JULIUS CAESAR (100BC – 44BC)

Difference between ‘killing’, ‘murder’ and ‘assassination’.

Killing …It means an act of causing death, especially deliberately.

a. The killing of large number of cows became necessary after Mad Cow Disease spread in the area.
b. Killing of Maoists will not be very effective to curb their menace. Some innovative political approach
would perhaps be more fruitful.

Murder... It means the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

a. The murder of the lonely couple caused heightened anxiety in the entire hill town.
b. Rigging an election is nothing but murder of democracy.

Assassination …It means the murder of an important person for political or religious reasons.

a. The assassination of President Kennedy had plunged the entire America in grief.
b. The ring of armed guards could not prevent the assassination of the prime minister.

1. STATESMAN
A MAN WHO IS A RESPECTED LEADER IN NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
2. DIADEM
AN ORNAMENTAL JEWELED HEADDRESS SIGNIFYING SOVEREIGNTY
3. TRIUMVIRATE
A GROUP OF THREE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR CIVIL AUTHORITY
4. SUBJUGATION
FORCED SUBMISSION TO CONTROL BY OTHERS
5. CONQUEST
THE ACT OF DEFEATING AND TAKING CONTROL OF
6. DEMIGOD
A PERSON WHO IS PART MORTAL AND PART DIVINE
7. CROWN
AN ORNAMENTAL JEWELED HEADDRESS SIGNIFYING SOVEREIGNTY
8. FORMIDABLE
EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE IN STRENGTH OR EXCELLENCE
9. CONSPIRACY
A PLOT TO CARRY OUT SOME HARMFUL OR ILLEGAL ACT
10. ORIGINATOR
SOMEONE WHO CREATES NEW THINGS
11. AMBITION
A STRONG DRIVE FOR SUCCESS
12. TYRANT
A CRUEL AND OPPRESSIVE DICTATOR
13. SLAVERY
THE STATE OF BEING UNDER THE CONTROL OF ANOTHER PERSON
14. EXCERPT
A PASSAGE SELECTED FROM A LARGER WORK
15. FORUM
A PUBLIC FACILITY TO MEET FOR OPEN DISCUSSION
16. CENSURE
HARSH CRITICISM OR DISAPPROVAL
17. STAB
POKE OR THRUST ABRUPTLY
18. FREEMAN
A PERSON WHO IS NOT A SERF OR A SLAVE
19. WEEP
SHED TEARS BECAUSE OF SADNESS, RAGE, OR PAIN
20. REJOICE
FEEL HAPPINESS OR JOY
21. VALIANT
HAVING OR SHOWING HEROISM OR COURAGE
22. HONOUR
THE QUALITY OF BEING HONORABLE AND HAVING A GOOD NAME
23. VALOUR
THE QUALITIES OF A HERO OR HEROINE
24. BONDMAN
A MALE BOUND TO SERVE WITHOUT WAGES
25. RUDE
BELONGING TO AN EARLY STAGE OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
26. OFFEND
CAUSE TO FEEL RESENTMENT OR INDIGNATION
27. VILE
MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE
28. EXTENUATE
LESSEN OR TO TRY TO LESSEN THE SERIOUSNESS OR DEGREE OF
29. ENFORCE
COMPEL TO BEHAVE IN A CERTAIN WAY
30. MOURN
FEEL SADNESS
31. SLEW
A LARGE NUMBER OR AMOUNT OR EXTENT
32. DAGGER
A SHORT KNIFE WITH A POINTED BLADE
33. TRIUMPH
A SUCCESSFUL ENDING OF A STRUGGLE OR CONTEST
34. DESCENDANT
A PERSON CONSIDERED AS COMING FROM SOME ANCESTOR OR RACE
35. CORPSE
THE DEAD BODY OF A HUMAN BEING
36. TEND
HAVE A DISPOSITION TO DO OR BE SOMETHING; BE INCLINED
37. ENTREAT
ASK FOR OR REQUEST EARNESTLY
38. NOBLE
OF OR BELONGING TO HEREDITARY ARISTOCRACY
39. BEHOLD
SEE WITH ATTENTION
40. PULPIT
A PLATFORM RAISED TO GIVE PROMINENCE TO THE PERSON ON IT
41. BLEST
HIGHLY FAVORED OR FORTUNATE (AS E.G. BY DIVINE GRACE)
42. OFT
MANY TIMES AT SHORT INTERVALS
43. INTERRED
PLACED IN A GRAVE
44. GRIEVOUS
 CAUSING OR MARKED BY GRIEF OR ANGUISH
45. CAPTIVE
A PERSON WHO IS CONFINED; ESPECIALLY A PRISONER OF WAR
46. RANSOM
THE ACT OF FREEING FROM CAPTIVITY OR PUNISHMENT
47. COFFER
A CHEST ESPECIALLY FOR STORING VALUABLES
48. COFFIN
A BOX IN WHICH A CORPSE IS BURIED
49. STERN
OF A STRICT BEARING OR DEMEANOR; FORBIDDING IN ASPECT
50. STUFF
THE TANGIBLE SUBSTANCE THAT GOES INTO A PHYSICAL OBJECT
51. WITHHOLD
HOLD BACK; REFUSE TO HAND OVER OR SHARE
52. BRUTISH
RESEMBLING A BEAST; SHOWING LACK OF HUMAN SENSIBILITY
53. REVERENCE
A FEELING OF PROFOUND RESPECT FOR SOMEONE OR SOMETHING
54. MUTINY
OPEN REBELLION AGAINST CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY
55. PARCHMENT
A SUPERIOR PAPER RESEMBLING SHEEPSKIN
56. CLOSET
A SMALL ROOM (OR RECESS) OR CABINET USED FOR STORAGE SPACE
57. TESTAMENT
STRONG EVIDENCE FOR SOMETHING
58. PARDON
ACCEPT AN EXCUSE FOR
59. BEQUEATH
LEAVE OR GIVE, ESPECIALLY BY WILL AFTER ONE'S DEATH
60. INFLAME
AROUSE OR EXCITE FEELINGS AND PASSIONS
61. MURDER
UNLAWFUL PREMEDITATED KILLING OF A HUMAN BEING
62. HEARSE
A VEHICLE FOR CARRYING A COFFIN TO A CHURCH OR A CEMETERY
63. CURSE
AN APPEAL TO SOME SUPERNATURAL POWER TO INFLICT EVIL
64. ANGEL
SPIRITUAL BEING ATTENDANT UPON GOD
65. INGRATITUDE
A LACK OF GRATITUDE
66. VANQUISH
DEFEAT IN A COMPETITION, RACE, OR CONFLICT
67. MUFFLE
DEADEN (A SOUND OR NOISE), ESPECIALLY BY WRAPPING
68. DINT
FORCE OR EFFORT
69. GRACIOUS
CHARACTERIZED BY KINDNESS AND WARM COURTESY
70. FLOURISH
GROW VIGOROUSLY
71. VESTURE
A COVERING DESIGNED TO BE WORN ON A PERSON'S BODY
72. MAR
RENDER IMPERFECT
73. TRAITOR
A PERSON WHO SAYS ONE THING AND DOES ANOTHER
74. PITEOUS
DESERVING OR INCITING A FEELING OF SYMPATHY AND SORROW
75. WOEFUL
AFFECTED BY OR FULL OF GRIEF OR SADNESS
76. REVENGE
ACTION TAKEN IN RETURN FOR AN INJURY OR OFFENSE
77. DEED
A LEGAL DOCUMENT TO EFFECT A TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
78. ORATOR
A PERSON WHO DELIVERS A SPEECH
79. WIT
MENTAL ABILITY
80. UTTERANCE
THE USE OF SPOKEN SOUNDS FOR AUDITORY COMMUNICATION
81. RUFFLE
STIR UP (WATER) SO AS TO FORM RIPPLES
82. CONSPIRATOR
A MEMBER OF A PLOT TO CARRY OUT SOME HARMFUL OR ILLEGAL ACT
83. ROYAL
OF OR RELATING TO OR INDICATIVE OF OR ISSUED OR PERFORMED BY A KING OR QUEEN
OR OTHER MONARCH
84. ARBOUR
A FRAMEWORK THAT SUPPORTS CLIMBING PLANTS
85. IMPALE
PIERCE WITH A SHARP STAKE OR POINT
86. PLAYWRIGHT
SOMEONE WHO WRITES PLAYS
87. TRAGEDY
AN EVENT RESULTING IN GREAT LOSS AND MISFORTUNE
88. BETHINK
CAUSE ONESELF TO CONSIDER SOMETHING
89. FUNERAL
A CEREMONY AT WHICH A DEAD PERSON IS BURIED OR CREMATED
90. JUST
AND NOTHING MORE
91. RHETORICAL
RELATING TO USING LANGUAGE EFFECTIVELY
92. CLIMAX
THE HIGHEST POINT OF ANYTHING
93. IRONY
INCONGRUITY BETWEEN WHAT MIGHT BE EXPECTED AND WHAT OCCURS
Introductory note…
Caesar was a politician and general of the late Roman republic, who, through his daring conquests,
extended the borders of the Roman Empire greatly. His meteoritic rise and the public adulation helped
him to seize power and make himself dictator of Rome. This paved the way for the imperial system.
Julius Caesar was born in Rome on 12 or 13 July 100 BC into the prestigious Julian clan. His family had
close connections with the Marian faction in Roman politics. Caesar himself progressed within the
Roman political system, becoming in succession quaestor (69 BC), aedile (65 BC) and praetor (62BC).
In 61-60 BC he was appointed governor of the Roman province of Spain. After a triumphant return to
Rome in 60 BC, Caesar made a pact with Pompey and Crassus, who helped him to get elected as consul
for 59 BC. The following year he was given the assignment of governor of Roman Gaul. He discharged
this responsibility for eight years, annexing the whole of modern France and Belgium to the Roman
Empire. This effectively preempted Gallic invasions against Rome, thus, ensuring safety for its citizens.
He made two expeditions to Britain, in 55 BC and 54 BC.

