Continuation of the previous part......
3. Brutus: “Ay, Casca. Tell us what hath
chanced today…”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus asks Casca to tell them what happened that day which made Caesar look so
sad.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस कैस्का से पूछता है कि आज ऐसी क्या घटना हुई जिसके कारण सीज़र इतना उदास दिखाई दे रहा था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus କାସ୍କାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଆଜି ଏପରି କ’ଣ ଘଟିଲା ଯାହା ଫଳରେ Caesar ଏତେ ଦୁଃଖୀ ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିଲେ।
4. Casca: “Why, you were with him, were you
not?”
English Paraphrase:
Casca asks Brutus why he is asking him, since Brutus himself had been with
Caesar.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का कहता है कि ब्रूटस उससे क्यों पूछ रहा है, जबकि ब्रूटस स्वयं सीज़र के साथ था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Brutus ତାଙ୍କୁ କାହିଁକି ପଚାରୁଛନ୍ତି, ଯେତେବେଳେ Brutus ନିଜେ Caesarଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଥିଲେ।
5. Brutus: “I should not then ask Casca what
had chanced.”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus replies that if he already knew what had happened, he would not need to
ask Casca about it.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस कहता है कि यदि उसे पहले से पता होता कि क्या हुआ है, तो वह कैस्का से पूछता ही क्यों?
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ଯଦି ସେ ଆଗରୁ ଜାଣିଥାନ୍ତେ କ’ଣ ଘଟିଛି, ତେବେ ସେ Cascaଙ୍କୁ ଏହା ପଚାରିନଥାନ୍ତେ।
6. Casca: “Why, there was a crown offered
him…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca explains that a crown was offered to Caesar. Caesar pushed it away with
the back of his hand, and each time he rejected it, the people shouted loudly.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का बताता है कि सीज़र को एक मुकुट दिया गया। सीज़र ने हाथ के पिछले हिस्से से उसे हटा दिया और हर बार उसके इनकार करने पर जनता जोर से चिल्लाने लगी।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ମୁକୁଟ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିଲା। Caesar ହାତର ପଛପଟରେ ତାହାକୁ ଠେଲି ଦେଇଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକଥର ସେ ମୁକୁଟକୁ ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କଲେ ଜନତା ଜୋରରେ ଚିତ୍କାର କଲେ।
7. Brutus: “What was the second noise for?”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus asks why the people shouted for the second time.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस पूछता है कि लोगों ने दूसरी बार क्यों शोर मचाया।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟଥର କାହିଁକି ଚିତ୍କାର କଲେ।
8. Casca: “Why, for that too.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca says that they shouted for the same reason—the second rejection of the
crown.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का कहता है कि उन्होंने दूसरी बार भी उसी कारण से शोर किया—क्योंकि सीज़र ने मुकुट फिर ठुकरा दिया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେମାନେ ସେହି କାରଣରୁ, ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ Caesar ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟଥର ମୁକୁଟକୁ ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କରିଥିବାରୁ ଚିତ୍କାର କରିଥିଲେ।
9. Cassius: “They shouted thrice. What was the
last cry for?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius asks why the people shouted for the third and final time.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस पूछता है कि लोगों ने तीसरी और अंतिम बार क्यों शोर किया।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଲୋକମାନେ ତୃତୀୟ ଓ ଶେଷଥର କାହିଁକି ଚିତ୍କାର କଲେ।
10. Casca: “Why, for that too.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca says that they shouted for the same reason again—the crown was rejected
for the third time.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का कहता है कि तीसरी बार भी लोगों ने उसी कारण से शोर किया, क्योंकि सीज़र ने मुकुट को फिर अस्वीकार कर दिया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ତୃତୀୟଥର ମଧ୍ୟ ସେହି କାରଣରୁ ଲୋକମାନେ ଚିତ୍କାର କରିଥିଲେ, କାରଣ Caesar ମୁକୁଟକୁ ପୁଣି ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କରିଥିଲେ।
11. Brutus: “Was the crown offered him
thrice?”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus asks whether the crown was actually offered to Caesar three times.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस पूछता है कि क्या सचमुच सीज़र को तीन बार मुकुट दिया गया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ତିନିଥର ମୁକୁଟ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିଲା କି?
12. Casca: “Ay, marry, was ’t…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca confirms that the crown was offered three times. Caesar rejected it each
time, but each time he rejected it more gently, and the people shouted
enthusiastically.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का पुष्टि करता है कि मुकुट तीन बार दिया गया था। सीज़र ने हर बार उसे ठुकराया, लेकिन हर बार उसका इनकार पहले से अधिक नरम था। जनता हर बार जोर-जोर से चिल्लाती थी।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା ନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରନ୍ତି ଯେ ମୁକୁଟ ତିନିଥର ଦିଆଯାଇଥିଲା। Caesar ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକଥର ତାହାକୁ ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କରିଥିଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକଥର ତାଙ୍କର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟାନ ପୂର୍ବଥରଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ ନରମ ଥିଲା। ଜନତା ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକଥର ଉତ୍ସାହର ସହିତ ଚିତ୍କାର କରୁଥିଲେ।
13. Cassius: “Who offered him the crown?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius asks who presented the crown to Caesar.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस पूछता है कि सीज़र को मुकुट किसने दिया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ମୁକୁଟ କିଏ ଦେଇଥିଲେ।
14. Casca: “Why, Antony.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca answers that Mark Antony offered the crown.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का बताता है कि मार्क Antony ने मुकुट प्रस्तुत किया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Mark Antony ମୁକୁଟଟି Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଦେଇଥିଲେ।
15. Brutus: “Tell us the manner of it, gentle
Casca.”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus politely asks Casca to describe exactly how Antony offered the crown and
how Caesar responded.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस विनम्रता से कैस्का से पूछता है कि Antony ने मुकुट किस प्रकार प्रस्तुत किया और सीज़र ने किस प्रकार प्रतिक्रिया दी।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ଭଦ୍ର ଭାବରେ Cascaଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ Antony କେଉଁ ପ୍ରକାରରେ ମୁକୁଟ ଦେଇଥିଲେ ଏବଂ Caesar କିପରି ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ଦେଇଥିଲେ।
16. Casca: “I can as well be hanged as tell
the manner of it…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca sarcastically says that he would rather be hanged than try to describe
the whole performance. He says it was foolish and ridiculous. He saw Antony
offer Caesar not exactly a crown but a small coronet. Caesar rejected it once,
although Casca believes Caesar secretly wanted it. Antony offered it again, and
Caesar rejected it again, but this time Caesar seemed even more reluctant to
remove his fingers from it. Antony offered it for the third time, and Caesar
again rejected it.
The crowd became extremely excited. They shouted, clapped their rough
hands, threw their sweaty caps into the air and produced so much unpleasant
breath that Casca jokingly says it almost suffocated Caesar. Caesar then
fainted and fell down. Casca says that even he did not dare laugh because he
was afraid of opening his mouth and breathing in the bad air.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का व्यंग्यपूर्वक कहता है कि उस पूरे प्रदर्शन का वर्णन करने से तो वह फाँसी पर चढ़ना पसंद करेगा। उसके अनुसार यह सब मूर्खतापूर्ण तमाशा था। उसने Antony को सीज़र को एक मुकुट जैसी वस्तु देते देखा, जो वास्तव में पूरा मुकुट नहीं बल्कि एक छोटा coronet था। सीज़र ने पहली बार उसे ठुकरा दिया, लेकिन कैस्का को लगा कि सीज़र वास्तव में उसे पाना चाहता था। Antony ने दूसरी बार उसे दिया और सीज़र ने फिर अस्वीकार किया, लेकिन इस बार वह उसे छोड़ने में और भी अधिक अनिच्छुक दिखाई दिया। तीसरी बार भी Antony ने उसे प्रस्तुत किया और सीज़र ने फिर ठुकरा दिया।
जनता बहुत उत्साहित हो गई। उन्होंने चिल्लाया, अपने खुरदरे हाथों से तालियाँ बजाईं, पसीने से भरी टोपियाँ हवा में उछालीं और इतनी दुर्गंधयुक्त साँस छोड़ी कि कैस्का व्यंग्य में कहता है कि उससे लगभग सीज़र का दम घुट गया। सीज़र बेहोश होकर गिर पड़ा। कैस्का कहता है कि वह स्वयं भी हँसने का साहस नहीं कर सका, क्योंकि उसे डर था कि मुँह खोलने पर उसे वही खराब हवा अंदर लेनी पड़ेगी।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେହି ସମସ୍ତ ତମାଶାକୁ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିବାଠାରୁ ସେ ଫାଶୀରେ ଝୁଲିବାକୁ ଅଧିକ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବେ। ତାଙ୍କ ମତରେ ଏହା ଏକ ହାସ୍ୟାସ୍ପଦ ଓ ମୂର୍ଖତାପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଘଟଣା ଥିଲା। ସେ Antonyଙ୍କୁ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ମୁକୁଟ ପରି ଜିନିଷ ଦେଉଥିବା ଦେଖିଥିଲେ; ତାହା ପ୍ରକୃତ ମୁକୁଟ ନୁହେଁ, ଏକ ଛୋଟ coronet ଥିଲା। Caesar ପ୍ରଥମଥର ତାହାକୁ ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ Cascaଙ୍କ ମତରେ Caesar ମନେମନେ ତାହାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଥିଲେ। Antony ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟଥର ଦେଲେ ଏବଂ Caesar ପୁଣି ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଏଥର ସେ ମୁକୁଟଠାରୁ ନିଜ ଆଙ୍ଗୁଠି ହଟାଇବାକୁ ଆହୁରି ଅନିଚ୍ଛୁକ ଦେଖାଗଲେ। ତୃତୀୟଥର ମଧ୍ୟ Antony ମୁକୁଟ ଦେଲେ ଏବଂ Caesar ପୁଣି ତାହାକୁ ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କଲେ।
ଜନତା ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଉତ୍ସାହିତ ହୋଇଗଲେ। ସେମାନେ ଚିତ୍କାର କଲେ, ନିଜର ଖରାପିଆ ହାତରେ ତାଳି ବଜାଇଲେ, ପସିନାରେ ଭିଜା ଟୋପିଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଆକାଶକୁ ଫିଙ୍ଗିଲେ ଏବଂ ଏତେ ଦୁର୍ଗନ୍ଧଯୁକ୍ତ ନିଶ୍ୱାସ ଛାଡ଼ିଲେ ଯେ Casca ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରି କହନ୍ତି, ତାହା ପ୍ରାୟ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଶ୍ୱାସରୁଦ୍ଧ କରିଦେଇଥିଲା। Caesar ମୂର୍ଚ୍ଛିତ ହୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଗଲେ। Casca କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ ହସିବାକୁ ସାହସ କରିନଥିଲେ, କାରଣ ମୁହଁ ଖୋଲିଲେ ସେହି ଦୁର୍ଗନ୍ଧଯୁକ୍ତ ବାୟୁକୁ ଭିତରକୁ ନେବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଥାନ୍ତା।
17. Cassius: “But soft, I pray you. What, did
Caesar swoon?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius asks Casca to pause and confirm whether Caesar actually fainted.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कैस्का को रुककर यह पुष्टि करने के लिए कहता है कि क्या सचमुच सीज़र बेहोश हो गया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius Cascaଙ୍କୁ ଟିକେ ରହି ନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରିବାକୁ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ମୂର୍ଚ୍ଛିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ କି?
18. Casca: “He fell down in the marketplace
and foamed at mouth…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca confirms that Caesar fell down in the marketplace, foamed at the mouth
and could not speak.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का बताता है कि सीज़र बाजार में गिर पड़ा, उसके मुँह से झाग निकल रहा था और वह बोल नहीं पा रहा था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar ବଜାରରେ ପଡ଼ିଗଲେ, ତାଙ୍କ ପାଟିରୁ ଫେଣ ବାହାରୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ କଥା କହିପାରୁନଥିଲେ।
19. Brutus: “’Tis very like; he hath the
falling sickness.”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus thinks that Caesar may have epilepsy, which was then called the “falling
sickness.”
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस सोचता है कि सीज़र को मिर्गी की बीमारी हो सकती है, जिसे उस समय “falling sickness” कहा जाता था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ଭାବନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesarଙ୍କର ମୃଗୀ ରୋଗ ଥାଇପାରେ, ଯାହାକୁ ସେତେବେଳେ “falling sickness” କୁହାଯାଉଥିଲା।
20. Cassius: “No, Caesar hath it not; but you
and I…”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius says sarcastically that Caesar does not have the falling sickness.
Rather, Brutus, Casca and Cassius themselves suffer from it. He means that
ordinary Romans have become weak and submissive before Caesar's power.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस व्यंग्य से कहता है कि सीज़र को falling sickness नहीं है; बल्कि ब्रूटस, कैस्का और स्वयं कैसियस इस बीमारी से पीड़ित हैं। उसका संकेत है कि रोम के लोग सीज़र की शक्ति के सामने मानसिक रूप से कमजोर और झुकने वाले बन गए हैं।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesarଙ୍କର falling sickness ନାହିଁ; ବରଂ Brutus, Casca ଓ ସେ ନିଜେ ଏହି “ରୋଗରେ” ପୀଡ଼ିତ। ତାଙ୍କର ଅର୍ଥ ହେଉଛି—ରୋମର ଲୋକମାନେ Caesarଙ୍କ ଶକ୍ତି ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ମାନସିକ ଭାବରେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ ନତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି।
21. Casca: “I know not what you mean by that…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca says that he does not understand Cassius's meaning, but he is certain
that Caesar really fell down. He compares the crowd to theatre audiences who
clap or hiss at actors depending on whether they like or dislike their
performance.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का कहता है कि वह कैसियस की बात का अर्थ नहीं समझता, लेकिन उसे पूरा विश्वास है कि सीज़र वास्तव में गिर पड़ा था। वह जनता की तुलना थिएटर के दर्शकों से करता है, जो अभिनेता के प्रदर्शन को पसंद करने पर तालियाँ बजाते हैं और नापसंद करने पर हूट करते हैं।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Cassiusଙ୍କ କଥାର ଅର୍ଥ ସେ ବୁଝିପାରୁନାହାନ୍ତି, କିନ୍ତୁ Caesar ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ ବୋଲି ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ। ସେ ଜନତାଙ୍କୁ ନାଟ୍ୟଶାଳାର ଦର୍ଶକଙ୍କ ସହ ତୁଳନା କରନ୍ତି—ଅଭିନେତାଙ୍କ ଅଭିନୟ ପସନ୍ଦ ହେଲେ ତାଳି ବଜାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ନପସନ୍ଦ ହେଲେ ହୋ-ହଲ୍ଲା କରନ୍ତି।
22. Brutus: “What said he when he came unto
himself?”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus asks what Caesar said after he regained consciousness.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस पूछता है कि होश में आने के बाद सीज़र ने क्या कहा।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesarଙ୍କର ଚେତା ଫେରିବା ପରେ ସେ କ’ଣ କହିଥିଲେ।
23. Casca: “Marry, before he fell down…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca explains that before Caesar fainted, he noticed that the common people
were happy because he had refused the crown. Caesar then opened his doublet,
exposed his throat and seemed to challenge the people to cut it if they
believed he wanted the crown.
I tell you that if I had been one of the working men among
that multitude of labourers, I would have accepted Caesar’s offer, and I would
really have cut his throat, for if I had not instantly acted according to his
suggestion, I might go hell to suffer the torments in the company of other
sinners.
After Caesar recovered, he asked the people to forgive anything wrong he
might have said or done, blaming it on his illness.
Some young women immediately felt sorry for him and forgave him. Casca
mocks them, saying that they would have forgiven Caesar even if he had killed
their mothers.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का बताता है कि सीज़र के बेहोश होने से पहले उसने देखा कि आम लोग उसके द्वारा मुकुट ठुकराए जाने से खुश थे। तब सीज़र ने अपना डबलट खोलकर अपना गला दिखाया और मानो जनता को चुनौती दी कि यदि वे समझते हैं कि वह मुकुट चाहता है, तो उसका गला काट दें।
मैं तुमसे कहता हूँ कि यदि मैं उस मजदूरों की भीड़ में एक काम करने वाला व्यक्ति होता, तो मैं सीज़र के प्रस्ताव को स्वीकार कर लेता और सचमुच उसका गला काट देता; क्योंकि यदि मैंने उसके सुझाव के अनुसार तुरंत कार्य नहीं किया होता, तो मुझे अन्य पापियों के साथ नरक में जाकर यातनाएँ सहनी पड़तीं। होश में आने के बाद सीज़र ने जनता से कहा कि यदि उसने कुछ गलत कहा या किया हो, तो उसे उसकी बीमारी का परिणाम समझकर क्षमा कर दें।
कुछ युवतियों ने तुरंत उसके प्रति सहानुभूति दिखाई और उसे क्षमा कर दिया। कैस्का उनका मज़ाक उड़ाते हुए कहता है कि यदि सीज़र ने उनकी माताओं को भी मार दिया होता, तब भी वे उसे क्षमा कर देतीं।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar ମୂର୍ଚ୍ଛିତ ହେବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଦେଖିଲେ ଯେ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକମାନେ ସେ ମୁକୁଟକୁ ଅସ୍ୱୀକାର କରିଥିବାରୁ ଖୁସି ହେଉଛନ୍ତି। ତା’ପରେ Caesar ନିଜର doublet ଖୋଲି ଗଳା ଦେଖାଇ ମନେହେଲା ଯେ ଜନତାଙ୍କୁ ଆହ୍ୱାନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି—ଯଦି ସେମାନେ ଭାବନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ମୁକୁଟ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ତାଙ୍କ ଗଳା କାଟିଦିଅନ୍ତୁ।
ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ କହୁଛି ଯେ, ଯଦି ମୁଁ ସେହି ଶ୍ରମିକମାନଙ୍କ ଭିଡ଼ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଜଣେ କାମ କରୁଥିବା ଲୋକ ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ମୁଁ ସିଜରଙ୍କ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବକୁ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଥାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଗଳା କାଟି ଦେଇଥାନ୍ତି; କାରଣ ଯଦି ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କ ସଙ୍କେତ ଅନୁସାରେ ତୁରନ୍ତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିନଥାନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ମୋତେ ଅନ୍ୟ ପାପୀମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନର୍କକୁ ଯାଇ ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣା ଭୋଗ କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଥାନ୍ତା। Caesarଙ୍କ ଚେତା ଫେରିବା ପରେ ସେ ଜନତାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଯଦି କୌଣସି ଭୁଲ କଥା କହିଥାନ୍ତି ବା କାମ କରିଥାନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ତାହାକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଅସୁସ୍ଥତାର ପରିଣାମ ବୋଲି ଭାବି କ୍ଷମା କରନ୍ତୁ।
କିଛି ଯୁବତୀ ତୁରନ୍ତ Caesarଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଦୟା ପ୍ରକାଶ କରି ତାଙ୍କୁ କ୍ଷମା କରିଦେଲେ। Casca ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରିହାସ କରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମାଆମାନଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ହତ୍ୟା କରିଥାନ୍ତେ, ତଥାପି ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କୁ କ୍ଷମା କରିଦେଇଥାନ୍ତେ।
24. Brutus: “And, after that, he came thus sad
away?”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus asks whether Caesar left looking so sad after all these events.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस पूछता है कि इन सभी घटनाओं के बाद क्या सीज़र इसी तरह उदास होकर चला गया।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏହି ସମସ୍ତ ଘଟଣା ପରେ Caesar ଏହିପରି ଦୁଃଖୀ ହୋଇ ଚାଲିଗଲେ କି?
