14 Act I : Scene 2

Act I: Scene 2
Scene at a Glance

Caesar makes a
grand entrance and Cassius tries to
asks Antony to touch Casca gives a
persuade Brutus that
Calphurnia during scathing report on
something must be
his Lupercal run. A how Antony offered
done about Caesar’s
soothsayer warns Caesar a crown.
hegemonic power.
Caesar to beware of
the ides of March.

Brutus tells Cassius

he will speak to him
again; after Brutus
leaves, Cassius
makes further
conspiracy plans.

SCENE PARAPHRASED IN MODERN ENGLISH

A Public Place in Rome
(Characters enter in a procession with music. Caesar enters,
followed by Antony. Then Calphurnia, Portia, Decius,
Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Casca enter. A great
crowd follows, among them a Soothsayer.)

Caesar
Calphurnia!
Casca
Quiet! Caesar is speaking.
Caesar
Calphurnia!
 Act I : Scene 2 15

Calphurnia
I’m here, my lord.
Caesar
Stand right in Antonius’s path when he runs the race. Antonius!
Antony
Yes, Caesar?
Caesar
Antonius, don't forget to touch Calphurnia while you are trying to
finish the race because our wise elders say that if you touch an
infertile woman during this holy race, she will be freed from the
curse of sterility.
Antony
I’ll remember. When Caesar says, “Do this,” it is done.
Caesar
Continue, then, and don’t forget to perform all the rituals.
Soothsayer
Caesar!
Caesar
Who is calling me?
Casca
Quiet, everyone! Quiet!
Caesar
Who in the crowd is calling me? I hear a voice more piercing
than all the music, calling “Caesar!”. Speak; Caesar is listening.
Soothsayer
Beware of March 15th.
Caesar
Who’s that?
 16 Act I : Scene 2

Brutus
A soothsayer tells you to beware of March 15th.
Caesar
Bring him in front of me. Let me see his face.
Cassius
You, fellow, step out of the crowd. Look at Caesar.
Caesar
What do you have to say to me now? Speak once again.
Soothsayer
Beware of March 15th.
Caesar
He's a dreamer. Let’s leave him. Proceed on.
[Trumpets play. Everyone exits except Brutus and Cassius.]
Cassius
Are you going to watch the race?
Brutus
Not me.
Cassius
Please, come.
Brutus
I am not fond of sports, and I'm not competitive (lack quick
spirit) like Antony. But don't let me keep you from going,
Cassius. I’ll go my own way.
Cassius
Brutus, I’ve been watching you lately. You seem more disturbed
and less affectionate towards me than usual. You’ve been stubborn
and strange to me, when I'm your friend who loves you.
 Act I : Scene 2 17

Brutus
Cassius, please don’t be deceived. If I seem guarded (veil’d my
look), it’s only because I’ve kept my troubles to myself. Lately,
I’ve been plagued with some conflicting emotions (passions of
some indifference), which have affected my behaviour. But this
shouldn’t trouble my good friends—and I consider you a good
friend, Cassius. Don’t think anything more about my distraction
than the fact that poor Brutus is at war with himself and thus
forgets to show affection to others.
Cassius
Brutus, I misunderstood your feelings and therefore kept to myself
specific thoughts that I should have shared with you. Tell me,
good Brutus, can you see your face?
Brutus
No, Cassius. The eye can’t see itself except by reflection on other
surfaces.
Cassius
That’s true. And it’s too bad, Brutus, that you don’t have any
mirrors that could display your own excellence (hidden
worthiness) to yourself. I’ve heard many of the noblest Romans—
excluding the immortal Caesar—speaking of you, complaining of
the tyranny of the times, and wishing that your eyes could see
your own greatness.
Brutus
What dangers are you trying to lead me into, Cassius, that you
want me to look inside myself for something that's not there?
Cassius
I’ll tell you, good Brutus. And since you know you can see
yourself best by reflection, I'll be your mirror and show you,
without exaggeration, things inside you that you can’t see. And
don’t be suspicious of me, noble Brutus. If I were your average
fool, or if I made my feelings for you worthless by making the
 18 Act I : Scene 2

same promises of friendship to everybody, or if you’d seen me

first flattering men, hugging them tightly, and later slandering
them behind their backs, or if you hear that I drunkenly declare
friendship at banquets with all the rabble, only then, of course, go
ahead and assume I’m dangerous.
Trumpets play offstage, and then a shout is heard.
Brutus
Why are they shouting? I’m afraid the people have chosen Caesar
as their king.
Cassius
Are you afraid of that? Then I assume you don’t want him to be
king.
Brutus
I don’t, Cassius, though I love Caesar very much. But why have
you kept me here for so long? What do you want to tell me? If
it’s for the good of all Romans, I will lose my life as my honour.
Let the gods give me good luck only as long as I love honour
more than I fear death.
Cassius
I know this virtue in you, Brutus. It is as known to me as your
face. Indeed, honour is what I want to talk to you about. I don’t
know what you and other men think of this life, but as for me,
I’d rather not live at all than live to worship a man as ordinary
as myself. I was born as free as Caesar. So were you. We both
have eaten, and we can endure the cold winter as well as he.
Once, on a cold and windy day, when the river Tiber was crashing
against its banks, Caesar said to me, “Cassius, I dare you to jump
into this rough water with me and swim to that point there.” As
soon as he spoke, though I was fully dressed, I plunged in and
called for him to follow. And he did. The water roared, and we
fought against it with strong arms. And, thanks to our fierce
competitiveness, we made progress. But before we reached the
end, Caesar cried, “Help me, Cassius, or I will sink!” And just as
 Act I : Scene 2 19

