JULIUS CAESAR

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

1. Justify the title of the play Julius Caesar.

2. What does Antony tell the citizen of Rome, which infuriated them?
3. After reading the play, what opinion do you form of the main character
Caesar?
4. Who are the men who plot to kill Caesar and why?
5. How does Antony initially react when he sees the body of Caesar?
6. What do you think was the motive behind Antony shaking hands with
Caesar’s enemies?
7. Julius Caesar’s popularity was responsible for his death, Justify.
8. How did the conspirators manage to carry out their plan of assassinating Julius
Caesar?
9. Shakespeare employs the supernatural element in the play. Elaborate.
10. How does Mark Antony manage to turn the tide in favour of the dead Caesar
without offending the sentiments of the conspirators?
11. Bring out a comparison of the farewell speech of Brutus and Mark Antony.
12. How do heaven forecast the death of Julius Caesar?
13. Why does Caesar’s wife apprehensive about his going out? How does Caesar
react to her apprehension?
14. Et tu Brute” Who says this and to whom and why?
15. Cassius feels that Antony shouldn’t be given a funeral speech. How does
Brutus overcome this objection?
16. Why was Caesar murdered?
17. Why was the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar hatched? Why did the
conspirators include Brutus in the conspiracy? What reasons did Brutus give
for murdering Caesar?
18. Though both Brutus and Antony address the public of Rome before Caesar’s
funeral, there is a basics difference between the two. Bring out this contrast.
19. The Roman Mob is easily swayed first by Brutus and then by Antony. Give
the characteristics of the Roman Mob with instances form the text.
20. What does ‘Et tu Brute’ tell us about the character of Cesar? How does
Antony convince the people that Caesar was not ambitious?
21. In the play ‘A Christmas Carol’ which supernatural element affects Scrooge?
Similarly in the play Julius Caesar which supernatural elements have been
mentioned. Quote some incidents?
22. Here was a Caesar. When comes such another? Who said these lines? Give the
character sketch of the speaker.
23. Julius Caesar and Antony reveal something about their character in their
words and action. Describe their special traits with instances from the text.
24. How do the heaven ‘blaze forth the death of Julius Caesar?
25. Why does Calpurnia say Caesar’s wisdom is consumed in confidence? What
does she mean?
26. What did Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How did Decius Brutus interpret the
dream?
27. What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to
go to the capital?
28. Why is Decius more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?
29. What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar
respond it to?
30. In the moments following Caesar’s death, what do the conspirators proclaim
to justify Caesr’s death?
31. Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he day
about Caesar?
32. How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony’s speech?
33. Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
34. What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony
to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
35. What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?
36. What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?
37. Who says’ Let him be Caesar’? What light does this throw on the speaker?
38. Why is Antony’s speech more effective?
39. At the end of the scene, what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?
40. How does Antony prove that Caesar was really very generous?
41. What mistakes did Brutus make?
42. Describe the people’s changing behaviour during the speeches of Brutus and
Antony.
43. How does Caesar react to Calpurnia’s pleadings?
44. What makes Caesar go to the senate house over riding Calpurnia’s fears?
45. What tribute does Antony pay to Caesar?
46. How does Decius Brutus try to allure Caesar?
47. How does Caesar react to Cimber’s pleas to recall his brother from the
banishment?
48. How does Brutus react to Antony’s offer to be killed by the side of Caesar?
49. What prophecy does Antony make by the side of Caesar’s body?
50. How does Antony really fire the people to mutiny? When does he do so?
51. What are the two ominous happenings mentioned by Caesar?
52. What are the four reasons given by Calpurnia, when she tires to prevent Caser
from going out?
53. What was the conspiracy and how was it executed?
54. How does nature foretell the death of J. Caesar?
55. What does Calpurnia have to say when she fines it difficult to convince
Caesar?
56. Why does Brutus overcome Cassius objection and allow Antony to speak at
Caesar’s funeral?
57. Why is Antony ‘s speech able to sway the crowd?
58. At the end of Antony’s speech what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?

