Welcome to our blog post dedicated to dissecting Act 3, Scene 2 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 3, Scene 2, 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 3, Scene 2. 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 :
A large crowd follows Brutus and Cassius as they come to the Forum, Brutus tells the crowd that he loved Caesar and honoured his valour; but he loved Roman even more, and slew Caesar because he (Caesar) was ambitious and would have made slaves of them all. Mark Antony and others enter with Caesar’s body and Brutus urges the crowd to stay and listen to Antony’s funeral oration, Now the crowd turn to Antony, but in no friendly spirit. Antony meekly thanks them in the name of Brutus and goes up into the pulpit. Addressing the mob, Mark Antony declares that he has come to bury Caesar, not to praise him, and dispassionately states that, although Caesar had been his close friend, he had not been without faults. He has come to speak about Caesar whom he knew.
Brutus, he continues, has said Caesar was ambitious, and since Brutus and his friends are all honourable men, this must certainly have been true. Yet, Mark Antony continues—Caesar brought riches and honour to Rome, and when the poor cried, Caesar used to weep. Moreover, at the Feast of the Lupercalia, Caesar had thrice refused the crown which he offered him. Does that seem like ambition ?
The mob grows confused. They agree that there is much reason in what Antony says, and they note how deeply he is affected. Perhaps, after all, Brutus was wrong and Caesar was not so ambitious?
When Antony begins to talk again he has their full attention. Once again he says: he has no intention of wronging the conspirators since they are all honourable men. Nevertheless, he has found Caesar’s will, though he will not read it; yet he did, they would worship the dead man for the riches he has left them.
Naturally the crowd roars for the will. Antony says, no, he cannot read it; for if he told them their luck, there will be mutiny and bloodshed. They cry out the louder against Brutus and the others calling them traitors, villains, and murderers. Now Antony has the crowd in his hand. He comes down and they form a wide ring around the hearse. Antony lifts the bloody mantle of Caesar and shows it to them. He shows them the wounds made by Cassius, by Casca; and, worst and most deadly of all, by Brutus—the killer-wound under which Caesar fell.
The crowd is bent on revenge and starts to clamour for the death of the conspirators. Antony holds up Caesar’s will, shows them the seal, and reads out that Caesar has left seventy-five drachmas to each citizen and his private walks and gardens to be used as public parks. “Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?” This time there is no holding back the crowd. They are let loose to rage through Rome in search of the killers.
A servant arrives to give Antony the news that Octavius has come to Rome and has gone to Caesar’s house with Lepidus. Antony is pleased with these tidings and as he goes off to join them, the servant tells him that Brutus and Cassius “Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.”
Workbook MCQs :
1. After Brutus’ speech at Caesar’s funeral, what do the citizens of Rome offer to do?
(a) To take revenge on the murders
(b) To crown Brutus as king
(c) To figh for the freedom of Rome
(d) To crown Mark Antony as king
Answer :- (b) To crown Brutus as king
2. According to Antony, what would the ople of Rome do after
reading Caesar’s will?
(a) They will kiss Caesar’s wounds reverently
(b) They will avenge his murder
(c) They will start destruction in Rome
(d) They will crown his best friend as king
Answer :- (a) They will kiss Caesar’s wounds reverently
3. Whose blow was the most cruel to Caesar, according to Antony?
(a) Cassius’
(b) Brutus’
(c) Casca’s
(d) Decius’
Answer :- (b) Brutus’
4. How does Antony describe Caesar’s wounds?
(a) Meek creatures
(b) Unfortunate mouths
(c) Poor dumb mouths
(d) None of the above
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5. Brutus in his funeral speech appealed to
(a) the Roman citizens’ civic pride
(b) the Roman citizens vulnerability
(c) the Roman citizens self-respect
(d) the Roman citizens past
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6. Which of the following reasons did Brutus give for killing Caesar despite being his friend?
