CLASS10:ENGLISH-JULIUS CAESAR frequently asked questions

Q1: Describe the role of mob in the play Julius Caesar?

No doubt citizens of Rome played a crucial role in the play Julius Caesar. The crowd of commoners that fills the streets served several dramatic purposes in the play, specially during the funeral oration.

Brutus logically gave his reasons that necessitated Caesar’s death. He informed the commoners that he acted out of love of Rome and his desire to prevent tyrants from controlling her. The citizens embraced his words with cheers and understanding. However, their mood altered when Antony offered his interpretation of the situation. He passionately described the deeds Caesar performed in behalf of the citizens of Rome, which clearly contradicted the opinion of the conspirators that Caesar was too ambitious. The mob who lost her individual identity and showed her inability to deal with intellect and reason. Antony's speech overwhelmed the people with grief, despair, and anger for their “beloved” Caesar’s death. It led to brutal killing of Brutus and other conspirators by the mob.

Although the citizens are important characters in the play, they are unreliable, emotionally hyped and fickle in supporting the latest and most impassioned plea for their “ears.” In the play, we witness the irrational behavior of citizens-to-mob who think only to benefit themselves. 

 Q2: What arguments did Brutus give for killing Caesar?

Brutus thought that Caesar was too ambitious and would have turned the Romans into slaves. Brutus's point is that like the serpent's egg Caesar was bound to hatch into something really dangerous and he would be easier to deal with while he was still in the egg stage.He stated although Caesar wasn’t bad, getting a crown would change his nature! Brutus put Caesar in poor light saying that Caesar was ambitious and that he did it for the good of his country and his countrymen.

Q3: Write a character sketch of Caesar?

           Julius Caesar was a stalwart. He was a brave and valiant warrior. He conquered to expand the Roman Empire. He added to the treasures of Rome, defeated the sons of Pompey brought laurels to Rome. Caesar believed in embracing death like true warrior. He rejected his wife’s prayers as foolish and opined that ‘death is an inevitable reality.’

He firmly believed in the good of the common man. His will is an example of the same. In his will he had only thought about the well-being of masses.(common men)

However there were certain lapses in his character. He was rigid, haughty and arrogant. He was over ambitious and in his lust to conquer he forgot that he was going against republicanism and democracy. He tried the true qualities of a dictator and this way the flow which drove him towards his end

Q4: Write a character sketch of Mark Antony.

Loyal and faithful: Loyalty to Caesar and reliable friendship was his the greatest merit. He avenged Caesar's death which had shattered him.

Intelligent but Cunning and deceitful: After meeting Caesar's conspirators he reconciled in a friendly manner and expressed his grief over Caesar's death. Deceitfully he turned tables on the conspirators through his funeral speech.

Great Orator: Due to his good oratory skills, he mobilized the mob against the conspirators.

Q5: Summarize Antony's speeches.

FIRST SPEECH:

When Antony re-enters after Caesar’s assassination, He laments the death of the mighty Caesar saying that it has an incomparable event. He wished for his own death at the hands of the conspirators and begged them to kill him so that he could lie beside Caesar. According to him no other hour, sword or space could give him a nobler end.

SECOND SPEECH:

Antony describes himself in an unstable condition. It is dangerous to declare that he wishes to seek revenge. On the other hand he doesn’t want to defy Caesar by being considered a psychopath (flatterer). His conscience tells him that Caesar’s spirit shall grieve to see Antony as a flatterer making peace with his enemies.

THIRD SPEECH:

In his third speech, Antony expresses his apology for Caesar’s death. Here he is all alone. He says that Caesar’s death will bring large scale death and destruction not only on earth but also in heaven.

Heaven shall join to avenge Caesar’s death. Bloodshed, death, destruction shall become a common sight for Romans because the death of mighty Caesar could not just pass or ignored. Dead bodies shall cry for burial.

FOURTH SPEECH:
In the 4th speech Antony has come to burry Caesar. He says “he shall not praise him.” But on the contrary talks about Caesar in such a light that he may be able to renew the lost faith and love in the hearts of the country-men for him. He says that Caesar had led the conquests for the well being of Rome.
A) He had brought many captives home to Rome and ensured their financial upliftment.
B) Caesar’s heart wept for the poor.
C) On the feast of Lupercal he refused the offer of the crown 3 times.
Antony stressed upon the fact that the country-men didn’t love Caesar without a cause, so they must mourn for him. If they do not so, they have lost their reason and judgment.
FIFTH SPEECH:
Antony feels pathetic that no one expresses the reverence due for Caesar’s dead body. He chooses his words with caution and says that – if he would encourage MUTINY, RAGE and PROVOCATION he would wrong Brutus and Cassius. All his words are provocative. He concludes that he would rather wrong the dead person. He also gives a hint to them about Caesar’s will after reading which all the Romans shall grieve and beg for hair and blood of Caesar to keep as a precious relic and declare it as a precious possession for the coming generations. Antony here puts ideas and words in the mouths of Romans.

SIXTH SPEECH:
In his sixth speech, Antony stirs the emotions of the Romans by exposing the wounds on Caesar’s dead body. He lays stress on the wound given by Brutus. It was “the unkindest cut of all.” How the wound given by Brutus was not as fatal as the immorality of Brutus and Brutus’ betrayal had killed Caesar more than the wound.

SEVENTH SPEECH:
Antony emphasizes that revenge should be well-planned so as to leave a powerful impact. He wanted the mutiny to have the desired result, a massive movement which will involve the max. number
EIGHT SPEECH:
In his last speech, Antony reads ‘s will in which Caesar had promised monetary and physical benefits to each and every Roman on an equal basis:
1) 75 drachmas
2) His walks, arbors and orchards for recreation.
Antony had provoked the element of mischief present in every human being.