Aeneas, the hero who founded Rome, emerged from the fires of
Troy with his elderly father Anchises on his shoulder, I emerged
from the Tiber carrying the tired Caesar.
And this man has become a god, and I'm a wretched creature who
must bow down if Caesar so much as carelessly comes my way.
In Spain, Caesar had a fever, and it made him shake. It’s true, this
so­called “god”—he shook. His cowardly lips turned white, and
the same eye whose gaze terrifies the world lost its gleam. I heard
him groan—yes, I did—and the same tongue that ordered the
Romans to obey him and transcribe his speeches in their books
cried, “Give me some water, Titinius,” like a sick girl. It surprises
me that such a weak (feeble) man could beat the whole world and
carry the victory trophy alone.
[Trumpets play; a second Shout is heard]
Brutus
More shouting! I think this applause is for some new honours
awarded to Caesar.
Cassius
Why, Caesar straddles the narrow world like a giant (Colossus), and
we petty men walk under his huge legs and look forward only to
dying dishonourably as slaves. Men can be masters of their fates.
It is not destiny’s fault, but our fault, that we’re subordinates
(underlings). “Brutus” and “Caesar.” What’s so special about
“Caesar”? Why should that name be proclaimed more than yours?
Write them together­yours is as good a name. Pronounce them—
it is just as nice to say. Weigh them—it's just as heavy.
Cast spells with them, and “Brutus” will call up a ghost and
“Caesar.” In the name of all the gods, I ask you, what food does
Caesar eat that made him grow so great? Our era should be
ashamed! Rome has lost the ability to raise noblemen! When was
there ever an age, since the beginning of time, that didn’t feature
more than one famous man? Until now, no one could say that
only one man mattered in vast Rome. Now, though, there’s room
for only one man in Rome. You and I have heard our fathers talk
 20 Act I : Scene 2

of another Brutus—your ancestor—who would’ve let the devil

himself reign in his Roman Republic before he let a king rule.
Brutus
I do not doubt that you love me. I’m beginning to understand
what you want me to do. What I think about this, and about
what’s happening here in Rome, I’ll tell you later. Don’t try to
persuade me anymore—I ask you as a friend. I'll think over what
you’ve said, listen patiently to whatever else you say, and find a
good time for us to discuss such grave issues further. Until then,
my noble friend, think about this: I’d rather be a poor villager
than call myself a citizen of Rome under the difficult times that
this time is likely to put us through.
Cassius
I’m glad my weak words have provoked even this little show of
protest from you.
[Caesar enters with his followers.]
Brutus
The games are done, and Caesar is returning.
Cassius
As they pass by, grab Casca by the sleeve, and he’ll tell you if
anything significant happened today in his usual sour way.
Brutus
I'll do so. But look, Cassius, Caesar looks angry, and everyone
else looks as if they’ve been scolded. Calphurnia’s face is pale,
and Cicero’s eyes are as red and fiery as they get when senators
argue with him at the Capitol.
Cassius
Casca will tell us what’s the matter.
Caesar
Antonio!
Antony
Caesar?
 Act I : Scene 2 21

Caesar
(speaking so that only Antony can hear) I want the men around
me to be fat, healthy­looking men who sleep at night. That
Cassius over there has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too
much. Men like him are dangerous.
Antony
Don’t be afraid of him, Caesar. He isn’t dangerous and is a noble
Roman with a good disposition.
Caesar
I wish he were fatter! But I'm not afraid of him. And yet, if I
could fear anyone, Cassius would be the first man I’d avoid. He
reads a lot, is a keen observer, and sees the hidden motives in
what men do. He doesn’t like plays the way you do, Antony. He
doesn’t listen to music. He rarely smiles, and when he does smile,
he does so in a self­mocking way, as if he scorns himself for
smiling. Men like him will never be comfortable when someone
ranks higher than themselves, and therefore they’re very
dangerous. I’m telling you what should be feared, not what I
fear—because, after all, I am Caesar. Come over to my right side
because this ear is deaf, and tell me what you think of Cassius
truly.
[Trumpets play. Caesar exits with all his followers except Casca.]
Casca
You pulled on my cloak. Do you want to speak with me?
Brutus
Yes, Casca. Tell us what happened today that put Caesar in such
a serious mood.
Casca
But you were with him, weren’t you?
Brutus
If I were, I wouldn’t need to ask you what happened.
 22 Act I : Scene 2