Caesar then returned to Italy without the consent of the senate. In a show of defiance and hubris, he
crossed the Rubicon River without disbanding his army. His defiance brought him in direct conflict with
the republican forces. Caesar defeated them. Pompey, their leader, fled to Egypt where he was
assassinated. Caesar followed him to Egypt where he met the queen Cleopatra. He fell in love with her.
Caesar was now the supreme ruler of Rome, the master of its destiny. He became the dictator. This gave
him the opportunity to show his noble vision and administrative skills in peacetime. He leveraged his
power to carry out much-needed reforms. The poor were given respite from chronic indebtness. The
senate was enlarged to make it more representative. The calendar was revised.

Dictatorship was always regarded a temporary position for Julius Caesar. But in 44 BC, Caesar took it
for life. This caused much disquiet to the people around him. His success and ambition alarmed the
republican senators. A group of these, led by Cassius and Brutus, assassinated Caesar on the Ides (15
BC) of March 44 BC.

Cesar’s demise triggered the final round of civil wars that ended the Republic and brought about the
elevation of Caesar’s great nephew and designated heir, Octavian, as Augustus, the first emperor.

Julius Caesar Summary

Julius Caesar opens with a scene of class conflict, the plebeians versus the tribunes. The plebeians
are celebrating Caesar's victory over the sons of Pompey, one of the former leaders of Rome. The
tribunes verbally attack the masses for their fickleness in celebrating the defeat of a man who was once
their leader.
Caesar enters Rome accompanied by his supporters and a throng of citizens. It is the feast of Lupercalia,
February 15, a day when two men run through the street and strike those they meet with goatskin
thongs. Caesar orders Mark Antony to strike his wife Calpurnia in order to cure her
barrenness.
A soothsayer calls out to Caesar as he passes and warns him against the ides of March, March 15. Caesar
ignores the man and dismisses him as a dreamer. Upon seeing Cassius, Caesar informs Antony that he
would rather be surrounded by men who are fat and happy than thin men like Cassius. He is worried
that Cassius is dangerous because he "thinks too much" (1.2.193-196). Antony tells him not to worry
about Cassius.

Meanwhile, Brutus and Cassius meet and talk about how much power Caesar has gained. During their
conversation they are interrupted three times by cheers from the crowd. Cassius informs Brutus that
he is forming a plot against Caesar and wants Brutus to join it. Brutus tells him he cannot commit to
anything immediately. Casca soon joins them, and informs them that the cheers they heard were
Caesar turning down the crown. According to Casca, Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, and
three times he refused it.
Casca meets with Cicero and tells the orator that there are many strange things happening in Rome
that night, such as a lion in the streets and an owl screeching during the day. Cicero tells him that men
construe omens the way they see fit. Cassius eventually arrives and learns from Casca that the senators
are planning on making Caesar a king the next morning. He starts to tell Casca about the plot to kill
Caesar, but Cinna shows up and interrupts him. He hands Cinna some letters to plant anonymously
in Brutus' home and invites Casca to dinner that night in order to convince him to join the conspiracy.
Brutus discovers the letters from Cinna, not knowing who wrote them. He reads one of the letters and
interprets it as a request to prevent Caesar from seizing power. Brutus attributes the letter to Rome as
a whole, saying, "O Rome, I make thee promise", implying that he will carry out what he perceives as
the will of the Roman people.