(a) He did not like his ways
(b) He loves his freedom more than anything
(c) He loved Rome more than Caesar
(d) None of the above
Answer :- (c) He loved Rome more than Caesar
7. For whom did Antony use the words ‘honourable men’ in the funeral speech for Caesar?
(a) All the conspirators
(b) All the people of Rome
(c) All those present there
(d) None of the above
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8. Who has been referred to by Mark Antony as ‘Caesar’s angel?
(a) Calpurnia
(b) Brutus
(c) Octavius
(d) None of the above
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9. Who said, “I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth…”?
(a) Brutus
(b) Cassius
(c) Caesar
(d) Antony
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Workbook Questions :
Question No: 1
Brutus
Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause;
and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for mine
honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may
believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your
senses, that you may the better judge.
(i) Where is Brutus? Whom does he request to be patient and on what occasion is this speech made? What was the purpose of the speech?
Answer :- Brutus is at the Forum in Rome, addressing the Roman citizens. He requests the crowd to be patient and listen to his explanation for Caesar’s assassination. This speech is made during Caesar’s funeral, where Brutus aims to justify the conspirators’ actions and convince the public that killing Caesar was necessary to protect Rome from tyranny. His purpose is to win the crowd’s support and maintain order in the aftermath of Caesar’s death.
(iII) “Hear me for my cause.” What was his cause? Were his motives genuine? How can you justify your answer?
Answer :- Brutus’ cause was to protect Rome from Caesar’s potential tyranny and preserve the Republic. His motives were genuine, as he truly believed that Caesar’s ambition posed a threat to Rome’s freedom. Brutus had no personal gain from the assassination; his actions were driven by his love for Rome and his sense of duty. However, his idealism blinded him to the political realities and the consequences of his actions.
(iV) What was the reaction of his listeners in the beginning as well as at the end the scene? How did the change in their attitude come about?
answer:- At the beginning, the crowd is agitated but willing to listen to Brutus, who convinces them that Caesar’s death was necessary for Rome’s freedom. They cheer for Brutus, shouting, “Live, Brutus! Live!” However, by the end of the scene, after Antony’s speech, the crowd becomes enraged and turns against the conspirators, rioting and demanding revenge. This change occurs because Antony skillfully manipulates the crowd’s emotions, using Caesar’s will and his wounds to incite anger and resentment.
(v) Give the meaning of: “Censure me in your wisdom.” Who passed censure on him? In what way has this changed the course of action in the Plays ?
Answer:- “Censure me in your wisdom” means “judge me with your intelligence.” The Roman citizens initially pass censure on Brutus, accepting his justification for Caesar’s death. However, after Antony’s speech, they turn against Brutus and the conspirators, leading to chaos and civil war. This shift in public opinion changes the course of action, as the conspirators are forced to flee Rome, and Antony gains power.
Question No: 2
Brutus
Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.
Do grace to Caesar’s corpse, and grace his speech
Tending to Caesar’s glories, which Mark Antony,
By our permission, is allow’d to make.
1 do entreat you, not a man depart,
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.
(Exit)
(i) Why does Brutus intend to “depart alone” Why are the listeners left behind? Which error of judgement made by Brutus is revealed by his instruction to the listeners?
Answer :- Brutus intends to “depart alone” because he believes he has convinced the crowd of the righteousness of his actions. He leaves the listeners behind to hear Antony’s speech, trusting that Antony will not incite the crowd against him. This reveals Brutus’ error in judgment, as he underestimates Antony’s oratorical skills and fails to foresee how Antony will turn the crowd against the conspirators.
(iII) What explanation had Brutus given in his speech for the murder of Caesar ? What was the reaction of his listeners?
Answer :- Brutus explained that Caesar’s ambition posed a threat to Rome’s freedom, and his death was necessary to protect the Republic. The listeners initially accepted his explanation, cheering for Brutus and expressing support for his actions. However, their reaction changes dramatically after Antony’s speech.
(iV) Who has given Antony permission to speak? Give any two conditions under which Antony is allowed to speak.
answer:- Brutus has given Antony permission to speak. The two conditions are:
1. Antony must speak after Brutus.
2. Antony must not blame the conspirators or incite the crowd against them.
(v) State which of Caesar’s glories would Antony refer to in his speech a little later. What does he want to achieve by his speech?
