A work of Artifice 

{Workbook solution from BEETA PUBLICATION –IX }

SECTION- A

MCQS ANSWERS - 1)b    2)d    3)d    4)d    5)b    6)a    7)b    8)a  

                              9)d    10)c    11)c    12)b    13)d    14)d    15)b    16)a

SECTION – B: CONTEXT QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

I.                   The bonsai tree in the attractive pot

Could have grown eighty feet tall

On the side of a mountain

Till split by lightning.

i)Which tree is the poet talking about? How tall would it have grown and in what circumstances?

Ans:  The poet is talking about the little bonsai tree that is kept in the beautiful pot. It would have grown eighty feet tall on the mountain side in its full potential in nature outside without any human interference.

ii)What does the bonsai tree symbolize? Explain.

Ans: The bonsai tree symbolizes women who are subjugated, suppressed and compelled to lead the limited life in a patriarchal (male dominated) society.

iii)Where would it have grown tall? How would have been its height its enemy?

Ans: The bonsai tree could have grown tall on the mountain side up to 80 feet in its natural habitat. If it is not interfered by human and by lightning to strike it. So, its enemy is lightning and human beings.

iv)Why do you think the poet used the words ‘attractive pot’ in the extract?

Ans: The poet used the words ‘attractive pot’ in the extract because it is used for interior decoration for show off. So, in order to suppress its natural growth kept in an attractive pot. Metaphorically, it suggests deceptively safe domestically.

v)What does ‘till split by lightning’ symbolize? How is the tree protected from lightning?

Ans: ‘Till split by lightning’ symbolizes the hardships, difficulties and challenges faced by the women in the patriarchal society. Women have a vast potential to grow and accomplish things. Only a freak incident like lighting can cause damage if the woman is allowed to reach her potential like a eighty feet tall tree. The tree is protected by the gardener planting it if a beautiful pot and pruning it carefully so that it does not grow.

II.                ….carefully pruned it.

It is nine inches high,

Every day as he

Whittles back the branches

The gardener croons,

i)How tall is the tree? Why did it not grow any further?

Ans: The bonsai tree is described as being ‘nine inches high. It is pruned and its roots are limited to a beautiful pot. It doesn’t grow to its full height to its potentials because it is deliberately confined by the human beings.

ii)Who prunes the tree? Why does he do so?

Ans: Gardener prunes the bonsai tree and doesn’t allow to be eighty feet tall. Gardener does the pruning and stops the growth of the tree limiting to its size and shape to just fit to the attractive pot.

iii)What does croons means? Briefly describe the symbolism used here.

Ans: ‘Croon’ is a verb which means to sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice. So, it means humming or singing softly and lovingly. The crooning of the gardener that could easily be transferred to a male member talking to a female. The man, like the gardener would be telling the woman that she is lucky to be in a home because she is small and weak just like the bonsai tree.

iv)What role do the short lines of the poem play?

Ans; The short lines lend a sing-song tone to the poem. The lines seem broken just like the ‘whittling’ of a bonsai’s branches. This shortness of the lines stresses that the poet wants to deliver the message urgently. By using short and simple lines, the poet emphasizes the confinement of both the bonsai tree and women.

v)Identify the gardening vocabulary used in this extract. How do these aid in the artifice of the bonsai?

Ans: the gardening vocabulary used in this extract are – pruning, whittling etc. The gardener carefully prunes and whittles the branches while he swoons in reassurance that all is well. The gardener stunts the potential of the tree by pruning and whittling under the pretext of keeping it safe. Patriarch in society do the same with women. They restrict their (women) movement in the garb of protecting them.

III.              It is your nature to be small and cozy,

Domestic and weak;

How lucky, little tree,

To have a pot to grow in.

i)What is the nature of the tree according to the gardener?

Ans: The nature of the tree according to the gardener is to be small and beautiful; domesticated and weak. The gardener thinks that tree looks beautiful and taken care better when its small. So he restricts the growth of the tree.

ii)Is the tree lucky to grow in a pot? Explain the irony in this line?