25. Casca: “Ay.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca confirms that Caesar did leave sadly.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का पुष्टि करता है कि हाँ, सीज़र उदास होकर चला गया था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା ନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରନ୍ତି—ହଁ, Caesar ଦୁଃଖୀ ହୋଇ ଚାଲିଯାଇଥିଲେ।
26. Cassius: “Did Cicero say anything?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius asks whether Cicero said anything during the incident.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस पूछता है कि इस घटना के दौरान Cicero ने कुछ कहा था या नहीं।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏହି ଘଟଣା ସମୟରେ Cicero କିଛି କହିଥିଲେ କି ନାହିଁ।
27. Casca: “Ay, he spoke Greek.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca says that Cicero spoke in Greek.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का कहता है कि Cicero ने यूनानी भाषा में बात की।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Cicero ଗ୍ରୀକ୍ ଭାଷାରେ କଥା କହିଥିଲେ।
28. Cassius: “To what effect?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius asks what Cicero meant or what the purpose of his words was.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस पूछता है कि Cicero की बात का अर्थ या उद्देश्य क्या था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ Ciceroଙ୍କ କଥାର ଅର୍ଥ ବା ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ କ’ଣ ଥିଲା।
29. Casca: “Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll
ne’er look you i’ th’ face again…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca jokingly refuses to explain Cicero's Greek speech. He says that those who
understood Greek smiled at one another and shook their heads, but he understood
nothing. Therefore, it was completely meaningless to him.
He then gives another important piece of news: Marullus and Flavius have
been punished for removing scarves from Caesar's statues. Casca says there were
many other ridiculous things that happened, but he cannot remember them all.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का मज़ाक में Cicero के यूनानी भाषण का अर्थ बताने से इनकार करता है। वह कहता है कि जो लोग यूनानी समझते थे, वे एक-दूसरे को देखकर मुस्कुराए और सिर हिलाने लगे, लेकिन उसे कुछ भी समझ नहीं आया। इसलिए Cicero की बात उसके लिए पूरी तरह अर्थहीन थी।
फिर वह एक और महत्वपूर्ण समाचार देता है कि Caesar की मूर्तियों से सजावटी पट्टियाँ हटाने के कारण Marullus और Flavius को दंडित किया गया है। Casca कहता है कि उस दिन और भी बहुत-सी हास्यास्पद घटनाएँ हुईं, लेकिन उसे सब याद नहीं हैं।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା ମଜାକରେ Ciceroଙ୍କ ଗ୍ରୀକ୍ ଭାଷଣର ଅର୍ଥ କହିବାକୁ ମନା କରନ୍ତି। ସେ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ଯେଉଁମାନେ ଗ୍ରୀକ୍ ବୁଝୁଥିଲେ, ସେମାନେ ପରସ୍ପରକୁ ଦେଖି ହସିଲେ ଓ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ହଲାଇଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ନିଜେ କିଛି ବୁଝିପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ। ତେଣୁ Ciceroଙ୍କ କଥା ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅର୍ଥହୀନ ଥିଲା।
ତା’ପରେ ସେ ଆଉ ଏକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଖବର ଦିଅନ୍ତି—Caesarଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତିମୂର୍ତ୍ତିରୁ ସଜାବଟି scarf ହଟାଇବା କାରଣରୁ Marullus ଓ Flaviusଙ୍କୁ ଦଣ୍ଡିତ କରାଯାଇଛି। Casca କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେଦିନ ଆହୁରି ଅନେକ ହାସ୍ୟାସ୍ପଦ ଘଟଣା ଘଟିଥିଲା, କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ସବୁକିଛି ମନେ ରଖିପାରୁନାହାନ୍ତି।
30. Cassius: “Will you sup with me tonight,
Casca?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius invites Casca to have dinner with him that night.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कैस्का को उस रात उसके साथ भोजन करने के लिए आमंत्रित करता है।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius Cascaଙ୍କୁ ସେହି ରାତିରେ ତାଙ୍କ ସହ ଭୋଜନ କରିବାକୁ ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରଣ କରନ୍ତି।
31. Casca: “No, I am promised forth.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca refuses because he has already promised to go somewhere else.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का मना करता है क्योंकि उसने पहले से ही किसी और जगह जाने का वादा किया है।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା ମନା କରନ୍ତି, କାରଣ ସେ ଆଗରୁ ଅନ୍ୟ କେଉଁଠାକୁ ଯିବାକୁ ପ୍ରତିଶ୍ରୁତି ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।
32. Cassius: “Will you dine with me tomorrow?”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius asks Casca whether he will have dinner with him the next day.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस पूछता है कि क्या कैस्का अगले दिन उसके साथ भोजन करेगा।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ପଚାରନ୍ତି ଯେ Casca ପରଦିନ ତାଙ୍କ ସହ ଭୋଜନ କରିବେ କି?
33. Casca: “Ay, if I be alive…”
English Paraphrase:
Casca agrees, but jokingly says that he will come if he is still alive, if
Cassius remembers the invitation and if the dinner is worth eating.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का सहमत होता है, लेकिन मज़ाक में कहता है कि वह तभी आएगा यदि वह जीवित रहा, कैसियस को निमंत्रण याद रहा और भोजन खाने लायक हुआ।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା ରାଜି ହୁଅନ୍ତି, କିନ୍ତୁ ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ କରି କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ ଆସିବେ ଯଦି ସେ ବଞ୍ଚିଥିବେ, Cassiusଙ୍କର ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରଣଟି ମନେ ଥିବ ଏବଂ ଭୋଜନ ଖାଇବା ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ହୋଇଥିବ।
34. Cassius: “Good. I will expect you.”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius says that he will look forward to Casca's visit.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कहता है कि वह कैस्का के आने की प्रतीक्षा करेगा।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ Cascaଙ୍କ ଆସିବାକୁ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରିବେ।
35. Casca: “Do so. Farewell both.”
English Paraphrase:
Casca tells Cassius to do so and says goodbye to both Brutus and Cassius.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैस्का कहता है कि ठीक है, वह उसकी प्रतीक्षा करे, और फिर Brutus तथा Cassius दोनों को विदा कहता है।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
କାସ୍କା କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି, ସେ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରନ୍ତୁ, ଏବଂ ପରେ Brutus ଓ Cassius ଉଭୟଙ୍କୁ ବିଦାୟ ଦିଅନ୍ତି।
After Casca exits
36. Brutus: “What a blunt fellow is this grown
to be!”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus observes that Casca has become a very blunt, rough and straightforward
man. He remembers that Casca was much more lively and energetic when they were
at school.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस कहता है कि कैस्का अब कितना रूखा, स्पष्टवादी और सीधा-सादा व्यक्ति बन गया है। उसे याद है कि स्कूल के समय कैस्का बहुत उत्साही और तेजस्वी हुआ करता था।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Casca ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ବହୁତ ରୁକ୍ଷ, ସରଳ ଓ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟବାଦୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ହୋଇଯାଇଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ମନେ ପକାନ୍ତି ଯେ ସ୍କୁଲ୍ ସମୟରେ Casca ବହୁତ ଚଞ୍ଚଳ ଓ ଉତ୍ସାହୀ ଥିଲେ।
37. Cassius: “So is he now in execution / Of
any bold or noble enterprise…”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius says that although Casca appears slow, dull and rough in his manner, he
is still quick and energetic when it comes to carrying out any brave or noble
undertaking. His roughness is merely a kind of sauce that makes his intelligent
words more enjoyable and easier for people to accept.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कहता है कि यद्यपि कैस्का बाहर से रूखा और कुछ सुस्त दिखाई देता है, फिर भी किसी साहसिक या महान कार्य को करने में वह आज भी तेज और उत्साही है। उसका रूखा व्यवहार उसकी बुद्धिमानी भरी बातों के लिए चटनी या मसाले की तरह है, जो उसकी बातों को अधिक रोचक और प्रभावशाली बना देता है।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Casca ବାହାରୁ ରୁକ୍ଷ ଓ ଧୀର ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ସାହସିକ ବା ମହତ୍ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବା ସମୟରେ ସେ ଏବେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ଓ ଉତ୍ସାହୀ। ତାଙ୍କର ରୁକ୍ଷତା ତାଙ୍କ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମତ୍ତାପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଥା ପାଇଁ ଏକ ପ୍ରକାର sauce ପରି, ଯାହା ତାଙ୍କ କଥାକୁ ଆହୁରି ରୋଚକ ଓ ଗ୍ରହଣଯୋଗ୍ୟ କରେ।
38. Brutus: “And so it is. For this time I
will leave you…”
English Paraphrase:
Brutus agrees with Cassius. He says that he must leave now. If Cassius wants to
talk to him the next day, Brutus will either visit Cassius at his home or
Cassius can come to Brutus's home, where Brutus will wait for him.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस कैसियस की बात से सहमत होता है। वह कहता है कि अब उसे जाना होगा। यदि कैसियस अगले दिन उससे बात करना चाहे, तो ब्रूटस उसके घर आएगा या कैसियस उसके घर आ सकता है और ब्रूटस उसकी प्रतीक्षा करेगा।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus Cassiusଙ୍କ କଥାରେ ସହମତ ହୁଅନ୍ତି। ସେ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଯିବାକୁ ହେବ। ପରଦିନ Cassius ଯଦି ତାଙ୍କ ସହ କଥା ହେବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି, ତେବେ Brutus ତାଙ୍କ ଘରକୁ ଯିବେ, ନଚେତ୍ Cassius Brutusଙ୍କ ଘରକୁ ଆସିପାରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ Brutus ତାଙ୍କୁ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରିବେ।
39. Cassius: “I will do so. Till then, think
of the world.”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius agrees. He tells Brutus to think seriously about Rome and its affairs
until they meet again.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस सहमत होता है और ब्रूटस से कहता है कि अगली मुलाकात तक वह रोम और उसकी परिस्थितियों के बारे में गंभीरता से विचार करे।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ରାଜି ହୁଅନ୍ତି ଏବଂ Brutusଙ୍କୁ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ସାକ୍ଷାତ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ ରୋମ ଓ ତାହାର ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ବିଷୟରେ ଗଭୀର ଭାବେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରନ୍ତୁ।
40. Cassius: “Well, Brutus, thou art noble…”
English Paraphrase:
After Brutus leaves, Cassius speaks alone. He admits that Brutus is noble and
honourable. However, Cassius believes that Brutus's noble character can be
influenced and turned towards a particular purpose. He thinks that even a very
firm person can be persuaded or deceived.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
ब्रूटस के चले जाने के बाद कैसियस अकेले में कहता है कि ब्रूटस वास्तव में महान और सम्माननीय व्यक्ति है। लेकिन कैसियस का मानना है कि ब्रूटस के महान चरित्र को प्रभावित करके किसी विशेष उद्देश्य की ओर मोड़ा जा सकता है। वह सोचता है कि ऐसा कोई व्यक्ति नहीं है जिसे किसी न किसी प्रकार से बहकाया या प्रभावित न किया जा सके।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Brutus ଚାଲିଯିବା ପରେ Cassius ଏକୁଟିଆ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Brutus ଜଣେ ମହାନ ଓ ସମ୍ମାନନୀୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି। କିନ୍ତୁ Cassiusଙ୍କ ମତରେ Brutusଙ୍କ ମହାନ ଚରିତ୍ରକୁ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କରି ଏକ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ଦିଗକୁ ନେଇଯାଇପାରିବ। ସେ ଭାବନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏପରି କେହି ନାହାନ୍ତି ଯାହାକୁ କୌଣସି ଉପାୟରେ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ବା ପ୍ରଲୋଭିତ କରାଯାଇପାରିବ ନାହିଁ।
41. Cassius: “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he
loves Brutus.”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius says that Caesar dislikes him strongly, but Caesar loves and trusts
Brutus.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कहता है कि सीज़र उससे बहुत नाराज़ रहता है, लेकिन वह ब्रूटस से प्रेम करता है और उस पर विश्वास करता है।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Caesar ତାଙ୍କୁ ବହୁତ ଅପସନ୍ଦ କରନ୍ତି, କିନ୍ତୁ Brutusଙ୍କୁ ଭଲ ପାଆନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଭରସା କରନ୍ତି।
42. Cassius: “If I were Brutus now, and he
were Cassius…”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius says that if their positions were reversed—if he were Brutus and Brutus
were Cassius—he would not allow anyone to influence him as easily as Brutus can
be influenced.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कहता है कि यदि उसकी और ब्रूटस की भूमिकाएँ बदल जातीं और वह ब्रूटस होता तथा ब्रूटस कैसियस, तो वह अपने आपको इतनी आसानी से किसी के प्रभाव में नहीं आने देता।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ଯଦି ତାଙ୍କର ଓ Brutusଙ୍କର ସ୍ଥାନ ବଦଳିଯାଇଥାନ୍ତା—ସେ Brutus ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତେ ଏବଂ Brutus Cassius—ତେବେ ସେ ନିଜକୁ ଏତେ ସହଜରେ କାହାର ପ୍ରଭାବରେ ଆସିବାକୁ ଦେଇନଥାନ୍ତେ।
43. Cassius: “I will this night / In several
hands in at his windows throw…”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius reveals his clever plan. That night he will prepare several letters
written in different handwriting and throw them through Brutus's windows. The
letters will appear to have been written by different Roman citizens.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस अपनी चालाक योजना बताता है। वह उस रात अलग-अलग हस्तलिपियों में कई पत्र तैयार करके ब्रूटस की खिड़कियों से अंदर फेंकेगा। ये पत्र ऐसे दिखाई देंगे जैसे रोम के अलग-अलग नागरिकों ने लिखे हों।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ନିଜର ଚତୁର ଯୋଜନା ପ୍ରକାଶ କରନ୍ତି। ସେହି ରାତିରେ ସେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ହସ୍ତାକ୍ଷରରେ ଅନେକ ପତ୍ର ଲେଖି Brutusଙ୍କ ଘରର ଝରକା ଦେଇ ଭିତରକୁ ଫିଙ୍ଗିବେ। ଏହି ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଏପରି ଲାଗିବ ଯେପରି ରୋମର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ନାଗରିକ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଲେଖିଛନ୍ତି।
44. Cassius: “Writings, all tending to the
great opinion / That Rome holds of his name…”
English Paraphrase:
The letters will suggest that the Roman people greatly respect Brutus and have
very high expectations of him. They will make Brutus believe that Rome needs
him to act for the good of the state.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
इन पत्रों में यह दिखाया जाएगा कि रोम की जनता ब्रूटस का बहुत सम्मान करती है और उससे बहुत बड़ी आशाएँ रखती है। इन पत्रों के माध्यम से ब्रूटस को यह विश्वास दिलाया जाएगा कि रोम और उसके हितों की रक्षा करने के लिए उसे आगे आना चाहिए।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
ଏହି ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଏହା ପ୍ରକାଶ କରାଯିବ ଯେ ରୋମର ଲୋକମାନେ Brutusଙ୍କୁ ବହୁତ ସମ୍ମାନ କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ବହୁତ ଆଶା ରଖିଛନ୍ତି। ଏହି ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ Brutusଙ୍କୁ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରାଯିବ ଯେ ରୋମ ଓ ତାହାର ହିତରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଆଗକୁ ଆସିବା ଆବଶ୍ୟକ।
45. Cassius: “Wherein obscurely / Caesar’s
ambition shall be glanced at…”
English Paraphrase:
The letters will indirectly hint that Caesar is becoming too ambitious and is
seeking too much power. Cassius will not openly accuse Caesar; instead, he will
make Brutus draw the conclusion himself.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
इन पत्रों में अप्रत्यक्ष रूप से संकेत दिया जाएगा कि सीज़र अत्यधिक महत्वाकांक्षी होता जा रहा है और बहुत अधिक सत्ता प्राप्त करना चाहता है। कैसियस सीधे सीज़र पर आरोप नहीं लगाएगा; वह ऐसी परिस्थितियाँ बनाएगा कि ब्रूटस स्वयं इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचे कि सीज़र रोम के लिए खतरा है।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
ଏହି ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ପରୋକ୍ଷ ଭାବରେ ସଙ୍କେତ ଦିଆଯିବ ଯେ Caesar ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ଆକାଂକ୍ଷୀ ହୋଇଯାଉଛନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଅଧିକ ଶକ୍ତି ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି। Cassius ସିଧାସଳଖ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ଦୋଷ ଦେବେ ନାହିଁ; ବରଂ ଏପରି ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବେ ଯେ Brutus ନିଜେ ନିଷ୍କର୍ଷରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବେ ଯେ Caesar ରୋମ ପାଇଁ ବିପଦ।
46. Cassius: “And after this, let Caesar seat
him sure…”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius says that once Brutus has been influenced by these letters, Caesar
should consider himself in danger. Cassius and his companions will challenge
Caesar's growing power, even if they have to suffer difficult and dangerous
times.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस कहता है कि जब ब्रूटस इन पत्रों से प्रभावित हो जाएगा, तब सीज़र को अपने लिए खतरा समझना चाहिए। कैसियस और उसके साथी सीज़र की बढ़ती शक्ति को चुनौती देंगे, चाहे इसके लिए उन्हें कठिन और खतरनाक परिस्थितियों का सामना ही क्यों न करना पड़े।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius କହନ୍ତି ଯେ Brutus ଏହି ପତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଦ୍ୱାରା ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହୋଇଗଲା ପରେ Caesarଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ ପାଇଁ ବିପଦ ଆସୁଛି ବୋଲି ବୁଝିବାକୁ ହେବ। Cassius ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ସହଯୋଗୀମାନେ Caesarଙ୍କ ବଢ଼ୁଥିବା ଶକ୍ତିକୁ ଚ୍ୟାଲେଞ୍ଜ କରିବେ, ଯଦିଓ ଏଥିପାଇଁ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କଠିନ ଓ ବିପଦପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ସହିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ।
47. Cassius: “For we will shake him, or worse
days endure.”
