ENGLISH LITERATURE JULIUS CAESAR ACT 3 SCENE 2 STD8 Reference 1 Citizens: None, Brutus, none. Brutus: Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar, than you shall do to Brutus. a. Where does this scene take place? Which three questions has Brutus already asked to make the citizens reply none? Ans: This scene takes place at the Forum in Rome. Brutus has already asked the following questions: Who is here so base that would be a bondman? Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? Who is here so vile that will not love his country? b. What two points does the speaker s speech rest on? How are these points examples of rhetoric? Ans: Brutus has a great faith in rationality and his speech reflects this. He "levels" with the people, with a repeated emphasis on the word "honour" to give credence to his motivations. He did not kill Caesar out of a lack of love for him, he says, but because his love for Rome outweighed his love of a single man. He insists that Caesar was great but ambitious: it was for this reason that he slew him. He feared that the Romans would live as slaves under Caesar s leadership. He also uses a deal of parallel structure to compare the two possibilities: "as he was valiant, I honour him; as he was ambitious, I slew him." Brutus lastly uses himself as a model of affection for Caesar, believing it will make his cause look nobler if he proves that he loved Caesar best, but had no choice. c. Which qualities of Caesar does Brutus mention? How does he react to each of these traits? Ans: Brutus maintains a consistent pattern where he presents Caesar's action and then his own reaction: "As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but as he was ambitious, I slew him". 1
Brutus says these things to further reinforce his claim of loving Caesar thus achieving more emphasis. d. Who enters the scene? How according to Brutus has this man benefitted from Caesar s death? Ans: Mark Antony enters the scene. According to Brutus, Antony has benefitted from Caesars death, by receiving a place in the commonwealth. e. How did the people react to Brutus s speech? What did they want to do to Brutus? Ans: The crowd cheer Brutus s apparent kindness, declaring that Brutus should be Caesar. They also want to bring him with triumph to his house and erect a statue with his ancestors. They wanted him to take Caesar s position and crown him. f. What great mistake did Brutus make after finishing his speech? Ans: Brutus made the great mistake of begging the crowd to wait to listen to Mark Antony speak, and not leave till he finished. Reference 2 Antony: I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? a. Bring out the difference as to how Antony and Brutus address the crowd? Ans: Both Antony and Brutus address the crowd as Romans and countrymen. The only difference is that Brutus calls them lovers, whereas Antony connects to them at more personal level by calling them friends. b. What main allegation had Brutus made against Caesar? How did Antony refute that allegation? Ans: The main allegation made by Brutus was that he blamed Caesar for being ambitious. Antony refutes the allegation by saying: Caesar hath brought many captives home to Rome, whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; ambition should be made of sterner stuff. You all did see that on the Lupercal, Antony thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse, was that ambition? Thus, Antony indirectly contradicted what Brutus had said. 2
c. Which sentence does Antony repeat a few times? What is its significance? Ans: Antony repeats the following lines a few times: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man. Its significance is that it adds to higher levels of sarcasm at each repetition. It is contrary to the intended meaning; the words say one thing but mean another. It progresses from a simple statement to a harsh accusation over the course of his speech. His indirect way of showing the crowd his feelings makes his speech more effective. d. While chiding the mob for not mourning for Caesar, Antony cries to judgement. What does he say? Ans: Antony says O judgement, thou art fled to bruitish beasts, And men have lost their reason. This means that judgement has turned to cruel monsters and the power of reasoning has been lost by human beings who cannot distinguish between right and wrong. e. How does the attitude of the mob change? What comments do the citizens make about Antony? Ans: Pausing to weep openly before the mob, Antony makes them feel pity for him and the case. The plebeians are touched; they remember when Caesar refused the crown and wonder if more ambitious people have not stepped into his place. The mob accepts the arguments put forth by Antony, whose refined skill of oratory enables him to manipulate the crowd. The citizens comment that there is much reason in his sayings, his eyes are as red as fire with weeping and there s not a nobler man in Rome than Antony. Reference 3 Antony: But yesterday the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world; now lies he there.i found it in his closet a. What makes Antony feel that the people no longer respect Caesar? Ans: Antony says that it seems it was only yesterday that the word of Caesar might have stood against the world. Now he lies there, and there is no one too poor to pay him respect. b. What does Antony choose not to do? Why? Ans: Antony speaks again, saying that he would gladly stir the crowd into mutiny and rebellion; though he chooses not to do the same, as he will not harm Brutus or 3