Brutus meets with Cassius and the other conspirators and shakes all their hands, agreeing to join their
plot. He convinces them to only kill Caesar, and not his most loyal friend Antony, because he does not
want them to "seem too bloody". After the other men leave, Brutus is unable to sleep. His
wife Portia finds him awake and begs him to tell her what is troubling him. At first he refuses, but
after she stabs herself in the thigh to prove her strength and ability to keep a secret he agrees to inform
her.
Meanwhile, Caesar's wife Calpurnia dreamt of a statue of Caesar bleeding from a hundred wounds.
Caesar, naturally superstitious, orders the priests to kill an animal and read the entrails to see if he
should go to the Senate that day. The priests tell him that the animal did not have a heart, a very bad
sign. However, Decius, one of the conspirators, arrives and reinterprets Calpurnia's dream to mean that
all of Rome sucked the reviving blood of Caesar for its benefit. Caesar finally agrees with him that it is
laughable to stay home on account of a dream. The other conspirators, including Brutus and Cassius,
arrive at his house to escort him to the Senate House.

On the way to the Senate House Caesar is approached by the same soothsayer that previously warned
him about the ides of March. He again refuses to listen to the man and continues. A man
named Artemidorus then comes up to him and tries to give him a letter revealing the entire
conspiracy, but Decius cleverly tells Caesar the Trebonius has a suit he would like Caesar to read
instead. Caesar refuses to look at what Artemidorus offers him on account of its being personal. He
explains, "What touches us ourself shall be last served".
The conspirators arrive at the Senate House and Caesar assumes his seat. A man named Metellus kneels
before him and petitions to have his banished brother returned to Rome. Caesar refuses, but is surprised
when Brutus and then Cassius come forward and plead for the brother as well. However, he continues
to refuse to change the sentence even as all of the conspirators gather around him. On Casca's comment,
"Speak hands for me" the group attacks Caesar, stabbing him to death.

The conspirators, now led by Brutus and Cassius, dip their hands in Caesar's blood and prepare to run
to the streets crying out "peace, freedom, and liberty". Antony arrives and begs them to let him take the
body and give Caesar a public eulogy. Brutus agrees, overriding Cassius' misgivings about allowing
Antony to speak. They move out into the streets of Rome and Cassius and Brutus split up in order to
speak to the plebeians.

Brutus defends his murder of Caesar on the grounds that he was removing a tyrant who was destroying
the freedom of all Romans. He ends his speech by asking the crowd if they want him to commit suicide
for what he has done, to which they reply, "Live, Brutus, live, live!". Next, Brutus allows Antony to speak
and returns home.

Antony takes full advantage of his speech and informs the crowd that Caesar was a selfless man who
cared for Rome above everything. The highlight of his speech is when he pulls out Caesar's will and
reads from it, telling the citizens that Caesar has given every Roman a part of his inheritance, in both
land and drachmas. The plebeians now believe Caesar to have been great and good, seize his body and
vow revenge upon Brutus and the rest of the conspirators. Their rioting develops into pure anarchy.
Antony comments that he has done his part in creating social upheaval, and now must wait to see what
happens.

Brutus and Cassius are forced to flee the city, and in the meantime the young general Octavius
Caesar, loyal to Julius Caesar, arrives and allies with Antony. He, Antony and Lepidus form
a second triumvirate and prepare to purge the city of anyone who is against them. They map out their
plans to scour the city and make a list of names of those whom they wish to kill, including relatives and
friends.
Cassius and Brutus set up camp in Sardis, located in what is now western Turkey. Cassius arrives with
his army at the campsite where Brutus is waiting for him, but is furious with Brutus for having ignored
letters he sent asking Brutus to release a prisoner. Brutus has instead punished the man for accepting
bribes, an act which provided one of the reason's for Caesar's murder. Cassius and Brutus argue until
Cassius, in exasperation, pulls out his dagger and asks Brutus to kill him if he hates so. Of course, Brutus
refuses. The two men embrace and forget their differences.

Next, Brutus sadly informs Cassius that his wife Portia is dead. She swallowed live embers after Antony
and Octavius assumed power. When two underlings enter the tent, Brutus stops talking about Portia
and focuses on the military matters at hand. In fact, when one of the men asks him about his wife, he
denies having heard any news about her. Brutus convinces Cassius during the strategy meeting that it
would be best for them to march to where Antony and Octavius are located in Philippi (near modern
Greece) in order to defeat them before they get too strong, gaining additional soldiers on their march.
Cassius reluctantly agrees to Brutus' plan and departs for the night.

Brutus calls some men into his tent in case he needs to send them away as messengers during the night.
He makes them go to sleep. He himself stays up reading, but he is disturbed by the ghost of Julius Caesar
who appears. The ghost tells Brutus that he is his "evil spirit" (4.2.353) and that he will be on the
battlefield at Philippi. Brutus is so shaken by this image that he wakes up all the men in his tent and
sends them to Cassius with orders that Cassius should depart before him the next morning.

On the battlefield at Philippi, Antony and Octavius agree to their battle plans. They meet with Brutus
and Cassius before entering battle, but only exchange insults. Battle is imminent. All four men return to
their armies to prepare for war.

In the middle of the battle Brutus sees a chance to destroy Octavius' army and rushes away to attack it.
He leaves Cassius behind. Cassius, less militarily adept, quickly begins losing to Antony's forces. Even
worse, Pindarus misleads him, telling him Titinius has been taken by the enemy near Cassius'
tents. Upon hearing this news, Cassius orders Pindarus to kill him. After completing the task, Pindarus
flees. Brutus arrives, finds his friend dead and remarks, "O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet".
Cato is quickly killed, and Lucillius, a man pretending to be Brutus, is soon captured and handed
over to Antony. Antony recognizes him and tells his soldiers to keep attacking until they capture Brutus.
Brutus, now almost completely defeated, begs several of his soldiers to kill him. They all refuse and
leave him rather than carrying his blood on their hands. Finally, Strato accepts Brutus' request.
Brutus runs into his sword as Strato holds it for him, killing himself.
Antony and Octavius arrive and find Brutus dead upon the ground. Antony remarks, "This was the
noblest Roman of them all" Octavius, unemotional through all of the carnage, merely ends the play with
the lines, "So call the field to rest, and let's away / to part the glories of this happy day".
 Explanation of text [Act II, Scene II]
 Julius Caesar has got up a bit late. He paces up and down the palace verandah in his night gown
immersed in some very disturbing thought. His wife Calpurnia had cried out in her sleep, ‘Help, ho!
They murder Caesar’. Caesar knew it portended something awful.
 Caesar summons a servant and asks him to rush to a soothsayer, and ask him to do a sacrifice to
make some good omen appear. The bad omen tormenting Calpurnia had to be dispelled.