English Paraphrase:
Cassius concludes that he and his fellow conspirators will shake Caesar's power
and position. If they cannot avoid the difficulties that follow, they are
prepared to endure even worse times.
हिन्दी भावार्थ:
कैसियस अंत में कहता है कि वह और उसके साथी सीज़र की शक्ति और स्थिति को हिला देंगे। यदि इसके परिणामस्वरूप उन्हें कठिनाइयों और बुरे समय का सामना करना पड़े, तो वे उसे भी सहने के लिए तैयार हैं।
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାବାର୍ଥ:
Cassius ଶେଷରେ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ ସେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ସହଯୋଗୀମାନେ Caesarଙ୍କ ଶକ୍ତି ଓ ସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ଦୋହଲାଇ ଦେବେ। ଏହାର ପରିଣାମରେ ଯଦି ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅଧିକ କଠିନ ଓ ଖରାପ ସମୟ ସହିବାକୁ ପଡ଼େ, ତଥାପି ସେମାନେ ତାହା ସହିବାକୁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ଅଛନ୍ତି।
One-Mark Questions
1. Why does Caesar say,
“Would he were fatter”?
Caesar wishes Cassius were physically fatter because he considers thin,
serious, and thoughtful men like Cassius potentially dangerous.
2. Does Caesar fear Cassius?
No, Caesar says that he does not personally fear Cassius, although he considers
him a potentially dangerous and perceptive man.
3. What does Caesar say about his own name?
Caesar says that if his name were capable of fear, he would avoid Cassius
sooner than any other man.
4. What physical description does Caesar give of Cassius?
Caesar describes Cassius as “spare,” meaning thin or lean, and considers his
appearance suggestive of his serious nature.
5. What does Caesar say Cassius does a lot?
Caesar says Cassius reads much, observes people carefully, and looks deeply
into their actions and behaviour.
6. What does Caesar mean by saying Cassius is “a great observer”?
He means that Cassius carefully watches people and their actions and
understands their motives and character deeply.
7. What does Caesar say Cassius does not love?
Caesar says that Cassius does not love plays, unlike Antony, who enjoys
theatrical performances.
8. What does Cassius not listen to?
Cassius does not listen to music, according to Caesar.
9. How often does Cassius smile?
Cassius seldom smiles, and even when he smiles, his expression appears
unnatural and mocking.
10. Why does Cassius smile strangely?
Caesar thinks Cassius smiles as though he mocks himself and scorns his own
spirit for being moved to smile.
11. What kind of men does Caesar consider dangerous?
Caesar considers men who are never satisfied while seeing someone greater than
themselves to be very dangerous.
12. Why are such men dangerous according to Caesar?
They are dangerous because they cannot remain content when they see another
person possessing greater power, status, or achievement.
13. What does Caesar say he would rather tell Antony?
Caesar says he would rather tell Antony what ought to be feared than reveal
what he personally fears.
14. Why does Caesar say, “for always I am Caesar”?
Caesar means that his confidence, authority, and powerful position prevent him
from openly admitting personal fear.
15. Why does Caesar ask Antony to come to his right side?
Caesar asks Antony to come to his right because Caesar’s left ear is deaf.
16. Which ear of Caesar is deaf?
Caesar’s left ear is deaf, so he asks Antony to stand on his right side.
17. What does Caesar ask Antony to tell him?
Caesar asks Antony to tell him honestly what he thinks about Cassius.
18. Who remains behind after Caesar and his followers leave?
Casca remains behind after Caesar and all his followers leave the scene.
19. Why does Casca ask Brutus to speak with him?
Casca asks Brutus to speak with him because Brutus has pulled him by the cloak.
20. What does Brutus want Casca to explain?
Brutus wants Casca to explain what happened that day and why Caesar appeared so
sad.
21. Why does Casca think Brutus should already know what happened?
Casca assumes Brutus knows because Brutus had been with Caesar and therefore
should have witnessed the events.
22. What had been offered to Caesar?
A crown had been offered to Caesar in the marketplace.
23. Who offered Caesar the crown?
Mark Antony offered Caesar the crown.
24. How many times was the crown offered to Caesar?
The crown was offered to Caesar three times.
25. How many times did Caesar refuse the crown?
Caesar refused the crown three times, each time apparently more gently than
before.
26. How did the people react whenever Caesar refused the crown?
The people shouted whenever Caesar refused the crown, apparently expressing
approval of his refusal.
27. What does Casca call the crown?
Casca says it was not exactly a crown but one of the smaller coronets.
28. What does Casca think Caesar really wanted?
Casca thinks Caesar secretly wanted the coronet despite publicly refusing it.
29. What does Casca say Caesar was reluctant to do the second time?
Casca says Caesar seemed very reluctant to remove his fingers from the coronet
when he refused it again.
30. What did the crowd do after Caesar’s third refusal?
The crowd hooted and clapped their hands and threw their sweaty nightcaps into
the air.
31. What were the people’s hands like when they clapped?
Casca describes their hands as “chopped hands,” referring to their rough,
clapping hands.
32. What did the crowd throw into the air?
The crowd threw their sweaty nightcaps into the air while celebrating Caesar’s
refusal.
33. Why did Caesar almost choke?
The crowd’s shouting and the large amount of unpleasant breath in the crowded
marketplace almost choked Caesar.
34. What happened to Caesar after the crowd’s reaction?
Caesar swooned, fell down, and later became speechless in the marketplace.
35. Why did Casca not laugh?
Casca says he feared opening his lips and taking in the unpleasant air from the
crowd.
36. Where did Caesar fall?
Caesar fell down in the marketplace.
37. What physical symptom did Caesar display after falling?
Caesar foamed at the mouth and became speechless after falling down.
38. What illness does Brutus think Caesar has?
Brutus thinks Caesar has the falling sickness, an old term for epilepsy.
39. What does Cassius say about the falling sickness?
Cassius sarcastically says Caesar does not have it; instead, he, Brutus, and
Casca have the falling sickness.
40. What does Cassius mean by saying they have the falling sickness?
Cassius means that the common people’s weakness and foolishness make them
metaphorically fall before Caesar’s power.
41. What does Casca say about Caesar’s fall?
Casca says he does not understand Cassius’s meaning but is certain that Caesar
actually fell down.
42. How did the common people behave towards Caesar?
They clapped or hissed Caesar according to whether his behaviour pleased or
displeased them.
43. Whom does Casca compare the common people with?
Casca compares the common people with theatre audiences who clap or hiss at
actors according to their performance.
44. What does Casca call the common people?
Casca calls them “tag-rag people,” meaning an ordinary, disorderly, and
insignificant crowd.
45. What did Caesar do before he fell down?
Caesar opened his doublet, exposed his throat, and offered the crowd an
opportunity to cut it.
46. Why did Caesar offer his throat to the crowd?
Caesar offered his throat because he realised that the common people were
pleased when he appeared to refuse the crown.
47. What does Casca say he would have done if he had been a person of any
occupation?
Casca jokingly says he would have accepted Caesar’s invitation literally and
taken him at his word.
48. What did Caesar say after recovering?
Caesar said that if he had done or said anything wrong, he wanted the people to
consider it his infirmity.
49. What does “infirmity” mean in Caesar’s explanation?
“Infirmity” means a weakness or physical condition that might have caused
Caesar’s strange behaviour and actions.
50. How did some women react to Caesar’s condition?
Three or four women near Casca cried sympathetically, calling Caesar a good
soul and forgiving him wholeheartedly.
51. Why does Casca distrust the women’s sympathy?
Casca believes their affection for Caesar was so great that they would have
forgiven him even for killing their mothers.
52. How did Caesar leave after the incident?
Caesar left the place looking sad after recovering from his strange collapse.
53. What does Cassius ask Casca about Cicero?
Cassius asks whether Cicero said anything during the events.
54. What language did Cicero speak?
Cicero spoke Greek.
55. Why could Casca not explain what Cicero said?
Casca could not understand Greek, so Cicero’s words meant nothing to him.
56. How did people who understood Cicero react?
Those who understood Cicero smiled at one another and shook their heads after
hearing his words.
57. What does Casca mean by “it was Greek to me”?
Casca means that Cicero’s Greek speech was completely unintelligible to him
because he could not understand the language.
58. What news does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
Casca says Marullus and Flavius have been punished for removing scarves from
Caesar’s images.
59. Why were Marullus and Flavius punished?
They were punished because they had pulled scarves off the images of Caesar.
60. What punishment had Marullus and Flavius received?
Casca says they had been “put to silence,” meaning they had been punished or
deprived of their public position.
61. Why does Casca leave the conversation?
Casca says there was more foolishness to tell, but he could not remember it, so
he bids them farewell.
62. What does Cassius invite Casca to do that night?
Cassius invites Casca to have supper with him that night.
63. Why does Casca refuse Cassius’s invitation for that night?
Casca refuses because he has already promised to go somewhere else.
64. What does Cassius ask Casca about the following day?
Cassius asks Casca whether he will dine with him the following day.
65. Under what conditions does Casca agree to dine with Cassius?
Casca agrees if he remains alive, Cassius remembers the invitation, and the
dinner is worth eating.
66. How does Casca bid farewell to Brutus and Cassius?
Casca tells both men farewell before leaving the scene.
67. What does Brutus think of Casca after his departure?
Brutus thinks Casca has become a very blunt and straightforward fellow.
68. What was Casca like when he was at school?
According to Brutus, Casca was quick-minded and lively when he attended school.
69. What does Cassius say about Casca’s ability?
Cassius says Casca is still quick and capable when carrying out bold or noble
enterprises.
70. Why does Casca deliberately appear slow and rude?
Cassius says Casca’s apparent slowness and rudeness conceal his intelligence
and make his words easier for people to accept.
71. What does Cassius compare Casca’s rudeness to?
Cassius compares Casca’s rudeness to a sauce that improves the taste of his
intelligent words.
72. How does Casca’s rudeness help his intelligence?
His rudeness gives people an appetite for his words, making them more willing
to listen to and accept his ideas.
73. What does Brutus decide to do?
Brutus decides to leave and says he will meet Cassius the next day if Cassius
wishes to speak with him.
74. Where does Brutus offer to meet Cassius?
Brutus offers either to go to Cassius’s home or to receive Cassius at his own
home.
75. What does Cassius tell Brutus to do before they meet again?
Cassius tells Brutus to “think of the world,” suggesting that Brutus should
reflect seriously on public affairs.
76. What does Cassius think about Brutus?
Cassius considers Brutus noble and believes his honourable character can be
influenced.
77. What does Cassius mean by “honourable mettle”?
He means Brutus possesses a noble and honourable character that can
nevertheless be shaped or influenced by circumstances.
78. Why does Cassius believe Brutus can be influenced?
Cassius believes that even firm and honourable people can be persuaded or
seduced when approached cleverly.
79. What does Cassius mean by “who so firm that cannot be seduced”?
Cassius rhetorically asks who can remain completely firm and immune to
persuasion, implying that Brutus can also be influenced.
80. How does Caesar treat Cassius?
Caesar treats Cassius harshly or unfavourably, although Caesar loves and trusts
Brutus.
81. Whom does Caesar love according to Cassius?
According to Cassius, Caesar loves Brutus.
82. What does Cassius imagine about Brutus and himself?
Cassius imagines that if he were Brutus and Brutus were Cassius, Brutus would
not be able to manipulate him.
83. What does Cassius plan to throw at Brutus’s windows?
Cassius plans to throw forged writings through Brutus’s windows to influence
his opinion of Caesar.
84. What will the writings pretend to be?
The writings will pretend to have been written by different Roman citizens.
85. Why will Cassius use different handwriting?
Cassius will use different handwriting to make the writings appear to have come
from several different citizens.
86. What will the forged writings praise?
The writings will suggest the great respect and admiration that Rome supposedly
has for Brutus.
87. What will the writings suggest about Caesar?
The writings will indirectly suggest that Caesar is ambitious and that his
ambition threatens Rome.
88. Why will Cassius refer to Caesar’s ambition indirectly?
Cassius intends to influence Brutus gradually by making him believe that Roman
citizens are concerned about Caesar’s ambition.
89. What does “glanced at” mean in this context?
“Glanced at” means referred to or hinted at indirectly rather than discussed
openly or directly.
90. What is Cassius’s ultimate intention?
Cassius intends to influence Brutus against Caesar and make him join opposition
to Caesar’s growing power.
91. What does Cassius mean by “shake him”?
“Shake him” means to disturb Caesar’s position, challenge his power, and make
his political authority unstable.
92. What does “worse days endure” suggest?
It suggests that Cassius and the conspirators are prepared to face difficult or
dangerous times while opposing Caesar.
93. What does Casca’s account reveal about Caesar’s behaviour?
Casca’s account shows Caesar publicly refusing the crown while apparently
desiring it and dramatically reacting to the crowd.
94. What does Cassius’s final plan reveal about his character?
His plan reveals that Cassius is clever, manipulative, calculating, politically
ambitious, and willing to deceive Brutus to oppose Caesar.
95. Why is Brutus important to Cassius’s plan?
Brutus is respected and honourable, so gaining his support would make
opposition to Caesar appear legitimate and patriotic.
96. What is the central political development in this extract?
The extract shows Cassius beginning to manipulate Brutus and secretly preparing
opposition to Caesar’s growing political power.
97. Why is Caesar’s refusal of the crown important in the extract?
His repeated refusal impresses the crowd but also makes Cassius suspect that
Caesar secretly desires royal power.
98. What does Casca’s description of the crowd suggest?
It suggests that the crowd is emotional, easily influenced, fickle, and capable
of changing its response according to Caesar’s behaviour.
99. What does the conversation reveal about Cassius’s intelligence?
Cassius understands both Caesar’s character and Brutus’s personality and plans
to exploit Brutus’s honour to achieve his political purpose.
100. What does the ending of the extract foreshadow?
The ending foreshadows Cassius’s manipulation of Brutus and the development of
a conspiracy against Caesar.
Multiple Choice Questions [Set 1]
1. What does Caesar wish about Cassius at the beginning of the extract?
A. That Cassius were taller
B. That Cassius were younger
C. That Cassius were fatter
D. That Cassius were stronger
Answer: C. That Cassius were fatter.
2. What does Caesar say about his fear of Cassius?
A. He fears Cassius greatly
B. He does not fear Cassius
C. He fears Cassius more than Antony
D. He fears Cassius only at night
Answer: B. He does not fear Cassius.
3. What does Caesar say he would do if his name were liable to fear?
A. Challenge Cassius
B. Avoid Antony
C. Leave Rome
D. Avoid Cassius
Answer: D. Avoid Cassius.
4. How does Caesar describe Cassius physically?
A. Fat
B. Strong
C. Spare
D. Tall
Answer: C. Spare.
5. What does Caesar say Cassius does much of?
A. Travels
B. Reads
C. Sings
D. Plays
Answer: B. Reads.
6. What does Caesar call Cassius in relation to his ability to observe?
A. A great speaker
B. A great soldier
C. A great observer
D. A great politician
Answer: C. A great observer.
7. What does Caesar say Cassius looks through?
A. The laws of Rome
B. The deeds of men
C. The faces of people
D. The Roman army
Answer: B. The deeds of men.
8. Which activity does Cassius dislike according to Caesar?
A. Reading
B. Fighting
C. Watching plays
D. Speaking
Answer: C. Watching plays.
9. Whom does Caesar mention as someone who loves plays?
A. Brutus
B. Casca
C. Cicero
D. Antony
Answer: D. Antony.
10. What does Cassius not listen to?
A. Poetry
B. Music
C. Speeches
D. Arguments
Answer: B. Music.
11. How often does Cassius smile?
A. Frequently
B. Always
C. Seldom
D. Never
Answer: C. Seldom.
12. How does Cassius smile when he does smile?
A. Happily
B. Proudly
C. Nervously
D. As though mocking himself
Answer: D. As though mocking himself.
13. What does Cassius scorn in himself?
A. His ambition
B. His spirit that can be moved to smile
C. His intelligence
D. His physical weakness
Answer: B. His spirit that can be moved to smile.
14. What kind of men does Caesar consider dangerous?
A. Men who love music
B. Men who are always cheerful
C. Men who cannot tolerate someone greater than themselves
D. Men who enjoy plays
Answer: C. Men who cannot tolerate someone greater than themselves.
15. Why are such men dangerous according to Caesar?
A. They are physically weak
B. They are never satisfied when they see someone greater than themselves
C. They are too fond of entertainment
D. They dislike politics
Answer: B. They are never satisfied when they see someone greater than
themselves.
16. What does Caesar say he would rather tell Antony?
A. What he personally fears
B. What Cassius thinks
C. What is to be feared
D. What Brutus thinks
Answer: C. What is to be feared.
17. Why does Caesar say, “for always I am Caesar”?
A. To show his fear
B. To assert his confidence and authority
C. To praise Antony
D. To insult Brutus
Answer: B. To assert his confidence and authority.
