Class 10 NCERT Solutions English Chapter 14 - Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar Exercise 157
Solution 1
Killing: An act of causing the death of somebody or something (deliberately).
Murder: Is the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.
Assassination: The killing or murder of an important person by a secret or sudden attack usually for political reasons.
Solution 2
Popular and powerful leaders assassinated in the past and in recent times.
- Mahatma Gandhi- Father of the Nation
- Rajiv Gandhi -Prime Minister of India
- Indira Gandhi- Prime Minister of India
- John F Kennedy- President of USA
- Abraham Lincoln -President of USA.
- Martin Luther King Jr-USA
- Benazir Bhutto- Pakistan
Solution 3
This is an activity to be carried out by the student in the class.
Julius Caesar Exercise 178
Solution 5(1)
a) worried
Julius Caesar Exercise 179
Solution 5(2)
c) arrogance
Solution 5(3)
b) vanity
Solution 5(4)
a) the conspirators would like to be friends with him
Solution 5(5)
d) knows Antony is a good orator who can sway the mob
Solution 5(6)
b) Rome will experience fierce civil war in which many people will die
Julius Caesar Exercise 180
Solution 5(7)
a) has not understood Brutus' reason for killing Caesar.
Solution 5(8)
d) mocking
Solution 5(9)
a) remind the mob of Caesar's greatness as a warrior
Solution 5(10)
a) a ruthless manipulator
Solution 6a
In Caesar's time, it was believed that when a man of great importance like a king or prince was to die, a comet or a shooting star was seen moving across the sky leaving a fiery trail behind. This is why Calpurnia told Caesar that she was frightened when she sees the lightning and thunder as the heavens being ablaze are warnings that a King was about to die.
Solution 6b
Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar not to leave their home or go to the senate as she has had a frightening dream in which she has cried out loud in her sleep "help ho they murder Ceasar!" and so she fears for his life. Besides, a member of their household has also informed her of certain unnatural happenings that have been seen and heard, which were bad omens, and could only mean that if he did step out of his house something evil would happen to him.
Solution 6c
Calpurnia requests Caesar to stay in the house and not go to the senate because of her frightening dream and the other bad omens. However, he ignores all the signs and wants to venture outside as he feels that if he stays indoors people would consider him a coward. As Calpurnia is unable to convince him, she says that his 'wisdom is consumed in confidence'. This means that Caesar is 'over confident' and feels that nothing will happen to him.
Solution 6d
Calpurnia dreamt that Caesar's statue was spouting blood like a fountain and many Romans came and washed their hands in it. Calpurnia was convinced that these were signs of some evil lurking over Caesar.
Decius Brutus said that Calpurnia had misinterpreted the dream. It actually showed the greatness of Caesar in the eyes of the Roman citizens. According to him, the statue spouting blood and the Romans washing their hands in it signified all Romans would get a get new life from Caesar. They would be so influenced by his spirit that many men would rush to Caesar to stain their handkerchiefs with his blood. They would use it as objects of reverence, relics, mementos, and colours to stain their coat of arms.
Julius Caesar Exercise 181
Solution 6e
Decius Brutus cleverly convinced Caesar that Calpurnia's dream was not a bad omen but a vision of fortune. He then informed Caesar that the Senate had decided to give him a crown that very day and if he sent them a message saying he would not be attending they might change their minds.
Solution 6f
Decius Brutus succeeds in persuading Caesar to go to the senate because he flatters him and boosts his ego. He says that Calpurnia's dream is not a bad omen but rather a sign of fortune, which shows how powerful and influential Ceasar is. He also points out that if the crowd comes to know that Caesar isn't going to meet the people because of a bad dream he wife saw, they would all call him a coward. As Brutus questions Caesar's bravery, he is more successful than Calpurnia in persuading him.
Solution 6g
Caesar had banished Metellus Cimber's brother from Rome. Metellus Cimber and the other conspirators wanted Caesar to repeal this decree and allow him to return to Rome. Caesar is in no mood to change his decision. He says that he is as firm as the Pole Star and will not be softened by any requests.
Solution 6h
"Et tu Brute" are the last words of Julius Caesar to his friend Marcus Brutus. These words are uttered by Caesar when he is stabbed by Brutus, who is among the conspirators who come together to kill Caesar. Caesar said these words because he was shocked to see that his sincere confidante Brutus had joined hands with the others in a conspiracy to murder him.
Solution 6i
In the moments following Caesar's death, the conspirators proclaim "liberty, freedom and enfranchisement". They justify the conspiracy by saying that it is for the sake of democracy, freedom and glory of the country. They also say that the reason why Caesar had to be killed was that he had grown too "ambitious" to be good for Rome or its people.
