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SWS QUESTION BANK FOR ICSE 10 ENGLISH LITERATURE

JULIUS CAESAR ACT 4 SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Every Question is for 16 marks (first four question for 3 marks

each and the last question for 4 marks)

Question 1.

Antony : These many, then, shall die; their names are pricked.
Octavius : Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidus?
Lepidus : I do consent -
Octavius : Prick him down, Antony.
Lepidus : Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your
sister's son, Mark Antony.
Antony : He shall not live.

1. What are three men doing? Tell one aspect that the
conversation tells us about them? (3)

Answer : The three men are drawing up a list of people who they
wish to eliminate as they feel they would be a threat to their
alliance. This is called the proscription list, which includes their
political enemies and even family members. This is part of their
mission to consolidate power after Caesar's assassination and reveals
their cold and calculating approach to securing control over Rome.

The conversation shows that they are ruthless and do not shy away
from striking deals. For example, when Octavius says that Lepidus'
brother's name should be on the list, Lepidus agrees on condition
that Publius, who is Antony's sister's son too, must die.

2. How does the conversation between the three men reflect the
power dynamic in the play? (3) (Important Question)

Answer : The conversation between Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus

reveals the shifting power dynamics among the new triumvirate.
Antony by virtue of having been closest to Julius Caesar establishes
himself as the most powerful figure in this trio. He dismisses Lepidus
as a "slight unmeritable man," showing his disdain for Lepidus and
treating him as a disposable tool. Antony's manipulation is evident
when he suggests using Lepidus and later discarding him, comparing
him to a horse that needs to be "trained." This shows that Antony is
not only power-hungry but also calculating in how he uses others to
maintain and expand his influence.

Lepidus is portrayed as the weakest member of the trio. Antony’s

contempt for him by sending him on errands, shows Lepidus' lack of
power. The equation with Octavius is, however, slightly different
because he defends Lepidus calling him ``a tried and valiant
soldier''. This shows Octavius's pragmatism and foreshadows future
disagreements between him and Antony. While Octavius does not
openly challenge Antony, his defence of Lepidus suggests that he
does not fully share Antony’s dismissive attitude.

3. What errand does Antony send Lepidus on? What is Antony's

motivation in doing so and how is it important in the context of
what happened before? (3)

Answer : Antony sends Lepidus to fetch Julius Caesar's will. Antony

wishes to ``cut off some charge in the legacies'' which means to
make some changes in the will left behind by Caesar in order to
reduce some of the payments to be made to the people of Rome. It
is important because the revelation of the contents of Caesar's will
by Antony during his funeral speech played a significant part in
changing the minds of the agitated Romans away from the
conspirators. The will had promised 75 drachmas to every citizen
besides allowing access to the public gardens and Antony's plan to
reduce the amount would amount to playing a fraud on the people.

4. Does Octavius agree with Antony's opinion about Lepidus? What

does it tell us about Octavius? (3)

Answer : No, Octavius does not fully agree with Antony's harsh
opinion of Lepidus. While Antony dismisses Lepidus as a "slight
unmeritable man" who is only fit to run errands, Octavius defends
him, calling him ``a tried and valiant soldier." This suggests that
Octavius respects Lepidus’s past contributions and values his military
experience, even if he does not outright challenge Antony’s plan to
use and discard him.

Octavius’s disagreement with Antony reveals his ability to speak his

mind. While Antony views Lepidus purely as a tool, Octavius
acknowledges his practical value, especially as a soldier. This
reflects Octavius’s honest approach to leadership, contrasting with
Antony’s more ruthless and manipulative nature. At the same time,
Octavius does not directly confront Antony over his dismissal of
Lepidus, but his defence of him indicates that Octavius is not
entirely aligned with Antony’s views. But right now, Octavius is
measured because he realises the alliance is necessary to regain
control of Rome.

5. Antony's opinion of Lepidus is an example of the theme of

manipulation in the play. Comment. (4)

Answer : Antony's opinion of Lepidus highlights the theme of

manipulation, which is prevalent throughout the play. Antony views
Lepidus as a mere tool to be used and discarded, referring to him as
“a slight unmeritable man, / Meet to be sent on errands.” Antony's
dismissive attitude reveals his ability to manipulate people for his
own political gain, seeing Lepidus as a pawn in the power struggles
of Rome.

Antony says that he is including Lepidus in the conversation to draw

up the proscription list and ``lay these honours'' on him only in order
to rid himself and Octavius of the burden of the wrongs they are
going to commit. He thinks of him as nothing more than an ``ass''
who bears gold and once he has brought the treasure, he would be
dismissed like an empty donkey. This again shows a cunning and
manipulative side to Antony.

