Welcome to our blog post dedicated to dissecting Act 1, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Julius Caesar. As avid learners and educators, we understand the importance of grasping the nuances of Shakespearean literature, and that’s why we’ve curated this comprehensive guide specifically tailored to the ICSE curriculum.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the depths of Act 1, Scene 3, utilizing the meticulously crafted workbook provided by Morning Star publishers. Our aim is to not only provide you with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and long-form answers but also to empower you with a deeper understanding of the themes, characters, and language intricacies within this iconic play.
It’s important to note that while we offer structured responses based on the workbook, we encourage students to use this resource as a foundation for their own exploration. Shakespeare’s works are renowned for their richness and versatility, allowing ample room for interpretation and analysis. Therefore, feel free to adapt and modify our insights to suit your individual learning style and requirements.
So, whether you’re a student looking to ace your exams or a literature enthusiast eager to unravel the mysteries of Julius Caesar, join us on this enlightening journey through Act 1, Scene 3. Let’s embark on an adventure where words transcend time, and the legacy of Shakespeare continues to captivate minds across generations.
( Updated For ICSE 2026 Session )
Table of Contents
Workbook Summary :
The Storm: With Cassius’ final words foreseeing the possibility of “worse days”still echoing in the minds of the audience, this scene opens with thunder and lightning. Casca enters a dark street in Rome and reveals to Cicero that he has witnessed a number of unnatural events earlier in the night. Casca is greatly Agitated by the storm and the portents accompanying it. He tells Cicero that he fears, the gods are bent on destroying the world. Among the horrible things Casca has seen during the storm are a slave with burning arms who remained unscorched, a rampant lion near the Capitol, and owls hooting and shrieking atmidday in the marketplace. Cicero makes light of these happenings, but, before going off, asks whether Caesar is going to the Capitol the next morning. Casca confirms that Caesar has sent word “he would be there tomorrow.”
Arrival of Cassius: Cassius joins Casca and says that he is not afraid of the storm. He has gone about baring his chest to the elements. Casca is surprised at such daring; but to Cassius, the storm is nothing more than a sign of fear and warning unto some monstrous evil. Thus, Cassius brings the conversation around to Caesar: the raging elements give warning to Rome that it has allowed one man to become too powerful. Casca expresses the belief that the Dictator is again to be offered the crown on the morrow by the senators and that thereafter Caesar will rule as king over the whole Roman Empire. If that were to happen, Cassius says, it would be the signal for him to take his own life — “Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius”. He regrets that the people of Rome have become willing slaves to Caesar’s ambitions and have neither the strength nor the pride to deal with such a vile monster. Casca expresses agreement with these sentiments and is enrolled in the conspiracy. Cassius tells him that various other noble-minded citizens have already joined the ‘honourable-dangerous’ enterprise. They are to meet that night at Pompey’s porch.
Arrival of Cinna: The two men are joined by Cinna, who is given various papers which he is to leave in prominent spots (the praetor’s chair, on ‘old Brutus’ statue’) where Brutus will find them. Cinna goes off on this task, promising to join them later in Pompeys porch. Cassius tells Casca that Brutus is nearly won over to their cause, and that before the night is out he intends to make certain of Brutus’ support. Casca is pleased, and he agrees that Brutus would be invaluable to them.
Workbook MCQs :
1. How does Casca interpret the nature’s fury of a storm showering fire?
(a) An attempt to punish Caesar
(b) God’s rage with insolent world below
(c) A sign of something strange likely to happen
(d) None of the above
Answer :- (b) God’s rage with insolent world below
2. What is meant by ‘prodigies’ in this scene?
(a) Unnatural events
(b) Storms
(c) Fire
(d) Accidents
Answer :- (a) Unnatural events
3. Who, according to Cassius, is a source of as much fear as the strange outbreaks of nature?
(a) Antony
(b) Brutus
(c) Casca
(d) Caesar
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
4. What would Cassius do if Caesar would be crowned as the king?
(a) Leave Rome forever
(b) Start a rebellion against him
(c) Would never go to the Senate
(d) Stab himself with a dagger
Answer :- (d) Stab himself with a dagger
5. According to Cassius, Caesar would not have become a ruthless dictator if_____________
(a) Romans were not on the streets to welcome him.
(b) his powers had been curbed earlier.
(c) Romans were not so submissive.
(d) None of the above.
Answer :- (c) Romans were not so submissive.
6. How does Cassius interpret the storm in this scene?
(a) He equates it with Caesar.
(b) He equates with his inner turmoil
(c) He contrasts it with his peaceful inner self
(d) None of the above.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
7. How would Cassius deliver Cassius from bondage?
(a) By running away from Rome
(b) By inciting himself to rebel
(c) By provoking Brutus to rebel
(d) By committing suicide
Answer :- (d) By committing suicide
8. In what condition is Casca in a state of servitude, according to Cassius?
(a) Cheerful
(b) Fearful
(c) Remorseful
(d) None of the above.
Answer :- (a) Cheerful
9. For whom does Casca say that “he sits high in all the people’s hearts” ?
(a) Antony
(b) Brutus
(c) Caesar
(d) Cassius
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
10. How would Brutus’ joining the conspirators change their crime?
(a) It will give them moral support
(b) It will make their group strong
(c) It will convert their crime into a noble act
(d) None of the above
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
11. What was the effect of the storm on Cassius in this scene?
(a) It filled him with boldness to become master of his fate
(b) It subdued his confidence and made him restless
(c) It made him overconfident to carry out his conspiracy
(d) None of the above.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Workbook Questions :
Question No: 1
Casca
Are not you mov’d, when all the sway of earth
Shakes like a thing unfirm? O Cicero,
1 have seen tempests, when the scolding winds
Have rivd the knotty oaks; and I have seen
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,
To be exalted with the threatening clouds:
But never till tonight, never 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?