Casca
A crown was offered to him, and he pushed it away with the back
of his hand, like this—and then the people started shouting.
Brutus
What was the second noise for?
Casca
The same thing.
Cassius
They shouted three times. What was the last cry for?
Casca
For the same.
Brutus
Was the crown offered to him thrice?
Casca
Yes, indeed, it was, and he pushed it away three times, each time
more gently than the last; and at each refusal, my countrymen
shouted.
Cassius
Who offered him the crown?
Casca
Who else but Antony?
Brutus
Tell us how it happened, noble Casca.
Casca
I can’t explain it. It was all silly, and so I paid no attention. I saw
Mark Antony offer him a crown—though it wasn’t an actual
crown, just a tiny coronet—and, as I told you, he refused it
once—though, in my opinion, he would’ve liked to have it. Then
Antony offered it to him again, and he refused it, though, in my
opinion, he was reluctant to take his hand off it. Then Antony
 Act I : Scene 2 23

offered it the third time. He refused it the third time, and as he

refused it, the commoners hooted and clapped, threw up their
sweaty hats, and let loose such a great deal of stinking breath
because Caesar refused the crown that it nearly choked Caesar.
After all, he fainted and fell. As for myself, I didn’t dare laugh
for fear of opening my lips and inhaling the foul air.
Cassius
But wait a minute, please. Did you say Caesar fainted?
Casca
He fell in the marketplace, foamed at the mouth, and was
speechless.
Brutus
That’s very likely. He has epilepsy (falling sickness).
Cassius
No, Caesar doesn’t have epilepsy. You and I and Casca have
epilepsy—we’ve falling sickness.
Casca
I don’t know what you mean by that, but I’m sure Caesar fell.
The rabble applauded and hissed at him according to whether he
pleased or displeased them, just like they do to actors in the
theatre. If they didn’t, I'm a liar.
Brutus
What did he say when he regained consciousness?
Casca
Indeed, before he fell, when he realised the commoners were glad
he refused the crown, he pulled open his robe and offered them to
cut his throat. If I’d been a common labourer and hadn’t taken him
up on his offer, hell with me. And so he fainted. When he regained
consciousness again, he said that if he’d done or said anything
wrong, he wanted them to know that it was all because of his
sickness. Three or four women near me cried, “Alas, good soul!”
 24 Act I : Scene 2

and forgave him with all their hearts. But never mind them—if
Caesar had stabbed their mothers, they would've forgiven him.
Brutus
And after that, he came back here looking so serious?
Casca
Yes.
Cassius
Did Cicero say anything?
Casca
Yes, he said something in Greek.
Cassius
What did he say?
Casca
If I told you I understood Greek, I’d be lying. But those who
understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads. As
for myself, it was Greek to me. I have more news too. Marullus
and Flavius have been punished for pulling scarves off Caesar’s
statues. There you go. There was even more foolishness if I could
only remember it.
Cassius
Will you have dinner with me tonight, Casca?
Casca
No, I have a commitment.
Cassius
Will you dine with me tomorrow?
Casca
Yes, if I’m still alive and you're still sane, and your dinner is
worth eating.
 Act I : Scene 2 25

Cassius
Good. I’ll expect you.
Casca
Do so. Farewell to you both.
[Casca exits.]
Brutus
What a stupid man he’s become! He was so sharp when he was
in school.
Cassius
He’s still sharp when carrying out a bold or noble enterprise,
though he puts on this show of stupidity. He speaks roughly, but
what he says is bright, and his roughness makes other people
enjoy listening to him.
Brutus
You’re right; that’s how it is. I’ll leave you for now. I’ll come to
your home if you’d like to talk tomorrow. Or, if you don’t mind,
come to my home, and I’ll wait for you.
Cassius
I’ll do so. Until then, think about the well­being of Rome.
[Brutus exits.]
Well, Brutus, you’re noble. Yet I see that your honourable
character can be bent from its usual shape, which proves that
good men should stick only to the company of other good men
because who is so firm that he can’t be seduced? Caesar resents
me, but he loves Brutus. If I were Brutus now and Brutus were
me, I wouldn’t have let him influence me. Tonight I’ll throw
through his window a few letters in different handwritings—as if
they came from several citizens—all testifying to the great respect
Romans have for Brutus and all alluding to Caesar’s unseemly
ambition. And after this, let Caesar brace himself, for we’ll either
dethrone him or suffer even worse than now.
[Cassius exits.]
 26 Act I : Scene 2

ASSIGNMENTS
(Answers to the Questions given in Julius Caesar Workbook)
A. Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Calphurnia is Caesar’s ................... .
(a) Wife (b) Mother (c) Sister (d) Mistress
Ans. (a) Wife
2. Why does Caesar ask Calphurnia to stand directly in “Antonius’
way”?
(a) To shake off her sterile curse (b) To get killed
(c) To inspire Antony (d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) To shake off her sterile curse
3. Which of the following character calls out everyone so that
they can listen to what Caesar has to say?
(a) Calphurnia (b) Casca
(c) Antony (d) The Soothsayer
Ans. (b) Casca
4. What does “the Ides of March” mean?
(a) 1st March (b) The first week of March
th
(c) 15 March (d) End of March
Ans. (c) 15th March
5. When the Soothsayer warns Caesar about “the Ides of March”,
what is Caesar’s reaction to it?
(a) Caesar takes the warning seriously
(b) Caesar reprimands the Soothsayer
(c) Caesar tells him that he is a “liar.”
(d) Caesar refers to him as a “dreamer.”
Ans. (d) Caesar refers to him as a “dreamer.”
6. Brutus refers to himself as “not gamesome” and compares
himself to another character who is of “quick spirit.” Whom is
he referring?
Act I : Scene 2 27