18. Which ear of Caesar is deaf?
A. Right ear
B. Both ears
C. Left ear
D. Neither ear
Answer: C. Left ear.
19. On which side does Caesar ask Antony to come?
A. Left
B. Behind him
C. In front of him
D. Right
Answer: D. Right.
20. What does Caesar ask Antony to tell him?
A. What he thinks of Brutus
B. What he thinks of Cassius
C. What he thinks of Casca
D. What he thinks of Cicero
Answer: B. What he thinks of Cassius.
21. Who remains behind after Caesar and his followers leave?
A. Brutus
B. Cassius
C. Casca
D. Antony
Answer: C. Casca.
22. Why does Casca approach Brutus?
A. Brutus has called him
B. Brutus has pulled him by the cloak
C. Caesar has ordered him to do so
D. Cassius has sent him
Answer: B. Brutus has pulled him by the cloak.
23. What does Brutus ask Casca about Caesar?
A. Why Caesar is angry
B. Why Caesar looks sad
C. Why Caesar has left Rome
D. Why Caesar is laughing
Answer: B. Why Caesar looks sad.
24. What had been offered to Caesar?
A. A sword
B. A throne
C. A crown
D. A palace
Answer: C. A crown.
25. Who offered the crown to Caesar?
A. Brutus
B. Cassius
C. Cicero
D. Antony
Answer: D. Antony.
26. How many times was the crown offered to Caesar?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. Four times
Answer: C. Three times.
27. How many times did Caesar refuse the crown?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. Four times
Answer: C. Three times.
28. How did Caesar refuse the crown each time?
A. He threw it away
B. He pushed it aside with his hand
C. He gave it to Brutus
D. He dropped it on the ground
Answer: B. He pushed it aside with his hand.
29. How did Caesar refuse the crown on each successive occasion?
A. More angrily each time
B. More gently each time
C. More quickly each time
D. More proudly each time
Answer: B. More gently each time.
30. What did the people do whenever Caesar refused the crown?
A. They became silent
B. They left the marketplace
C. They shouted
D. They attacked Antony
Answer: C. They shouted.
31. What does Casca call the crown that Antony offered?
A. A royal crown
B. A golden crown
C. A coronet
D. A laurel wreath
Answer: C. A coronet.
32. What does Casca think Caesar secretly wanted?
A. The crowd’s applause
B. The coronet
C. Antony’s friendship
D. Brutus’s support
Answer: B. The coronet.
33. During the second offer, what did Caesar seem reluctant to do?
A. Look at Antony
B. Speak to the people
C. Remove his fingers from the coronet
D. Leave the marketplace
Answer: C. Remove his fingers from the coronet.
34. What did the crowd do after Caesar refused the crown for the third time?
A. They became silent
B. They hooted and clapped
C. They attacked Caesar
D. They followed Antony
Answer: B. They hooted and clapped.
35. What did the crowd throw into the air?
A. Flowers
B. Coins
C. Swords
D. Sweaty nightcaps
Answer: D. Sweaty nightcaps.
36. What almost choked Caesar?
A. Dust from the marketplace
B. Smoke from torches
C. The crowd’s unpleasant breath
D. A piece of cloth
Answer: C. The crowd’s unpleasant breath.
37. What happened to Caesar in the marketplace?
A. He ran away
B. He fainted and fell down
C. He attacked the crowd
D. He crowned himself
Answer: B. He fainted and fell down.
38. What did Casca fear while laughing at the incident?
A. Being arrested
B. Being noticed by Caesar
C. Opening his lips and receiving the bad air
D. Being attacked by Antony
Answer: C. Opening his lips and receiving the bad air.
39. Where did Caesar fall?
A. In the Senate
B. In his house
C. In the marketplace
D. Near the Capitol
Answer: C. In the marketplace.
40. What happened to Caesar's mouth after he fell?
A. It became injured
B. It foamed
C. It bled
D. It remained closed
Answer: B. It foamed.
41. What happened to Caesar's speech?
A. He shouted loudly
B. He spoke Greek
C. He became speechless
D. He sang
Answer: C. He became speechless.
42. What illness does Brutus think Caesar has?
A. Fever
B. Falling sickness
C. Madness
D. Paralysis
Answer: B. Falling sickness.
43. What does Cassius say about Caesar having the falling sickness?
A. He agrees with Brutus
B. He says Caesar certainly has it
C. He says Caesar does not have it
D. He asks Cicero to diagnose him
Answer: C. He says Caesar does not have it.
44. According to Cassius, who really has the “falling sickness”?
A. Caesar and Antony
B. Brutus, Cassius and Casca
C. Antony and Casca
D. The Roman senators
Answer: B. Brutus, Cassius and Casca.
45. What does Casca say he is certain about?
A. Caesar wanted the crown
B. Caesar was pretending
C. Caesar fell down
D. Antony deceived Caesar
Answer: C. Caesar fell down.
46. How did the “tag-rag” people behave towards Caesar?
A. They ignored him
B. They clapped and hissed him
C. They attacked him
D. They crowned him
Answer: B. They clapped and hissed him.
47. Whom does Casca compare the common people with?
A. Soldiers
B. Senators
C. Theatre audiences
D. Merchants
Answer: C. Theatre audiences.
48. According to Casca, how did theatre audiences behave?
A. They remained silent
B. They clapped or hissed according to their pleasure
C. They always praised actors
D. They always criticised actors
Answer: B. They clapped or hissed according to their pleasure.
49. What did Caesar do before he fell down?
A. He drew his sword
B. He opened his doublet and offered his throat
C. He ran away
D. He called for Brutus
Answer: B. He opened his doublet and offered his throat.
50. What did Caesar offer the crowd?
A. His sword
B. His crown
C. His throat
D. His money
Answer: C. His throat.
51. Why did Caesar offer his throat to the crowd?
A. He wanted to punish Antony
B. He knew the crowd was pleased by his refusal of the crown
C. He wanted to leave Rome
D. He was angry with Brutus
Answer: B. He knew the crowd was pleased by his refusal of the crown.
52. What did Caesar call his strange behaviour after recovering?
A. His ambition
B. His courage
C. His infirmity
D. His wisdom
Answer: C. His infirmity.
53. Who forgave Caesar after his strange behaviour?
A. Three or four senators
B. Three or four soldiers
C. Three or four wenches
D. Three or four priests
Answer: C. Three or four wenches.
54. What did the women call Caesar?
A. Great king
B. Good soul
C. Noble soldier
D. Brave Caesar
Answer: B. Good soul.
55. What does Casca think the women would have done if Caesar had stabbed
their mothers?
A. They would have punished him
B. They would have fled
C. They would still have forgiven him
D. They would have complained
Answer: C. They would still have forgiven him.
56. How did Caesar leave after the incident?
A. Happily
B. Angrily
C. Sadly
D. Proudly
Answer: C. Sadly.
57. Who does Cassius ask about next?
A. Antony
B. Cicero
C. Marullus
D. Flavius
Answer: B. Cicero.
58. What did Cicero do at the marketplace?
A. He shouted at Caesar
B. He spoke Greek
C. He offered Caesar a crown
D. He attacked Antony
Answer: B. He spoke Greek.
59. How did those who understood Cicero react?
A. They laughed loudly
B. They became angry
C. They smiled and shook their heads
D. They left immediately
Answer: C. They smiled and shook their heads.
60. Why did Cicero’s words mean nothing to Casca?
A. Cicero spoke too softly
B. Cicero spoke Greek
C. Casca was deaf
D. Casca was absent
Answer: B. Cicero spoke Greek.
61. What expression does Casca use to indicate that he could not understand
Cicero?
A. “It is Latin to me”
B. “It was Greek to me”
C. “It was strange to me”
D. “It was foolish to me”
Answer: B. “It was Greek to me.”
62. What happened to Marullus and Flavius?
A. They were crowned
B. They were elected
C. They were put to silence
D. They were sent to Greece
Answer: C. They were put to silence.
63. Why were Marullus and Flavius punished?
A. For attacking Caesar
B. For pulling scarves off Caesar’s images
C. For speaking Greek
D. For insulting Antony
Answer: B. For pulling scarves off Caesar’s images.
64. What does Cassius invite Casca to do that night?
A. Visit Caesar
B. Attend the Senate
C. Sup with him
D. Meet Brutus
Answer: C. Sup with him.
65. Why does Casca refuse to dine with Cassius that night?
A. He is ill
B. He is promised forth
C. He dislikes Cassius
D. He has to meet Caesar
Answer: B. He is promised forth.
66. When does Casca agree to dine with Cassius?
A. That afternoon
B. That night
C. The following day
D. The following week
Answer: C. The following day.
67. On what condition does Casca agree to dine with Cassius?
A. If Caesar permits it
B. If he is alive, Cassius remembers, and the dinner is worthwhile
C. If Brutus accompanies them
D. If Cicero attends
Answer: B. If he is alive, Cassius remembers, and the dinner is worthwhile.
68. What does Brutus call Casca after Casca leaves?
A. A clever fellow
B. A blunt fellow
C. A dangerous fellow
D. A dishonest fellow
Answer: B. A blunt fellow.
69. What does Brutus say about Casca’s school days?
A. He was dull
B. He was lazy
C. He was quick mettle
D. He was dishonest
Answer: C. He was quick mettle.
70. According to Cassius, how is Casca in carrying out bold enterprises?
A. Slow and fearful
B. Quick and capable
C. Careless and weak
D. Unwilling and doubtful
Answer: B. Quick and capable.
71. What does Cassius call Casca’s rudeness?
A. A weakness
B. A disguise
C. A sauce to his good wit
D. A political mistake
Answer: C. A sauce to his good wit.
72. What does Casca’s rudeness give people an appetite to do?
A. Leave the conversation
B. Digest his words
C. Attack Caesar
D. Follow Brutus
Answer: B. Digest his words.
73. What does Brutus promise Cassius about the next day?
A. He will meet him at the Senate
B. He will come home to him or receive him at his own home
C. He will meet Caesar
D. He will speak with Antony
Answer: B. He will come home to him or receive him at his own home.
74. What does Cassius tell Brutus to think about?
A. Caesar
B. Antony
C. The world
D. Greece
Answer: C. The world.
75. What does Cassius think about Brutus?
A. He is foolish
B. He is noble
C. He is cowardly
D. He is ambitious
Answer: B. He is noble.
76. What does Cassius believe can be influenced in Brutus?
A. His physical strength
B. His honourable character
C. His military skills
D. His wealth
Answer: B. His honourable character.
77. What does Cassius ask rhetorically about noble minds?
A. Who can become powerful?
B. Who can remain firm enough not to be seduced?
C. Who can defeat Caesar?
D. Who can rule Rome?
Answer: B. Who can remain firm enough not to be seduced?
78. How does Caesar treat Cassius?
A. He loves him deeply
B. He bears him hard
C. He respects him completely
D. He ignores him
Answer: B. He bears him hard.
79. Whom does Caesar love according to Cassius?
A. Casca
B. Cicero
C. Brutus
D. Antony
Answer: C. Brutus.
80. What does Cassius think Brutus would do if their positions were
reversed?
A. He would honour Cassius
B. He would not humour Cassius
C. He would support Caesar
D. He would leave Rome
Answer: B. He would not humour Cassius.
81. What does Cassius plan to throw at Brutus’s windows?
A. Coins
B. Weapons
C. Writings
D. Flowers
Answer: C. Writings.
82. How will Cassius make the writings appear genuine?
A. He will sign Caesar’s name
B. He will make them appear to come from several citizens
C. He will ask Cicero to write them
D. He will give them to Antony
Answer: B. He will make them appear to come from several citizens.
83. What will the writings suggest about Rome’s opinion of Brutus?
A. Rome dislikes him
B. Rome fears him
C. Rome holds a great opinion of him
D. Rome has forgotten him
Answer: C. Rome holds a great opinion of him.
84. What will the writings indirectly suggest about Caesar?
A. His kindness
B. His ambition
C. His weakness
D. His illness
Answer: B. His ambition.
85. Why does Cassius want to suggest Caesar’s ambition to Brutus?
A. To make Brutus admire Caesar
B. To make Brutus oppose Caesar
C. To make Brutus leave Rome
D. To make Brutus meet Antony
Answer: B. To make Brutus oppose Caesar.
86. What is Cassius’s ultimate plan concerning Brutus?
A. To frighten him away from Rome
B. To manipulate him into opposing Caesar
C. To make him Caesar’s friend
D. To make him leave politics
Answer: B. To manipulate him into opposing Caesar.
87. Why is Brutus particularly useful to Cassius?
A. Brutus is wealthy
B. Brutus is respected and noble
C. Brutus commands the army
D. Brutus is Caesar’s enemy
Answer: B. Brutus is respected and noble.
88. What does Cassius hope the forged writings will make Brutus believe?
A. That Caesar loves him
B. That Roman citizens want him to act against Caesar’s ambition
C. That Antony is dangerous
D. That Casca is dishonest
Answer: B. That Roman citizens want him to act against Caesar’s ambition.
89. What does “several hands” refer to in Cassius’s plan?
A. Several soldiers
B. Several handwriting styles
C. Several weapons
D. Several physical hands
Answer: B. Several handwriting styles.
90. Why will Cassius use different handwriting styles?
A. To make the writings difficult to read
B. To make them appear to come from different citizens
C. To impress Caesar
D. To conceal Brutus’s identity
Answer: B. To make them appear to come from different citizens.
91. What does Cassius mean by “Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at”?
A. Caesar’s ambition will be openly praised
B. Caesar’s ambition will be indirectly suggested
C. Caesar’s ambition will be forgotten
D. Caesar’s ambition will be directly challenged
Answer: B. Caesar’s ambition will be indirectly suggested.
92. What does Cassius mean by “shake him”?
A. Physically attack Caesar
B. Disturb or undermine Caesar’s power
C. Make Caesar laugh
D. Force Caesar to leave Rome
Answer: B. Disturb or undermine Caesar’s power.
93. What does Cassius mean by “worse days endure”?
A. They will enjoy greater prosperity
B. They are prepared to face difficult times
C. Caesar will reward them
D. They will leave Rome peacefully
Answer: B. They are prepared to face difficult times.
94. Which character is most openly manipulative in the extract?
A. Brutus
B. Casca
C. Cassius
D. Antony
Answer: C. Cassius.
95. Which character provides the detailed account of Caesar’s behaviour in
the marketplace?
A. Brutus
B. Casca
C. Cassius
D. Antony
Answer: B. Casca.
96. Which character is mainly concerned with understanding Caesar’s
political intentions?
A. Cassius
B. Casca
C. Brutus
D. Cicero
Answer: A. Cassius.
97. What does Caesar’s reaction to Cassius reveal about his judgment of
character?
A. He considers Cassius perceptive and potentially dangerous
B. He considers Cassius foolish
C. He completely trusts Cassius
D. He does not notice Cassius
Answer: A. He considers Cassius perceptive and potentially dangerous.
98. What does Casca’s narration reveal about Caesar’s relationship with the
crowd?
A. The crowd ignores Caesar
B. Caesar can strongly influence and be influenced by the crowd
C. Caesar hates all common people
D. The crowd always opposes Caesar
Answer: B. Caesar can strongly influence and be influenced by the crowd.
99. What does the final part of the extract mainly reveal?
A. Brutus’s military success
B. Cassius’s plan to manipulate Brutus
C. Caesar’s friendship with Antony
D. Cicero’s political speech
Answer: B. Cassius’s plan to manipulate Brutus.
100. What is the final intention expressed by Cassius?
A. To crown Caesar
B. To support Caesar
C. To shake Caesar’s power
D. To leave Rome
Answer: C. To shake Caesar’s power.
Multiple Choice Questions: Set 2
1. What quality of Cassius makes Caesar particularly suspicious of him?
A. His physical strength
B. His ability to read and observe deeply
C. His love of music
D. His popularity with soldiers
Answer: B. His ability to read and observe deeply.
2. What does Caesar imply when he says Cassius “looks quite through the
deeds of men”?
A. Cassius ignores people's actions
B. Cassius carefully understands people's actions and motives
C. Cassius only watches soldiers
D. Cassius studies military movements
Answer: B. Cassius carefully understands people's actions and motives.
3. What does Caesar’s description suggest about Cassius’s emotional nature?
A. He is extremely cheerful
B. He is deeply emotional
C. He is serious and rarely amused
D. He is easily frightened
Answer: C. He is serious and rarely amused.
4. What does Caesar associate with Cassius’s dissatisfaction?
A. His poverty
B. His inability to tolerate superior people
C. His hatred of Rome
D. His dislike of Antony
Answer: B. His inability to tolerate superior people.
5. What distinction does Caesar make between what he fears and what should
be feared?
A. He says both are exactly the same
B. He claims he personally fears everything
C. He says he discusses dangers rather than admitting personal fear
D. He says Cassius fears Caesar
Answer: C. He discusses dangers rather than admitting personal fear.
6. Why does Caesar ask Antony to stand on his right?
A. Antony is his closest friend
B. Caesar wants Antony to protect him
C. Caesar cannot hear with his left ear
D. Caesar wants to speak privately
Answer: C. Caesar cannot hear with his left ear.
7. What does Caesar request Antony to do “truly”?
A. Describe the crowd
B. Give his opinion of Cassius
C. Explain Cicero’s speech
D. Describe the crown
Answer: B. Give his opinion of Cassius.
8. What immediate action follows Caesar’s departure?
A. Antony attacks Cassius
B. Casca begins speaking with Brutus
C. Cicero enters
D. Brutus leaves Rome
Answer: B. Casca begins speaking with Brutus.
9. Why does Brutus question Casca even though Brutus had been with Caesar?
A. Brutus wants Casca’s version of events
B. Brutus did not see what happened afterwards
C. Brutus wants to test Casca
D. Brutus had forgotten Caesar’s actions
Answer: B. Brutus did not see what happened afterwards.
10. What does Casca’s response to Brutus initially suggest about his manner
of speaking?
A. He is extremely formal
B. He is indirect and elaborate
C. He is blunt and straightforward
D. He is highly emotional
Answer: C. He is blunt and straightforward.
11. What apparently pleased the Roman crowd during the crown incident?
A. Caesar’s acceptance of the crown
B. Caesar’s refusal of the crown
C. Antony’s speech
D. Cicero’s Greek
Answer: B. Caesar’s refusal of the crown.