59. Calpurnia: I never stood on ceremonies. Yet now they fright me….
 a. What is Calpurnia trying to tell Caesar?
b. How does Caesar react to Calpurnia’s apprehension?
c. Why doesn’t Calpurnia want Caesar to go out?
d. Does he listen to her? Give reasons for your answer.
60. Thy brother by decree is banished. If thou dost bend and pray and
fawn…..
a. Who is the speaker of the above lines? Whom is he speaking to?
b. What side of the speaker’s character is revealed in these lines?
61. Et tu Brutue.
a. Who says these words and to whom?
b. Why does he say so?
c. What has happened to the speaker?
26 But here’s a parchment with the seal of Caesar, I
found it in his closet, tis his will.
a. Who speaks these words and with whose permission? Where is the
speaker at this moment?
b. Why does the speaker read out Caesar’s will?
c. What is the reaction of the listeners?
d. What are the contents of the Caesar’s will that is referred to here?
e. With what purpose does the speaker read Caesar’s will?
f. How did the listeners react to the will?
62. Caesar: Cowards die many times before their deaths.
a. Whom is Caesar speaking to? Why does he say these words?
b. What fears has the listener expressed?
c. Who helps Caesar to overcome those fears and how?
d. What fears are expressed by the listener as suggested here?
e. Who are the truly ‘brave’ according to the speaker?
63. Brutus: Good countryman for my sake stays here with Antony. Do grace
to Caesar’s corpse and grace his speech.
a. What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing
Antony to speak?
b. Why does Brutus have to plead the people to listen to Antony?
c. Why is Antony’s speech more effective than that of Brutus?
64. Brutus: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more……
a. What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar? Do you support
Brutus? Give reasons for your answer?
b. Who were the other conspirators? Give the character sketch of any on
conspirator?
65. For Brutus as you know, was Caesar’s angel…..
a. describe Caesar’s feeling and reaction when he saw Brutus stab him.
b. How did Brutus justify his act? Did the people believe him . Give reasons
in support of your answer.
c. Who speaks the above lines and on what occasion?
d. How does the speaker suggest that Brutus was Caesar’s dearest friend?
e. What was the most unkindest cut of all?
f. Who killed Caesar? How?
66. Thou art the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of time…
a. Who is the speaker? Whom is he speaking to?
b. …ruins of the noblest man.. refers to?
c. Who has shed the blood? What prophecy does the speaker make? How
does it come true?
67. Cassius: I know not what may fall. I like it not.
a. What doesn’t Cassius like? Was she able to stop it form happening? What
was the outcome?
b. Give two characteristic traits of Cassius?
68. Caesar: I must prevent thee Cimber, these couching and these lowly
courtesies
a. Who is Cimber? What does he pray for?
b. What was Caesar’s reaction? What does this tell us about him?
c. What happened immediately after ‘Cimber’s request?
69. Mark Antony, here take you Caesar’s body you shall not in your funeral
speech blame us. But speak all good you can device of Caesar”
a. Who spoke these words and why?
b. What conditions were imposed on Antony?
c. What did Antony speak
70. I thrice presented him a kingly crown. Which he did thrice refuse, was
this ambition?
a. To whom is Antony speaking? What is the reason?
b. Who refused the crown? Which traits of his character reflected here?
c. Why does he ask the listeners, ‘was this ambition’?
71. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it come
back to me
a. Explain the meaning of the above lines.
b. Who is the speaker? How does he convince the Romans?
72. Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, in which so many smiling
Roman bathed…
a. Who speaks the above lines and to whom?
b. What makes the speaker interpret Calpurnia’s dream in the way suggested
here?
c. What proves the truth of the speaker’s interpretation of the dream?
73. I could be well moved, if I were as you I could pray to move, prayers
would move me……
a. Who speaks the above lines and when?
b. What prayers fail to move Caesar?
c. Which particular feature of the speaker’s personality is mentioned here?
d. What happens immediately after this?
74. O Mighty Caesar dost thou lie so low? Are all they conquests, glories,
a. Who speaks these lines? Where is he when he does so?
b. Who does the speaker talk about and what does he say?
c. What does the speaker offer to do and in what contest?
d. How do Brutus and Cassius react to his offer?