 Calpurnia has left her bed. With the dreadful dreams still lingering in her mind, she beseeches her
husband not to venture out of the palace that day. She appears unusually firm in her demand. The
boastful Caesar declines to heed her request. In his usual air of defiance and hubris, he says that
danger can’t look him in the eyes.

 Calpurnia is insistent. She wants to keep her husband out of harm’s way – at any cost. She’s not a
superstitious lady, but she’s seen some very ghastly dreams. She saw lions walking around, the dead
rising from their graves, and warriors in the sky, and the Capitol drenched in blood. Angst sweeps
her mind.

 Caesar wants to have his ways. He reasons with her distressed wife saying what is ordained by God
must happen. Here he delivers the famous line, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the
Valiant never taste of death, but once.” He sees it to be quite unbecoming for a valiant warrior like
him to fear death, since death spares no one born in this world.

 News of the soothsayer’s efforts to make some good omen to appear has gone awry. The beast that
was killed for the sacrifice had no heart! Caesar, in his obsessively proud and confident manner
discounts the incident as something irrelevant. He concludes that he would have no heart (or
courage) if he stayed home that day. It is a wishful distortion by Caesar that feeds his ego. He then
claims he’s more dangerous than danger itself.

 Calpurnia is the least convinced. She pleads with Caesar to stay home. For those who cared to know
the reason behind his absence, he could take the alibi that he stayed home not out of his
own volition, but at his wife’s behest. She goes down on her knees to make her husband accede to
her request. He doesn’t agree until she’s gotten down on her knees. He decides to humor her and
says that his friend Antony will say that Ceaser is ill.

 It is morning. As planned earlier, Decius turns up to escort Caesar to the Capitol. Calpurnia asks
Decius to tell the Senate that Caesar is sick. Decius has ulterior motives. He tries to deceive her by
saying that Caesar had conquered nations and cannot be worried about some old insignificant
senators knowing why he had to stay back in the palace.

 Caesar tells Decius to just tell the Senate he won’t come. This much should suffice. He does not owe
anyone any explanation as to why he has not come. In a huge blunder, Caesar wants to confide in
the devil Decius, whose true motive is still under wraps. Caesar is unsuspecting of Decius and loves
him. Caesar decides to tell Decius why he is not going.

 He tells Decius that Calpurnia had an awful dream in which Caesar’s statue spewed blood from a
hundred spouts, like a fountain. Rejoicing Romans washed their hand in the blood with great glee.

 Decius is a master manipulator. He knows he has to take Cesar to the Capitol so that the plot to kill
him can come to fruition. Quite deftly, he starts his attempt misinterpret the dream. He says surely
Caesar had blood spilled all over his loyal applauding Romans. Decius claims the dream means Rome
will be resurrected by Caesar’s blood, and everybody will want a little token of that wonderful
sacrificial act. Decius engages in double-talk here. What he really has in mind is that Rome will be
saved with the demise of Caesar, but twists his words to give it a positive spin.
 Decius proceeds to use his master stroke. He says that the adoring Senate is planning to crown
Caesar the King. Cesar must seize the moment and go and be crowned. A delay now might make the
Senate change its minds. Heeding his wife’s dreams would be cowardly, reasoned Caesar. He did not
want to diminish his stature as the invincible hero. Quite innocently, the crooked Decius avers that
he does not want his beloved friend to be subject to any ridicule by not showing up.

 In a move that would cost Caesar his life, he fails to see through Decius’s platitudes and wicked mis-
representation of Calpurnia’s dreams. He ignores the fervent appeals of his dear wife and steps
forward to the Capitol. It was a fatal error which was a consequence of Caesar’s vain pride and self-
confidence.

 It’s 8 in the morning. All other conspirators have gathered, each trying to pretend that it is business
as usual.

 Caesar is all grace as he always is while in the midst of Senators. He offers them a welcome drink.
Brutus reflects on the fact that Caesar is hosting his assassins. The thought disturbs him.

 Artemidorius, a soothsayer, reads aloud to himself a note of caution for Caesar. In the note, he lists
all the would be perpetrators who are out to fell him. He warns Caesar to shun them, and gives a
detail account of their plot. Artemidorius plans to pass this note to Caesar as he walks to the Capitol.
He hopes Caesar will read it and will save himself. It was an move to preempt the assassination.

 Portia, Brutus’s wife, is disoriented and confused. She tells her servant Lucius to make a dash to the
Capitol. She is delirious as she shouts at her servant for not having left, although she is yet to brief
him.

 Portia is worried and confused. She can’t decide what Lucius has to do when he reaches there. Brutus
appeared unwell and lost when he left for the Senate that morning. She wants Lucius to be at her
husband’s side. She instructs Lucius to keep an eye on Caesar and the people standing by his side.
Though not privy to the murder plan, she senses something dreadful is going to happen.

 Acutely apprehensive of a catastrophe about to happen, Portia hears imaginary sounds in her
imagination. Lucius claims he heard nothing.

 A soothsayer arrives at Brutus’s house to tell Portia that Caesar hasn’t come to the Capitol yet. The
soothsayer hopes to accost him on the way so that he pass on the warning note to him.

 This only worsens Portia’s fearful thoughts. She wants to know if some plot is being hatched to
imperil Caesar. The soothsayer feigns ignorance, but says some earthshaking event is going to
happen.

 The soothsayer sets out with the hope to get a vantage point along the way where he can approach
Caesar elbowing his way through the crowd.

 Portia’s nerves are frayed at the turn of events. She prays to ensure that Brutus emerge from the
turmoil unharmed. She terms the plot an ‘enterprise’. Lucius happened to be within a earshot of
Portia when the latter made this prayer. This makes her worry if her servant overheard this. She
makes a silly attempt to cover it up. She says that the ‘enterprise’ pertains to a small request her
husband had made to Caesar, which, in any case, is not going to be granted. She undoubtedly is in
the know of the deadly plot, but she holds the secret close to her chest.

 Portia tries to regain her composure. She asks Lucius to tell Brutus that she is “merry”. She wants
her servant to bring back news of Brutus. She is actually very perturbed and apprehensive.
 The crowd of the scheming senators and a few onlookers surround Julius Caesar just in the
perimeter of the Capitol. Decius, one of the masterminds of the plot, proffers a “suit” or a request
from Trebonius to Caesar.