Cassius, for they are honourable men. He also states that he would rather wrong the dead; wrong himself and the people, before he should wrong such honourable men. c. What does Antony find in his closet? Describe the reaction of the plebeians. Ans: Antony finds a parchment with the seal of Caesar. It was Caesar s will that he found in the closet. The plebeians beg him to read it. Antony says that he should not, for then they would be touched by Caesar s love for them. They implore him to read it. He replies that he has been speaking too long, he wrongs the honourable men who have let him address the crowd. The plebeians call the conspirators traitors and demand that Antony read the will. d. Besides the testament, which other item does Antony show to the commons? What does he mention about this item? Ans: Besides the testament, Antony shows a mantle/cloak to the commons. He asks them if they remember the first time they saw Caesar put it on, one summer s evening in his tent, the day he overcame the Nervii. Antony focuses their attention to the place that Cassius dagger ran through and bids them to see what a rent the envious Casca made. Further he shows the mark through which the well-beloved Brutus stabb d; and as he pluck d his cursed steel away, mark how the blood of Caesar follow d it, as rushing out of doors, to be resolv d if Brutus so unkindly knocked. e. Which was the unkindest cut of all? Why was it the unkindest cut of all? How does Antony describe it? Ans: The unkindest cut was made by Brutus, because he was known to be Caesar s angel (beloved). Antony describes it by saying that it was the most unkindest cut of all. For when noble Caesar saw him stab, ingratitude, more strong than traitor s arms, quite vanquished him and then burst his mighty heart. And, in his mantle muffling up his face, even at the base of Pompey s statue, which all the while ran blood and then great Caesar, fell. f. Why did Caesar s mighty heart burst? Ans: Caesar s mighty heart burst, as it was overpowered with ingratitude which was stronger than a traitor s arm. 4
g. Who fell with Caesar? Who triumphed? What does Antony go on to say? Ans: Antony says, that when Caesar fell, along with him fell Antony himself and all the Romans. As this happened, bloody treason triumphed/flourish d over them. Antony further says that now they (crowd) weep as they feel pity. Their tears are full of grace. He asks if they weep seeing his disfigured clothes. He further provokes them by showing them Caesar s marred body. h. What does Antony fear? Ans: Antony fears that he has spoken too much and revealed more than he ought to have. Reference 4 Antony: Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable: What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. a. Who are the good friends that Antony speaks to? Ans: The plebeians/crowds/citizens of Rome. b. Explain the first two lines of the extract. Is Antony being truthful? Ans: Antony calls out to the crowd and tells them that he is not trying to stir them to mutiny/revolt, against the conspirators. No, Antony is not being truthful, as in reality this is what he actually wants. c. How does Antony differentiate himself from Brutus? What does he urge the people to do? Ans: Antony claims, with false modesty, that he is not a great orator, like Brutus, and that he doesn t intend to incite revolt. Yet in this very sentence he affects the exact opposite of what his words say: he proves himself a deft orator indeed, and although he speaks against mutiny, he knows that at this point the mere mention of the word will spur action. He protests that he does not intend to steal away their hearts, for he is no orator like Brutus. He proclaims himself a plain man; he speaks only what he knows, he says he will let Caesar s wounds speak the rest. If he were Brutus, he claims, he could urge them to rebel, but he is merely Antony. 5
Antony urges the people to get ready to rise and mutiny. d. What does Antony disclose to the crowd concerning Caesar s will? How does the crowd react? Ans: Antony discloses that Caesar, in his will, has left them all his fields, his private arbours, and just planted orchards, on this side of Tiber. He has left all the luxuries of his palace for the people and their heirs forever, to utilise freely. The crowd is overwhelmed by this news and ask for Caesar s body to be burnt in the holy place and using the fire brands from his pyre, they plan to burn down the houses of the traitors. e. How do we know that Antony is pleased with the reaction of the crowd? Ans: Antony says: Now let it work: mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt! He also comments: Fortune is merry, and in this mood will give us anything. f. Who enters later and what news does he bring? Ans: Octavius servant enters. He reports that Octavius has arrived at Caesar s house, and also that Brutus and Cassius have ridden like madmen through the gates of Rome. **** 6