He also compares Lepidus to his horse, saying, “He must be taught

and trained and bid go forth.” This comparison reflects Antony's
belief that Lepidus lacks independent thought and judgment, making
him easily controllable. Thus Antony’s use of animal imagery
suggests that he sees people as resources to be exploited rather than
respected as equals.

Question 2.

Lucilius : With courtesy and with respect enough;

But not with such familiar instances,
Nor with such free and friendly conference,
As he hath used of old.
1. Who is Lucilius? Who does he speak about and to who?

Answer : Lucilius is an officer and soldier in the army led by Brutus.

He speaks these lines to Brutus about Cassius who he has just met
and he is reporting what he saw back to his master.

2. In what way does Lucilius suggest that the person he is talking

about has changed?

Answer : Lucilius suggests that Cassius has changed by indicating that

Cassius’s behavior towards him was more distant and formal. When
Brutus asks Lucilius how Cassius received him, he replies, “With
courtesy and with respect enough, / But not with such familiar
instances / Nor with such free and friendly conference / As he hath
used of old.”

This response implies that Cassius, once warm and familiar in his
dealings, has become more reserved and formal. Lucilius notes that
although Cassius still treats him with respect, he no longer interacts
in the same open and friendly manner. This change in behavior
prepares the audience for the fact that some trouble is brewing in
the Brutus-Cassius camp. This shift in Cassius's behavior hints at the
strain on their alliance and foreshadows the growing discord between
Cassius and Brutus, highlighting the theme of conflict among friends
and allies within the play.

3. What is the reason we learn later because of which the said

person has changed?

Answer : Later in the play in Act 4 Scene 3, we learn that Cassius is

aggrieved by accusations of corruption leveled against him by Brutus
who has accused him of accepting bribes and pleading on behalf of a
corrupt person, Lucius Pella. Brutus had reported and condemned
Pella for taking bribes from the Sardians and further disregarded the
letters that Cassius wrote on his behalf. Brutus further accuses
Cassius of selling his offices for gold to undeserving people, a charge
that hurts Cassius personally. Due to this, Cassius adopted a rather
cold demeanour towards Brutus' messenger, Lucilius when the latter
came to meet him.

4. How does the person to whom Lucilius is reporting to, react?

Answer : Brutus reacts rather impassionately to the manner in which
Cassius reacted to Lucilius. He tells Lucilius that he had described a
once-close friend who is now distant. He tells him that when love
begins to fade and wither, it uses forced politeness. Taking a
subtle dig at Cassius and calling him insincere, Brutus says that
``hollow men'', like horses that are eager at first, make a
``gallant'' show of their courage. But when they face a tough
challenge, they lose their confidence and like worthless horses,
fail in the test.

5. Cassius says ``this sober form of yours'' hides wrongs. What

does he mean? How does Brutus react?

Answer : When Cassius says "this sober form of yours", he is accusing

Brutus of hiding his wrongdoings behind an outward appearance of
calmness, virtue, and seriousness. Cassius believes that Brutus, by
maintaining his composed and morally righteous demeanor, conceals
the wrongs he commits or the harm he causes, particularly in how he
has treated Cassius.

Cassius is frustrated that Brutus, despite his outward display of

integrity, has wronged him by accusing him of corruption and
criticizing him for minor issues. Cassius feels that Brutus is using his
"sober" or serious nature as a shield to justify his actions, making it
difficult for others to question him. So Cassius is pointing out the
contradiction between Brutus’s outward appearance of moral
superiority and what he sees as unjust behavior toward him.

Brutus reacts by asking Cassius to calm down and speak his ``griefs
softly''. He counsels him not to argue in front of their armies and
instead show only love. He then asks the commanders to move their
troops a little distance away so that Cassius can talk to him about his
concerns.

Question 3. (ICSE Specimen Paper 2025)

Brutus : I did send to you

For certain sums of gold, which you denied me;
For I can raise no money by vile means:
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart,
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection
1. To whom are these words addressed? Why is Brutus angry with
this person?

Answer : These words are addressed to Cassius. Brutus is angry with

him because Cassius refused to send him gold when he requested for
it in order to pay his soldiers.

2. How does this person feel when he hears all the accusations
hurled at him by Brutus? What does he say to defend himself?