Ans: According to the gardener the tree is fortunate to grow in a pot. Irony refers to a statement or expression whose intended meaning is quite contrary to the literal meaning. Just like the growth of a tree is stunted by the gardener, the growth and development of women controlled as early as possible.

iii)What effect do these lines have on the tree? Explain.

Ans: These lines suggest that tree believes that she is meant to be small, weak and beautiful. She is weak and needs to be domesticated. The tree thinks that she is fortunate to have a pot of her own to grow in as well as a gardener to look after her.

iv)Even though the tree had the potential to grow taller, it didn’t. why?

Ans: The tree in the poem is described as having the potential to grow up to 80 feet tall, but the gardener doesn’t allow to grow it. The gardener keeps in an attractive pot by pruning it so that it looks beautiful and doesn’t grow more than nine inches.

v)If the tree was nurtured, it would’ve grown tall and reached its potential. Comment.

Ans: If the gardener doesn’t prune the tree and allows it to grow normally, the beauty of the tree could be seen. The tree would grow tall and reach to its full potential. By seeing that people could admire, appreciate and look up to it in great respect.

IV.              With living creatures one must begin very early

To dwarf their growth;

The bound feet, the crippled brain,

The hair in curlers, the hands you

Love to touch.

i)Why should one begin very early? What do you understand by ‘dwarf’?

Ans: In order to create a successful bonsai tree, one should begin very early because the process of shaping and pruning the tree into the desired form is a long and gradual one. So condition them to be confined to their pot and to allow the gardener to manipulate them in the same of artificial beauty standards. Dwarf is a term that can either mean to stunt one’s growth or to belittle a person and to make them feel small.

ii)What is the significance of dwarf and crippled’?

Ans: The bonsai tree is dwarfed because it is grown in a small pot which limits its growth; while the tree is crippled because it is pruned and shaped to fit in pot. So, it significance is that it evokes an image of a doll rather than a woman, suggesting objectification of women in society. They are seen as ambassadors of beauty.

iii)Briefly explain the meaning and significance of bound feet?

Ans: Bound feet’ refer to the ancient Chinese practice of binding women’s feet for aesthetic purposes, and also preventing their freedom.

ACT-1 SCENE-3

CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follows:

1.       Casca:

Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth

Shakes like a thing unfirm? O cicero,

I have ------------------------------winds

Have ---------------------------------seen

The ambitious --------------------------foam,

To be ------------------------------------clouds:

But ----------------------------------------till now,

Did I go through a tempest dropping fire?

i)Where is Casca at this time? In what state has he come there? to whom is he speaking?

Ans: casca is in a street in Rome. He has come there in a state of anxiety. He is breathless and staring. He is speaking to Cicero, a great Roman politician and orator.

ii)Give the meaning of the following;

a)       All the sway of earth/ shakes like a thing unfirm? – it means that the entire earth is shaking as if it is not stable and not reliable.

b)      The ambitious ocean swells and rage and foam, to be exalted with the threatening clouds – it means that the ocean is in rage filled with foam and is rising up to match the fury of the stormy clouds.

iii)What are the ‘scolding winds’? what did they do?

Ans: the strong and harsh winds that blow during the storm are called the scolding winds. They rise up the sea up to the clouds and torn apart large trees.

iv)What did Casca see which he had never seen in his life earlier? What does he conclude immediately after the extract about the calamities?

Ans: Casca saw a slave’s hand was on fire but remained unburnt. By seeing this unnatural events he concludes immediately that the calamities would come; Means he prophecies a calamity.

v)What is the next day supposed to be? Why will it be a fatal day? who had warned about the day?

Ans: The next day is supposed to be the day of crowning Caesar as a king. It will be a fatal day because Caesar will become a tyrant and destroy Rome according to the conspirators. So it will be the day of Caesar’s assassination day – ides of March 15^th. Soothsayer had warned Caesar about this day.