12. What does Casca’s description suggest about Caesar’s manner of refusing
the crown?
A. He refused it violently
B. He refused it with increasing gentleness
C. He refused it only once
D. He refused it without touching it
Answer: B. He refused it with increasing gentleness.
13. What does Casca’s observation about Caesar’s fingers suggest?
A. Caesar disliked the coronet
B. Caesar was eager to throw it away
C. Caesar seemed unwilling to remove his fingers from it
D. Caesar never touched it
Answer: C. Caesar seemed unwilling to remove his fingers from it.
14. What does Casca’s phrase “for all that” suggest about Caesar’s refusal?
A. Casca suspects the refusal was not entirely genuine
B. Casca completely trusts Caesar
C. Caesar openly demanded the crown
D. Caesar was afraid of Antony
Answer: A. Casca suspects the refusal was not entirely genuine.
15. What does the crowd’s behaviour after the third refusal indicate?
A. Its disappointment with Caesar
B. Its enthusiastic approval
C. Its fear of Caesar
D. Its hatred of Antony
Answer: B. Its enthusiastic approval.
16. What does “rabblement” refer to in Casca’s account?
A. The senators
B. The soldiers
C. The common crowd
D. Caesar’s family
Answer: C. The common crowd.
17. What does Casca’s description of the crowd’s breath emphasize?
A. Its silence
B. Its unpleasant physical closeness
C. Its discipline
D. Its wealth
Answer: B. Its unpleasant physical closeness.
18. Why does Cassius interrupt Casca with “But soft, I pray you”?
A. He wants Casca to speak more slowly
B. He wants clarification about Caesar’s collapse
C. He wants Brutus to leave
D. He wants to discuss Cicero
Answer: B. He wants clarification about Caesar’s collapse.
19. What does Casca’s account of Caesar’s physical condition add to the
scene?
A. It explains why Caesar looked weak afterwards
B. It proves Caesar was physically injured
C. It shows Caesar was attacked
D. It shows Antony crowned Caesar
Answer: A. It explains why Caesar looked weak afterwards.
20. Why does Cassius reject Brutus’s interpretation of Caesar’s falling
sickness?
A. Cassius knows Caesar was not actually suffering from the illness
B. Cassius believes Caesar was sleeping
C. Cassius thinks Brutus is a doctor
D. Cassius had never seen Caesar
Answer: A. Cassius knows Caesar was not actually suffering from the illness.
21. What is ironic about Cassius saying that he, Brutus and Casca have the
falling sickness?
A. They have actually fallen physically
B. He suggests they metaphorically submit to Caesar’s power
C. They are all physically ill
D. They have all fainted
Answer: B. He suggests they metaphorically submit to Caesar’s power.
22. What does Casca’s reference to theatre audiences reveal about the crowd?
A. It behaves thoughtfully
B. It behaves like an easily influenced audience
C. It dislikes entertainment
D. It respects the Senate more than Caesar
Answer: B. It behaves like an easily influenced audience.
23. What does Caesar’s gesture of exposing his throat suggest to the crowd?
A. A willingness to risk death
B. A desire to attack them
C. A request for the crown
D. A wish to leave Rome
Answer: A. A willingness to risk death.
24. What does Casca’s comment about taking Caesar “at a word” reveal about
Casca?
A. He is sentimental
B. He has a dry and sarcastic sense of humour
C. He is frightened of Caesar
D. He admires Caesar completely
Answer: B. He has a dry and sarcastic sense of humour.
25. What does Caesar’s request to blame his behaviour on “infirmity”
accomplish?
A. It gives an explanation for his unusual conduct
B. It accuses Antony
C. It condemns the crowd
D. It challenges Brutus
Answer: A. It gives an explanation for his unusual conduct.
26. What does the reaction of the wenches show about Caesar’s popularity?
A. He is disliked by ordinary people
B. He inspires strong emotional loyalty among some common people
C. He is feared by everyone
D. He is unknown to the crowd
Answer: B. He inspires strong emotional loyalty among some common people.
27. Why does Casca dismiss the sympathy of the women?
A. He thinks they are secretly conspirators
B. He believes their devotion to Caesar is excessive and unquestioning
C. He knows they cannot understand Caesar
D. He dislikes all women
Answer: B. He believes their devotion to Caesar is excessive and
unquestioning.
28. What does Caesar’s sadness after the incident suggest to the observers?
A. The crown incident affected him deeply
B. He was delighted by the crowd
C. He was angry with Antony
D. He wanted to leave politics
Answer: A. The crown incident affected him deeply.
29. Why is Cicero’s use of Greek significant to Casca?
A. Casca understands Greek perfectly
B. Casca cannot understand what Cicero says
C. Cicero insults Caesar in English
D. Cicero asks Casca a question
Answer: B. Casca cannot understand what Cicero says.
30. What do the smiles and head-shaking of Cicero’s listeners suggest?
A. They found his words meaningful or significant
B. They did not hear him
C. They were mocking Casca
D. They wanted Caesar crowned
Answer: A. They found his words meaningful or significant.
31. What does Casca’s inability to remember all the events indicate?
A. He is deliberately hiding everything
B. He describes the events casually and somewhat humorously
C. He was absent from the marketplace
D. He was afraid of Brutus
Answer: B. He describes the events casually and somewhat humorously.
32. What does the punishment of Marullus and Flavius indicate about Caesar’s
authority?
A. Caesar’s public position is becoming powerful
B. Caesar has lost all authority
C. The tribunes have defeated Caesar
D. Rome has rejected Caesar
Answer: A. Caesar’s public position is becoming powerful.
33. What does the removal of scarves from Caesar’s images suggest about
Marullus and Flavius?
A. They supported Caesar’s glorification
B. They opposed the excessive honour given to Caesar
C. They wanted Caesar crowned
D. They supported Antony
Answer: B. They opposed the excessive honour given to Caesar.
34. Why does Cassius invite Casca to dinner?
A. To celebrate Caesar
B. To maintain contact and possibly involve him in political plans
C. To discuss Greek literature
D. To apologise to him
Answer: B. To maintain contact and possibly involve him in political plans.
35. What does Casca’s condition that the dinner must be “worth the eating”
reveal?
A. His serious nature
B. His humorous and sarcastic manner
C. His fear of Cassius
D. His love of Caesar
Answer: B. His humorous and sarcastic manner.
36. What does Brutus’s remark about Casca’s school days suggest?
A. Casca has always been foolish
B. Casca’s present rough manner hides former quickness
C. Casca was never intelligent
D. Casca disliked education
Answer: B. Casca’s present rough manner hides former quickness.
37. What does Cassius think Casca’s “tardy form” conceals?
A. His cowardice
B. His good wit and ability
C. His ambition
D. His loyalty to Caesar
Answer: B. His good wit and ability.
38. Why does Cassius consider Casca’s rudeness useful?
A. It makes Casca appear harmless while allowing his intelligence to work
effectively
B. It makes Caesar trust him
C. It prevents him from speaking
D. It makes Brutus dislike him
Answer: A. It makes Casca appear harmless while allowing his intelligence to
work effectively.
39. What does Brutus’s willingness to meet Cassius again suggest?
A. He is completely opposed to Cassius
B. He is willing to continue their discussion
C. He wants Cassius arrested
D. He has already joined a conspiracy
Answer: B. He is willing to continue their discussion.
40. What does Cassius’s private speech after Brutus leaves reveal?
A. His admiration for Caesar
B. His secret intentions toward Brutus
C. His fear of Casca
D. His desire to leave Rome
Answer: B. His secret intentions toward Brutus.
41. Why does Cassius think Brutus’s nobility can be “wrought” from its
present direction?
A. He believes Brutus’s noble character can be redirected toward opposing
Caesar
B. He thinks Brutus has no principles
C. He believes Brutus wants to become king
D. He wants Brutus to become a soldier
Answer: A. He believes Brutus’s noble character can be redirected toward
opposing Caesar.
42. What does Cassius’s question “For who so firm that cannot be seduced?”
imply?
A. Everyone is completely incorruptible
B. Even honourable people may be influenced
C. Brutus is already corrupt
D. Caesar cannot be influenced
Answer: B. Even honourable people may be influenced.
43. Why does Cassius mention Caesar’s attitude toward him?
A. To explain why he hates Caesar personally
B. To contrast Caesar’s treatment of him with Caesar’s affection for Brutus
C. To praise Caesar’s fairness
D. To defend Caesar
Answer: B. To contrast Caesar’s treatment of him with Caesar’s affection for
Brutus.
44. What does Cassius believe about Brutus’s influence over Caesar?
A. Caesar dislikes Brutus
B. Caesar loves and values Brutus
C. Caesar fears Brutus
D. Caesar ignores Brutus
Answer: B. Caesar loves and values Brutus.
45. Why would Brutus be especially valuable in opposition to Caesar?
A. He is known for his honour and reputation
B. He owns the largest army
C. He is Caesar’s servant
D. He is wealthy
Answer: A. He is known for his honour and reputation.
46. What is deceptive about Cassius’s planned letters?
A. They will contain genuine messages from Caesar
B. They will falsely appear to represent the opinions of Roman citizens
C. They will be written by Brutus
D. They will be official Senate documents
Answer: B. They will falsely appear to represent the opinions of Roman
citizens.
47. Why does Cassius want Brutus to think the letters come from several
people?
A. To make the supposed public opinion appear widespread
B. To make Brutus suspicious of Casca
C. To make Caesar angry
D. To hide Roman history
Answer: A. To make the supposed public opinion appear widespread.
48. What is the intended effect of praising Brutus in the forged letters?
A. To make him feel personally valued and responsible for Rome
B. To make him leave Rome
C. To make him trust Caesar more
D. To make him support Antony
Answer: A. To make him feel personally valued and responsible for Rome.
49. How does Cassius plan to connect Brutus’s honour with Caesar’s ambition?
A. By suggesting that Brutus’s duty to Rome requires him to oppose Caesar
B. By asking Brutus to crown Caesar
C. By telling Brutus to leave politics
D. By praising Caesar’s military achievements
Answer: A. By suggesting that Brutus’s duty to Rome requires him to oppose
Caesar.
50. What does the phrase “let Caesar seat him sure” imply?
A. Caesar should prepare for resistance
B. Caesar can remain completely secure
C. Caesar should sit in the Senate
D. Caesar should leave Rome
Answer: A. Caesar should prepare for resistance.
51. Which character in the extract provides most of the humorous
descriptions of the marketplace incident?
A. Brutus
B. Cassius
C. Casca
D. Caesar
Answer: C. Casca.
52. Which character listens carefully to Casca’s account and asks repeated
questions?
A. Brutus
B. Caesar
C. Antony
D. Cicero
Answer: A. Brutus.
53. Which character uses Casca’s account to understand Caesar’s political
situation?
A. Cassius
B. Antony
C. Cicero
D. Caesar
Answer: A. Cassius.
54. Which character speaks most confidently about his own lack of fear?
A. Brutus
B. Casca
C. Caesar
D. Cicero
Answer: C. Caesar.
55. What contrast is established between Caesar and Cassius at the
beginning?
A. Caesar is emotional while Cassius is cheerful
B. Caesar is confident while Cassius is serious and observant
C. Caesar is weak while Cassius is generous
D. Caesar is poor while Cassius is rich
Answer: B. Caesar is confident while Cassius is serious and observant.
56. What does Caesar’s comment about Cassius’s lack of enjoyment suggest?
A. Cassius is pleasure-loving
B. Cassius is intensely serious and inward-looking
C. Cassius is careless
D. Cassius is physically weak
Answer: B. Cassius is intensely serious and inward-looking.
57. What does Casca’s account imply about Caesar’s ability to influence the
crowd?
A. Caesar has no influence
B. Caesar can manipulate the crowd’s emotions
C. Caesar fears the crowd completely
D. Caesar avoids the crowd
Answer: B. Caesar can manipulate the crowd’s emotions.
58. What does the crowd’s repeated shouting demonstrate?
A. Its lack of interest
B. Its strong emotional response to Caesar’s gestures
C. Its hatred of Caesar
D. Its support for Brutus
Answer: B. Its strong emotional response to Caesar’s gestures.
59. What does Caesar’s fainting contribute to the impression of his
character?
A. It presents him as physically vulnerable despite his public power
B. It proves he is a poor leader
C. It shows that he hates Rome
D. It proves he wants to retire
Answer: A. It presents him as physically vulnerable despite his public
power.
60. What does Cassius’s final speech reveal about the difference between his
public and private behaviour?
A. He is equally honest in both situations
B. He appears friendly publicly but secretly plans manipulation
C. He openly declares conspiracy
D. He fears Brutus publicly and privately
Answer: B. He appears friendly publicly but secretly plans manipulation.
Multiple Choice Questions [Set 3]
1. In the context,
what does “spare Cassius” mean?
A. Wealthy Cassius
B. Thin or lean Cassius
C. Young Cassius
D. Weak-minded Cassius
Answer: B. Thin or lean Cassius.
2. What does “liable to fear” mean in Caesar’s statement?
A. Able to cause fear
B. Subject to or capable of feeling fear
C. Ready to attack others
D. Unable to understand fear
Answer: B. Subject to or capable of feeling fear.
3. What does “dost” mean in “As thou dost, Antony”?
A. Did
B. Do
C. Does
D. Done
Answer: B. Do.
4. What does “thou” refer to in Caesar’s speech?
A. Cassius
B. Brutus
C. Antony
D. Casca
Answer: C. Antony.
5. What does “mocked himself” mean?
A. Praised himself
B. Made fun of himself
C. Defended himself
D. Forgave himself
Answer: B. Made fun of himself.
6. What does “scorned his spirit” mean?
A. Respected his courage
B. Despised his own inner nature
C. Strengthened his character
D. Changed his opinion
Answer: B. Despised his own inner nature.
7. What does “at heart’s ease” mean?
A. Physically comfortable
B. Mentally peaceful and satisfied
C. Completely silent
D. Physically powerful
Answer: B. Mentally peaceful and satisfied.
8. What does “whiles” mean in “Whiles they behold”?
A. Until
B. Because
C. While
D. Before
Answer: C. While.
9. What does “behold” mean?
A. Avoid
B. See or observe
C. Attack
D. Understand
Answer: B. See or observe.
10. What does “thee” mean in Caesar’s speech?
A. Him
B. You
C. Them
D. Me
Answer: B. You.
11. What does “think’st” mean?
A. Thought
B. Think
C. Thinkest
D. Thinking
Answer: C. Thinkest.
12. What does “hath chanced” mean?
A. Has been planned
B. Has happened
C. Has been forgotten
D. Has been prevented
Answer: B. Has happened.
13. What does “put it by” mean in Casca’s account?
A. Accepted it
B. Pushed or refused it
C. Hid it
D. Sold it
Answer: B. Pushed or refused it.
14. What does “Ay, marry” mean in Casca’s speech?
A. No, certainly not
B. Yes, indeed
C. Perhaps
D. Never
Answer: B. Yes, indeed.
15. What does “every time gentler than other” mean?
A. Each refusal was more violent
B. Each refusal was gentler than the previous one
C. Each refusal was louder
D. Each refusal was shorter
Answer: B. Each refusal was gentler than the previous one.
16. What is a “coronet”?
A. A small crown
B. A military sword
C. A Roman scarf
D. A ceremonial cloak
Answer: A. A small crown.
17. What does “fain” mean in “he would fain have had it”?
A. Sadly
B. Gladly or willingly
C. Secretly
D. Angrily
Answer: B. Gladly or willingly.
18. What does “loath” mean in “he was very loath”?
A. Unwilling
B. Excited
C. Proud
D. Confused
Answer: A. Unwilling.
19. What does “lay his fingers off it” mean?
A. Remove his fingers from it
B. Place his fingers upon it
C. Break it with his fingers
D. Give it to Antony
Answer: A. Remove his fingers from it.
20. What does “rabblement” mean?
A. Group of senators
B. Disorderly common crowd
C. Group of soldiers
D. Roman officials
Answer: B. Disorderly common crowd.
21. What does “hooted” mean?
A. Applauded quietly
B. Shouted mockingly
C. Sang beautifully
D. Spoke formally
Answer: B. Shouted mockingly.
22. What does “chopped hands” refer to?
A. Injured hands
B. Rough hands used for clapping
C. Hands holding swords
D. Hands holding crowns
Answer: B. Rough hands used for clapping.
23. What does “a deal of” mean in Casca’s speech?
A. A small amount of
B. A great amount of
C. A particular type of
D. A secret amount of
Answer: B. A great amount of.
24. What does “swooned” mean?
A. Shouted
B. Fainted
C. Laughed
D. Ran away
Answer: B. Fainted.
25. What does “durst not” mean?
A. Did not dare
B. Did not know
C. Did not wish
D. Could not understand
Answer: A. Did not dare.
26. What does “falling sickness” refer to literally?
A. Epilepsy
B. Fever
C. Blindness
D. Deafness
Answer: A. Epilepsy.
27. What does “tag-rag people” mean?
A. Noble citizens
B. Ordinary and disorderly people
C. Roman soldiers
D. Political leaders
Answer: B. Ordinary and disorderly people.
28. What does “according as” mean?
A. Regardless of
B. Depending on whether
C. In opposition to
D. Immediately after
Answer: B. Depending on whether.
29. What does “use to do” mean in Casca’s speech?
A. Usually do
B. Refuse to do
C. Forget to do
D. Learn to do
Answer: A. Usually do.
30. What does “came unto himself” mean?
A. Came physically to Caesar
B. Regained consciousness
C. Became angry
D. Began speaking Greek
Answer: B. Regained consciousness.
31. What is a “doublet” in this context?
A. A type of outer garment
B. A Roman crown
C. A military weapon
D. A ceremonial scarf
Answer: A. A type of outer garment.
32. What does “An I had been” mean?
A. If I had been
B. Although I had been
C. Because I had been
D. When I had been
Answer: A. If I had been.
33. What does “occupation” mean in Casca’s statement?
A. Profession or trade
B. Political office
C. Military rank
D. Personal ambition
Answer: A. Profession or trade.
34. What does “take him at a word” mean?
A. Believe or act upon his exact words
B. Ignore what he says
C. Correct his speech
D. Repeat his words
Answer: A. Believe or act upon his exact words.