 Artemidorius, the soothsayer with the message, gets to meet Caesar, and urges him to read his ‘suit’
(letter) first, as it is very important to his adored leader Caesar. Caesar, good-naturedly, avers that
Rome’s affairs are more important to him than his own. He says he will read the note later. the
picture of humility, says that, because he puts the affairs of Rome before his own, he’ll read
Artemidorius’s suit last. Artemidorius presses him unsuccessfully, as Caesar dismisses him saying
“What, is the fellow mad?

 Caesar is oblivious of the fact that he has committed a fatal error of judgment. He is ushered in to
the Capitol by Cassius. Cassius advises Caesar not to waste time in meeting the commoners in the
streets of Rome, but hurry to the Capitol.

 As Caesar enters the Capitol, Senator Popilius wishes Cassius good luck in “today’s enterprise.” It is
a cynical and wicked statement.

 Popilius, apparently aware of the plot, is busy in small talk with Caesar. Brutus, remains cool and
composed despite the knowledge of the imminent calamity. He tries to instill a feeling of normalcy
in those who appeared to be a bit edgy. Popilius exchanges smiles with Caesar. Obviously, even a
whiff of the murder plot has not reached his mind.

 Meanwhile, Trebonius does his part. He tries to make Caesar walk into the trap. The plot is
proceeding as planned. Metellus will soon cozy up to Caesar, pretending to make a request. The
wolve-senators would soon pounce upon Caesar from vantage positions. Cinna says Casca will strike
first.

 Metellus approaches Caesar bending forward reverentially. Caesar disapproves of such show of
subservience. Referring to himself in third person, Caesar says lesser men may get flattered by
extreme loyalty, but he has no place for such docile behavior in his mind. Caesar turns down
Metellus’s request for revocatrion of the banishment order on his son. Giving vent to his exaggerated
sense of pride and vanity, Caesar chides those who stoop to get their requests granted. He says such
conduct is demeaning and akin to those of beggars. Such statements do not go down well with the
audience. Caesar’s boasts jar their minds.

 As Metellus makes his appeal for his brother Publius, Brutus steps forward to kiss Caesar’s hands.
The bemused Caesar frown upon such display of loyalty and reverence from his dear friend. At this
point, Cassius falls to Caesar’s feet.

 Caesar has the conspirators surrounding him in deferential manner in order not to arouse his doubt.
Intoxicated with the adulation showered on him, Caesar further jades everyone saying he won’t
change the law to accommodate Publius. In a statement that reveals his vainglorious mood, Caesar
declares himself to be “as constant as the northern star.” Caesar wants to make a point here about
his stubborn adherence to his principles and decisions, his invincibility and indestructibility. He
wants to drive home the point that he is not going to accede to any request even if it is made by a
close friend.

 The conspirators keep trying to prevail upon Caesar to accept their request, but Caesar asks them
to move away. He says their protestations are of no avail. It is like trying to lift Olympus, the
mountain of the gods.
 Caesar is shocked when Brutus decides to kneel. Suddenly Casca impels his dagger into Caesar.
Brutus is quick to stab him too.

 Caesar utters the last words of his life. In a tone chocked with anguish and surprise, he moans, “Et
tu, Brute? [You too, Brutus?] – Then fall, Caesar!” Brutus dagger caused Caesar much more pain than
that of all others. After all, Brutus was Cesar’s wise and most trustworthy friend. Brutus’s knife
breaks Cesar’s mind more than it breaks his body. Resigned to being betrayed by Brutus decides to
give up. He decides to fall. Quite ironically, this momentous moment comes close on the heels of the
Cesar’s defiant speech, ‘I am the North Star…..!”

 Soon after Caesar falls in a pool of blood, Cinna declares triumphantly, “Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny
is dead!” and tells everybody to spread the ‘liberating’ news among the masses.

 Brutus senses the mood of shock and revulsion in the minds of the people who witnessed the ghastly
act. He asks them to reconcile to Caesar’s demise with circumspection and equanimity. “Ambition’s
debt is paid,” Brutus wants his fellow citizens to believe. He wants them to understand that Caesar’s
unbridled ambition brought about his downfall. eaning Caesar’s death is the cost and consequence
of Caesar’s ambition.

 Casca signals Brutus and Cassius to step on the pulpit apparently to clear the air about Cesar’s
assassination so as to preempt any confusion and violent backlash. Brutus could mollify the crowd
with a formal address. At this point, Brutus notices he can’t find Publius. Cinna points out that
Publius is still struck by the gruesome murder. He is on an edge trying to fathom the repercussions
of the mutinous senators’ act. Metellus urges the conspirators to close their ranks and brace for a
possible confrontation with the angry Caesar loyalists standing near the Capitol.

 Brutus then sternly urges everyone to remain calm and reflect. He wants to cool the nerves of the
tense crowd there. Sensing a violent storm gathering, he wants to make everyone reconcile to
whatever has happened. The realization has dawned in Brutus that the expected applaud might soon
turn to anger and retribution.

 Trebonius enters to break the dreadful news. Antony has fled to the safety of his house. There are
angry crowds in the streets. Clearly, Caesar’s murder has roiled them. A sense of gloom and doom
has gripped the people. They are crying out for vengeance.

 Brutus lapses into a retrospective mood. He says death is inevitable for all. The journey to the grave
starts the day one is born. Life is the time one needs to spend between birth and death. Brutus
knows the crowd will soon turn on the masterminds of the conspirators and he will meet his death.

 Quite intriguingly, Brutus calls upon the perpetrators to smear their hands up to their elbows in
Caesar’s blood and to drench their swords with it, so they can walk out into the streets and the
marketplace boldly declaring the ushering in of peace, freedom, and liberty in the land. This is so
disturbingly akin to Calphurnia’s dream.

 Cassius professes that history will treat this assassination kindly, and even hail it as a noble one. He
suggests that Brutus should lead the debriefing mission to the streets to explain to the agitated
crowd why they did such an act.

 Just then, Antony’s servant enters, disrupting the proceedings.

 Antony is distraught. He has sent his servant as emissary to convey his deep regard to Brutus for his
wisdom, valour, honesty and foresight. The servant tells Antony that his master adores Caesar as
much as he adores Brutus. Antony implores Brutus to tell him if it is safe enough to venture out. He
wants to hear, first hand, how Brutus justifies the assassination. he can get some assurance that it’s
 safe to come around for a visit sometime and hear the story of why Brutus thought it was OK to kill
their leader. Regardless, he’ll be faithful to Brutus from now on.