(a) Caesar (b) Casca (c) Antony (d) Cassius

Ans. (c) Antony
7. Who tells Brutus that he has not the same “gentleness” and
“show of love” he always had?
(a) Caesar (b) Antony (c) Cassius (d) Casca
Ans. (c) Cassius
8. What is Cassius’ intention in referring to the changed contour
of Brutus?
(a) Cassius is worried about Brutus’ well­being.
(b) Cassius wants to trap Brutus in a conspiracy against Caesar
(c) Cassius is jealous of Brutus
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (b) Cassius wants to trap Brutus in a conspiracy against Caesar
9. “.......I love
The name of honour more than I fear death.”
Who spoke this?
(a) Brutus (b) Cassius (c) Caesar (d) Antony
Ans. (a) Brutus
10. Whom does Cassius refer to as a person of “feeble temper”?
(a) Himself (b) Brutus (c) Antony (d) Caesar
Ans. (d) Caesar
11. “The fault....is not in our stars
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
Who speaks these lines to whom?
(a) Brutus to Cassius (b) Cassius to Brutus
(c) Cassius to Casca (d) Casca to Brutus
Ans. (c) Cassius to Casca
12. Whom does Caesar speak about when he refers to his “lean
and hungry look”?
(a) Antony (b) Himself (c) Cassius (d) Brutus
Ans. (c) Cassius
 28 Act I : Scene 2

13. Who is dangerous, according to Caesar, as he loves no games

or music?
(a) Brutus (b) Casca (c) Antony (d) Cassius
Ans. (d) Cassius
14. How many times was Caesar offered the Crown?
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three
Ans. (d) Three
15. Who has “falling sickness,” according to Brutus?
(a) Caesar (b) Antony (c) Lepidus (d) Cassius
Ans. (a) Caesar
16. Who spoke in Greek, and to whom was it “Greek”?
(a) Cicero, Casca (b) Casca, Cicero
(c) Marullus, Flavius (d) Caesar, Antony
Ans. (a) Cicero, Casca
17. According to Casca’s narration, who was “put to silence” by
Caesar?
(a) Cicero and Casca (b) Marullus and Flavius
(c) Casca and Cassius (d) Commoners
Ans. (b) Marullus and Flavius
B. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that
follow:
1. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius,
To touch Calphurnia; for our elders say,
The barren, touched in this holy chase,
Shake off their sterile curse.
(i) Where does Act I Scene 2 take place? Which characters enter
this scene? Where is Caesar going?
Ans. Act I Scene 2 takes place in a public place in Rome. The
characters who enter this scene are Caesar, Antony Calphurnia,
Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, some citizens,
and a Soothsayer. Caesar is going to be a part of the Lupercal
festival.
Act I : Scene 2 29

(ii) To whom does Caesar call out first? What does Casca do at
this point? What instruction does Caesar give the person he
calls out to?
Ans. Caesar calls out Calphurnia, his wife, first.
Casca asks others to be peaceful as Caesar is speaking.
Caesar asks Calphurnia to stand in Antonius’s way so that he
touches her while participating in the race, as it is believed (as
a Roman custom) to cure her of barrenness.
(iii) To whom does Caesar speak the above lines? What is the “holy
chase” mentioned?
Ans. Caesar speaks the above lines to Antonius. Holy chase is the
sacred ritual race during the Lupercal feast.
(iv) What answer does Caesar get? What further order does he give?
Ans. Antonius replies to Caesar, saying that he will do as Caesar
orders. Caesar further orders to proceed with the ceremony
and leave nothing which should be a part of the Lupercal feast.
(v) Explain within the context above:
(a) elders; (b) barren; (c) shake off; (d) sterile curse.
Ans. (a) “Elders” refers to the earlier Romans, i.e., the Roman
tradition.
(b) “Barren” refers to a barren woman who cannot give birth
to a child.
(c) “Shake off” is used to mean “cure.”
(d) “Sterile curse” refers to the curse of sterility (barrenness).
(vi) What does this section reveal about:
(a) Caesar; (b) Antony; (c) Casca;
(d) the relationship between Caesar and Antony?
Ans. (a) Caesar is all­powerful, and he thinks of himself as a dictator,
though he is perturbed for not having a child and thinks,
according to tradition, he should do the needful to shake
off Calphurnia’s sterile curse.
(b) Antony abides by all orders of Caesar as he is a good friend.
(c) Casca tried to appease Caesar. So, when Caesar calls for
Calphurnia, he asks everyone to maintain peace and silence.
30 Act I : Scene 2