35. What does “amiss” mean?
A. Correctly
B. Wrongly
C. Secretly
D. Suddenly
Answer: B. Wrongly.
36. What does “Worships” refer to in Caesar’s speech?
A. Gods
B. Persons being respectfully addressed
C. Roman soldiers
D. Priests
Answer: B. Persons being respectfully addressed.
37. What does “wenches” mean in this context?
A. Young women
B. Old women
C. Female soldiers
D. Priestesses
Answer: A. Young women.
38. What does “heed” mean in “there’s no heed to be taken”?
A. Attention or importance
B. Fear
C. Anger
D. Punishment
Answer: A. Attention or importance.
39. What does “stabbed their mothers” emphasize in Casca’s remark?
A. The women’s hatred of Caesar
B. The extreme nature of their devotion to Caesar
C. Caesar’s cruelty toward women
D. Their political power
Answer: B. The extreme nature of their devotion to Caesar.
40. What does “to what effect?” mean in Cassius’s question?
A. At what time?
B. With what result or meaning?
C. For what reason?
D. In what place?
Answer: B. With what result or meaning?
41. What does “ne’er” mean?
A. Never
B. Near
C. Nearly
D. Neither
Answer: A. Never.
42. What does “i’ th’ face” mean?
A. Into the face
B. In the face
C. From the face
D. Around the face
Answer: B. In the face.
43. What does “it was Greek to me” mean?
A. Cicero spoke beautifully
B. Cicero spoke too loudly
C. Casca could not understand what Cicero said
D. Casca disliked Greek people
Answer: C. Casca could not understand what Cicero said.
44. What does “put to silence” mean in the context?
A. Rewarded publicly
B. Punished and prevented from continuing their public activity
C. Sent to Greece
D. Given an official position
Answer: B. Punished and prevented from continuing their public
activity.
45. What does “sup” mean?
A. Sleep
B. Have an evening meal
C. Speak privately
D. Travel
Answer: B. Have an evening meal.
46. What does “promised forth” mean?
A. Already committed to go elsewhere
B. Promised to Caesar
C. Promised to fight
D. Promised to stay home
Answer: A. Already committed to go elsewhere.
47. What does “blunt fellow” mean in Brutus’s description?
A. A physically dull person
B. A direct and unpolished person
C. A dishonest person
D. A weak person
Answer: B. A direct and unpolished person.
48. What does “quick mettle” mean?
A. Quick temper only
B. Lively and intelligent spirit
C. Physical strength
D. Political ambition
Answer: B. Lively and intelligent spirit.
49. What does “enterprise” mean in “bold or noble enterprise”?
A. A business
B. A significant undertaking or venture
C. A speech
D. A punishment
Answer: B. A significant undertaking or venture.
50. What does “tardy form” mean?
A. Slow or dull outward manner
B. Strong physical body
C. Formal dress
D. Noble appearance
Answer: A. Slow or dull outward manner.
51. What does “sauce to his good wit” suggest?
A. His rudeness makes his intelligence more appealing
B. His intelligence makes him rude
C. His rudeness destroys his intelligence
D. His speech is difficult to understand
Answer: A. His rudeness makes his intelligence more appealing.
52. What does “gives men stomach to digest his words” mean?
A. Makes people physically hungry
B. Makes people more willing to accept his words
C. Makes people reject his arguments
D. Makes people laugh at him
Answer: B. Makes people more willing to accept his words.
53. What does “meet” mean in Brutus’s statement?
A. Strange
B. Suitable or proper
C. Difficult
D. Unnecessary
Answer: B. Suitable or proper.
54. What does “noble minds keep ever with their likes” suggest?
A. Noble people should associate with people of similar character
B. Noble people should avoid everyone
C. Noble people should obey Caesar
D. Noble people should become soldiers
Answer: A. Noble people should associate with people of similar
character.
55. What does “seduced” mean in Cassius’s speech?
A. Physically attacked
B. Persuaded or led away from one's principles
C. Publicly praised
D. Legally punished
Answer: B. Persuaded or led away from one's principles.
56. What does “bear me hard” mean?
A. Treat me harshly or unfavourably
B. Carry me physically
C. Respect me greatly
D. Follow my advice
Answer: A. Treat me harshly or unfavourably.
57. What does “humour me” mean in this context?
A. Entertain me with jokes
B. Indulge or accommodate me
C. Criticize me
D. Punish me
Answer: B. Indulge or accommodate me.
58. What does “in several hands” mean in Cassius’s plan?
A. Through several physical hands
B. In different handwritings
C. Among several soldiers
D. In different books
Answer: B. In different handwritings.
59. What does “tending to” mean in “all tending to the great opinion”?
A. Leading or directed toward
B. Opposed to
C. Completely unrelated to
D. Written against
Answer: A. Leading or directed toward.
60. What does “obscurely” mean in “wherein obscurely Caesar’s
ambition”?
A. Clearly
B. Indirectly or unclearly
C. Loudly
D. Officially
Answer: B. Indirectly or unclearly.
61. What does “glanced at” mean in this context?
A. Looked at physically
B. Referred to indirectly
C. Praised openly
D. Completely ignored
Answer: B. Referred to indirectly.
62. What does “seat him sure” mean in Cassius’s final statement?
A. Make Caesar sit down
B. Let Caesar feel secure for the moment
C. Make Caesar leave Rome
D. Give Caesar a throne
Answer: B. Let Caesar feel secure for the moment.
63. What literary device is used when Cassius says, “we have the
falling sickness”?
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Personification
D. Alliteration
Answer: B. Metaphor.
64. Why is “falling sickness” metaphorical when Cassius applies it to
himself, Brutus and Casca?
A. They are physically ill
B. He means they metaphorically submit to Caesar
C. They have all fainted
D. They are physicians
Answer: B. He means they metaphorically submit to Caesar.
65. What literary device is prominent in “sauce to his good wit”?
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Oxymoron
D. Hyperbole
Answer: A. Metaphor.
66. What does “sauce” metaphorically represent in Cassius’s description
of Casca?
A. Casca’s physical food
B. Casca’s rudeness, which makes his intelligence more effective
C. Casca’s anger
D. Casca’s political ambition
Answer: B. Casca’s rudeness, which makes his intelligence more
effective.
67. What literary device is used in “digest his words”?
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Pun
D. Personification
Answer: A. Metaphor.
68. Why is “digest his words” metaphorical?
A. Words are literally food
B. Understanding and accepting words are compared with digesting food
C. Casca is eating while speaking
D. Brutus is hungry
Answer: B. Understanding and accepting words are compared with
digesting food.
69. What literary device appears in “For who so firm that cannot be
seduced?”
A. Rhetorical question
B. Simile
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Personification
Answer: A. Rhetorical question.
70. Why does Cassius use the question “who so firm that cannot be
seduced?”
A. He genuinely expects Brutus to answer
B. He emphasizes that even firm people may be influenced
C. He asks Caesar for help
D. He wants Casca to respond
Answer: B. He emphasizes that even firm people may be influenced.
71. What literary device is created by the repeated offering and
refusal of the crown?
A. Repetition
B. Simile
C. Pun
D. Personification
Answer: A. Repetition.
72. What is the dramatic significance of the crown being offered three
times?
A. It emphasizes Caesar’s repeated public refusal and the crowd’s repeated
response
B. It shows Antony forgot the crown
C. It shows Caesar never touched it
D. It establishes a change of location
Answer: A. It emphasizes Caesar’s repeated public refusal and the
crowd’s repeated response.
73. What literary effect is created by Casca’s detailed description of
the crowd’s physical actions?
A. Imagery
B. Allegory
C. Sonnet form
D. Personification
Answer: A. Imagery.
74. Which detail most strongly creates sensory imagery in Casca’s
account?
A. “noble enterprise”
B. “sweaty nightcaps”
C. “honourable mettle”
D. “great opinion”
Answer: B. “sweaty nightcaps.”
75. Which expression creates particularly strong sensory imagery of
smell?
A. “great observer”
B. “stinking breath”
C. “noble minds”
D. “quick mettle”
Answer: B. “stinking breath.”
76. What literary device is present in the exaggerated statement that
the crowd’s breath almost choked Caesar?
A. Hyperbole
B. Simile
C. Pun
D. Allusion
Answer: A. Hyperbole.
77. What is the effect of Casca’s humorous exaggeration about the
crowd’s breath?
A. It makes the marketplace incident comic and vivid
B. It makes Caesar appear heroic
C. It praises the crowd
D. It glorifies Antony
Answer: A. It makes the marketplace incident comic and vivid.
78. Which expression contains irony because Caesar publicly refuses
what he may secretly desire?
A. “a great observer”
B. “he would fain have had it”
C. “come home to me”
D. “think of the world”
Answer: B. “he would fain have had it.”
79. What contrast does Casca establish concerning Caesar and the crown?
A. Caesar refuses it publicly but appears reluctant to let it go
B. Caesar never touches it and never sees it
C. Caesar openly demands it
D. Caesar gives it to Brutus
Answer: A. Caesar refuses it publicly but appears reluctant to let it
go.
80. What kind of irony is present in Cassius’s statement that he does
not fear Caesar while secretly planning against him?
A. Situational irony
B. Verbal irony
C. Dramatic irony
D. No irony
Answer: C. Dramatic irony.
81. Why is Cassius’s final plan an example of dramatic irony?
A. The audience knows his secret plan while Brutus does not
B. Caesar knows everything about the plan
C. Casca reveals the plan to Brutus
D. Brutus has already written the letters
Answer: A. The audience knows his secret plan while Brutus does not.
82. Which phrase contains antithesis between public appearance and
private intention?
A. “he put it by”
B. “he would fain have had it”
C. “come home to you”
D. “Greek to me”
Answer: B. “he would fain have had it.”
83. What is the main effect of Casca’s repeated “Why, for that too”?
A. It emphasizes his blunt, impatient manner
B. It shows his fear of Caesar
C. It indicates his knowledge of Greek
D. It praises Antony
Answer: A. It emphasizes his blunt, impatient manner.
84. What does the repeated use of “thrice” emphasize in the crown
episode?
A. The repeated pattern of offering and refusal
B. The length of Caesar’s speech
C. The number of senators present
D. The number of conspirators
Answer: A. The repeated pattern of offering and refusal.
85. Which literary device is suggested by “Greek to me” when Casca does
not literally mean the Greek language itself is unintelligible?
A. Idiomatic expression
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Allegory
Answer: A. Idiomatic expression.
86. What does “the world” most likely represent in Brutus’s
conversation with Cassius?
A. The physical earth
B. Public affairs and the political situation of Rome
C. Greece
D. Caesar’s household
Answer: B. Public affairs and the political situation of Rome.
87. What does Cassius’s description of Brutus as “noble” mainly
emphasize?
A. Brutus’s physical strength
B. Brutus’s honourable character and reputation
C. Brutus’s wealth
D. Brutus’s military rank
Answer: B. Brutus’s honourable character and reputation.
88. Which word best describes Cassius’s method of influencing Brutus?
A. Direct
B. Deceptive
C. Accidental
D. Unplanned
Answer: B. Deceptive.
89. Which literary technique does Cassius plan to use by creating
apparently independent letters?
A. Deception through fabricated public opinion
B. Direct persuasion through debate
C. Physical force
D. Public celebration
Answer: A. Deception through fabricated public opinion.
90. What is the central contrast between Brutus and Cassius in the
final part?
A. Brutus is honourable and trusting, while Cassius is calculating and
manipulative
B. Brutus is humorous, while Cassius is foolish
C. Brutus is ambitious, while Cassius is loyal to Caesar
D. Brutus is physically strong, while Cassius is weak
Answer: A. Brutus is honourable and trusting, while Cassius is
calculating and manipulative.
Literary Devices
1. “He looks / Quite through the deeds of men.” — Metaphor
Cassius cannot literally look through people’s
deeds. The expression metaphorically means that he penetrates deeply into
people’s actions and motives and understands what lies behind their outward
behaviour.
2. “He smiles in such a sort / As if he mocked himself and scorned his
spirit.” — Simile
The words “as if” introduce a comparison. Caesar compares Cassius’s strange
smile to the expression of a person who mocks and despises himself.
3. “Such men as he be never at heart’s ease / Whiles they behold a greater
than themselves.” — Metaphor
“Heart’s ease” is metaphorical and represents mental peace and satisfaction.
Caesar suggests that ambitious men cannot remain peaceful when they see someone
greater than themselves.
4. “For always I am Caesar.” — Irony
Caesar confidently declares that he is always Caesar and therefore does not
fear Cassius. The statement is ironic because Cassius is secretly planning to
oppose and undermine Caesar.
5. “Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf.” — Symbolism
Caesar’s deafness is literally a physical condition, but it also becomes
significant in the scene because he needs Antony to speak directly into his
good ear while discussing Cassius, whom he considers dangerous.
6. “A crown offered him; and, being offered him, he put it by.” — Repetition
The idea of the crown being offered and refused is repeated throughout Casca’s
account. This repetition emphasizes the repeated nature of Caesar’s public
refusal and makes the incident particularly significant.
7. “He would fain have had it.” — Alliteration
The repetition of the initial “h” sound in “he” and “have” produces a
noticeable sound effect. The line also emphasizes Casca’s belief that Caesar
secretly desired the crown despite refusing it publicly.
8. “He was very loath to lay his fingers off it.” — Irony
Caesar appears to reject the crown, yet Casca observes that he seems reluctant
to remove his fingers from it. The contrast between his outward refusal and
apparent inward desire creates irony.
9. “The rabblement hooted and clapped their chapped hands.” — Imagery
The expression creates a vivid picture of the noisy crowd. “Hooted” appeals to
the sense of sound, while “chapped hands” gives a physical picture of the
people clapping enthusiastically.
10. “Threw up their sweaty nightcaps.” — Sensory Imagery
The word “sweaty” creates a strong sensory impression, while the image of
people throwing their nightcaps into the air vividly presents the excitement
and disorder of the crowd.
11. “Such a deal of stinking breath.” — Sensory Imagery
The phrase creates strong olfactory imagery. Casca humorously emphasizes the
unpleasant smell of the excited crowd’s breath.
12. “It had almost choked Caesar.” — Hyperbole
Casca exaggerates the effect of the crowd’s breath by saying that it almost
choked Caesar. The exaggeration makes his description humorous and emphasizes
the enormous excitement of the crowd.
13. “For mine own part, I durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and
receiving the bad air.” — Hyperbole
Casca humorously exaggerates the unpleasantness of the crowd’s breath. He
claims that he was afraid even to open his mouth because he might breathe in
the “bad air.”
14. “He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth and was
speechless.” — Imagery
Casca gives a vivid physical description of Caesar’s collapse. The details
enable the audience to visualize Caesar lying in the marketplace, unable to
speak.
15. “You and I / And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.” — Pun /
Wordplay
Cassius plays on the phrase “falling sickness.” Literally, it refers to
Caesar’s supposed physical illness. Cassius gives it a figurative political
meaning, suggesting that they themselves “fall” through submitting to Caesar’s
power.
16. “The tag-rag people.” — Metaphor
Casca uses this contemptuous expression to describe the common crowd. He
presents the disorderly people as an insignificant, undistinguished mass rather
than as individuals.
17. “According as he pleased and displeased them.” — Antithesis
“Pleased” and “displeased” are contrasting terms. The contrast emphasizes the
changeable nature of the common people, who support or reject Caesar according
to their immediate feelings.
18. “As they use to do the players in the theatre.” — Simile
Casca compares the common people’s behaviour toward Caesar with the behaviour
of theatre audiences toward actors. Like spectators, they applaud or hiss
according to whether they approve or disapprove.
19. “He plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut.” —
Imagery
The line creates vivid visual imagery of Caesar opening his clothing and
exposing his throat to the crowd. His dramatic action suggests that he is
inviting them to kill him.
20. “Three or four wenches … cried ‘Alas, good soul!’” — Exclamation
“Alas” is an emotional exclamation expressing pity and sorrow. The women’s
words reveal their immediate sympathy for Caesar and their emotional response
to his condition.
21. “If Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would have done no less.” —
Hyperbole
Casca exaggerates the women’s devotion to Caesar by imagining that they would
forgive him even if he had killed their own mothers. The exaggeration
emphasizes their blind loyalty.
22. “It was Greek to me.” — Pun / Wordplay
Casca literally cannot understand Cicero because Cicero speaks Greek. At the
same time, “Greek to me” is an idiomatic expression meaning something
completely unintelligible. Shakespeare therefore uses the phrase humorously.
23. “Those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads.”
— Imagery
The line gives a vivid visual picture of Cicero’s listeners exchanging smiles
and shaking their heads. Their reactions suggest that Cicero’s speech contained
something significant that Casca could not understand.
24. “Put to silence.” — Euphemism
Casca uses the indirect expression “put to silence” instead of explicitly
describing the punishment imposed on Marullus and Flavius. The phrase therefore
softens or conceals the harsh reality of their punishment.
25. “What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!” — Exclamation
Brutus uses an exclamatory statement to express his strong reaction to Casca’s
rough and straightforward manner. The exclamation also shows his surprise at
how much Casca’s manner has changed.
26. “He was quick mettle when he went to school.” — Metaphor
“Mettle” metaphorically refers to Casca’s spirit, temperament and intellectual
energy. Brutus recalls that Casca was lively, energetic and intelligent during
his school days.
27. “This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit.” — Metaphor
Cassius compares Casca’s rudeness to sauce that improves the taste of food. He
means that Casca’s rough manner makes his intelligent observations more
interesting and effective.
28. “Which gives men stomach to digest his words / With better appetite.” —
Metaphor
Cassius continues the food metaphor. “Stomach,” “digest” and “appetite” are
applied figuratively to Casca’s words. His rudeness makes people more willing
to receive and appreciate his intelligent remarks.
29. “Think of the world.” — Metonymy
“World” does not literally refer to the entire physical world. Cassius uses it
to suggest the affairs, conditions and political situation of Rome. He urges
Brutus to think seriously about the state of the world around him.
30. “For who so firm that cannot be seduced?” — Rhetorical Question
Cassius does not expect an actual answer. He asks the question to suggest that
no person, however firm or honourable, is completely immune to persuasion or
influence.
