Q1. CAESAR: I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men
And turn preordinance and first decree
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thawed from the true quality
With that which melteth fools
1. What does Caesar mean by "These couchings and these lowly courtesies / Might fire
the blood of ordinary men"?
(Caesar is saying that kneeling and flattering gestures might influence ordinary men and
stir their emotions. However, he suggests that such gestures have no effect on him.)
2. What does Caesar imply about himself when he says, "Be not fond, / To think that
Caesar bears such rebel blood"?
(Caesar implies that he is above emotional manipulation and does not have a weak or
rebellious nature that can be swayed by flattery or pleading.)
3. How do Caesar’s words in this passage reflect his tragic flaw? Support your answer
with reference to the lines.
(Caesar's words reveal his pride and arrogance, which are part of his tragic flaw. He
believes he is superior to ordinary men and cannot be moved by emotional appeals or
flattery. Lines such as “Caesar bears such rebel blood” and “melteth fools” show he sees
himself as unshakable and above persuasion, which ultimately blinds him to the danger
he is in and contributes to his downfall.)
Q2. I could be well moved if I were as you.
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me.
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fixed and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks.
They are all fire and every one doth shine,
But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.
So in the world. 'Tis furnished well with men,
1. What does Caesar mean when he says, "If I could pray to move, prayers would
move me"?
(He means that if he were capable of being influenced by pleas, then the act of begging or
praying would be effective. However, since he is not moved by such actions, it suggests
he is emotionally detached and resolute in his decisions.)
2. How does Caesar use the metaphor of the northern star to describe himself? What
does this reveal about his personality and leadership style?
(Caesar compares himself to the northern star, which is constant, fixed, and unmatched in
the sky. Through this metaphor, he presents himself as unwavering, stable, and above the
influence of others. This reveals his arrogance and self-perception as a singular, superior
leader who cannot be swayed by emotion or persuasion—an attitude that contributes to
his downfall.)
Q3. BRUTUS
Stoop, Romans, stoop,
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar’s blood
Up to the elbows and besmear our swords.
Then walk we forth, even to the marketplace,
And, waving our red weapons o’er our heads,
Let’s all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”
1. What symbolic act does Brutus propose after Caesar’s assassination?
(Brutus suggests the conspirators dip their hands in Caesar’s blood and walk through the
marketplace proclaiming liberty, symbolizing that they killed Caesar for Rome’s
freedom.)
2. Why do the conspirators cry “Peace, freedom, and liberty”?
(They want to present the murder as a noble act done to liberate Rome from tyranny, not
as a crime.)
3. How does this action reflect Brutus’s idealism?
(Brutus believes that their symbolic gesture will help people understand their noble
intentions, showing his naive belief in public perception and virtue.)
Q4. CASSIUS
How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!
Questions and Answers:
1. What is Cassius referring to when he speaks of “this our lofty scene”?
He is referring to Caesar’s assassination and how it will be remembered and reenacted in
future generations.
2. What does this line reveal about Cassius’s mindset after the murder?
Cassius feels proud and believes their act will become legendary. It shows his desire for
glory and immortality.
3. How is there dramatic irony in Cassius’s words?
While Cassius believes they’ll be celebrated, history and Antony’s speech show they are
condemned. The audience knows their actions will lead to civil war, not peace.
Q5. Servant (on behalf of Antony):
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.
Say I love Brutus, and I honor him.
Say I feared Caesar, honored him, and loved him.
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him and be resolved
How Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
So well as Brutus living, but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith.
1. What message is Antony sending to Brutus and the conspirators through his
servant?
Antony is cautiously expressing his loyalty to Brutus, provided he is given a safe
audience. He claims he will support Brutus if given a convincing explanation for Caesar’s
assassination.
2. What qualities of Caesar does Antony mention in this passage?
Antony describes Caesar as mighty, bold, royal, and loving, indicating his deep respect
and affection for Caesar.
3. How does this passage reveal Antony’s rhetorical skill and political strategy?
Antony uses diplomatic language to gain the trust of the conspirators while subtly
expressing his continued allegiance to Caesar. This shows his cleverness in concealing
his true intentions and planning his next move.
Q6. Mark Antony:
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,
Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,
I shall not find myself so apt to die.
No place will please me so, no mean of death,
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,
The choice and master spirits of this age.
1. What does Antony mean by "your purpled hands do reek and smoke"?
Antony refers to the conspirators’ hands as being stained with Caesar’s fresh blood.
“Reek and smoke” suggests the murder has just happened and the blood is still warm—
highlighting the horror and immediacy of the act.
2. Why does Antony say “Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die”?
Antony means that even if he lived for a thousand years, he would never find a more
fitting moment or place to die than beside Caesar, whom he deeply loved and respected.
3. What is the tone of Antony’s speech here, and how does it serve his purpose?
The tone is submissive, emotional, and theatrical. Antony appears to offer himself up for
death, which helps him gain the conspirators’ trust. This is part of his strategy—masking
his grief and intentions so he can later turn public opinion against them.
Q7. Brutus:
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony.
Our arms in strength of malice and our hearts
Of brothers' temper do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.
1. What does Brutus mean by "As fire drives out fire, so pity pity"?
Brutus is using a metaphor to explain that their pity for the Roman people has
overpowered their personal pity for Caesar. Just as one fire can extinguish another, their
patriotic concern has overridden their friendship.
2. What assurance does Brutus give to Antony in these lines?
Brutus tells Antony that their swords are harmless ("have leaden points") toward him,
symbolizing they mean no harm. He assures Antony that they welcome him with love,
respect, and brotherhood.
3. How do these lines reflect Brutus’s justification for Caesar’s assassination and his
treatment of Antony?
Brutus attempts to justify Caesar’s murder by portraying it as an act of necessary sacrifice
born out of compassion for Rome. He uses noble language to show that Antony is not an
enemy and is still honored among them. This reflects Brutus’s idealism—he believes his
motives were pure and expects others, like Antony, to see it the same way. Ironically, this
misjudgment contributes to the tragedy that follows.
Q8. “Gentlemen all, alas, what shall I say?
My credit now stands on such slippery ground
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,
Either a coward or a flatterer
That I did love thee, Caesar, O, ’tis true.
If then thy spirit look upon us now,
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death
To see thy Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes”
1. What does Antony imply about his current position and reputation in the passage?
How does he describe his choices?
2. In this passage, how does Antony express his grief over Caesar’s death? What does
he mean by "Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes"?
3. How does Antony’s tone in this passage reflect his inner conflict regarding Caesar’s
death and his own actions? Discuss the implications of his words and what they
reveal about his character at this point in the play.