2.       Cicero: Why, saw you anything more wonderful?

Casca:

A common slave – you know him well by sight-

Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn

Like twenty torches joined, and yet his hand,

Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched.

i)Narrate in your own words the ‘wonderful’ sight seen by Casca as given in the extract.

Ans: the wonderful sight seen by Casca was that a slave holding up the fire in his left hand which burned as brightly as twenty torches but his hand was unburnt.

ii)Besides the sight referred to in i) above, describe three unnatural sights that Casca narrates after this extract.

Ans: Besides the sight referred to in (1) above, other three unnatural sights are narrated by Casca is –

1.       A lion arrogantly walked past Casca without injuring him.

2.       Terrible looking women huddled in fear swearing they saw men in fire walking the streets.

3.       The owl hooted at the market place at noon.

iii)What does Casca believe about the unnatural events? How is his belief used by Cassius to make him join the conspirators?

Ans: casca believes that they are prophetic of impending doom. For Casca, the storm is a sign from the gods. He is breathless and staring, frightened by what he has seen. Cassius interprets the storm in a strange way. He says that Caesar has grown fearful like the storm. Hence he makes him to join the conspirators.

iv)In what way is Casca’s belief a contrast to the one expressed by Cicero about these events?

Ans; for Casca, the storm is a sign from the gods. He is breathless and staring, frightened by what he has seen. Cicero is less clear whether or not the storm is any more than bad weather. He remains uncommitted over this issue, just as he is to remain uncommitted over the conspiracy to kill Caesar.

v)What impact do these strange things have on Caesar, as well as on the audience?

Ans: these strange things do not have any impact on Caesar. Only, his sleep is disturbed. But for the audience it has the great impact. They think that something terrible will happen. So they are worried and anxious about such strange events.

MCQs

1) Which of the following issues was raised by Artemidorus in his letter?

Ans: a) Caesar's impending death.

2) According to Artemidorus, Caesar may survive if -

Ans: b)Fates do not ally with the conspirators.

3) How does this scene create suspense in the audience?

Ans: d) By letting them know that the conspirators' plan has leak out.

4) Artemidorus is a representative of which of the following?

Ans: a) Common citizens of Rome.

5) Artemidorus describes the conspirators as -

Ans: c) Envious ususpers

6) 'There is but one mind in all these men.' who are 'these men'?

Ans: a) Conspirators against Casear.

7) Why does Artemidorus heart lament?

Ans: d) the danger to Caesar's life from jealous rivals.

8) According Artemidorus, what gives way to conspiracy?

Ans: b) overconfidence

CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Artemidorus:

There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou

beest not immortal, look about you; security gives way to conspiracy.

the mighty gods defend thee! thy lover, Artemidorus.

i) At what occasion does Artemidorus say these words? Artemidorus is a symbolic individual. whom does he symbolize in this scene?

Ans: Artemidorus says these words, as Caesar passes on the way to the Capitol. Artemidorus comes on to the stage and reads out a letter he intends giving to Caesar. Artemidorus is a symbolic individual who represents/ symbolizes honest common citizens, voicing his concern for the safety of Caesar.

ii) "There is but one mind in all these men." what kind of a mind do the conspirators have? what is the difference in motives for conspiracy between Cassius and Brutus?

Ans: The conspirators have only one intention in their mind to kill Caesar. The difference in motives for conspiracy between Cassius and Brutus is - Cassius is worldly-wise and a shrewd intriguer. He is and self-centered, cunning and envious. His reasons are personal but he gives a patriotic colouring to the conspiracy. He knows that Brutus is noble and is held high in esteem by the people. He exploits Brutus' love for his country as well as for freedom. In every matter, Brutus over-rules him. But time later on time proves him right and Brutus wrong.

iii) Why are all the conspirators against Caesar? How would the request 'look about you' be significant at this time?

Ans: All the conspirators are against Caesar because they fear that he has become too powerful and he may pose a danger to the republic. The request 'look about you' refers as to look around Caesar because he is surrounded by the conspirators.

iv) What is meant by 'security gives way to conspiracy'?