Solution 6j
Anthony is overcome by grief on seeing Caesar's body. He says that in spite of Caesars' conquests, glories, triumphs and spoils, he now lies "low".
Solution 6k
Anthony calls Brutus, Cassius and the other conspirators "the choice and master spirits of this age". He calls them so because they are powerful enough to have caused the death of Caesar.
Solution 6l
Brutus and Cassius refuse to kill Antony and tell him that they killed Caesar with a purpose. Brutus offers Anthony his friendship. They welcome Anthony in their league and tell him that they will be friends and that his words shall be of equal importance as anybody else's in the distribution of the new offices and honours.
Solution 6m
Cassius fears that Anthony might speak against him and Brutus if he is allowed to speak at Caesar's funeral. Brutus convinces him that he will first speak at the pulpit and explain why Caesar had to be killed. He also says that after he has finished with his speech he will announce that Anthony has been given the permission to speak.
Solution 6n
The conspirators state that Brutus would speak first at the funeral, giving reasons for killing Caesar. Antony will speak only after Brutus had finished speaking. Anthony must tell the people that he has been given the permission to speak. Anthony will have to speak in the same pulpit from where Brutus will have given his speech. Lastly, Antony must not blame them for Caesar's death but only speak all good that he can think of Caesar.
Solution 6o
When Anthony is left alone with the body of Caesar, he refers to it as a bleeding piece of earth. He further calls Brutus and the others "butchers" for they have conspired against Caesar and killed him.
Solution 6p
Anthony predicts that "domestic fury and fierce civil strife" shall spread all parts of Italy. Blood and destruction shall be witnessed all over the country and that there will be turmoil in civil life. He also says that violence shall become a part of daily life.
Solution 6q
Brutus says that Caesar had grown so ambitious that he would have enslaved all the Romans to become the dictator. He asks his fellow people if they would have liked that and further says that he loved Caesar no doubt, but he loved Rome and its people more. He says that Caesar had to be killed so that the people of Rome could be free.
Solution 6r
Brutus' speech has had a high impact on the citizens. This is evident when a citizen urges that Brutus must take Caesar's place and says, "Let him be Caesar".
Solution 6s
Anthony's speech is more effective because it is delivered with foresight. Anthony engages the audience when he starts talking about Caesar and makes them question their allegations against him. Instead of inciting them, he goes on to say that Brutus and Cassius are no doubt noblemen, but Caesar has been wronged. He doesn't accuse anyone in particular but ensures that he tells the people that Caesar had refused the crown thrice. He also reads Caesar's will, which proves that the people have indeed misunderstood him and let Rome suffer a great loss.
Solution 6t
Brutus and Cassius commit suicide after they are defeated by the armies of Octavious Caesar and Anthony.
Solution 7
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Person
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Extract from play
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What it tells us about the character |
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Julius Caesar
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1. the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see
The face of Caesar, they are vanished. |
1. arrogant
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2. Cowards die many a times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.
3. What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods?
4. Shall Caesar send a lie? Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth? 5. ….from you great Rome shall suck Reviving blood, and that great men shall press For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.
6. Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied. |
2. brave
3. fearless
4. Great conqueror
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Mark Antony
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1. Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, To see thy thy Anthony making his peace, Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes
2. I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: If I myself, there is no hour so fit
3. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny.
4. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.
5. I will not do them wrong; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men.
6. For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men's blood |
1. loyal
3. shrewd
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Julius Caesar Exercise 183
Solution 8
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Words / actions of the mob
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Characteristics
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1. "Bring him with triumph home unto his house." "Methinks there is much reason in his sayings." "I fear there will a worse come in his place."
2. "Let him be Caesar." "Caesar's better parts Shall be crown'd in Brutus.
3. "Revenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! Let not a traitor live!"
4. "They were villains, murderers: the will! read the will." "…The will! Let's stay and hear the will." "Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death." "O royal Caesar!"
5. "This Caesar was a tyrant." "If thou consider rightly of the matter, Caesar has had great wrong." "Away, then! come, seek the conspirators."
6. "We'll mutiny." "We'll burn the house of Brutus." |
1. Foolish
3. Emotional
5. Fickle
6. Violent
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Solution 9
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Antony's words
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Argument
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1. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
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Does not wish to eulogise Caesar
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2. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was
ambitious:
If it were so, it was a
grievous fault,
And grievously hath
Caesar answer'd it.
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Seemingly agrees with Brutus
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3. He 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.
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Counters the charge of ambition put by Brutus
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4. You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
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Reminds people of familiar incident
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5. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
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Cautious: does not want to annoy the mob
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Julius Caesar Exercise 184
Solution 10(1)
a) Julius Caesar is speaking to his wife Calpurnia. He says these words to make her realize that he is not a coward but a brave conqueror.
b) She has had a bad dream where he saw blood spouting from Caesar's statue. She feels that his life is in danger.
c) She has had a bad dream about Caesar. In addition, there are bad omens and a prophecy, which says that Caesar's life is in danger. Thus, she doesn't allow venture out of the house.
