive Roman citizenship. The expression reveals Brutus as thoughtful,
deliberate and unwilling to make important decisions hastily.
5. Explain the significance of Brutus’s
statement that he would rather be a villager than a son of Rome under such
conditions. (4 Marks)
Ans. Brutus’s statement reveals
his deep commitment to personal freedom and dignity. He declares that being a
Roman citizen has little value if Rome becomes a place of oppression and
political domination. His preference for village life shows that he values liberty
more than status. It also suggests that Cassius has successfully awakened his
concern about Caesar’s growing power and Rome’s loss of freedom.
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