 Brutus assures Antony’s servant that he sees no danger for his master to come to the Capitol. Brutus
is elated because he will soon be among his friends in this hour of crisis.

 Misgivings about Antony still plague Cassius’s mind. Being the chief architect of the plot, he is
distrustful of everyone around him. Antony, too, attracts Cassius’s suspicion.

 Antony comes to the spot where Caesar’s body lies. He is devastated almost to the point of being
delirious. He breaks down and tears roll down his eyes. In a voice shaking with rage, he says the
murderous conspirators could soon target others.

 With a gush of hurtful sentiments overpowering him, Antony pleads with the conspirators to fell
him right there if they want him annihilated. He avers dying with the sword still dripping with
Caesar’s blood would be the most honourable death ever.

 Brutus starts to mollify Antony. He wants to douse the rage in his friend’s mind. He says that, the
conspirators’ hands are bloody, but their hearts are filled with remorse and pity. After all, someone
had to eliminate Caesar to save Rome’s republican character. The assassination is vile, but the
intentions are noble. There was no way to protect Rome from dictatorial rule except by getting rid
of the dictator. Brutus assures Antony that the public would laud the assassins.

 Brutus promises to waste any more time to explain the compulsions behind the murder. Right now,
though, they’ve got to venture out and confront the enraged public with cold logic. The public’s
wrath against those with Caesar’s blood in their hands must be countered with dispassionate
reasoning.

 Antony, out of deep regard for Brutus’s character and wisdom, begins to feel that there was indeed
some compelling reason to kill Caesar. Antony shakes the bloody hands of the conspirators all
around. He then looks on Caesar’s corpse and begins a long-winded speech eulogizing Caesar. He
repentantly admits that by siding with the conspirators, he has betrayed his idol, Caesar.

 Cassius senses danger here. He is very upset with Antony taking the high moral ground on the issue.
He interrupts this dramatic public speech of Antony and asks him if he shares or opposes their stand.

 Antony’s mind is caught in a dilemma. He says he sides with the conspirators. In the next moment,
he takes a pitiful look at Caesar’s dead body lying so miserably on the ground. His mind wavers. He
feels the murder of Caesar does not stand moral scrutiny. Annihilating a leader who had done so
much for Rome can only be the handiwork of people who are mean. He steps back from endorsing
the assassination. Still, Antony feels he can support the assassination if the perpetrators can come
up with sound reasons for it. They have to prove that Caesar was too dangerous for Rome to be left
alive occupying the throne.

 Antony now makes another request that appears too innocent to be turned down. He wants to be
permitted to take the body to the marketplace and to address the congregation at Caesar’s funeral.

 Brutus accedes to the request as Antony has done little to belie his trust. Cassius is suspicious. He is
not comfortable with the idea of Antony speaking to the audience. He wants to alert Brutus and pulls
Brutus aside.

 Cassius had a premonition that Brutus might speak disparagingly about the perpetrators inflame
the passions of the already volatile citizens further. He urges Brutus to stop Antony from speaking
at the funeral.
 Brutus decides on a middle path. He proposes to climb to the pulpit ahead of other speakers and
with calm well-reasoned logic, explain to the agitated crowd why they killed Caesar. This decision
is, no doubt, a huge error of judgment. The crowd boiling in anger, has little patience for cold reason.
They are crying for retribution. Brutus plans to explain that the conspirators have authorised
Antony to speak implying that he is not an adversary. Brutus is to declare that Caesar will have all
the befitting burial ceremonies. Brutus is so naïve here. He foolishly assumes that this gesture will
go down well with the audience, dousing their rage.

 To preempt Antony making any critical comment, Brutus made Antony promise not to say anything
to add to surcharged atmosphere at Caesar’s funeral. He was told not to castigate the killers. Instead,
he had to laud Cesar’s contribution to Rome.

 Antony is now alone. He bends over Caesar’s body and speaks aloud the thoughts that rage in his
heart. He says he will expose the conspirators to the angry crowd, so that they turn on the vile
perpetrators of the murder. Antony can see the retribution and the bloodshed that would ensue as
the crowd run amuck to avenge the death of their Hero. The scale of the mayhem and massacre will
be so massive that Caesar would rise from the Hell with the Goddess of Discord by his side, and
mothers smile to see their babies being mutilated in their presence. Antony’s intentions are clear.
He wants a torrent of fire to rain down on the perpetrators.

 Just around this time, a servant comes in to break the news that Octavius, the adopted son of Caesar
is on his way to Rome. Earlier, Caesar had sent words for him to come to Rome.

 Octavious is then a short distance away from Rome. Antony asks the servant to somehow persuade
Octavius not to proceed further as the situation in the capital was too volatile. Antony wants
Octavius to arrive only after he (Antony) finishes his address to the restive crowd laying bare the
wicked plot that led to the murder of his father. The crowd will then be primed to pounce upon the
murder plotters. Octavius’s presence would add fuel to the fire then.

 The servant helps Antony to move Caesar’s body out of the Capitol.

 Brutus and Cassius are in the streets virtually mobbed by inquisitive onlookers. They simply want
to get an account of why, how and by whom Caesar has been killed.

 Cassius takes a section of the crowd away to explain the factors leading up to the assassination of
Cesar. Some others from the crowd stay behind to listen to what Brutus has to say.

 Brutus ascends to the stage to begin his speech. Instantly, the commotion stops and people become
silent to hear him. Brutus avoids rhetoric. Instead, he gives a short, solemn account of what had
transpired.

 Brutus reaffirms his great love and regard for the fallen Hero. He asks the crowd if there was anyone
among them who loves Caesar more than him. No one comes forward.

 Brutus says he loves Caesar in credibly, but his love for Rome overrides his love for the dead leader.
Cesar had become autocratic. Romans simply can not live under a ruler who reduces them to the
level of slaves. To preempt such a misfortune overpowering the common Romans, he and his fellow
senators had to take this extreme step to eliminate Caesar.

 Brutus challenges the listeners to say they didn’t love Rome and freedom. Obviously, no one from
the crowd raises a voice. ‘This was the motivation to kill Caesar,’ avers Brutus.
 Brutus appears to be swaying the angry crowd to his side of the story. But, at that point of time,
Antony arrives with the dead body of Cesar. Brutus is about to close his speech by introducing
Antony. As his parting words, he reiterates his stand that Caesar had to be killed for Rome’s shake.
In an empty bravado, he says that he will kill himself if ever he is proved to have lied.

 Brutus seems to have carried the day with his eloquent declaration. The crowd is so thrilled that
they want to make him the next Caesar and erect a statue in his honour. The lofty principle of
democracy in choosing the supreme leader appears to be forgotten in the frenzy of adulation for
Brutus.