Solution 10(2)
a) These words are spoken by Antony who is at the pulpit giving a speech at Caesar's funeral.
b) In his will, Caesar has left for every Roman citizen seventy-five drachmas. He also opened his private walks, arbors and the new-planted orchards for the citizens.
c) Antony reads Caesar's will to the citizens so that he can prove to them Caesar has been wronged.
d) After Antony read Caesar's will, the masses realised that the man dubbed as ambitious and cruel by the conspirators was actually generous. Caesar's will revealed that he bequeathed some of his money to every citizen of Rome and made his private garden public. They erupted into a furious frenzy and drove the conspirators out of the city.
Solution 11
This is an activity to be carried out by students in the class.
Solution 12a
The conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar was hatched because both Brutus and Cassius had become greedy for power. They thought that by killing Caesar, they could gain power.
Solution 12b
Caesar was not ambitious. Despite bringing many glories and victories to Rome, he refused to wear the crown thrice. He was, in fact, a sympathetic man who had promised seventy-five drachmas to every Roman apart from opening his private walks and orchards for them.
Solution 12c
Caesar's growing power and influence made Cassius jealous of him. He didn't wish to see Caesar as the great conqueror of the world or as someone who should rule the Romans. That is why he wanted to kill him.
Solution 12d
Brutus was a great friend of Caesar and a patriot. For Cassius to kill Caesar successfully, it was essential to convince Brutus that Caesar was a dictator. Once Brutus realised that Caesar was becoming a harm for Rome, he wouldn't mind killing him for the country. If they succeeded in including Brutus in the conspiracy, killing Caesar would be easy as Caesar would trust him completely.
Julius Caesar Exercise 185
Solution 12e
The biggest mistake made by Brutus is allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral. Grabbing this opportunity, Antony influences the mob in favor of Caesar and shows that he has been wronged by Brutus and his allies. This eventually leads to a rebellion against Brutus and Cassius and their suicides.
Solution 12f
Antony was such a dear friend of Caesar that he did not agree with Brutus when he said that Caesar was an ambitious person who wanted to rule over Rome and enslave the people. Antony delivers an emotional speech after Brutus' speech at Caesar's funeral, where he tells the mob that Caesar wouldn't have refused the crown thrice if he were an ambitious man. He said that Caesar had left seventy-five drachmas for every Roman in his will and his private walks and orchards would be opened for the citizens. Antony appealed to the sentiments of the mob by asking them why they weren't sad at seeing Caesar's wounded corpse. Antony's speech influenced the mob and turned it against the conspirators. Antony showed his affection and respect for Caesar even after his death.
Solution 12g
Antony is a loyal friend of Caesar who spends most of his time in celebrations and listening to music. He likes to live in the present and is extremely devoted to Caesar. He wants Caesar to be crowned the king.
After the death of Caesar, Antony successfully fools Brutus into believing that he is with the conspirators. The influential speech that he delivers at Caesar's funeral makes the mob realize the conspiracy behind Caesar's murder. Antony has genuine love and affection for Caesar and wishes to avenge his death. The conspirators are exposed and defeated because of the rebellion following his speech.
Solution 12h
The ghost of Julius Caesar appears once before Brutus when he is sleeping in his tent. It stands by his bedside and says nothing. The second time it is seen in a battle at Philippi in front of Antonius and Octavius. There too, it says nothing. The purpose of the ghost is to make Brutus aware of the grave sin he has committed by having joined the conspirators to kill Caesar.
Solution 12i
Antony calls Brutus 'the noblest Roman of them all' out of sarcasm. Being a great orator, he first calls Brutus the noblest Roman in order to gain attention and sympathy of the public and avoid immediate violence. Gradually, he tells the crowd that it was not Caesar's ambition but Brutus' greed that has led to the tragic death of their hero, Caesar. The mob turns against the conspirators after hearing Antony's speech, and in this way, Antony is able to avenge Caesar's death.
Solution 12j
Brutus insists on his forces to move to Philippi and attack the enemy. Cassius disagrees and leaves alone. Brutus and Cassius reach with their forces on the plains of Philippi. There are the armies of Octavius and Antony there. Their wrongdoing comes to an end with the interference of Octavius. Antony emerges victorious in the battle between the forces of Cassius and Antony. Cassius is unable to accept this defeat and commits suicide. Brutus also kills himself with his own sword as he too is disheartened.
Solution 13
This activity is intended to test the student's report writing skills. We recommend that you attempt this question on your own.
