Introduction
Welcome to the ultimate guide for JULIUS CAESAR WORK BOOK ANSWERS, specifically focusing on Act 1 Scene 2. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, you’ll find these Morning Star workbook answers incredibly helpful. We will be dissecting Act 1 Scene 2 of Julius Caesar to answer some of the most thought-provoking contextual questions.
Contextual question A
Caesar
Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.
Antony
I shall remember;
When Caesar says “Do this,” it is perform’d.
Caesar
Set on; and leave no ceremony out.
Soothsayer
Caesar!
1)Where does the scene take place? Why have the characters referred to in the extract gone there?
2) What is the “holy chase”? Who is assigned to take the “holy chase”? What is its significance?
3)What instructions did Caesar give to Calpurnia earlier regarding the holy chase? Which characteristic trait of Caesar is revealed by his instructions.
4)) Give the meaning of:
(a) Shake off their sterile curse
(b) “Do this”, it is perform’d..
5)According to the extract, explain the type of relationship that existed betwee
Caesar and Antony
Answers :
1) The scene takes place in a public place in Rome during the feast of Lupercal. The characters are there to celebrate the festival and Caesar is being honored.
2) The “holy chase” refers to the ritual run that is part of the Lupercal festival. Antony is assigned to take part in it. It’s believed to have the power to make infertile women fertile.
3) Caesar told Calpurnia to stand in Antony’s way during the “holy chase” so she might shake off her “sterile curse” of not being able to have children. This reveals Caesar’s superstitious nature.
4)
(a) “Shake off their sterile curse” means that infertile women can become fertile.
(b) “Do this,” it is perform’d means that whatever Caesar orders gets done quickly and efficiently.
5) According to the extract, Caesar and Antony have a relationship based on respect and loyalty. Antony is willing to follow Caesar’s commands without question.
.
B) Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.
CaesarCaesar:
What man is that?
Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
Caesar:
Set him before me; let me see his face.
Cassius:
Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
1)What is meant by “Beware the ides of March”? What is its significance in the play, Julius Caesar?
2)What was Caesar’s reaction to the soothsayer’s warning? What light does his reaction throw on Caesar’s character?
3) What, in your opinion, is the soothsayer’s motive in warning Caesar to “beware the ides of March”? Which theme in the play is revealed through soothsayer’s warning and Caesar’s denial of it?
4)Why does Caesar want the soothsayer to look at him? What does Caesar think of the soothsayer?
5)Give two other examples of warning about the danger which is in store for Caesar.
Answers:
1) “Beware the Ides of March” is a warning about the 15th of March, the day Caesar is assassinated. It’s significant because it foreshadows Caesar’s fate.
2) Caesar is curious but dismissive of the soothsayer’s warning. This shows that Caesar is somewhat arrogant and believes himself to be invincible.
3) The soothsayer’s motive seems to be genuine concern for Caesar. The theme of fate vs free will is highlighted here; the soothsayer believes in fate, while Caesar denies it.
4) Caesar wants to see the soothsayer’s face to gauge his sincerity. He doesn’t seem to take the soothsayer too seriously but is curious.
5) Two other warnings are:
– Calpurnia’s dream of Caesar’s statue spouting blood.
– The augurers advising Caesar not to go to the Senate as they couldn’t find the heart in a sacrificed animal, which was a bad omen.
C)Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
Cassius :
Brutus, I do observe you now of late:
I have not from your eyes that gentleness And show of love as I was wont to have. You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Over your friend .
Brutus :
Cassius,
Be not deceiv’d if I have veil’d my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself,
Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours;
1)Where are Brutus and Cassius at this time? What does Cassius observe abou
Brutus?
2) Why does Brutus not go along with Caesar to the games? With whom does Brutus contrast himself? How?
3) What does Cassius accuse Brutus of? What reply does Brutus give?
4) Give the meaning of:
(a) You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand.
(b) “Vexed I am/Of late with passions of some difference.
5) What, do you think, is the motive of Cassius in professing friendship to Brutus? What type of a person is Cassius?
Answers :
1) They are in a public place in Rome. Cassius observes that Brutus has been distant and not as gentle or loving as he used to be.
2) Brutus doesn’t attend the games because he’s been preoccupied with thoughts about the conspiracy against Caesar. He contrasts himself with Caesar, questioning whether Caesar’s power is good for Rome.
3) Cassius accuses Brutus of being distant and unfriendly towards him. Brutus replies that he’s been preoccupied with his own thoughts and issues, not with anything Cassius has done.
4)
(a) “You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand” means that Brutus has been acting distant and difficult toward his friend.
(b) “Vexed I am/Of late with passions of some difference” means Brutus has been troubled recently by various emotions or thoughts that are bothering him.
5) Cassius’s motive seems to be getting Brutus on his side against Caesar. Cassius is manipulative and cunning, using friendship as a way to influence Brutus.
D} Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Brutus :
What means this shouting? I do fear, the people Choose Caesar for their king.
Cassius :
Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so.
Brutus :
I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.
1)Where are Brutus and Cassius at this time? Why have they come together? Who are shouting?
2) What reason does Brutus give here for the “shouting”? What was the real reason?
3) Why was Brutus afraid that Caesar might become king? Why did he not want Caesar to become king?