Ans: 'Security gives way to conspiracy means that if a man feels secure then his enemies are sure to utilize that overconfidence to harm the man seriously.

v) Besides Artemidorus, who else had warned Caesar about the danger to his life? What was the warning and how did caesar react to the warning?

Ans: Besides Artemidorus, Soothsayer in Act-1 scene-2 had warned Caesar about the danger to his life. The warning was beware of the Ides of March 15th. Caesar reacted to the warning as a day dreamer and he dismissed him (soothsayer).

==================================

  ASSIGNMENTS

CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow: 

1. PORTIA:

    I prithee, boy, run to the Senate house;

    Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone:

    Why dost thou stay?

    LUCIUS:

    To know my errand, madam.

i) Where does this scene take place? Give two examples to show that Portia is agitated?

Ans: This scene takes place in the street in front of Brutus's house. Portia urges Lucius to run to the Senate house. "Stay not to answer me', "why dost thou stay' all said at the same time by Portia that shows that she is in great agitation.

ii) What is the errand on which Portia is sending Lucius? what has motivated her to send Lucius urgently on the errand?

Ans: Portia urges Lucius to run to the capitol/ senate house and report back what he witnesses there. Portia sends an errand to him to see how his master is and observe what suitors are pressing about Caesar. Portia is struggling with the dangerous information.

iii) Whom does she meet a little later, which increases her tension? what does that person indicate that there is a possibility of an impeding danger?

Ans: She meets a little later with a soothsayer who tells her that Caesar has not yet gone to the Senate House. He is waiting for Caesar with a petition that 'shall beseech him to befriend himself'.

iv) Give two arguments put forward earlier to Brutus by Portia to indicate why she should know his secrets?

Ans: Portia is a loving and devoted wife of Brutus. She is the daughter of Cato, renowned for high ideals, patriotism and stoicism. She claims her right to share the secrets of her husband.

v) What noise does Portia said to have heard a little later? Does Lucius hear the noise? what can you conclude about this situation?

Ans: Portia cries out in terror as she seems to hear a great noise coming from the capitol but Lucius assures her that he hears nothing. This builds up tension so that we note that how time is passing and the moment of the assassination is approaching.

2. PORTIA:

    I would have had thee there, and here again,

    Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    -----------------------------------------------------------

    Art thou here yet?

i) where is Portia sending Lucius? what does she tell Lucius to find out about Brutus and Caesar?

Ans: Portia is sending Lucius to the capitol and report back what he witnesses there. Portia invites an errand is to see how his master is and observe what suitors are pressing about Caesar. Portia is struggling with the dangerous information she now has assumed that Brutus has confided in her or else that she has concluded that her husband is a part of a conspiracy to kill Caesar. She is bursting to make this news public but she is sworn to silence.

ii) Why is Portia extremely distracted and internally anxious according to the extract?

Ans: Portia is extremely distracted and internally anxious because she knows details of the plot. She follows stoic principles. She is unable to sustain the stress of suspense. She has faith in her husband's nobility and has immense love for him.

iii) Give the meaning of: "Set a huge mountain tween my heart and tongue!" What is the conflict from which Portia suffers as indicated in this statement?

Ans: The line 'set a huge mountain tween my heart and tongue means that Portia is shaken under the strain of the knowledge she begged for, feeling her weakness. She is nervous and her own death is foreshadowed indicated in this statement.

iv) State in your own woes what Portia mans by 'a man's mind but a woman's might'. what does she feel is her weakness? why?

Ans: Portia is skillfully devoted into a splendid  example of heroic qualities usually associated with woman hood. High courage, spotless virtue, powerful will, great endurance were Roman ideals of a woman. She feels nervous and thinks of her own death is foreshadowed in this nervous crisis.

v) In what way is a sense of urgency indicated in the first two lines of the extract? Where else, in the extract, does she show the same attitude?