Answer : When Brutus accuses Cassius of denying him gold after

having criticised the idea of raising money by corrupt means, Cassius
feels deeply hurt and wronged by the accusation. He is both shocked
and insulted by Brutus’s suggestion that he would engage in such
dishonorable behavior, especially after all they have done together
as political allies. Cassius is frustrated that Brutus assumes the worst
of him and accuses him of being corrupt without understanding his
intentions or giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Cassius defends himself passionately. He responds by saying, “I

denied you not,” insisting that he never refused Brutus's request for
gold. He feels misrepresented and expresses his hurt by emphasizing
his loyalty and the extent of his friendship with Brutus. He accuses
Brutus of being unjust and of treating him poorly.

Cassius’ emotional response shows how deeply wounded he is by

Brutus’s accusations. He denies having an "itching palm" and tries to
remind Brutus of their bond, while also suggesting that if anyone else
had accused him of this, they would not have survived the insult.
Cassius even goes as far as to offer his own life to prove his
innocence, saying Brutus should kill him if he truly believes in his
dishonor:

3. Why did Brutus need `certain sums of gold'? Why was he unable
to raise these sums of money?

Answer : Brutus needed "certain sums of gold" to pay his soldiers and
fund the army in their ongoing war against the forces of Antony and
Octavius. As they prepared for the looming battle, ensuring that
their soldiers were well-equipped, paid, and motivated was critical
for maintaining the strength and loyalty of their army.
Brutus was unable to raise the money himself because he refused to
obtain funds through corrupt or dishonorable means. He prided
himself on his moral integrity which prevented him from exploiting
the people or engaging in bribery or other unethical practices to
gather resources. As he says in these lines, he has disdain for using
"vile means" to gather money or extorting money from the "hard
hands of peasants". His commitment to maintaining his honor, even
in desperate times, highlights one of the key traits of his
character. However, this moral rigidity also creates tension with
Cassius, who has been more pragmatic in securing resources, possibly
through more questionable means, leading to Brutus’s frustration
when he feels denied the necessary funds.

4. Earlier in this scene, Brutus refers to Lucius Pella. What had he

been accused of? Who had supported him and how?

Answer : Earlier in the scene, Brutus had referred to Lucius Pella,

who had been accused of accepting bribes and engaging in corrupt
practices. Specifically, Pella was charged with taking bribes from the
people of Sardis, which Brutus finds unacceptable.

Cassius had supported Lucius Pella and defended him against these
accusations. He had written letters on Pella’s behalf to exonerate
him and asked Brutus to overlook his transgressions. However,
Brutus, being an idealist who values honor and integrity, refused to
excuse such behavior, even for the sake of their cause. He chastises
Cassius for trying to protect Pella and implies that Cassius’s leniency
is part of the broader problem of corruption. This disagreement
highlights the growing rift between Brutus and Cassius. Brutus stands
firm on his principles, while Cassius is more willing to compromise
for political expediency.

5. Mention any two aspects of Brutus' character that are revealed

in the above extract. What do you understand about the
relationship between Brutus and the person he addresses?

Answer : It is obvious from the above extract that Brutus is

unwavering in his commitment to honor and integrity. He expresses
disgust at the idea of raising money through corrupt means, stating
that he would rather "coin [his] heart" and "drop [his] blood for
drachmas" than engage in dishonesty. This reflects his moral rigidity
and idealism. For Brutus, the cause they are fighting for — the
defence of the Roman Republic — must be pursued with honor, even
if it means financial difficulties. His strong ethical code often puts
him at odds with the more pragmatic and politically savvy Cassius,
who is willing to compromise to secure resources for their army.

Alongside his integrity, Brutus shows a stubborn side bordering on

self-righteousness. His refusal to tolerate any form of corruption,
even when it could benefit their cause, suggests that Brutus
prioritizes his principles over practical concerns. This
uncompromising stance can make him difficult to work with, as seen
in his conflict with Cassius over Lucius Pella’s corruption.

This scene showcases the fissures in the relationship between Brutus

and Cassius. Although they were once close allies in the conspiracy
against Caesar, their differences in values are beginning to surface.
Brutus’s high moral standards and Cassius’s more flexible approach
create tension between them. While there is still mutual respect,
Brutus’s criticism of Cassius’s defense of Lucius Pella and his
rejection of corrupt practices highlight the growing rift. Though they
subsequently make up, the scene demonstrates that their friendship
is under strain.

Question 4.

Cassius : Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for I know,

When thou didst at Caesar; for, I know,
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.

