Julius

Caesar
William Shakespeare

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 5 (For Class 10 – Act 5)

ANSWERS
Question 1
(i) (d) Antony
(ii) (a) “A peevish schoolboy”
(iii) (c) Scavenger birds replacing the eagles on the battle ensign
(iv) (a) Pindarus
(v) (a) Pindarus
(vi) (d) Sardis and Philippi

Question 2
(i) The tension between Antony and Octavius that had been simmering earlier emerge clearly
before the battle of Philippi. Antony had asked Octavius to move his contingent up a
hill on the left of the battlefield. Octavius had pointedly refused to agree with him and
stated that he would lead the right flank, leaving Antony with the left. When questioned
by Antony, Octavius had curtly declared that he did not mean to upset him but Octavius
would do what he saw fit, i.e., lead from the right.
(ii) Cassius reveals to Messala that despite his life-long faith in Epicurean philosophy
rationality and reason, he had developed new fears and apprehensions before the battle
of Philippi. Unhappy that Brutus had convinced everyone to gamble their fortunes in a
single battle, Cassius was fearful that they were heading towards failure and death. This
had made him interpret the abandoning of the eagles and the presence of crows, ravens,
and kites as an omen of their impending failure and demise at the hands of Octavius and
Antony. This conversation is an admission of weakness and doubt in Cassius, a conspirator
who had been always appeared to have faith in rational ideas.

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(iii) Brutus initially claimed that if the battle did not go in the favour of the conspirators, he
would not dare think of committing suicide since that would be a vile and cowardly act,
something he had condemned when others had done it. Brutus claimed he believed in
the sacredness of life. When Cassius asked if he would rather be paraded as a vanquished
enemy down the streets of Rome, Brutus rejected the possibility claiming that he had too
much dignity to allow himself to be subjected to that kind of indignity. This shows that
Brutus was quite uncertain of what he would do if the battle did not go in his favour.
(iv) Before the battle of Philippi, we find that tensions between Antony and Octavius had
escalated and they were at odds when it came to deciding who would lead which flank
on the battlefield. We have them contesting for the upper hand to prove their superiority
even before the battle. On the other hand, we find that Cassius had yielded to Brutus
and decided to follow Brutus’ decisions regarding their strategy. We do not find them
bickering since they had resolved their differences earlier in the play. Despite their
differences, Antony and Octavius maintain a united front when they confront Brutus and
Cassius before the battle. Their respective causes and motivations keep both the opposing
groups united, though Brutus and Cassius’ friendship and deep respect for each other
remains absent between Octavius and Antony.
(v) Brutus begins the verbal confrontation by mocking Antony and Octavius for choosing to
talk instead of fighting. When Octavius pointed out that conspirators as were interested
in talking as them, Brutus countered him by commenting on his inexperience in battle
and inability to use the sword well. Antony reminded them of the role they had played
in Caesar’s gruesome death and the flattering words the conspirators had used before
Caesar was attacked. The conspirators’ hypocrisy is criticised by Antony, whose words
are compared to the buzzing of bees by Cassius. Octavius, incensed by the conversation,
swore to avenge Caesar’s wounds, or die at the hands of those who had killed Caesar. This
confrontation is revelatory of the level of confidence both the parties harboured before the
battle. Both Antony and Octavius appeared as committed to the task of avenging Julius
Caesar, we find the conspirators, who had earlier run away from Rome, attempting to
stand their ground and not give up without a fight. Interestingly enough, Brutus accuses
Antony of being a traitor though he does not clearly indicate if Antony was being accused
of betraying Rome, or Brutus. No final attempts are made by either party to resolve their
differences without bloodshed which shows that the generals were more concerned about
their pride, honour and motivations (even ambitions), than the lives of the Roman soldiers
they were leading into battle.

Question 3
(i) Once Brutus had realised that he had lost the battle of Philippi, Brutus, despite his earlier
resolution against suicide, pivots towards ending his life instead of being taken captive. He
first approached Clitus to assist his attempt to commit suicide, but Clitus refused stating

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 he would rather kill himself than do it. Brutus then took Dardanius aside and made the
same request, only to be refused again. Brutus tried to explain his reasons to Volumnius
hoping he would acquiesce, but he does not agree. Then, by hurrying these three men
away to safety, Brutus took Strato aside, reminded him of his honour, and convinced him
to help him commit suicide by holding Brutus’ sword for him.
(ii) It is important to note that while Brutus was critical of Cato for committing suicide,
when he found himself surrounded by his enemies (Octavius and Antony), Brutus chose
the same fate over disgrace. He was disheartened by the death of Cassius and other
supporters, and felt gratitude that he had always been surrounded by people who were
loyal to him. He appeared contented since he believed he was dying with his honour and
dignity intact. We find Brutus reflecting upon Caesar, whose ghost had been haunting and
tormenting him, till his very last breath – indicating that he truly believed in the nobility
of the scheme to eliminate Caesar and rid Rome of oppression.
(iii) Antony, who had once made the commoners of Rome question the honour of Brutus
as well as the other conspirators, described him as the “noblest Roman of them all,”
indicating that Brutus was more honourable than all the men who had schemed against
Caesar. He characterised Brutus as a “gentle” person who was the only one committed
to the betterment of Rome through Caesar’s death, and not because he was jealous or
covetous. Brutus is placed on a pedestal by Antony who was convinced that Brutus was
an ideal man with commendable qualities. Octavius does not respond as elaborately but
he too admits that Brutus exhibited virtue. In order to preserve Brutus’ body from the
elements and scavengers, Octavius asks his body to be placed in Octavius’ tent – a sign of
respect.
(iv) Strato had followed Brutus’ instructions and held a sword and looked away, while Brutus
ran into it, thus committing suicide. Strato executed Brutus’ desire to kill himself since he
understood that Brutus wanted to retain his dignity. Strato believed that he had helped
Brutus free himself from bondage, so that the conquerors could not do much apart from
cremate Brutus’ body. While convinced that no individual could take pride in having killed
Brutus, Strato appeared proud in having helped Brutus “overcome himself ” through his act
of killing himself instead of surrendering.
(v) Glory on the battlefield is often one of the primary desires of people participating in
combat. It is associated with honour and nobility, as well as a sense of being victorious.
However, when Brutus mentions “glory” in these lines, he does so in the face of a terrible
loss on the battlefield and his imminent suicide. Brutus had fought on till the very end of
the battle, even after he had lost Cassius. Brutus calls Octavius and Antony’s victory “vile”
because he still believed in the nobility of the act of killing Julius Caesar in an attempt
to save Rome from tyranny. Brutus would have glory despite his loss since he felt he had
done justice to his cause and convictions for the good of the general public in Rome.

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In order to retain his honour and dignity, Brutus had chosen to die by his own sword
rather than surrendering to Antony and Octavius Caesar. Brutus believed he had glory
because he had lived by Roman ideals and code of honour, which made him better despite
his loss to those he believed were inferior traitors. The loss on the battlefield did not effect
the glory Brutus had achieved by remaining true to what he considered was his noble
cause as an honourable Roman.