(d) Antony and Caesar bond greatly as they respect and follow
each other’s orders.
2. Soothsayer. Beware the Ides of March.
(i) Who is a Soothsayer? Where does this Soothsayer speak these
words, and when?
Ans. A Soothsayer foretells the future.
The Soothsayer speaks these words to Caesar when Caesar,
Antony, and others are about to join the procession.
(ii) How does Caesar describe what he hears? What order does
Casca give?
Ans. On the first occasion, Caesar wants to look at the person who
spoke the words. When he sees it is a Soothsayer, he tells the
speaker that he is a dreamer.
Casca gives the order to maintain peace so that there is no
noise and Caesar can be heard.
(iii) Explain, “Caesar is turned to hear.” What aspect of Caesar’s
character is revealed through this line?
Ans. “Caesar is turned to hear” means that Caesar is attentive to
what the speaker has to say. When Caesar speaks thus, he shows
his superiority complex.
(iv) Put the Soothsayer’s warning in simpler language.
Ans. Beware of the 15th of March.
(v) How does Caesar react to this warning?
Ans. Caesar reacts to the warning by calling the Soothsayer a
dreamer, as Caesar has firm faith in himself and believes that
no one can dare to harm him.
(vi) With reference to the events that follow, bring out the irony
intended.
Ans. The irony of the situation is that though Caesar dismisses the
words of the Soothsayer by calling him a dreamer, the plot of
Caesar’s killing is to be done on the 15th of March. Caesar in
his self­confidence could not figure out that a large threat is
looming over his life with his growing popularity.
Act I : Scene 2 31

3. 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
(i) To whom does Brutus say these words? When? Where?
Ans. Brutus says these words to Cassius when they go to the
procession in a public place in Rome.
(ii) Why does Brutus not go along with Caesar and his procession
to the games? Whom does he contrast himself with? How?
Ans. Brutus does not go along with Caesar and his procession to the
games as he is “not gamesome” and says he does not have a
“quick spirit” like Antony. He refers to Antony's loyal obedience
to Caesar's orders, which also hinders him from joining the game.
(iii) Why does Brutus need to explain himself to the person he is
speaking to? What opportunity is this person seeking?
Ans. Brutus explains himself to Cassius as Cassius had asked him
whether they should proceed for the games and then asks him
further why his eyes lack the usual gentleness. The person,
Cassius, is seeking an opportunity to trap Brutus into the
conspiracy to kill Caesar.
(iv) Which particular trait of Brutus’s personality is brought out
here? What frame of mind is he in at this point? How does this
aid the person he is speaking to?
Ans. Brutus’s Roman (and Republican) spirit and his love for his
country are very much evident here; therefore, he cannot stand
the rise of Caesarism. He is not in the right frame of mind as
he can not accept the kind of rise Caesar is demonstrating. It
aids Cassius as Cassius now gets to pull Brutus into the plot of
Caesar’s murder.
(v) Explain the following words and phrases to bring out their
meaning in this context:
(a) veil’d; (b) trouble of my countenance;
(c) vexed; (d) of late;
32 Act I : Scene 2

(e) passions of some difference;

(f) Conceptions only proper to myself.
Ans. (a) covered
(b) troubled expression.
(c) annoyed
(d) presently
(e) different kinds of passions, which is not usual.
(f) Passions and expressions that cannot be shown to others,
therefore, only to myself.
4. Cassius. ‘Tis just;
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye,
That you might see your shadow. I have heard,
Where many of the best respect in Rome
(Except immortal Caesar), speaking of Brutus,
And groaning underneath this age’s yoke,
Have wish’d that noble Brutus had his eyes.
(i) The speaker seems to agree with something that has already
been said. What is it?
Ans. Brutus had earlier told Cassius that he is filled with strange
passion and, therefore, showing those expressions to others is
improper. Cassius agrees to that.
(ii) What is to be lamented? Why?
Ans. One's expression in one’s eye can only be seen by reflection.
Brutus's strange expression of eyes is not because of some
passion that is evoked from within, but it is a reflection of
what is happening around him. This expression is to be
lamented as Brutus’s state of mind (the unrest) is a reflection
of the political unrest of Rome (growing Caesarism and a threat
to Republicanism).
(iii) What has the speaker heard in Rome? In what tone does he
refer to Caesar? What does he want to achieve here?
Act I : Scene 2 33

Ans. Cassius says that he has heard in Rome that Brutus had the
eyes with which they see him; that is, they could see himself
as others see him and thus be aware of his virtues.
He refers to Caesar in an ironic or sarcastic tone.
Cassius wants Brutus to open up against Caesar by instigating his
passion so that Brutus can be pulled into Caesar’s murder plot.
(iv) Who is “groaning underneath this age’s yoke”? Explain “age’s
yoke.”
Ans. Cassius says that Brutus is “groaning underneath this age’s
yoke.”
By “age’s yoke,” he means the oppression of the times, the
tyranny of the times people face. It is because of this tyranny
that Brutus’s eyes have strange expressions. The tyranny refers
to growing Caesarism which is a threat to the Republican spirit
of Rome.
(v) Why does he wish that noble Brutus had his eyes? What does
it reveal about the speaker’s nature?
Ans. Cassius wishes that noble Brutus had his eyes, then he would
have been able to see what the Roman people want — that
Brutus take up the leadership and end the tyranny of the times.
It shows that Cassius is a jealous man who could not stand
Caesar’s popularity and therefore wants to instigate Brutus into
the conspiracy to kill Caesar to satisfy his own selfish grudges
against Caesar.
5. 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.
(i) To whom does Cassius say these words? When? Where?
Ans. Cassius says these words to Brutus when they do not go to the
procession and are in a public place in Rome.
(ii) What incident is Cassius talking about? Explain why he is
speaking like this.
Ans. The incident Cassius is talking about is when the river Tiber
34 Act I : Scene 2