Ans: A sense of urgency indicated in the first two lines of the extract is that she wants to know what is happening at the capitol. She is worried about so she feels like sending Lucius up and down to the capitol and bringing her the news. This same attitude is seen in the next line itself. She knows that she is displaying her anxiety so she prays for patience.

3. SOOTHSAYER:

    None that I know will be, much that i fear may chance.

    Good morrow to you. here the street is narrow;

    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. (Exit)

i) Omens and soothsayers play a big role in Julius Caesar. What role does the soothsayer play here? What effect does his presence have on Portia and on the audience?

Ans: The soothsayer wants to warn Caesar of some harm. The soothsayer reminds him of his life that something will happen to him on March 15th. Portia's fear increases as she hears of the soothsayer's warning and intention. So she almost loses her self- control.

ii) To whom does the soothsayer address these words? explain the first sentence in the extract in the light of what has already been said to him.

Ans: The soothsayer addresses these words to Portia. Portia asks if there is any harm planned against Caesar. But soothsayer says that he does not know of any specific harm but fears that harm may be done to Caesar.

iii) What is meant by 'The throng'? what would the throng witness in a short  time?

Ans: The throng means a throng of Senators, praetors and common suitors are at Caesar's heels as he passes through the narrow streets to the Senate's House. The throng witness Caesar's Murder in a short time.

iv) What does the soothsayer want to tell Caesar? why does he wish to get for himself a 'place more void'?

Ans: The soothsayer wants to warn Caesar to take care of himself. Since, he is a feeble man who might get crushed by the crowd. So he was looking for some empty place or space to speak to Caesar.

v) Besides the soothsayer, there is another person waiting to communicate on the road with Caesar. Who is he? what does he want to tell Caesar and why?

Ans: Besides the soothsayer, Artemidorus intends to give a letter to Caesar naming his murderers and warning Caesar. He reasons out that Caesar may survive if the fate does not ally itself with the conspirators. Artemidorus represents honest common citizens, voicing his concern for the safety of Caesar.

                                                ====================================

 ICSE - IX JULIUS CAESAR: ACT-1, SCENE-1 (MORNING STAR WORKBOOK SOLUTION)

ACT-1/ SCENE-1 - MCQs (ONLY CORRECT ANSWERS) -

1. What is the rule that Marullus refers to?

Ans: (b) A carpenter's foot rule.

2. What sarcastic reason does the cobbler give Flavius for leading citizens on the street?

Ans: (a) To get himself more work.

3. What does the cobbler say to show that he is a master craftsman?

Ans: (c) Every shoe-wearing gentleman has worn his handiwork.

4. Why, according to Marullus, would there be a plague?

Ans: (b) Due to the ingratitude of citizens.

5. Why did Flavius consider it necessary to remove all the decorations with Caesar's statutes?

Ans: (c) To quell Caesar's ego and popularity.

6. According to Marullus for whom had the citizens of Rome waited patiently earlier?

Ans: (c) Pompey

7. What did Marullus ask the commoners of Rome to do?

Ans: (d) Both (b) and (c)

8. Why did Falvius ask the commoners to shed tears of remorse?

Ans: (a) For the dishonour shown to Pompey.

9. Which quality of the common man is reflected in this scene?

Ans: (b) Fickleness

10. Which type of atmosphere in Rome is seen in Act 1, Scene 1 of the play?

Ans: (b) Confusion and chaos 

11. What is the central theme of the play reflected in this scene?

Ans: (a) Conflict between monarchists and republicans

12. The opening scene of the play reflects on which of the following causes that led to the development of the play?

Ans: (c) Mounting hostilities to Caesar's rule

                                         -----------------------------------------------------

CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Flavius:

    Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home.

    Is this a holidays? what, know you not,

    Being mechanical, you ought not walk

    Upon a labouring day without the sign

    Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?

First Citizen:

    Why, sir, a carpenter.

Marullus:

    Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule?

    what dost thou with thy best apparel on?

    You, sir, what trade are you?

i) Who are Flavius and Marullus?  Where are they and what are they doing there? why?