1. Who does Cassius say these lines to? What is Cassius' state of
mind when he says this? What is the meaning of `strike, as thou
didst at Caesar'? (3)

Answer : Cassius says these lines to Brutus. Cassius is agitated and

anguished when he says these lines because he and Brutus are having
a fierce confrontation over issues of money and propriety. `Strike'
here refers to the act of stabbing Caesar on the Ides of March by
Brutus.

2. What does Cassius offer before saying these lines? Why? (3)
Answer : Before saying these lines, Cassius offers his own life to
Brutus in an emotional outburst. He offers his dagger to Brutus and
reveals his naked breast and asks him to take out his heart. This
offer comes after a heated argument between the two, where
Cassius feels deeply betrayed by Brutus, who has accused him of
dishonesty and corruption and pleading the cause of a dishonest
Lucius Pella.

Cassius offers his life because he is overwhelmed with the belief that
Brutus no longer values or trusts him as a friend and ally. Cassius is
deeply hurt by the accusation of being greedy or unprincipled, and
this emotional plea reflects his feeling of rejection and despair. He
suggests that if Brutus truly thinks so little of him, he should just end
his life. Cassius feels that if Brutus cannot forgive him, there is no
point in continuing to live. So these lines are to convey the sense of
deep emotional hurt.
3. How does the other person respond to Cassius' offer? (3)

Answer : Brutus tells Cassius to put away his dagger. He tells him he
is free to be angry and that Brutus would take his insults as just
the product of his bad mood. He tells Cassius that he is ``yoked''
with a quiet lamb. In other words, Brutus tries to calm down an
emotional Cassius by conveying to him that he has no intentions
of making use of the dagger to kill Cassius.

4. How do the two persons in this passage make up after the

fierce confrontation? (3)

Answer : After the fierce confrontation between Brutus and Cassius,

they make up in a way that reflects both the strength and fragility of
their bond. After Brutus rejects Cassius' offer to stab his bosom with
a dagger, their reconciliation begins. Brutus, seeing that their
quarrel is threatening their unity and the success of their cause,
adopts a more measured approach. He admits that he may have
acted harshly in his criticism of Cassius, recognizing that both of
them have endured significant stress and personal losses. He
apologizes for any offense he may have caused.

Cassius is softened by Brutus’ words and accepts his apology, and

they both come to understand that their loyalty to the cause is
greater than their disagreements. They shake hands to reconcile
which symbolizes their renewed commitment to their cause and to
one another.

5. What does this passage tell us about Cassius' feelings of

insecurity about Brutus and Caesar? (4)

Answer : This passage makes it apparent that Cassius feels that

Brutus’ attachment to him is less deep than his bond with Julius
Caesar even though Brutus hated Caesar. So Cassius resents being a
poor second in Brutus' life. Cassius perceives this as a personal
betrayal. This insecurity is worsened by the tension between them,
where Brutus seems to criticize corrupt conduct by Cassius, further
deepening Cassius’s sense of being undervalued and unappreciated.

Cassius' feelings of insecurity are also rooted in his not so smooth

relationship with Caesar. In the earlier part of the play, Cassius has
been envious of Caesar's power and status, and he has resented the
idea that Caesar is seen as superior. Even though they conspired
together to kill Caesar, Cassius never seems to fully shake the idea
that Caesar had a stronger, more revered position in Brutus's heart
and mind. So this passage reflects Cassius’ fear of being
overshadowed by Caesar's memory as far as Brutus is concerned.

Question 5.

Brutus : Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.

Now I have taken heart thou vanishest:
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.

1. Who is Brutus speaking to? Where is he while he utters these

words? Who is with him?

Answer : Brutus is speaking to the ghost of Julius Caesar. He is inside

his tent on the battlefield at night while he utters these words. The
others who are with him like Lucius, Varro, Claudius are all asleep
when he sees the vision of the ghost.

2. What is Brutus responding to? What does he feel?

Answer : Brutus is responding to the ghost of Caesar who describes

itself as ``thy evil spirit'' to Brutus. The ghost tells him that he
would see him at Philippi. When he sees the ghost, Brutus feels as if
it is the weakness of his eyes that ``shapes this monstrous
apparition''. He feels it is coming towards him and he asks the ghost
if it is a God, or an angel or a devil that makes his blood cold and
hair to stand on end.

3. What is due to happen at Philippi? Explain ``Now I have taken

heart, thou vanishest''?