Answer:- Antony refers to Caesar’s military conquests, his generosity in filling Rome’s treasury, and his will, which leaves money to every Roman citizen. Antony aims to turn the crowd against the conspirators by highlighting Caesar’s virtues and the injustice of his murder. His speech incites the crowd to seek revenge, shifting public opinion in his favor.
Question No: 3
Antony
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious;
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it.
(i) As Antony ascends the platform to speak, what did the citizens feel and say about Caesar, Brutus and Antony?
Answer :- As Antony ascends the platform, the citizens are initially supportive of Brutus and critical of Caesar, whom they see as a tyrant. They are willing to listen to Antony only because Brutus has instructed them to do so. However, Antony’s speech gradually changes their perception, turning them against Brutus and the conspirators.
(iII) Which evil, which Caesar is said to have done, lives after him? Give examples of the good done by Caesar.
Answer :- The “evil” that lives after Caesar is his ambition, which the conspirators used to justify his murder. Examples of Caesar’s good deeds include his military victories, which brought wealth and glory to Rome, and his will, which left money to every Roman citizen. These actions show that Caesar was not solely driven by ambition but also cared for Rome’s welfare.
(iV) Why does Antony say “the noble Brutus”? Why does he use the expres “If it were so?” Why couldn’t he be frank in his remarks?
answer:- Antony says “the noble Brutus” to appear respectful and avoid antagonizing the conspirators. He uses the expression “If it were so” to subtly question Brutus’ claim that Caesar was ambitious without directly contradicting him. Antony cannot be frank because he fears the conspirators might harm him if he openly criticizes them.
(v) Why do you admire Antony at this juncture? State briefly how he dealt the crisis, he found himself in.
Answer:- Antony is admirable for his intelligence and oratorical skill. He navigates the crisis by carefully choosing his words to sway the crowd without directly attacking the conspirators. His ability to manipulate emotions and turn the public against Brutus demonstrates his strategic brilliance and leadership.
Question No: 4
Antony
Let but the commons hear this testament—
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar’s wounds,
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood,
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
(i) Which testament is referred to by Antony and who are referred to as “the commons”? Why does Antony not want to read the testament?
Answer :- The testament referred to is Caesar’s will, and “the commons” are the ordinary citizens of Rome. Antony does not want to read the will immediately because he knows its contents—Caesar’s generosity to the citizens—will inflame the crowd and incite them to rebellion.
(iI) Give the meaning of: Bequeathing it as a rich legacy/Unto their issue
(iII) Mention two of the purposes why the commons would dip their napkins in Caesar’s blood and beg a hair of his. Why is the blood of Caesar said to be sacred? (Refer to the speech of Brutus earlier, in which he indicates how Caesar should be murdered.)
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(iV) Besides the testament, which other item does Antony show later to the commons? How does that incite the commons?
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(v) State briefly how Antony cleverly played on the emotions of the common People and show how they reacted as he desired.
Answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question No: 5
Antony
I tell you that which you yourselves do know;
Show you sweet Caesar’s wounds, poor poor dumb mouths
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, ’
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar, that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.
(i) Why are the wounds referred to as “poor dumb mouths”? If Brutus Antony, what would have happened in every wound of Caesar?
Answer :- The wounds are called “poor dumb mouths” because they cannot speak to express the pain and betrayal Caesar suffered. If Brutus were Antony, he would have used his oratory skills to make the wounds “speak,” inciting the crowd to rebellion by emphasizing the brutality of Caesar’s murder.
(iI) What does Antony indirectly say to indicate that there should be a Mutiny ? Bring out the irony in his words in the extract.
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(iII) At the end, how does the mob leave the scene? What do they plan to do? What does Antony, being satisfied, say after the departure of the mob?
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(iV) Where does Antony go at the end of the scene? Whom does he join there ? What happens to Brutus and Cassius?
answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(v) Mention, with examples, any three of the tactics used by Antony to make the common people slaves of passion and resentment.
Answer:- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