Ans: Flavius and Marullus are tribunes. they are at a street in Rome where people are gathered in their best clothes to celebrate Caesar's victory. They are dispersing the crowd as they detest Caesar's growing popularity.

ii) Who are the 'idle creatures'? why are they called so? what makes the speaker ask if it is a holiday?

Ans: The 'idle creatures' are commoners. They are so called because they are not wearing the tools of the trade. They are dressed up in their best clothes. Hence, the speaker asks them if if is a holiday.

iii) Give the meaning of the following:

    a) Being Mechanical = it means being manual workers.

    b) A labouring day = it means a working day.

    c) Sign of your profession = it means working clothes with tools of their profession.

Pick out from the extract an example of a sign of a profession.

Ans: Leather apron, rule etc.

iv) Whom does Marullus address in the last line of the extract? What reply does he get? How does he react to the reply?

Ans: Marullus addresses to the second citizen who is a cobbler in the last line of the extract. He replies that he is the mender of the bad soles. He gets angry and calls the man a rascal.

v) Giving an example each, show how Flavius and Marullus are men in Authority? who among them, do you think, exercises greater authority? why?

Ans: Flavius demands of the first citizen the name of his trade. Marullus asks the citizen where are his tools. Both of them show that they are men of authority. But Flavius has greater authority than Marullus as later in the scene Marullus is unsure of removing the decorations on Caesar statues and Flavius dismisses him saying they must quell Casesar's popularity.

2. Second Citizen:

    A trade, sir, that i hope i may use with a safe conscience;

    which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles.

Marullus:

    What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade?

Second Citizen:

    Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet, if you be 

    out, sir, I can mend you.

i) What is meant by a 'trade'? Of which trade is the second citizen? what is the pun involved with the word 'soles'?

Ans: 'Trade' refers to occupation or profession. The second citizen is a cobbler. so his occupation or profession is cobbler. He is the mender of  the bad soles. The pun involved with the word soles is - soles of shoes and of human souls.

ii) Why does the second citizen think that he may use the trade with a safe conscience?

Ans: The second citizen thinks that he may use the trade with a safe conscience because he is a cobbler, 'the mender of soles'. So, as a mender of soles, he also can mend the souls of  bad people, and this is the pun used here. He may use safely mending the souls in his trade.

iii) What is meant by 'naughty knave'? what does this expression tell us about the attitude of the Romans towards artisans? give two examples of such expression from the scene.

Ans: "Naughty knave' means good for nothing or useless fellow. The expression tells the naughty attitude of the Romans officials towards the artisans. The other examples of such expressions are- 'Thou saucy fellow'. 'You blocks' and You stones etc.

iv) Give the double meaning intended in the following expression: be not out with me: yet, if you be out, sir, i can mend you.

Ans: The double meaning intended here in this expression is that-

 i) Do not be out at heels if your shoes are worn out. I will mend them for you. 

ii) Do not be angry with me, if you are, i can improve your character.

v) Give two characteristic traits, each with an example, of the common people in this scene.

Ans: The two characteristic traits of the common people in this scene are- they wear signs of their trade which helps in identifying them. They are fickle minded as they have gathered to celebrate Pompey's defeat. Similarly, the same way they had gathered to celebrate Pompey's victory earlier some time before.

3. Wherefore rejoice? what conquest brings he home? 

What tributaries follow him to Rome,

To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?

You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!

O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,

Knew you not Pompey?

i)Who speaks these lines? to whom are these words addressed? what type of rejoicing is referred to in the extract?

Ans: Marullus speaks these lines. These lines or words are addressed to the commoners at the street in Rome. They are rejoicing at Caesar's victory over the Pompey's sons.

ii) Who is 'he' referred to in the first line of the extract? what message does the speaker want to convey to is listeners through these questions?

Ans: "He" is referred to Julius Caesar. The people of Rome are fickle minded because one day they celebrated Pompey's victory and later they celebrated Pompey's defeat with the same fervour. The speaker wants to convey the message that they need to repent for their ingratitude.

iii)  What is the conquest referred to in the extract? why has the conqueror not brought any territory to Rome by his conquest?