angrily dashed its waves against the banks. Cassius and Caesar
were in the river, and Caesar asked for help from Cassius to
save him from sinking. Cassius is speaking this to suggest that
Caesar is physically less powerful than he presents.
(iii) What does this speech reveal about Cassius?
Ans. The speech reveals that Cassius is jealous of Caesar and cannot
digest that Caesar has reached such heights of power and
prowess which he could not achieve.
(iv) Who was Aeneas? Explain the incident referred to here in
connection with him.
Ans. Aeneas is the founder of Rome and the spiritual ancestor of all
Romans, who, when Troy was captured, escaped from the
burning city carrying his father Anchises on his back.
When Caesar was sinking in the swollen river Tiber, he asked
for help, and Cassius said that he saved Caesar, like Aeneas,
by carrying him on his back.
(v) Explain “Our great ancestor.”
Ans. Aeneas is referred to as “Our great Ancestor” as Aeneas is the
founder of Rome and the spiritual ancestor of all Romans.
6. Cassius. ...’tis true, this god did shake;
His coward lips did from their colour fly
(i) To whom does Cassius say these words? What tone does he
speak in?
Ans. Cassius speaks these words to Brutus about the cowardly act
of Caesar. He speaks in a sarcastic and condescending tone.
(ii) To whom is he referring? Why does he call him “god”?
Ans. Cassius is referring to Caesar and in a sarcastic tone, calls him
“God” as he seems to act like God now while once he was
shivering in fever. He wants to emphasize Caesar ’s
unworthiness to be in power.
(iii) Which incident is he referring to?
Ans. Cassius refers to the incident when Caesar had a fever, and he
was shivering. The colour of his lips vanished like the cowardly
soldiers deserting their flag during a crisis.
Act I : Scene 2 35

(iv) What does Cassius want to point out through this example?
What does it reveal about Cassius?
Ans. Cassius wants to point out that Caesar is not as brave as people
think. Caesar is as feeble as any cowardly soldier.
The lines reveal Cassius’s jealousy and, therefore, his sarcastic
tone. In his jealousy, Cassius goes to the extent of planning
Caesar’s murder.
7. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous;
What you would work me to, I have some aim:
How I have thought of this, and of these times,
I shall recount hereafter.
(i) Who speaks these words? What does ‘jealous’ mean here? How
has the speaker been convinced of the other persons' feelings
for him?
Ans. Brutus speaks these words. ‘Jealous’ here means ‘suspicious’.
Brutus has been convinced of Cassius’ feelings as Cassius,
through divergent examples of Caesar’s lack of power and
propriety, has managed to convince Brutus that Brutus is right
in not believing in Caesar and that they should come together
to overthrow Caesar and put an end to the tyranny of the times.
(ii) Explain “What you would work me to.”
Ans. By “What you would work me to,” Brutus means that both
Brutus and Cassius have the same feelings as Cassius have
tried to induce Brutus into the conspiracy of killing Caesar.
(iii) Do you think the speaker really understood the other’s motives?
Why?
Ans. Brutus has not yet understood Cassius’s motives as Cassius is
hatching a plot to murder Caesar due to his jealousy, and Brutus
only thinks of saving Rome and Romans from Caesar as he
feels that Caesar coming to power will lead to tyranny in Rome.
(iv) What do ‘this’ and ‘these times’ refer to?
Ans. “This” refers to when Cassius and Brutus discuss Caesar and
his rise to power.
36 Act I : Scene 2

“These times” refers to the troubled times when the rise of

Caesarism and Caesar threatened Rome and the Romans.
(v) What does the speaker promise to do? What assurance does he
give to the other?
Ans. The speaker, Brutus, promises to meet Cassius and meditate
on the present state of Rome and growing Caesar’s power.
(vi) Has the other achieved what he sets out to do? What tells us of
his satisfaction?
Ans. Cassius has achieved his objective of instigating Brutus to join
the conspiracy to kill Caesar. Cassius's satisfaction is evident
when he says after this, “I am glad that my weak words have
struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.”
8. Why, there was a crown offer’d him; and, being
offer’d him, he put it by with the back of his hand,
thus; and then the people fell a-shouting.
(i) Who are the characters engaged in this conversation? Who
speaks the above lines?
Ans. Casca and Brutus are conversing and Casca speaks the above
lines.
(ii) What question(s) are these lines a reply to?
Ans. Casca replies to the question by Brutus about what had
happened that day involving Caesar that Caesar looked sad.
(iii) Who was offered a crown? By whom? How many times?
Ans. Caesar was offered a crown by Antony thrice, and he put it
aside each time reluctantly.
(iv) Why did he not accept the crown? Did he actually want the
crown? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans. Caesar did not accept the crown as he wanted not just power
but absolute authority. Caesar knows that to be a king of Rome
is fine but he wants to be a hero of Rome and be forever there
in their minds.
(v) How does the speaker describe the mob and its reaction when
the crown was refused? What is his attitude to the mob?
Act I : Scene 2 37