Answer : The two armies led by Brutus and Cassius on one side and
Antony and Octavius on the other, are to fight on the battlefield of
Philippi the next day. Brutus means that just as the ghost vanished,
he had found the courage to speak to it. He calls it an ``ill spirit''
that means an evil spirit to which he now wanted to speak more.

4. Why does Brutus behave in an awkward manner?

Answer : Brutus behaves in an awkward manner because he sees the

ghost of Caesar in the night during a moment of introspection and
emotional vulnerability, which symbolizes his growing guilt, inner
conflict, and the consequences of his actions. Even though he has
justified Caesar's assassination as a necessary act to protect the
Roman Republic from the ambition and tyranny of Caesar, he is
actually deeply troubled by his role in Caesar’s assassination. The
ghost is therefore a physical manifestation of this guilt. The vision is
also proof that the spirit of Caesar holds power over him.

It is also important to note that Brutus is under immense

psychological and emotional strain at this point in the play. He is
dealing with his conflict with Cassius, his grief over his wife Portia’s
suicide, and the overwhelming pressure of leading a losing cause.
The ghost of Caesar appears at a moment when Brutus is vulnerable
and exhausted, symbolizing the weight of all these emotional
burdens. The vision reflects the stress and inner turmoil that Brutus
is enduring as the consequences of his actions catch up with him.

5. From the play's plot point of view, explain the significance of

the ghost scene. (4)

Answer : From the play's plot of view, the ghost’s appearance

besides highlighting the emotional breakdown on Brutus,
foreshadows his eventual downfall. When the ghost appears, it tells
Brutus that they will meet again at Philippi, where the final battle
between the forces of Brutus and Cassius and those of Antony and
Octavius will take place. This supernatural vision is an ominous sign
of Brutus’ impending defeat and death. The ghost seems to suggest
that Brutus will pay for his part in the assassination with his life,
signaling that the consequences of killing Caesar are far from over.

The ghost of Caesar can also be interpreted as a manifestation of

Caesar's revenge from beyond the grave. Caesar's assassination was
supposed to secure freedom for Rome, but instead, it has thrown the
republic into chaos. The ghost's presence implies that Caesar is still
influencing events - as a ghost now - and the conspirators cannot
escape the repercussions of their betrayal.

The ghost in the world of Shakespeare is often used as a symbol of

retribution and from a dramatic perspective, it serves to heighten
the dramatic tension in the scene ahead of the final act in which the
battle is fought.
Question 6.

Brutus : fret till your proud heart break;

Go show your slaves how choleric you are,
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour?

1. Who is Brutus saying this to? In what frame of mind is Brutus

saying this? What did the other person that necessitated this
reaction from Brutus?

Answer : Brutus is saying this to Cassius in an angry state of mind

because the two of them are having an argument over allegations of
corruption that Brutus has levelled against Cassius. Cassius asked
Brutus if he does have to endure the harsh words and allegations by
Brutus to which Brutus replies he would have to listen to all this and
more.

2. Explain `choleric'. What impact do his questions have in the

scene? At a later stage, Cassius makes a reference to his heart.
Describe.

Answer : Choleric means angry and Brutus tells Cassius to go and

show his anger at his servants. The impact of asking so many
rhetorical questions is to heighten the drama in the scene and show
his anger and disgust at Cassius.

Later in the scene, an upset Cassius hands over his dagger to Brutus
and asks him to strike at him and take out his heart.

3. Explain the lines : ``You shall digest the venom of your

spleen/Though it do split you.''

Answer : Brutus means to say that he was no longer going to

tolerate Cassius' bad behaviour and will instead ignore it. The
spleen was thought to be the source of anger in a human
body. ``Venom of your spleen'' is therefore a reference to the
toxic emotions and negative energy that Cassius is directing
towards Brutus. The phrase ``Though it do split you'' means that
Cassius' behaviour and conduct is so harmful that it may even
harm him in the process of trying to hurt Brutus.

4. Why does the other person consider himself a better soldier

than Brutus?

Answer : Cassius considers himself a better soldier than Brutus

because of his greater military experience and practical knowledge
of warfare, which he subtly alludes to during their argument. He had
served under Caesar and therefore understood military strategy
better than Brutus whose military experience was comparatively
limited.

Second, Cassius also possibly saw Brutus as idealistic and less suited
to the harsh realities of warfare. Brutus is a philosopher at heart,
driven by his sense of honor and ethics, but Cassius likely sees him as
someone whose moral rigidity can be a weakness in war.

Cassius' sharper acumen was already evident when he was not in

favour of letting Antony deliver his funeral speech. But Brutus
overruled him, leading to disastrous consequences. Cassius' military
and political instincts are thus more reliable.