 Brutus ushers in Antony asking him to address the crowd.

 Shouts of derision against Caesar rent the air as the volatile crowd begin to adore Brutus for his
patriotic act!

 Antony begins his address saying, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury
Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their
bones; so let it be with Caesar.”
 With astute selection of words, Antony proceeds to make his point. He showers his praise on Brutus
putting the crowd at ease. Then, he begins to demolish the claim of loyalty to Rome made by the
perpetrators. He says, Ceasar brought humungous wealth and fame to Rome. He had thrice declined
to be named the supreme leader and the lure of autocratic power had never influenced his action.
He was a friend of the poor and the unquestionable king of all Romans’ hearts. The people who
plotted to kill him had ulterior motives. They committed the egregious sin of assassinating such a
great son of Rome out of jealousy. ‘Caesar’s murder was an act of vile scheming,’ asserted Antony.

 To bolster his argument, Antony proceeded to read the will of Caesar, simultaneously declaring that
he was making public the private document with great reluctance.

 Almost at the same instant, the crowd that had lionized Brutus only moments before, begin to mourn
the death of their leader.

 Exhibiting astute diplomatic skill, Antony states that Brutus is indeed a man of honour and
unquestionable integrity. However, he delivers his fatal blow by pointing out to the wound inflicted
by Brutus on Caesar’s body. He repeats his assertion over and over again to drive home the point
that Brutus and his men had resorted to heinous treachery in stabbing their leader to death.
Antony’s intention was to incite the crowd against Brutus and his henchmen to a point of no return.

 The crowd erupts with deadly frenzy. As they pause before unleashing their anger, Antony urges
them to wait a while to hear out Antony’s will.

 As per the will, each citizen is to get a nice garden and 75 drachmas. This part of the will was the last
nail in the coffin of the conspirators. The crowd decides to cremate Caesar in the holy place, and
then torch the conspirators’ assets with the same flame. It was a very emotional outburst.

 Antony is elated to see the crowd setting out to wreck their vengeance on the conspirators. Mayhem
and murder stat in a mammoth scale.

 Antony gets the news that Octavius has reached the palace with his friend Lepidus. The duo is
waiting to see him.

 Antony, Octavius and Lepidus become the triumvirate to rule Rome.

 Brutus and Cassius flee for their lives leaving Rome for good.
 Play: Julius Caesar
Possible Important Questions
(a) How do the heavens 'blaze forth' the death of Julius Caesar?

Calpurnia sees ill-omens that predict the death of Caesar beforehand. The heavens predict the death
princes and great kings. She saw a lioness giving birth on the streets, fierce warriors fighting a bloody
fight and blood falling on the Capitol, ghosts shrieking and squealing in the streets, the dead coming
out of the grave. All these were unnatural happenings and indicated bad omen. Thus heavens “blaze
forth” the death of Julius Caesar. All this signaled that someone as powerful as Caesar was bound to
suffer.

(b) What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?

Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar of an ill-omen that she has seen her nightmares, which does mean a
grave danger to Caesar’s life. She tries to convince Caesar not to go out as she fears he nightmares
might turn true and Caesar might face danger for his life.

(c) Why does Calpurnia say Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence'? What does she
mean?

Calpurnia says that Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence' because Caesar decides to go to the
Senate ignoring all the signs which foretell him about danger. Calpurnia felt that Caesar had become
overconfident and because of this he couldn’t understand there was a threat to his life. Julius doesn’t
act wise and declines the idea of staying back because if he did so, he would be considered a coward.

(d) What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?

Calpurnia dreamt that Caesar’s statue spouted blood from a hundred places and many Roman people
came and washed their hands in it. Decius Brutus interprets it as a lucky and fortunate dream. He says
that Rome and Romans will get a new life. Great man shall gather around Caesar and stain their
handkerchief in his blood. Distinguished men will get honor at his hands and everything relating to
him will be held in utmost reverence.

(e) What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to the
Capitol?

Decius Brutus, being a flatterer, interprets Calpurnia's dream as fair and fortunate one. Caesar's statue
spouting blood from hundred places signifies his influence and reverence for him. He further says that
the Senate has concluded to crown him. In case Caesar doest no go to the Senate House that day, they
may change their mind and he may miss such a golden opportunity to be the Roman king.

(f) Why is Decius more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?

Decius Brutus is a great flatterer. He is more successful in persuading Caesar than Calpurnia because
his argument appeals to Caesar’s pride. While Calpurnia wishes that Caesar stay at home after seeing
horrible dreams, Decius Brutus interprets the dreams lucky and fortunate. According to him, they
signify Caesar’s power and influence. He gives Caesar’s ego a boost. Caesar is totally carried away by
his words and decides to go to the Capitol.

(g) What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?

The conspirators want that Caesar should call Publius Cimber home as he had banished him. They
request him to review his earlier decision. However, Caesar is no mood to relent. He tells the
conspirators that he is firm like a Pole Star. His heart will not be softened by bowing and stooping
activities and if Mettellus Cimber continues such activities, he would turn him away like a street dog.

(h) Who says "Et tu Brute"? When are these words spoken? Why?

Caesar utters these words which mean, “You too, Brutus”. These are uttered when Brutus stabs Caesar
and Caesar is too hurt to see that even his dear friend Brutus could resort to such treachery.

(i) In the moments following Caesar's death what do the conspirators proclaim to justify
Caesar's death?

After Caesar’s death, the conspirator’s claim that with Caesar’s death tyranny has ended in Rome.
They shout slogans like ‘Peace, Liberty, Freedom and Enfranchisement’. They say that although Caesar
was a great man, he had become too ambitious.

(j) Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?

Antony is overwhelmed with grief on seeing Caesar's dead body. He exclaims that inspite of Caesars'
conquests, glories, triumphs and spoils, he lies so "low". He offers to be killed and lie by Caesar's side
whom he calls the choice and master spirits of this age and "most noble".

(k) Whom does Antony call 'the choice and master spirits of this age"? Why?

Antony calls the conspirators “the choice and master spirits of this age”. He says this because they had
just killed the leader of the Roman Empire.

(l) How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony's speech?

After listening to Antony's speech, Brutus assures him that even though the deed seems bloody, their
intentions were worthy. Their pity for the common people of Rome overrode their pity for Caesar.
Cassius offers Antony new position in the government.

(m) Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral? How does Brutus
overcome this objection?