Ans. Casca says that each time Caesar puts aside the crown,
reluctantly, the mob applauds with cheer as they are already in
love with Caesar, and when Caesar refuses the crown, he plays
with the emotions of the crowd.
(vi) How do the others present react to what the speaker has to
say? Why?
Ans. Cassius was present there, and he wanted to know the details
of Caesar refusing the crown, and so he asked how many times
Caesar had refused the crown as he heard the applause of the
crowd thrice; then he also asked who offered the crown to
Caesar.
9. Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet I see
Thy honourable mettle may be wrought
From that it is dispos’d: therefore, ‘tis meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes;
For who so firm that cannot be seduc’d?
(i) To whom does Cassius speak these lines? Who else is present
on stage?
Ans. Cassius speaks these lines to Brutus. Casca is also present on
stage.
(ii) With what motive in mind had Cassius spoken to Brutus? What
had Brutus promised to do until they met again?
Ans. Cassius had the motive to trap Brutus with his sweet words so
that he agrees to be a part of the plot to kill Caesar.
Brutus tells Cassius he shares “some aim” with him but does
not wish “to be any further moved.” Brutus speaks vaguely
and ambiguously.
(iii) What particular aspect of Brutus’s character does Cassius play
upon? What tells us that Cassius was indeed a shrewd judge of
character?
Ans. Cassius plays upon Brutus’s love for Rome and Roman honour.
Cassius knows how to manipulate others, whether the scholarly,
idealistic, dreamer Brutus or the uneducated, rough­spoken
 38 Act I : Scene 2

Casca. Though he adores and respects Brutus, he does not

hesitate to use his weaknesses and strengths to achieve the
purpose he has in mind. Caesar assesses him correctly as he is
a shrewd judge of character.
(iv) Explain the metaphor used in—
Thy honourable mettle may be wrought
From that it is dispos’d.
Ans. Cassius plays with words here — he used ‘mettle’ but it means
‘metal’. Cassius intends to speak metaphorically that Brutus’s
disposition is impressionable and can be worked upon like
metal.
(v) Explain what “meet” means here? What general truth does
Cassius bring out here?
Ans. “Meet” here means “fitting.”
Cassius brings out the general truth that noble minds must
always associate with those like themselves because no man is
so strong that he cannot be tempted and led astray to do
something less than honourable.
C. Read Act I Scene 2 carefully and answer the questions given
below precisely:
(1) Where does this scene open? Where is Caesar going? Who
accompanies him?
Ans. The scene opens at a public place in Rome as Caesar, along
with Antony, Calphurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus,
Cassius, Casca, some citizens, and a Soothsayer are going to
join and witness the game.
(2) What does Brutus suspect might happen at the games? How
does this affect him? How does Cassius use this to his own
benefit?
Ans. Brutus suspects that the crown will be offered to Caesar at the
games. Brutus is affected as he needs to understand how
Caesarism is on such a rise in Rome. Cassius reads Brutus’s
expressions and then goes into long dialogues to induce Brutus
into the plot of Caesar’s murder.
Act I : Scene 2 39

(3) Is Brutus’s suspicion confirmed? How?

Ans. Brutus’s suspicion is confirmed as Antony offers Caesar the
crown thrice, which he puts aside reluctantly.
(4) What does Cassius tell Brutus about Caesar? Why? How
does Brutus react to Cassius’s revelations?
Ans. Cassius tells Brutus that Caesar is less powerful than he presents
himself. He was weak, and Cassius had saved him from sinking
in the river Tiber. Further, when Caesar had fever and was
shivering, the colour of his lips vanished in the same way as
the cowardly soldiers leave the flag when threatened.
(5) What happens at the games? Why does Caesar return in
anger?
Ans. At the games, Antony offered Caesar the crown thrice, and
each time he reluctantly put aside the crown, the crowd cheered.
The commoners gave out a foul breath which almost suffocated
Caesar. He swooned and foamed at the mouth and fell. This
angered Caesar.
(6) Explain the role that Casca plays in this scene.
Ans. Casca plays a vital part in the scene — initially, he is the one
who asks everyone to shut up so that Caesar can be heard. At
the end of the scene, he is the one who narrates to Brutus and
Cassius (as well as to the audience) all the happenings in the
Games and how Caesar was offered the crown thrice by Antony,
and he sets the crown aside each time.
(7) Who does Cicero represent? Why is he mentioned in
particular? What does his using ‘Greek’ reveal about him?
Ans. Cicero holds a prominent position in the Senate, and his genius
is recognized. His speaking in Greek shows that he is a cultured
and accomplished man. He disapproves, very clearly, of the
offering of the crown to Caesar.
(8) Why does Cassius describe Casca’s manner as “sour”? Why
does he invite Casca to dine with him? How does Casca
respond? Is this typical? Why?
Ans. Cassius describes Casca’s manner as sour, as he is always in
40 Act I : Scene 2