Answer :- Casca is on a street in Rome. He arrives breathless and visibly shaken, having witnessed strange and terrifying events. He is speaking to Cicero, sharing his astonishment and fear about the unnatural occurrences he has just experienced.
(III) What are the “scolding winds”? What did they do?
Answer :- The “scolding winds” refer to the harsh and violent winds of the storm. These winds were so powerful that they tore apart strong oak trees and caused the ocean to rise dramatically, creating a scene of chaos and destruction.
(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?
answer:- Casca saw a slave’s hand on fire, yet it remained unburnt. He concludes that these unnatural events are omens foretelling a great calamity, suggesting that something terrible is about to happen in Rome.
(v) What is the next day supposed to be? Why will it be a fatal day? Who had warned about that day?
Answer:- The next day is the Ides of March, when the Senate plans to crown Caesar as king. It will be a fatal day because it is the day Caesar will be assassinated. The soothsayer had previously warned Caesar to “beware the Ides of March.”
Question No: 2
Cicero
Why, saw you any thing 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 join’d; and yet his hand,
Not sensible of fire, remain’d unscorch’d.
(i) Narrate in your own words the “wonderful” sight seen by Casca as given in the extract.
Answer :- Casca describes seeing a common slave holding up his left hand, which was burning brightly like twenty torches combined. Despite the flames, the slave’s hand remained unharmed and unburnt, which Casca finds both astonishing and terrifying.
(iII) What does Casca believe about the unnatural events? How is his belief use by Cassius to make him join the conspirators?
Answer :- Casca believes the unnatural events are omens sent by the gods, warning of impending doom. Cassius uses this belief to convince Casca that Caesar’s ambition is the cause of these disturbances, urging him to join the conspiracy to restore balance and prevent disaster.
(iV) In what way is Casca’s belief a contrast to the one expressed by Cicero about these events?
answer:- Casca sees the storm and strange events as divine warnings, while Cicero remains skeptical, viewing them as mere natural phenomena. Cicero’s calm and rational approach contrasts with Casca’s superstitious and fearful interpretation.
(v) What impact do these strange things have on Caesar, as well as on the audience?
Answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question No: 3
Cassius
I know where | will wear this dagger, then;
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius:
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong;
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat:
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit;
(i) What were a group of people planning on the following day, which makes Cassius say that he would “wear this dagger, then”? How does Cassius try to prevent that plan from being put into operation?
Answer :- The Senate planned to crown Caesar as king the next day. Cassius vows to use his dagger to kill himself rather than live under Caesar’s tyranny. To prevent this, he plans to assassinate Caesar and convinces others, including Brutus, to join the conspiracy.
(iII) Give the meaning of the following :
(a) Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.
Answer :- (a) It means Cassius will free himself from slavery or tyranny by committing suicide if necessary.
(b) Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.
Answer :- (b) It means the gods allow men to defeat tyrants by giving them the strength to resist or end oppression, even through self-sacrifice.
(iV) What does Cassius say about the “strength of the spirit” in the extract?
answer:- Cassius declares that no physical barriers, such as towers, walls, dungeons, or chains, can imprison a determined spirit. He emphasizes the power of inner strength and resolve to overcome oppression
(v) How does Cassius show in the extract that he is a zealous lover of freedom and democracy?
Answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question No: 4
Cassius
And why should Caesar be a tyrant, then?
Poor man! | know he would not be a wolf
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep;
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
Begin it with weak straws; what trash is Rome,
What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves
For the base matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar!
(i) Who is referred to as a “poor man”? On what condition he would not have been a wolf or a lion?
Answer :- Caesar is referred to as a “poor man.” Cassius argues that Caesar would not have become a tyrant (a wolf or lion) if the Romans had not allowed themselves to become submissive and weak (like sheep or deer).
(iII) Does Cassius blame Caesar or Rome? Give three reasons given by him for the greatness of Caesar at this time.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(iV) What does Casca extend to Cassius as a sign of fellowship? What does he say he is willing to do?
answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(v) What appointment must Cassius and Casca keep later that night? Where will these friends meet? What will be the purpose of their meeting?
Answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question No: 5
Cinna
I am glad ont. What a fearful night is this!
There’s two or three of us have seen strange sights.
Cassius
Am I not stay’d for? Tell me.
Cinna
Yes, you are. O Cassius, if you could
But win the noble Brutus to our party—
Cassius
Be you content: Good Cinna, take this paper. . .
(i) Where are Cinna and Cassius at this juncture? Who else was with them? Why?
Answer :- Cinna and Cassius are in a dark street in Rome, and they are joined by another conspirator, possibly Casca or another member of the conspiracy. They are discussing their plan to involve Brutus in their plot against Caesar.
(iII) Earlier in this scene, which other person describes the “fearful night ? Mention two “strange sights” this person had seen.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(iV) Explain “stay’d for”. Point out clearly why Cassius asks the question; “Am I not stay’d for “?
answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(v) Why was Cinna eager for Brutus to join their party? What does Cassius have in mind when he says, “Be you content”? What does he now instruct Cinna to do in connection with Brutus?
Answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