4) When Brutus says, “I would not Cassius; yet I love him well” he is undergoin a conflict of two emotions. What are they?
5) How did Cassius finally convince Brutus that Caesar should be killed?
Answers:
1) Brutus and Cassius are in a public place in Rome. They’ve come together to discuss recent events. The shouting is coming from the Roman populace.
2) Brutus fears that the “shouting” is because the people are choosing Caesar as their king. The real reason is that Caesar has refused the crown offered to him three times.
3) Brutus is afraid Caesar might become a tyrant if he’s crowned king. He loves Caesar but fears the absolute power might corrupt him.
4) Brutus is torn between his love for Caesar and his concern for Rome’s welfare. It’s a conflict between personal affection and public duty.
5) Cassius convinces Brutus by appealing to his sense of duty to Rome and by planting fake letters from citizens expressing concern about Caesar’s ambition.
E)Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Cassius :
I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor,
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man
Is now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature, and must bend his body,
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.
1) Who was Aeneas? Which legendary incident connected with Aeneas is referred to in the extract?
2) Why does Cassius compare himself to Aeneas?
3) Who is “this man”? What grudge does Cassius harbour against “this man”?
4) Just before the extract Cassius states that he is equal to Caesar in three aspects. What are these three aspects?
5) In his speech, Cassius refers to an incident in which he was much superior to Caesar. Narrate the incident. What conclusion did Cassius draw about. Caesar from that incident?
Answers :
1) Aeneas is a Trojan hero. The legendary incident referred to is Aeneas carrying his father Anchises out of the burning city of Troy.
2) Cassius compares himself to Aeneas to highlight his own bravery and the effort he made to save Caesar from drowning.
3) “This man” is Caesar. Cassius harbors a grudge against him because despite Cassius’s own qualities and their past experiences, Caesar has risen to great power, making Cassius feel inferior.
4) Cassius believes he’s equal to Caesar in terms of physical strength, bravery, and intelligence.
5) Cassius saved Caesar from drowning in the Tiber River. From that incident, Cassius concluded that Caesar is not superhuman or deserving of the immense power he’s attained.
F)Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Cassius :
When went there by an age, since the great flood, But it was fam’d with more than with one man? When could they say, till now, that talk’d of Rome, That her wide walls encompass’d but one man? Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough, When there is in it but one only man.
O, you and I have heard our fathers say,
There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d Th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome As easily as a king.
1) What is referred to as “the great flood”? Why is this expression used in the text?
2)Who is referred to as “one only man”? Why is he so referred to?
3) What arguments does Cassius give (just before the extract) to show Caesar is not superior to Brutus?
4) “There was a Brutus.” Who was this Brutus? What would have he done in Rome?
5) With reference to one incident, state how Cassius was a shrewd manipulator.
Answers:
1) “The great flood” likely refers to Noah’s Flood from the Bible. It’s used here to indicate a long passage of time and change.
2) “One only man” refers to Caesar. He’s so referred to because he’s amassing a level of power that overshadows everyone else in Rome.
3) Just before the extract, Cassius argues that both he and Brutus are as physically strong and brave as Caesar, implying Caesar isn’t superior to them.
4) “There was a Brutus” refers to Lucius Junius Brutus, an ancestor who helped overthrow the Roman monarchy. He’d have fought against anyone, even the devil, to keep Rome a republic.
5) Cassius was a shrewd manipulator when he planted fake letters from Roman citizens to sway Brutus into joining the conspiracy against Caesar.
G )Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
Caesar :
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 mock’d himself, and scorn’d his spirit That could be mov’d to smile at any thing. Such men as he be never at heart’s ease Whiles they behold a greater than themselves…
1) Of whom is Caesar speaking? Which two traits of the man is he talking about?
2) Do the earlier episodes in the play suggest that Caesar has judged this person’s character accurately? Explain briefly.
3) Immediately before this speech, what type of man has Caesar said he prefers? How is the man referred in this extract different from that?
4) What personal physical weakness is revealed by Caesar in the remaining part of this speech? What contrast is created by this revelation with the last two lines of the extract?
5)Give two other examples of Caesar’s physical weakness mentioned earlie this scene.
Answers :
1) Caesar is talking about Cassius. He’s discussing Cassius’s traits of keen observation and his lack of interest in lighter pursuits like plays and music.
2) Earlier episodes do suggest that Caesar’s judgment is accurate. Cassius is analytical and somewhat cold, plotting against Caesar.
3) Before this speech, Caesar says he prefers men who are fat, happy, and not too bright. Cassius, in contrast, is lean, serious, and intelligent.
4) Caesar mentions he is deaf in one ear. The contrast is that despite his own physical weakness, he still sees himself as superior to Cassius and others.
5) Two other examples of Caesar’s physical weakness are his epileptic fits and his inability to swim well, as pointed out by Cassius earlier in the play.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! You’ve reached the end of our deep dive into JULIUS CAESAR WORK BOOK ANSWERS. We hope you found our breakdown of Act 1 Scene 2 helpful and insightful. If you have more questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out. These Morning Star workbook answers are intended to make your experience with this classic Shakespearean play much more enriching. Until next time, happy reading.
“Ultimate Guide: JULIUS CAESAR Act 1 Scene 2 Answers”