ironic and contemptuous mood. He sneers at the mob, at Caesar,

and also at Cicero.
Cassius invites Casca to bring him to his side and include him
in the plot of Caesar’s murder.
He is blunt and rude in refusing Cassius’s first invitation to his
house and equally rude when he accepts the second invitation.
Being a cynic, it is typical of him to do so, but he holds a
position of some importance in Rome.
(9) What does Cassius say of Casca? What does Brutus say of
him? What impression does Casca create in this scene?
Ans. Brutus remarks on the way Casca has changed. He was
once “quick,” and now he is “blunt.” But Cassius immediately
points out this is only a “form” of pretense. He sees through
Casca and Caesar’s remark about Cassius’s ability to “look
quite through the deeds of men,” which proves to be true.
(10) Why is Cassius’s soliloquy important? What does it reveal?
What does Cassius plan to do that night to further move
Brutus to join the conspiracy?
Ans. Cassius indeed reveals a good deal about himself in the
soliloquy. He shows himself to be a schemer who is vindictive
and cold­blooded. His villainy here gives dramatic force to the
movement of the play. The audience is waiting to see how it
will be converted into action. The soliloquy also informs us
the details of the conspiracy directly. It ends with a prediction
of the troubles soon to follow.

QUESTIONS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION

1. By what arguments does Cassius try to persuade Brutus to
join the conspiracy against Caesar?
Ans. Cassius sees that Brutus is troubled by Caesar's growing powers
and that he may be crowned a king. He seizes this as an
opportunity to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy. Though
he is motivated by personal envy and hatred towards Caesar,
Act I : Scene 2 41

Cassius makes Brutus think that he has the well­being of the

Romans in mind. Brutus is a thinker, a philosopher, rather than
a practical man of the world. He does not see Cassius’s
insincerity and readily admits his troubled mind.
Cassius, the master manipulator, uses his knowledge of Brutus’s
character to win him to his side against Caesar. He begins by
saying that he and some other eminent Romans feel it is
unfortunate that Brutus is unaware of his worth. As a friend,
he offers to make some of this worth known to Brutus. Cassius
uses subtle flattery to catch Brutus’s attention.
When the shouting of the people at the Lupercalia is heard,
Brutus says he is afraid “the people choose Caesar for their
king.” Cassius uses this to make it appear as if Brutus himself
has first broached the subject. Brutus, the true and noble
republican that he is, announces that he would willingly
sacrifice even his life for the cause of honour and Rome. Cassius
then cleverly suggests that it can only harm Rome if someone
like Caesar should become king.
He then sets about to gradually destroy Caesar’s image as a hero.
He highlights his physical weaknesses and failures to show that
Caesar was not worthy of all the glory and honour heaped upon
him. He subtly suggests that he, Cassius, is a better man.
Cassius then moves on to hint that Brutus is more honourable
than Caesar. If Cassius and Brutus were underlings then they
are responsible for it; it is not Fate that makes a less worthy
man, like Caesar, more significant and influential.
At last, Cassius plays the winning card. He appeals to the
republican spirit that Brutus had inherited from his ancestors.
He suggests that Caesar was a symbol of authority that challenged
the very foundations of Rome. Brutus concedes this point.
To add to it, just then, Caesar enters in the pomp and manner
of an uncrowned king. As he listens to Casca, Brutus is filled
with doubts and wants time to think over all that has happened.
He leaves Cassius alone to ponder with satisfaction that he
can use Brutus’s noble nature to win him over to the conspiracy.
42 Act I : Scene 2

2. Describe the way the crown was offered to Caesar.

Ans. As Brutus and Cassius are talking, Caesar reappears in all his
pomp. He has a frown on his brow, while Calphurnia is pale,
and Cicero's eyes are fiery red. When he has passed by, Casca
gives an account of how the crown was offered to him at the
celebration of the Lupercal festival.
Casca tells Brutus and Cassius that a crown, more like a coronet,
had been offered to Caesar thrice. Each time he refused it, the
common people, who had gathered to honour him, had shouted to
show their appreciation of his humility. Casca, however, claims
that he could have been more impressed. Caesar pushed the crown
aside each time less willingly than before. Every time he refused
it, the people shouted, clapped their hands, and threw up their
sweaty nightcaps. Their mouths gave out a foul breath which
almost suffocated Caesar. He swooned and foamed at the mouth.
Just before he fell, Caesar pulled open his doublet and offered
his throat to the people to cut. Casca says that if he had been a
man of action, he would have taken Caesar at his word, for
Caesar had spoken with apparent sincerity. When Caesar
regained his senses, he asked the mob to pardon him if he had
said or done anything wrong. At this, three or four women
standing near Casca readily forgave him. Casca mentions that
the women were so impressed that if Caesar had stabbed their
mothers, they would have forgiven him.
Brutus and Cassius wanted to know Cicero’s reaction. Casca
replies that Cicero had spoken in Greek, which he could not
understand, but those around who did have smiled at his words.
Casca says there was more “foolery” which he could not remember.
Casca’s account brings out two points. First, Caesar did want
to accept the crown but refused it in apparent humility. Second,
the mob won over Caesar’s side and wanted him to be crowned.

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