5. What does the angry conversation between Brutus and the

other person convey about their relationship?

Answer : The angry conversation between Brutus and Cassius reveals

tensions in their relationship and underscores that theirs was a
fragile bond because the deep-seated differences persisted. Their
confrontation reflects the strain of leadership and the emotional
burden of their shared involvement in Caesar’s assassination.

The argument shows that the bond between Brutus and Cassius is
strained by mistrust and a marked difference in ethics. Brutus
accuses Cassius of being involved in corrupt practices, particularly in
accepting bribes, which contradicts the moral high ground Brutus
believes they should uphold. This reveals Brutus's moral rigidity and
his disdain for what he sees as Cassius’s lack of integrity. Cassius, on
the other hand, feels deeply wounded by Brutus’s accusations and
accuses him of being overly self-righteous. In a nutshell, Brutus is
idealistic, while Cassius is pragmatic and this is a rather huge schism.
Question 7. (Item Bank Question)

Brutus: Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In this I

bury all unkindness, Cassius
Cassius: My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till
the wine o’erswell the cup, I cannot drink too much of Brutus’
love.

1. Who is referred to as ‘her’ in the first line of the extract? What

had she done? Why did she take that step?

Answer : Portia who is Brutus' wife is referred to as `her' in this

extract. She had committed suicide by swallowing burning coal.
Brutus’ absence and the emotional isolation it caused and the
anxiety caused by the growing power of Mark Antony and Octavius
had led her to this.

2. How was Brutus related to the above lady? Why did he wish not
to discuss the matter related to her? What does this tell us about
his nature?

Answer : Portia is the wife of Brutus. He does not wish to discuss the
matter of Portia’s death because he is overwhelmed with grief but
wants to suppress it and maintain his focus on the pressing political
and military matters at hand.

It tells us about his stoic nature which emphasises emotional

restraint and rationality, in the face of personal suffering. Rather
than openly grieving for Portia, he attempts to suppress his emotions
and focus on the broader political struggle against Antony and
Octavius. Brutus believes that as a leader and military commander,
he cannot afford to be weighed down by personal tragedy when the
fate of Rome is at stake. This highlights his commitment to his
political ideals, even at great personal cost.
3. Who comes to meet Brutus and Cassius immediately after the
quoted lines? What news do they bring?

Answer : Messala and Titinius come to meet Brutus and Cassius

immediately after the quoted lines. They bring the news that
Octavius, Lepidus and Antony have ``put to death an hundred
senators'' by ``proscription and bills of outlawry'' Messala informs
that Cicero is among those killed and also that Portia is dead.

4. Explain the term ‘Triumvirate’ in this context. Name the

members of the Second Triumvirate.

Answer : The term `Triumvirate' refers to a political alliance or

ruling coalition of three powerful individuals who share control of
the Roman government. After the assassination of Julius Caesar, the
Second Triumvirate was formed consisting of Mark Antony, Octavius
Caesar and Lepidus to stabilize the Roman state and defeat Caesar’s
assassins, Brutus and Cassius.

5. Brutus and Cassius had different ideas about how best to defeat
the enemy. What were their strategies? Whose strategy was
adopted?

Answer : Brutus suggests that their army should march to Philippi

and meet Antony and Octavius’s forces there. He argues that the
enemy is currently gaining strength as they move through the
surrounding areas, gathering reinforcements from people who are
loyal to Caesar. Brutus believes that if they march to Philippi
immediately, they can engage the enemy before they grow stronger.
He also emphasizes the importance of seizing the moment, saying,
"There is a tide in the affairs of men / Which, taken at the flood,
leads on to fortune." He believes that acting quickly will give them
the upper hand.

Cassius, on the other hand, prefers a more strategic approach of

waiting for the right moment to strike. He suggests that they should
remain where they are and let Antony and Octavius come to them.
Cassius argues that their own troops will be well-rested and fortified
while the enemy, after marching a long distance, will be exhausted
and more vulnerable to attack. He believes that making Antony and
Octavius’ army fight on unfamiliar ground will give them an
advantage. This shows that Cassius had a better military mind than
Brutus.

But despite Cassius’ objections, Brutus’ strategy is ultimately

adopted. The armies decide to march to Philippi and confront Antony
and Octavius’s forces there. However, this decision leads to their
defeat in the Battle of Philippi, marking the downfall of Brutus and
Cassius and the end of their fight to preserve the Roman Republic.