Julius Caesar
Act III Sc I
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. Caesar
But I Am Constant As The Northern Star,
Of Whose True-Fixd And Resting Quality
There Is No Fellow In The Firmament
The Skies Are Painted With Unnumberd 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 Furnishd Well With Men,
(a) What is the “Northern Star”? Give the meaning of: “Of Whose True-Fix’d And
Resting Quality/ There Is No Fellow In The Firmament.”
(b) Why does Caesar compare himself to the northern star? What is the occasion for such
a comparison?
(c) State the comparison made by Caesar between the firmament and the world of
men?
(d) Why is Caesar so stubborn in his attitude towards the conspirator? What purpose
does his stubbornness serve on the dramatic effectiveness?
(e) What horrible event is about to take place in a short time? Who was the first to
strike? Why is Antony absent from the scene? What could have happened if Antony
were to be present on the scene?
2. Pardon Me, Julius! Here wast thou bay’d, brave hart;
Here did’st thou fall; and here thy hunters stand.
Sign’d in thy spoil, and crimson’d in thy lethe.
O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,
And this, indeed, o world, the heart of thee.
How like a deer, strucken by many princes,
Dost thou here lie!
(a) Who speaks these words: “Here Wast Thou Bay’d?” What is the context implied in
the expression? To what custom of the hunters does it refer?
(b) Explain the double meaning intended in the expression, “brave hart.”
(c) Who are the hunters in the present crisis? Give the meaning of: “sign’d thy spoil, and
crimson’d in thy lethe.”
(d) In what way was the world, “the forest to this hart,” and “this indeed, world, the heart
of thee”?
(e) What does the speaker arouse Cassius’ suspicion ? What does cassius ask the speaker
as a result of the suspicion?
Choose the correct alternative among the following options:-
1. Who among the conspirators convinces Caesar to go to the Capitol in Act 3, Scene 1?
A) Cassius
B) Brutus
C) Casca
D) Decius Brutus
Answer: D) Decius Brutus
2. What does Artemidorus plan to do in Act 3, Scene 1?
A) Warn Caesar about the conspirators
B) Join the conspirators in their plot
C) Offer Caesar a gift
D) Lead Caesar to the Senate
Answer: A) Warn Caesar about the conspirators
3. Who is the first conspirator to stab Caesar?
A) Cassius
B) Brutus
C) Casca
D) Cinna
Answer: C) Casca
4. How does Caesar react when he sees the conspirators in Act 3, Scene 1?
A) He fights back fiercely.
B) He tries to escape.
C) He begs for mercy.
D) He resigns himself to his fate.
Answer: D) He resigns himself to his fate.
5. Who speaks the famous line "Et tu, Brute?" in Act 3, Scene 1?
A) Caesar
B) Cassius
C) Brutus
D) Cinna
Answer: A) Caesar
6. What reason does Brutus give for Caesar's assassination in his speech to the crowd in
Act 3, Scene 1?
A) Caesar was too ambitious.
B) Caesar was a tyrant.
C) Caesar would have destroyed Rome.
D) Caesar was unfit to rule.
Answer: A) Caesar was too ambitious.
7. How do the citizens of Rome initially react to Brutus's speech in Act 3, Scene 1?
A) They express their outrage and anger.
B) They applaud Brutus for his courage.
C) They remain silent, unsure of what to believe.
D) They vow to avenge Caesar's death.
Answer: B) They applaud Brutus for his courage.
8. What request does Antony make of the conspirators after Caesar's assassination?
A) To spare his life
B) To join them in ruling Rome
C) To let him speak at Caesar's funeral
D) To exile him from Rome
Answer: C) To let him speak at Caesar's funeral
9. What is the mood of the Roman citizens as Antony begins his funeral oration?
A) Joyful
B) Angry
C) Neutral
D) Fearful
Answer: B) Angry
10. What does Antony say he wants to do to Caesar's body during his funeral oration?
A) Bury it with honours
B) Burn it in a pyre
C) Mutilate it in anger
D) Leave it for the birds to eat
Answer: A) Bury it with honours