Cassius does not think it would be proper Antony should speak at Caesar’s funeral as his speech may
change the mind of the audience. But Brutus tells that Antony would only speak with their consent
and he will speak first and his speech will enumerate reasons for Caesar’s death.

(n) What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at
Caesar's funeral?

The conditions imposed on Mark Antony were that in his funeral speech he would not blame the
conspirators, but speak all good things about Caesar. He had to speak from the same pulpit as Brutus
and tell the people that he did so by the conspirators’ permission.

(o) When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Anthony call Brutus and the
others?

Antony curses the murderers and he seeks forgiveness for being polite to them. He calls
them ‘butchers’ who killed the noblest of men.
(p) What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?

Antony prophesies that Italy will be ravaged with civil war, violence and extreme blood shed
will leave the earth full of dead bodies. Goddess of revenge will descend on earth with Caesar’s spirit
and the stench of dead bodies will fill the earth.

(q) What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?

Brutus tells that he killed Caesar because he had become ambitious and wanted to be the king of
Rome. He killed Caesar for the betterment of Rome. He was also ready to lay down his life for his
country. He honored Caesar as long as he was heroic but when he became ambitious he killed him.

(r) Who says, "Let him be Caesar"? What light does this throw on the speaker?

The third citizen says "Let him be Caesar" after Brutus has finished his speech justifying Caesar’s
killing. Brutus in his speech proclaims that the public can kill him if he too becomes ambitious like
Caesar. He has the same dagger for himself and he is willing to lay down his life for his country. The
citizens are fully satisfied. They praise Brutus and show their sympathy for the act.

(s) Why is Antony's speech more effective?

Antony speech is more effective because it is genuine and full of emotions and feelings for Caesar. He
very cleverly tells the crowd that Caesar was not ambitious rather he had refused the crown thrice. He
enhanced the glory of Rome with his victories. He left 75 drachmas in his will to be given to every
Roman. He left his gardens and property for the common use of the people. He tries to gain the
sympathy of the people by showing Caesar’s wounded body. The mob is filled with anger after
Antony’s speech and they rush to kill the conspirators.

(t) At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?

After Antony’s speech, the mob is filled with anger. The armies of Octavius Caesar and Antony clash
with those of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi and Sardis. Brutus and Cassius are defeated and both
commit suicide.

Questions for Further Study:

(a) Why was the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar hatched?

The conspiracy to assassinate Caesar was hatched to prevent him from being crowned the king of
Rome. Brutus and Cassius had a grudge against Caesar and they wished to have the power in their
hands rather than with Caesar.

(b) Was Caesar really ambitious? Find evidence from the play to support your answer.

Caesar was not ambitious at all. He brought many glories and victories to Rome and Romans. He was
kind and sympathetic person. He refused the crown thrice. Caesar was very compassionate. He
understood the plight of the poor. He promised seventy-five drachmas to every Roman.

(c) What was Cassius' motive for murdering Julius Caesar?

Cassius was jealous of Caesar’s growing power and influence. In fact he didn't wish to see him as the
great conqueror of the world. He didn't want that Caesar should rule the Romans and that is why he
wished to murder him.

(d) Why was it essential for the conspirators to include Brutus in the conspiracy?

It was essential for the conspirators to give a stamp of legitimacy of their cause of murdering Caesar.
Brutus was a man of noble ideas. Also he was very close to Caesar. But he fell to the dirty tricks of the
conspirators to join them to kill Caesar.

(e) What were the mistakes made by Brutus that led to the failure of the conspiracy?

Brutus allowed Antony to give Caesar a suitable funeral after giving a speech to the people at the
Capitol. Second, his utter simplicity and belief in Antony. Third, leaving Antony alone with Caesar's
dead body and mob. Fourth, his not heeding Cassius's fears in allowing Antony to speak to the people.

(f) Comment on Caesar's friendship with Antony.

Antony was a dear friend of Caesar. He did not agree with Brutus that Caesar was an ambitious person
who wanted to rule over Rome. In fact he was ready to lay down his life for Rome. After Brutus’
speech at Caesar’s funeral, Antony delivers an emotional speech. He tells the mob that Caesar was not
at all ambitious. He refused the crown three times. He said that Caesar had left 75 drachmas for every
Roman. Antony appealed to the sentiments of the mob and even showed the wounded corpse of
Caesar. The mob was so influenced by Antony’s speech that they turned against the conspirators. Thus
Antony showed his affection and respect for Caesar.

(g) Write a brief character sketch of Antony.

Antony is a noble personality. He has all th human virtues of love, sympathy, sincerity, integrity,
solidarity, devotion etc. He is also a great orator and craftsman. He is extremely devoted to Caesar. He
wishes that Caesar should be crowned the king. A clever man, Antony, is successful in fooling Brutus
into believing that he is with the conspirators after the death of Caesar. He delivers an influential
speech which makes the mob realize conspiracy behind Caesar’s murder. He has genuine love and
affection for Caesar and wishes to avenge his death. It is because of his speech, the conspirators are
crushed.

(h) What is the role of Julius Caesar's ghost in the play, Julius Caesar?

The ghost of Julius Caesar appears twice in the play: once before Brutus when he is sleeping in his
tent, it stood by his bed side and said nothing. The second time it appears in a battle at Philippi. The
ghost appeared in front of Antonius and Octavius. It did not say anything. The purpose of the ghost
was to make Brutus realize his mistake. He was carried away by emotions and joined hands with the
conspirators. Caesar’s death led to turmoil and unrest in Rome. Brutus is unhappy seeing all this and
kills himself with his own sword.

(i) Why does Antony call Brutus 'the noblest Roman of them all'?

Antony’s comment that Brutus is ‘the noblest Roman of them all’ is laced with sarcasm. Actually he
wishes to tell the public that Caesar was not at all ambitious as pointed by Brutus but he does not say
this immediately rather he cites instances and instigates audience slowly and logically. Antony is a
great orator. He first calls Brutus the noblest Roman in order to gain attention and sympathy of the
public. Slowly he tells the public that it was not Caesar’s ambition but Brutus’ personal grudge against
Caesar that made him kill Caesar. Thus he is able avenge his friends’ death as the mob after hearing
Antony’s speech turns against the conspirators.

(j) How do Brutus and Cassius meet their end?

Brutus wants that their forces should move to Philippi and attack the enemy. Cassius does not agree
and leaves alone. On the plains of Philippi, Brutus and Cassius reach with their forces where there are
the armies of Octavius and Antony. With the interference of Octavius their wrong doing comes to an
end. Then the forces of Cassius and Antony fight in which Antony emerges victorious. Cassius could
not accept this defeat and commits suicide. Brutus too is disheartened and kills himself with his own
sword.