31. “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.” — Contrast
Cassius contrasts Caesar’s unfavourable attitude towards himself with Caesar’s
affection for Brutus. This difference is important because Cassius realizes
that Brutus has Caesar’s trust and can therefore be used against him.
32. “If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius.” — Antithesis
Cassius places Brutus and himself in contrasting positions through a
hypothetical reversal of their identities. This contrast allows Cassius to
imagine how Brutus might behave if their circumstances were reversed.
33. “In several hands.” — Metonymy
“Hands” refers to different writers or, more specifically, different
handwriting styles. Cassius plans to make the forged letters appear to have
been written by several different Roman citizens.
34. “Writings, all tending to the great opinion / That Rome holds of his
name.” — Metonymy
“Rome” is used to represent the Roman people or citizens. Cassius plans to make
the writings appear to express the great respect that the people of Rome have
for Brutus.
35. “Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at.” — Euphemism / Indirect
Expression
Cassius does not intend to accuse Caesar openly of ambition. He plans to refer
to it indirectly, so that Brutus will gradually suspect Caesar’s ambitions
without immediately realizing that Cassius is manipulating him.
36. “Let Caesar seat him sure.” — Irony
Cassius suggests that Caesar may consider himself completely secure. However,
Cassius is secretly preparing to undermine him. Caesar’s confidence is
therefore ironic because the audience knows that a conspiracy is developing
against him.
37. “For we will shake him.” — Metaphor
Cassius does not mean that he will physically shake Caesar. “Shake”
metaphorically means to disturb, weaken or threaten Caesar’s political
authority and position.
38. “Or worse days endure.” — Foreshadowing
Cassius’s words foreshadow the difficulties and dangers that he and the
conspirators will face as their opposition to Caesar develops. They also
suggest that challenging Caesar may lead to serious consequences.
39. “He loves no plays … he hears no music; / Seldom he smiles.” —
Repetition
The repeated negative constructions—“no plays,” “no music” and
“seldom”—emphasize Cassius’s serious, unsociable and pleasure-resistant
character.
40. “He reads much, / He is a great observer.” — Parallelism
The two similarly structured statements create a balanced expression. The
parallel structure emphasizes the intellectual qualities Caesar associates with
Cassius—his learning and his ability to observe people closely.
41. “He loves no plays … he hears no music.” — Contrast
Caesar contrasts Cassius’s lack of interest in entertainment with Antony’s
enjoyment of plays. The contrast highlights the difference between Cassius’s
serious nature and Antony’s more cheerful and pleasure-loving personality.
Who Said This? / To Whom Was It Said?
1. “Would he were fatter! But I fear him not.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
2. “Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid
so soon as that spare Cassius.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
3. “He reads much, He is a great observer.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
4. “He loves no plays, As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
5. “Such men as he be never at heart’s ease Whiles they behold a greater
than themselves.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
6. “I rather tell thee what is to be feared Than what I fear; for always I
am Caesar.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
7. “Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf.”
Who said this? Caesar said this.
To whom was it said? Caesar said this to Antony.
8. “You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me?”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus.
9. “Tell us what hath chanced today That Caesar looks so sad.”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca.
10. “Why, there was a crown offered him.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus.
11. “What was the second noise for?”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca.
12. “They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
13. “Was the crown offered him thrice?”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca.
14. “Ay, marry, was ’t, and he put it by thrice.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus.
15. “Who offered him the crown?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
16. “Why, Antony.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Cassius.
17. “Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca.”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca.
18. “I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius.
19. “He would fain have had it.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
Caesar.
20. “He was very loath to lay his fingers off it.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
Caesar.
21. “He put it the third time by.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
Caesar.
22. “But soft, I pray you. What, did Caesar swoon?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
23. “He fell down in the marketplace and foamed at mouth and was
speechless.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Cassius.
24. “‘Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness.”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca and Cassius, referring to
Caesar.
25. “No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I And honest Casca, we have the
falling sickness.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Brutus and Casca.
26. “I know not what you mean by that, but I am sure Caesar fell down.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Cassius.
27. “If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him…”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
the common people.
28. “What said he when he came unto himself?”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca.
29. “He plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, describing
Caesar’s actions before the crowd.
30. “I would I might go to hell among the rogues.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius.
31. “He desired their Worships to think it was his infirmity.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
Caesar.
32. “Alas, good soul!”
Who said this? Three or four women in the crowd said this.
To whom was it said? They said this about Caesar.
33. “There’s no heed to be taken of them.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
the women.
34. “And, after that, he came thus sad away?”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Casca.
35. “Did Cicero say anything?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
36. “Ay, he spoke Greek.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Cassius.
37. “To what effect?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
38. “It was Greek to me.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius, referring to
Cicero’s speech.
39. “Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarves off Caesar’s images, are put
to silence.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Brutus and Cassius.
40. “Will you sup with me tonight, Casca?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
41. “No, I am promised forth.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Cassius.
42. “Will you dine with me tomorrow?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Casca.
43. “Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your dinner worth the
eating.”
Who said this? Casca said this.
To whom was it said? Casca said this to Cassius.
44. “What a blunt fellow is this grown to be!”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this about Casca, after Casca’s
departure.
45. “He was quick mettle when he went to school.”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Cassius, referring to Casca.
46. “So is he now in execution Of any bold or noble enterprise.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Brutus, referring to Casca.
47. “This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Brutus, referring to Casca.
48. “Which gives men stomach to digest his words With better appetite.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Brutus, referring to Casca’s
words.
49. “For this time I will leave you.”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Cassius.
50. “Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me, I will come home to you.”
Who said this? Brutus said this.
To whom was it said? Brutus said this to Cassius.
51. “I will do so. Till then, think of the world.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to Brutus.
52. “Well, Brutus, thou art noble.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, after Brutus’s
departure.
53. “Yet I see Thy honourable mettle may be wrought From that it is
disposed.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, referring to Brutus.
54. “For who so firm that cannot be seduced?”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, referring to Brutus.
55. “Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, referring to Caesar
and Brutus.
56. “If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius, He should not humour me.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, imagining himself in
Brutus’s position.
57. “I will this night In several hands in at his windows throw…”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, describing his plan.
58. “Writings, all tending to the great opinion That Rome holds of his
name.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, referring to the
writings he planned to leave for Brutus.
59. “Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, describing what the
forged writings would suggest.
60. “For we will shake him, or worse days endure.”
Who said this? Cassius said this.
To whom was it said? Cassius said this to himself, referring to Caesar
and the consequences of opposing him.
Three-Mark Questions
1. Why does Caesar consider Cassius a dangerous man?
Caesar considers Cassius dangerous because he reads much, observes people
carefully, and looks deeply into human actions. Cassius neither enjoys plays
nor music and rarely smiles. Caesar believes that men who are never at heart’s
ease when they see someone greater than themselves can become very dangerous.
2. Why does Caesar say, “I rather tell thee what is to be feared / Than what
I fear”?
Caesar says this to show that he does not want Antony to think that he
personally fears Cassius. He explains that he is always Caesar and therefore
presents himself as fearless. However, he admits that Cassius is a man whom he
would avoid if he himself were capable of fear.
3. Why does Caesar ask Antony to come to his right hand?
Caesar asks Antony to come to his right because his left ear is deaf. He wants
Antony to speak into his good ear and tell him honestly what he thinks of
Cassius. The request also shows Caesar’s interest in Antony’s judgment about
Cassius’s character.
4. What does Casca tell Brutus and Cassius about the offering of the crown
to Caesar?
Casca explains that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times. Caesar refused
it each time, but his refusals became gentler with every attempt. The crowd
shouted after each refusal. Casca therefore suspects that although Caesar
publicly rejected the crown, he secretly wanted to possess it.
5. How does Casca describe Caesar’s behaviour when the crown was offered to
him?
Casca says that Caesar refused the crown three times, but each refusal was
gentler than the previous one. He also appeared unwilling to remove his fingers
from it. Casca therefore believed that Caesar secretly desired the crown,
despite pretending to reject it before the Roman crowd.
6. How does Casca describe the behaviour of the Roman crowd after Caesar
refused the crown?
Casca describes the crowd as noisy and disorderly. They hooted, clapped their rough
hands, threw their sweaty nightcaps into the air and shouted enthusiastically.
Their excitement became so great that Casca humorously says their unpleasant
breath almost choked Caesar. He was himself afraid to laugh.
7. Why does Brutus think that Caesar suffered from the falling sickness?
Brutus thinks Caesar has the falling sickness because Caesar suddenly falls
down in the marketplace, foams at the mouth and becomes speechless. Brutus
understands “falling sickness” literally as a physical illness. Cassius,
however, gives the expression a different and political meaning.
8. What does Cassius mean when he says, “Caesar hath it not; but you and I …
have the falling sickness”?
Cassius does not mean that he, Brutus and Casca suffer from epilepsy. He uses
“falling sickness” metaphorically to suggest that they are weak because they
allow Caesar to dominate them. Caesar physically falls, but Cassius suggests
that the others metaphorically “fall” through their submission to Caesar.
9. How did Caesar behave before he fell down, according to Casca?
Before falling, Caesar noticed that the common people were pleased because he
had refused the crown. He then opened his doublet and offered his throat to
them to cut. This dramatic action suggests that Caesar wanted to demonstrate
his willingness to die rather than accept the crown.
10. What did Caesar say after he recovered from his fainting?
After recovering, Caesar told the people that if he had done or said anything
wrong, they should regard it as the result of his infirmity. His statement was
intended to make the crowd excuse his strange behaviour. Several women
immediately sympathized with him and forgave him.
11. Why does Casca say that the women’s sympathy for Caesar should not be
taken seriously?
Casca dismisses the women’s sympathy because he considers them extremely
devoted to Caesar. He sarcastically says that even if Caesar had stabbed their
mothers, they would still have forgiven him. His remark emphasizes the
emotional and unquestioning loyalty of Caesar’s supporters.
12. What does Casca say about Cicero’s speech, and why does he call it
“Greek to me”?
Casca says that Cicero spoke Greek, but he himself could not understand what
Cicero said. Those who understood Cicero smiled at one another and shook their
heads. Therefore, Casca humorously says that the speech was “Greek to him,”
meaning that it was completely unintelligible.
13. What news does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius?
Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Marullus and Flavius have been “put to
silence” because they removed scarves from Caesar’s images. The information
reveals that the two men have been punished for opposing the public display and
celebration of Caesar’s growing popularity.
14. Why does Brutus call Casca a “blunt fellow”?
Brutus calls Casca blunt because Casca speaks in a direct, rough and unpolished
manner. He does not carefully decorate his speech or behave ceremoniously.
Brutus also remembers that Casca was once “quick mettle” at school, suggesting
that his present bluntness hides intelligence and liveliness.
15. Why does Cassius regard Casca’s rudeness as a “sauce to his good wit”?
Cassius believes that Casca’s rudeness makes his intelligence more effective
and interesting. He compares the rudeness to sauce that improves food. Just as
sauce gives food greater appeal, Casca’s rough manner makes people more willing
to listen to and accept his intelligent observations.
16. What does Cassius think about Brutus after Brutus leaves him?
Cassius considers Brutus noble and honourable, but he believes Brutus’s
character can be influenced. He thinks even a firm person can be seduced or
persuaded. Cassius recognizes that Caesar loves Brutus and therefore decides to
manipulate Brutus’s honour and reputation for his own political purpose.
17. Why does Cassius think Brutus can be influenced?
Cassius believes that no person is completely firm against persuasion. He
particularly notices Brutus’s honourable nature and knows that Brutus cares
about Rome. Cassius plans to exploit these qualities by making Brutus believe
that the Roman people admire him and fear Caesar’s ambition.
18. What plan does Cassius make to influence Brutus?
Cassius plans to throw forged writings into Brutus’s windows at night. He
intends to make them appear as though they have come from different Roman
citizens. The writings will praise Brutus’s reputation and indirectly suggest
that Caesar is ambitious, thereby encouraging Brutus to oppose Caesar.
19. Why does Cassius plan to mention Caesar’s ambition only indirectly in
the letters?
Cassius plans to mention Caesar’s ambition indirectly because he wants Brutus
to reach the desired conclusion himself. Instead of openly ordering or
persuading Brutus to oppose Caesar, he will create the impression that Roman
citizens are concerned about Caesar’s ambition and expect Brutus to act.
20. What does Cassius mean by “For we will shake him, or worse days endure”?
By “shake him,” Cassius means that he and the conspirators will challenge and
weaken Caesar’s political power. He realizes that opposing Caesar may bring
serious consequences. The phrase therefore expresses his determination to act
against Caesar while also foreshadowing difficult and dangerous days ahead.
Four-Mark Questions
1. How does Caesar describe Cassius, and why does he consider him
dangerous?
Caesar describes Cassius as thin, serious, highly observant and deeply
thoughtful. He says that Cassius reads much and looks deeply into the actions
of men. Unlike Antony, Cassius does not enjoy plays or music and rarely smiles.
Caesar believes that such men are dangerous because they are never satisfied when
they see someone greater than themselves. Although Caesar claims that he does
not fear Cassius, his detailed description shows that he recognizes Cassius as
an intelligent and potentially threatening man.
2. Describe the incident of the crown being offered to Caesar and explain
its significance.
According to Casca, Antony offered Caesar a crown three times before the Roman
crowd. Caesar rejected it each time, but his refusal became gentler on every
occasion. The people shouted enthusiastically after each refusal. Casca noticed
that Caesar seemed unwilling to remove his fingers from the crown and therefore
believed that Caesar secretly desired it. The incident is significant because
it raises doubts about Caesar’s true ambition. His public refusal may have been
intended to make him appear unwilling to become king.
3. How does Casca describe the behaviour of the crowd when Caesar refused
the crown?
Casca gives a vivid and humorous description of the crowd’s behaviour. The
people hooted and clapped their rough hands, threw their sweaty nightcaps into
the air and shouted loudly whenever Caesar refused the crown. Casca humorously
describes their breath as “stinking” and says that it almost choked Caesar. He
himself was afraid to laugh because he did not want to open his mouth and
breathe the unpleasant air. His description presents the crowd as emotional,
noisy, disorderly and easily influenced by Caesar.
4. What happened to Caesar after he refused the crown, and how did he
explain his behaviour afterwards?
After the third refusal of the crown, Caesar fell down in the marketplace,
foamed at the mouth and became speechless. Before falling, he had opened his
doublet and offered his throat to the crowd, apparently showing that he was
willing to die. When he recovered, he asked the people to regard anything wrong
he had done or said as the result of his infirmity. Several women sympathized
with him and forgave him immediately, showing their strong emotional attachment
to Caesar.
5. Explain the significance of Cassius’s statement, “Caesar hath it not; but
you and I … have the falling sickness.”
Brutus thinks Caesar has the “falling sickness” because Caesar physically
collapses and becomes speechless. Cassius rejects this interpretation and uses
the expression metaphorically. He suggests that Caesar does not suffer from the
illness, but that Brutus, Casca and he suffer from a different kind of
“falling.” They have allowed Caesar to rise above them and dominate Rome. Thus,
Cassius turns Caesar’s physical fall into a political metaphor for the weakness
and submission of those who allow Caesar to become powerful.
6. How does Casca’s account of Caesar’s behaviour reveal his opinion of
Caesar?
Casca does not admire Caesar unquestioningly. He describes Caesar’s actions
with sarcasm and suspicion. He believes Caesar secretly wanted the crown despite
repeatedly refusing it publicly. He also mocks Caesar’s collapse, the crowd’s
excitement and the women’s emotional sympathy. Casca’s remarks show that he
regards the common people as foolish and easily manipulated. At the same time,
his account suggests that he understands Caesar’s political behaviour more
clearly than the crowd does. His blunt language conceals sharp observation and
intelligence.
7. How does the conversation between Brutus and Cassius after Casca’s
departure reveal their different characters?
Brutus sees Casca mainly as a blunt and rude man, though he remembers that
Casca was once lively and intelligent. Cassius looks beneath Casca’s rough
manner and recognizes his intelligence and usefulness. Their conversation also
reveals their personalities. Brutus is straightforward and honourable, while
Cassius is more calculating and observant. After Brutus leaves, Cassius reveals
that he intends to manipulate Brutus. Thus, the conversation establishes the
contrast between Brutus’s openness and Cassius’s secretive political planning.
8. What does Cassius plan to do to win Brutus over to opposition against
Caesar?
Cassius plans to exploit Brutus’s honourable reputation and concern for Rome.
He intends to forge several letters and throw them at Brutus’s windows, making
them appear to come from different Roman citizens. These writings will praise
Brutus and suggest indirectly that Caesar is becoming dangerously ambitious.
Cassius does not plan to persuade Brutus openly. Instead, he wants Brutus to
believe that Rome itself is calling upon him to act. His plan therefore depends
on deception and manipulation.
9. Explain the meaning and importance of Cassius’s words, “For who so firm
that cannot be seduced?”
Cassius means that no person, however firm or honourable, is completely beyond
influence. He has just considered Brutus’s noble character and believes that
even such a man can be persuaded if the right methods are used. This statement
is important because it reveals Cassius’s confidence in his ability to
manipulate Brutus. It also prepares the audience for his plan involving the
forged letters. Cassius understands Brutus’s weakness: his honour and concern
for Rome can be turned against Caesar.
10. How does the ending of the extract foreshadow future events?
The ending strongly foreshadows the conflict that will develop against Caesar.
Cassius decides to place forged letters at Brutus’s windows, suggesting that a
deliberate conspiracy is beginning. He plans to hint at Caesar’s ambition and
influence Brutus to oppose him. His final words, “we will shake him, or worse
days endure,” suggest that challenging Caesar will lead to serious
consequences. The ending therefore prepares the audience for political
conflict, conspiracy and dangerous events arising from Cassius’s manipulation
of Brutus.
Reference to Context
Extract 1
caesar: Would he were fatter! But I fear him not.
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much,
He is a great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays,
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mocked himself and scorned his spirit
That could be moved to smile at anything.
Such men as he be never at heart’s ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves,
And therefore are they very dangerous.
1. What does Caesar mean by saying that Cassius
is a “great observer” and that he “looks / Quite through the deeds of men”?