Ans: The conquest is referred to Julius Caesar's Victory over Pompey's sons in the extract. It was a victory over a rival in the same county. Therefore, no territory was brought to Rome by this conquest.

iv) Give the meaning of: what tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels?

Ans: It means that no taxes or fines were paid by the losers, nor were there any prisoners tied with chains to the chariot of the conqueror. All marks of respect were given to the conqueror. 

v)Who are referred to as' the cruel men of Rome'? why are they called so?

Ans: the common people who had gathered to celebrate Julius Caesar's victory over Pompey's sons are referred as the cruel men of Rome. They are called so because they had celebrated Pompey's victory in the same way some time ago. 

4. Marullus:

    And when you saw his chariot but appear,

    have ........................................................... shout,

    that -----------------------------------------------------

    ------------------------------------------------------------

    That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood?

i) Whose chariot was seen? When? What did 'you' do on seeing the chariot?

Ans: Pompey chariot was seen. When Caesar returned victorious. By seeing the chariot, people of Rome cheered in a single voice that was so loud that the vibration could be felt at the river Tiber.

ii) What is meant by 'universal shout'? state in your own words what happened as a consequence of that shout.

Ans: 'universal shout' refers to a loud cheer made by people of Rome together. The consequence of the shout was so loud that the vibration of the shout could be felt at the river Tiber and it seemed the river trembled at the sound.

iii) What is meant by 'Pompey's blood'? Who comes now in triumph?P

Ans: 'Pompey's blood' means Pompey's sons whose blood has been shed. Julius Caesar now comes in triumph after defeating Pompey's sons.

iv) How do the people now prepare for the triumphal entry of the person?

Ans: The people have put their best clothes to see the triumphal entry of Julius Caesar. They have declared holiday. They celebrate the day as a festival, throwing flowers on the way of Julius Caesar's triumphal entry path.

v) What does the speaker want to achieve by his speech given in the extract?

Ans: The speaker wants to achieve by his speech is that he wants to make common man realize his/her thoughtless and fickleness and also wants them to repent for it.

5. Marullus:

    May we do so?

    you knokw it is the fest of Lupercal.

    Flavius:

    It is no matter; let no images

    -----------------------------------------

    ----------------------------------------

    And keep us all in servile fearfulness.

i) 'May we do so'? What was Marullus supposed to do/ Why?

Ans: Marullus was supposed to remove the decorations placed on the statues of Caesar to quell th celebrating mood of Romans at the triumph of Caesar's victory over Pompey's sons.

ii) What was the feast of Lupercal? How was the feast normally celebrated/

Ans: The feast of Luperca was the feast to honour Lupercus a god believed to be the protector of flocks and herds. On this day, young men ran through the city and touched spectators with leather straps. It was believed that if a barren woman was touched by them then she could be cured of her infertility.

iii) What is meant by 'trophies'? why does Flavius say that no images should be hung with Caesar's trophies?

Ans: 'Trophies' referred to the decorations on the statutes of Caesar which are the token of victories of Caesar. Flavius believes that suppressing people's mood for Caesar, it will be like pulling feathers from a falcon's wings; it will make him fly at  a normal height, instead of soaring out of sight to treat men like slaves.

iv) Who are the vulgar'? why are they so called?

Ans: 'Vulgar' are the common people. They are workers and artisans. They are called so because they are fickle minded. they celebrated Pompey's victory once and now Julius Caesar's victory over Pompey's sons. They needed to be dispersed before they crown Caesar as their king.

v) How does the scene reflect the changing fortunes of men in power and how does it indicate the behaviour of the common people in Rome?

Ans: The scene reflects the changing fortunes of men in power because it shows how quickly public opinion can be changed; that is the fickleness of the crowd. It also indicates that the behavour of the common people or Rome who are shown to be easily influenced by those who are in power and prone to change their mind set.

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