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.
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 :- (d) Caesar
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 :- (a) He equates it with Caesar.
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 finds himself in a dark street in Rome during the passage, likely amidst the storm described. He appears to be deeply unsettled, even distressed, as evident from his vivid description of the storm’s intensity and its effects. Addressing Cicero, Casca expresses his state of agitation.
(III) What are the “scolding winds”? What did they do?
Answer :- The term “scolding winds” refers to strong, harsh winds that angrily lash out. These winds have forcefully torn apart the sturdy, twisted trunks of oak trees, demonstrating their ferocity and destructive power.
(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:- Witnessing a tempest dropping fire, an unprecedented phenomenon, deeply unsettles Casca. He interprets this extraordinary event as a portent of impending disaster or calamity. Consequently, he concludes that these calamities signify ominous warnings of impending doom or catastrophe.
(v) What is the next day supposed to be? Why will it be a fatal day? Who had warned about that day?
Answer:- The following day holds significant anticipation, likely because Caesar is expected to visit the Capitol. This day is deemed ominous because many, including Casca and his associates, believe that Caesar will be offered the crown and will ascend to kingship. This eventuality is viewed as highly detrimental to Rome’s well-being. The warning about the impending day likely arises from various omens and portents observed during the storm, coupled with rumors and predictions circulating among the populace.
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 witnessed a remarkable sight where a common slave held up his left hand, which appeared to be engulfed in flames, burning brightly like twenty torches joined together. Despite the intense flames, the slave’s hand remained unharmed, showing no signs of being scorched or affected by the fire.
(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 that these unnatural events are warnings from the gods, signaling impending doom or disaster. Cassius uses Casca’s belief to persuade him to join the conspirators against Caesar, suggesting that the gods are unhappy with Caesar’s rise to power and that they must act to prevent further harm to Rome.
(iV) In what way is Casca’s belief a contrast to the one expressed by Cicero about these events?
answer:- Casca’s belief in the supernatural warnings contrasts with Cicero’s dismissive attitude towards them. While Casca sees the events as ominous signs of divine displeasure, Cicero views them as mere natural occurrences that hold no deeper significance. This contrast highlights the differing perspectives on superstition and rationality among the characters.
(v) What impact do these strange things have on Caesar, as well as on the audience?
Answer:- These strange events have a profound impact on both Caesar and the audience. Caesar, though initially dismissive of Casca’s concerns, becomes increasingly wary and superstitious as the omens continue to unfold. The audience, too, is left unsettled and apprehensive, sensing that these portents foreshadow significant upheaval and tragedy in Rome’s future.
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 :- Cassius refers to the plan of crowning Caesar as king, which is scheduled for the following day. He implies that he will use the dagger to prevent Caesar’s ascent to kingship by assassinating him. Cassius attempts to thwart this plan by rallying a group of conspirators to assassinate Caesar, thereby freeing Rome from what he perceives as Caesar’s tyranny.
(iII) Give the meaning of the following :
Answer :- (a) “Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius” means that Cassius intends to free himself from the bondage of tyranny by taking action against Caesar. He sees Caesar’s rule as a form of bondage and aims to liberate himself by resisting Caesar’s power.
(b) “Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat” suggests that the gods empower individuals like Cassius to resist tyranny and oppressors. Cassius believes that the strength of spirit bestowed by the gods can overcome even the most formidable obstacles to freedom and justice.
(iV) What does Cassius say about the “strength of the spirit” in the extract?
answer:- In the extract, Cassius expresses his belief in the indomitable strength of the human spirit. He asserts that no physical barriers, such as stony towers, walls, dungeons, or iron chains, can confine or suppress the strength of one’s spirit when determined to resist tyranny and oppression.
(v) How does Cassius show in the extract that he is a zealous lover of freedom and democracy?
Answer:- Cassius demonstrates his fervent commitment to freedom and democracy by expressing his willingness to sacrifice his own life to prevent Caesar from becoming a tyrant. He sees Caesar’s rise to power as a threat to the principles of democracy and individual liberty, and he is determined to defend these ideals by any means necessary, even if it means risking his own life in the process.
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 :- The “poor man” referred to is Caesar. Cassius suggests that Caesar would not have become a tyrant if he didn’t perceive the Romans as weak and submissive. He likens Caesar’s behavior to that of a wolf preying on sheep or a lion dominating over hinds (female deer). Essentially, Cassius believes that Caesar’s tyranny stems from the passivity and submissiveness of the Roman populace.
(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