What does this reveal about Cassius? [3 marks]
Caesar means that Cassius carefully observes people and deeply studies their
actions and motives. He is intelligent, thoughtful and perceptive. Unlike
ordinary men, he does not merely judge people by their outward behaviour. His
ability to understand human nature makes him a potentially dangerous man in
Caesar’s eyes.
2. Why does Caesar compare Cassius with Antony in this extract? What
difference does he point out between them? [3 marks]
Caesar points out that Antony enjoys plays and music, whereas Cassius enjoys
neither. Antony is cheerful and fond of entertainment, while Cassius is serious
and rarely smiles. Through this contrast, Caesar emphasizes Cassius’s stern and
thoughtful nature and suggests that his lack of ordinary pleasures makes him
more difficult to understand and potentially dangerous.
3. Explain the meaning of “Such men as he be never at heart’s ease / Whiles
they behold a greater than themselves.” Why does Caesar consider such men
dangerous? [3 marks]
Caesar means that ambitious men like Cassius cannot remain mentally peaceful
when they see someone more powerful or successful than themselves. They may
become jealous and dissatisfied and try to remove the person who stands above
them. Therefore, Caesar considers such men dangerous because their ambition may
lead them to oppose superior authority.
4. What does Caesar mean by “I fear him not”? In what way does the rest of
the extract create a contrast with this statement? [3 marks]
Caesar claims that he does not fear Cassius because he considers himself
fearless and powerful. However, the detailed description that follows shows
that he is fully aware of Cassius’s intelligence, observation and ambition.
Caesar even says that if he were capable of fear, Cassius would be the man he
would avoid first. Thus, his words reveal an underlying awareness of Cassius’s
potential threat.
5. How does Caesar’s description of Cassius
reveal both Cassius’s character and Caesar’s attitude towards him? [4 marks]
Caesar presents Cassius as thin, intellectual, observant, serious and
dissatisfied. Cassius reads extensively, studies human behaviour and rarely
enjoys ordinary pleasures such as plays and music. Caesar believes that men who
cannot tolerate others being greater than themselves are dangerous. Although
Caesar repeatedly insists that he does not fear Cassius, his detailed
description reveals that he is aware of Cassius’s intelligence and potential
threat. Thus, the passage subtly suggests Caesar’s respect, suspicion and
concern regarding Cassius.
Extract 2
I rather tell thee what is to be feared
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf,
And tell me truly what thou think’st of him.
Trumpet
sound: Exeunt Caesar and all his train but Casca.
casca: You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak
with me?
brutus: Ay, Casca. Tell us what hath chanced today
That Caesar looks so sad.
casca: Why, you were with him, were you not?
brutus: I should not then ask Casca what had chanced.
casca: Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand,
thus, and then the people fell a-shouting.
1.
What does Caesar mean by “I rather tell thee what is to be feared / Than what I
fear”? Why does he say this? (3 Marks)
Caesar means that he prefers to identify things that deserve fear rather than
admit that he personally fears anything. He insists that he is always Caesar
and therefore fearless. However, his words also show that he recognizes Cassius
as a potentially dangerous man whom others should be cautious about.
2. Why does Caesar ask Antony to come to his right hand? What does he want
Antony to tell him? (3 Marks)
Caesar asks Antony to come to his right because his left ear is deaf. He wants
Antony to speak clearly into his good ear. Caesar asks Antony to tell him
honestly what he thinks of Cassius. This shows that Caesar is interested in
Antony’s opinion of Cassius.
3. Why does Brutus ask Casca what has happened that day? What does Brutus
notice about Caesar? (3 Marks)
Brutus asks Casca what has happened because Caesar appears unusually sad.
Brutus wants to know the reason for Caesar’s changed mood. Although Brutus was
present with Caesar, he asks Casca for an explanation, suggesting that Casca
may have noticed something significant that Brutus himself did not understand.
4. What does Casca tell Brutus about the crown offered to Caesar? How did
Caesar react to it? (3 Marks)
Casca tells Brutus that a crown was offered to Caesar. Caesar pushed it away
with the back of his hand. Immediately, the people began shouting. Casca’s
description suggests that the crowd was excited by Caesar’s refusal and that
the incident was important enough to explain Caesar’s unusual sadness.
5. How does this extract begin to reveal the political significance of the
crown offered to Caesar? (4 Marks)
The crown represents political power and possibly kingship. Caesar’s refusal
attracts loud approval from the people, making the incident politically
significant. Casca’s account suggests that Caesar’s behaviour before the crowd
is carefully observed and interpreted by others. The discussion also prepares
Brutus and Cassius to learn more about Caesar’s relationship with political
power and the Roman people.
Extract 3
casca: I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it.
It was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw Mark
Antony offer him a crown (yet ’twas not a crown
neither; ’twas one of these coronets), and, as I told
you, he put it by once; but for all that, to my
thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he
offered it to him again; then he put it by again;
but to my thinking, he was very loath to lay his
fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time.
He put it the third time by, and still as he refused it
the rabblement hooted and clapped their
chapped hands and threw up their sweaty nightcaps
and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because
Caesar refused the crown that it had almost choked
Caesar, for he swounded and fell down at it. And
for mine own part, I durst not laugh for fear of
opening my lips and receiving the bad air.
1.
Why does Casca say, “I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it”? What
does he mean by this statement? (3 Marks)
Casca means that he finds it extremely difficult and unpleasant to describe
exactly how Antony offered the crown to Caesar. He dismisses the incident as
mere “foolery” and claims that he did not pay close attention to it. However,
he actually gives a detailed and mocking account of the entire incident.
2. What does Casca think about Caesar’s repeated refusal of the crown? Why
does he doubt Caesar’s sincerity? (3 Marks)
Casca believes that Caesar secretly wanted the crown despite refusing it publicly.
He observes that Caesar became gentler each time he pushed it away and seemed
reluctant to remove his fingers from it. Therefore, Casca suspects that
Caesar’s repeated refusals were not completely sincere and that he actually
desired the crown.
3. How does Casca describe the behaviour of the “rabblement” when Caesar
refused the crown? (3 Marks)
Casca describes the crowd as extremely noisy and enthusiastic. They hooted and
clapped their rough hands, threw their sweaty nightcaps into the air and
produced a great deal of unpleasant breath. Their excitement became so intense
that Casca humorously says it almost choked Caesar, causing him to faint and
fall down.
4. What makes Casca’s description of the crowd humorous? Give examples from
the extract. (3 Marks)
Casca humorously describes the crowd through exaggerated and unpleasant
physical details. He mentions their “chapped hands,” “sweaty nightcaps” and
“stinking breath.” He even claims that their breath almost choked Caesar and
that he himself was afraid to laugh lest he breathe the bad air. These details
create comic effect.
5. How does Casca’s account of the crown episode create doubt about Caesar’s
true intentions? (4 Marks)
Casca’s account suggests that Caesar’s public refusal of the crown may have
been deceptive. Although Caesar rejects it three times, each refusal becomes
gentler, and he appears reluctant to remove his fingers from the crown. The
crowd’s enthusiastic response also encourages him. Casca therefore suspects
that Caesar actually desired the crown but wanted to appear unwilling to accept
it before the Roman people.
Extract 4
casca: I know not what you mean by that, but I am
sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not
clap him and hiss him, according as he pleased and
displeased them, as they use to do the players in the
theater, I am no true man.
brutus: What said he when he came unto himself?
casca: Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived
the common herd was glad he refused the crown,
he plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his
throat to cut. An I had been a man of any occupation,
if I would not have taken him at a word, I
would I might go to hell among the rogues. And so
he fell.
1. What does Casca mean when he says that the “tag-rag
people” clapped and hissed Caesar according to whether he pleased or displeased
them? (3 Marks)
Casca means that the common people behaved like an audience in a theatre. They
applauded Caesar when they liked his actions and hissed him when they disliked
them. He compares the crowd with theatre-goers to show that their opinions were
changeable and that they reacted emotionally rather than thoughtfully.
2. What did Caesar do when he realized that the common people were pleased
because he had refused the crown? (3 Marks)
When Caesar realized that the common people were pleased with his refusal of
the crown, he opened his doublet and exposed his throat to them. He appeared to
invite them to cut his throat. This dramatic gesture suggests that he wanted to
show his willingness to die rather than accept the crown.
3. What does Casca mean by saying, “I would not have taken him at a word”?
(3 Marks)
Casca means that if he had been a man with a suitable occupation or profession,
he would have literally accepted Caesar’s invitation and cut his throat. He is
speaking sarcastically and humorously. His remark shows that he does not take
Caesar’s dramatic gesture seriously and mocks his theatrical behaviour.
4. How does Casca’s description of the common people and Caesar’s behaviour
reveal his attitude towards both? (3 Marks)
Casca is highly critical of both Caesar and the crowd. He considers the common
people foolish and changeable, comparing them with a theatre audience. He also
mocks Caesar’s dramatic gestures and apparent willingness to have his throat
cut. His sarcastic account shows that he distrusts Caesar’s behaviour and
despises the crowd’s emotional reactions.
5. Explain the dramatic significance of Caesar’s offering his throat to the
crowd. What does this action suggest about his character? (4 Marks)
Caesar’s offering of his throat is a dramatic gesture intended to influence the
crowd. After seeing their approval of his refusal of the crown, he appears to
invite them to kill him. The action suggests that Caesar is highly conscious of
public opinion and knows how to create an emotional response. It also reveals
his theatrical and manipulative side, as he presents himself as willing to
sacrifice himself while gaining greater sympathy from the people.
Extract 5
casca: When he came to himself again, he said if he
had done or said anything amiss, he desired their
Worships to think it was his infirmity. Three or four
wenches where I stood cried “Alas, good soul!” and
forgave him with all their hearts. But there’s no
heed to be taken of them; if Caesar had stabbed
their mothers, they would have done no less.
brutus: And, after that, he came thus sad away?
casca: Ay.
1.
What did Caesar say after he recovered from his fainting? Why did he make this
statement? (3 Marks)
After recovering, Caesar said that if he had done or said anything wrong, the
people should consider it the result of his infirmity. He made this statement
to excuse his strange behaviour and seek the people’s forgiveness. He wanted
them to believe that his actions were caused by his physical condition.
2. How did the women react to Caesar after he recovered? What does their
reaction reveal about them? (3 Marks)
Three or four women cried, “Alas, good soul!” and forgave Caesar
wholeheartedly. Their reaction reveals their strong emotional attachment to
him. Casca considers them blindly devoted because he says that even if Caesar
had killed their mothers, they would still have forgiven him.
3. Why does Casca say that “there’s no heed to be taken of them”? (3 Marks)
Casca means that the women’s reactions should not be taken seriously because he
considers them excessively emotional and blindly loyal to Caesar. Their
affection is so strong that, according to Casca, they would forgive Caesar even
for killing their own mothers. His remark is sarcastic and dismissive.
4. What does Brutus ask Casca at the end of the extract? What answer does
Casca give? (3 Marks)
Brutus asks Casca whether Caesar left the place looking sad after everything
that had happened. Casca simply confirms that Caesar did. This brief exchange
shows that Brutus is particularly interested in Caesar’s unusual sadness and
wants to understand the reason behind his changed mood.
5. What does this extract reveal about Caesar’s ability to influence the
common people? (4 Marks)
The extract shows that Caesar has considerable influence over the common
people. Even after his strange behaviour and fainting, several women
immediately sympathize with him and forgive him completely. Casca suggests that
their loyalty is so strong that they would forgive Caesar even for killing
their mothers. Caesar’s appeal therefore appears emotional and powerful,
enabling him to win sympathy despite his questionable behaviour.
Extract 6
casca: Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne’er look you i’ th’
face again. But those that understood him smiled at
one another and shook their heads. But for mine
own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more
news too: Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarves
off Caesar’s images, are put to silence. Fare you
well. There was more foolery yet, if I could remember
it.
1.
What does Casca mean when he says, “it was Greek to me”? Why does he say this?
(3 Marks)
Casca means that he could not understand what Cicero had said because Cicero spoke
in Greek. While those who understood Greek smiled and shook their heads, Casca
remained unable to understand the speech. The expression humorously emphasizes
Casca’s ignorance of the language.
2. How did the people who understood Cicero react to his speech? What might
their reaction suggest? (3 Marks)
Those who understood Cicero smiled at one another and shook their heads. Their
reaction suggests that Cicero’s words were significant, surprising or worthy of
thought. Since Casca could not understand Greek, he cannot explain the meaning
of Cicero’s speech, but he notices the listeners’ unusual reaction.
3. What news does Casca give about Marullus and Flavius? Why were they
punished? (3 Marks)
Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that Marullus and Flavius had been “put to
silence.” Their punishment was connected with their removal of scarves from
Caesar’s images. They had opposed the public celebration of Caesar, and their
punishment shows the growing authority surrounding Caesar and the consequences
of challenging his position.
4. Why does Casca describe the events of the day as “foolery”? What does
this reveal about his character? (3 Marks)
Casca calls the events “foolery” because he considers much of what happened
ridiculous and theatrical. His description of Caesar, the crowd and Cicero is
sarcastic and mocking. This reveals that Casca is blunt, cynical and observant,
although Brutus and Cassius recognize that beneath his rough manner he
possesses considerable intelligence.
5. How does this extract contribute to the political tension surrounding
Caesar? (4 Marks)
The extract reveals several developments suggesting growing political tension.
Cicero’s Greek speech appears significant to those who understand it, while
Casca reports the punishment of Marullus and Flavius for removing scarves from
Caesar’s images. These events suggest that opposition to Caesar is being
suppressed. Casca’s account therefore adds to the sense that Caesar’s growing
power is affecting Roman public and political life.
Extract 7
cassius: So is he now in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprise,
However he puts on this tardy form.
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit,
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite.
brutus: And so it is. For this time I will leave you.
Tomorrow, if you please to speak with me,
I will come home to you; or, if you will,
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
1. What
does Cassius mean when he says that Casca is engaged in “any bold or noble
enterprise”? What does this reveal about Casca? (3 Marks)
Cassius means that despite Casca’s slow, rough and seemingly dull manner, he is
capable of taking decisive action in any courageous or noble undertaking.
Cassius recognizes that Casca’s outward rudeness does not reflect his actual
abilities. It reveals that Casca possesses courage, intelligence and a capacity
for bold action.
2. What does Cassius mean by saying, “This rudeness is a sauce to his good
wit”? (3 Marks)
Cassius means that Casca’s rough and unpolished manner actually makes his
intelligence more effective. He compares Casca’s rudeness to sauce that
improves the taste of food. His unusual manner makes people more interested in
his intelligent observations and helps them accept and appreciate his words
more readily.
3. Explain the meaning of “Which gives men stomach to digest his words /
With better appetite.” (3 Marks)
Cassius continues his food metaphor to explain Casca’s manner of speaking.
“Stomach” and “appetite” suggest the ability and willingness to accept
something. Cassius means that Casca’s rudeness acts like a sauce, making his
intelligent words more interesting and easier for people to receive and
appreciate.
4. What does Brutus say about his plans for the following day? What does
this reveal about his relationship with Cassius? (3 Marks)
Brutus says that he will leave Cassius for the present but is willing to meet
him the following day. He offers either to visit Cassius at his home or receive
him at his own home. This shows that Brutus is friendly, respectful and willing
to continue their private discussion.
5. How does this extract present Casca and prepare the audience for the
events that follow? (4 Marks)
The extract presents Casca as a man whose rough and slow outward manner hides
intelligence and courage. Cassius recognizes that Casca can undertake bold or
noble enterprises and that his rudeness makes his wit more effective. Brutus
agrees with Cassius’s assessment and arranges to meet him the next day. This
conversation strengthens the connection between the three men and prepares the
audience for their involvement in the political events that will follow.
Extract 8
Cassius: I will do so. Till then, think of the world.
Exit Brutus.
Well, Brutus, thou art noble. Yet I see
Thy honourable mettle may be wrought
From that it is disposed. Therefore, it is meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seduced?
Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus.
If I were Brutus now, and he were Cassius,
He should not humour me. I will this night
In several hands in at his windows throw,
As if they came from several citizens,
Writings, all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurely
Caesar’s ambition shall be glanced at
And after this, let Caesar seat him sure,
For we will shake him, or worse days endure.
1.
Why does Cassius call Brutus “noble”? What does he mean by saying that Brutus’s
“honourable mettle may be wrought”? (3 Marks)
Cassius calls Brutus noble because he recognizes his honourable character and
respected position in Rome. By saying that Brutus’s “honourable mettle may be
wrought,” Cassius means that Brutus’s noble qualities can be shaped or
influenced to serve his own purpose. He plans to use Brutus’s honour to turn
him against Caesar.
2. What does Cassius mean by “For who so firm that cannot be seduced”? How
does this statement relate to his plan? (3 Marks)
Cassius means that no person, however firm or honourable, is completely beyond
persuasion. He believes that Brutus can therefore be influenced if the right
method is used. This belief leads Cassius to plan the forged letters, which he
hopes will make Brutus think that Rome wants him to oppose Caesar.
3. What plan does Cassius make to influence Brutus? How does he intend to
make the plan appear genuine? (3 Marks)
Cassius plans to throw forged writings at Brutus’s windows during the night. He
will use different handwriting so that the letters appear to have been written
by several Roman citizens. The letters will praise Brutus’s reputation and
indirectly suggest Caesar’s ambition, making Brutus believe that the citizens
expect him to act.
4. Why does Cassius intend to refer to Caesar’s ambition only “obscurely” in
the forged letters? (3 Marks)
Cassius intends to refer to Caesar’s ambition indirectly rather than openly
accusing him. He wants Brutus to form the conclusion himself instead of
realizing that Cassius is manipulating him. By making the letters appear to
represent Roman public opinion, Cassius hopes to awaken Brutus’s concern for
Rome and turn him against Caesar.
5. Explain the significance of Cassius’s final words, “For we will shake
him, or worse days endure.” (4 Marks)
Cassius means that he and those who oppose Caesar will challenge and weaken his
power. “Shake him” is metaphorical and refers to disturbing Caesar’s political
position and authority. The words also show Cassius’s determination to act
against Caesar despite the danger involved. “Or worse days endure” suggests
that opposition may bring serious difficulties and consequences. The statement
therefore establishes Cassius’s resolve and foreshadows the dangerous political
events that will follow.
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