Class IX: The Man Who Knew Too Much

1.      What is a 'nickname'? Can you suggest another one for Private Quelch?

Answer: A nickname is not one’s real name. It is name people call you or know you by. One nickname I would like to suggest for Private Quelch is ‘Scientist’.

2.      Private Quelch looked like a 'Professor' when the author first met him at the training depot. Why?

Answer: Private Quelch was a lanky, stoop person who used to wear horn-rimmed spectacles. From his appearance anybody would guess that he was an intelligent person. That is why it is said that Private Quelch looked like a 'Professor' when the author first met him at the training depot.

3.      What does the dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggest about him?

Answer: The dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggests that he was a very strict and egoistic person who would not listen to anyone’s comments about him. It suggests that he is a seasoned and hardened person.  He can’t be subdued or overcome easily.  We can’t take him lightly. 

4.      How was Private Quelch's knowledge exposed even further as the Sergeant's classes went on?

Answer: The Sergeant had felt insulted and small when Private Quelch showed off his superior knowledge about the speed of the rifle bullet. In order to take his revenge, he asked Private Quencl a number of questions, but to this surprise, Private Qulech answered all the questions with wonderful precision. Thus Private Quelch's knowledge exposed even further as the Sergeant's classes went on.

5.      What did the Professor mean by "intelligent reading"?

Answer: By “intelligent reading”, Private Quelch meant reading with understanding, reading more reference materials. It makes no sense if we do not understand intelligently what is written in the books. We should be able to comprehend, analyze the text.

6.      What were the Professor's ambitions in the army?

Answer: As a first step in the army, the Professor wanted to earn a stripe for himself.  And then his ambition was to get a commission.

7.      Did Private Quelch's day to day practices take him closer towards his goal? How can you make out?

Answer: His day to day physical and academic related practice was taking Private Quelch towards his goal but his habit of showing off his knowledge was making it difficult for him to achieve his goals. Because later, people started getting annoyed and feeling insulted because of his nature rather.

8.      Describe Corporal Turnbull.

Answer: Corporal Turnbull was a young man.  He had come back from Dunkirk(France).  He was a tough and seasoned person.  He was not a man to be trifled with.  Only he was able to outwit Private Quelch and show him his place.

9.      How did Private Quelch manage to anger the Corporal?

Answer: One day Corporal Turnbull was giving a lecture on hand grenades.  He said that the outside of a grenade is divided up into a large number of fragments to assist segmentation.  At once Private Quelch showed off his superior knowledge by saying that the outside had forty-four segments.  And then he further irritated Corporal by saying that he should have started his lecture with the five characteristics of the grenade.  Thus Private Quelch managed to anger Corporal.

10.  Do you think Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: No. I don’t think that Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was punished by Corporal Turnbull. Because while doing the cookhouse duties, he kept lecturing the cooks on such petty things as peeling potatoes.  In fact, it was impossible for him to stop showing off his knowledge to others.

11.  At first, Private Quelch was a hero in the eyes of his fellow soilders. Support this observation with suitable examples from the story in about 100 words.

Answer: Private Quelch was undoubtedly a man of knowledge.  He knew almost everything about anything.  Even after talking to him for five minutes, one became impressed with his knowledge.  He knew much more than his instructors even.  Thus very soon he became a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers.  While giving a lecture on musketry, the instructor said that the muzzle velocity of a rifle bullet is over two thousand feet per second.  Private Quelch at once demonstrated his superior knowledge by saying that it was two thousand, four hundred and forty feet per second. The surprised instructor asked, “You had any training before?”  Private Quelch proudly replied, “No, Sergeant.  It’s all a matter of intelligent reading.”  Thus there was nothing surprising that Private Quelch was a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers. 

12.  Private Quelch knew 'too much'. Give reasons to prove that he was unable to win the admiration of his superior officers or his colleagues in about 100 words.

Answer: There can be no doubt that Private Quelch was a well of knowledge.  But the trouble with him was that he wanted to show off his knowledge too much. He made others feel small in his presence.  He irritated everyone by showing off his superior knowledge. Even his fellow soldiers lived in terror of his approach.  He would keep pointing out their faults and mistakes and giving non-stop lectures.  His instructors felt insulted when he tried to improve upon their statements. Thus, in spite of his deep and wide knowledge, Private Quelch failed to win the admiration of his superior officers or his colleagues.   

13.  You are the 'Professor'. Write a diary entry after your first day at the cookhouse, describing the events that led to this assignment, also express your thoughts and feelings about the events of the day in about 175 words.

Answer:

13^th November, 2014

11:00 A.M.

Dear Diary,

It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Our trainer Corporal Turnbull has chosen me for permanent cookhouse duties. Others feel that it is a punishment but I don’t find it as a punishment. I am enjoying my work even in the cookhouse.

I am not happy with the way people work in the kitchen. They don’t even know how to peel a potato. I have read in my Class VI Science book that peeling a potato loses its nutritional value. It is high time that I should teach them how to peel potato otherwise soon the entire military training camp would turn malnutrition.

Private Quelch 

Class X: Ozymandias

About the poem:

‘Ozymandias’ is a sonnet (A fourteen line poem) by P.B. Shelly. In this poem, P.B. Shelly focuses on the uselessness of power and materialistic things in the world. It gives us a message that time is the real ruler. No king or emperor can rule time.

Background information:

Once, P.B. Shelly and his friend visited a museum. There they saw the statue of Ramsesse II (the king of Egypt).  The statue was headless and trunk less. It only had legs, and the face was lying down. They both bet to write a poem on the statue, and come up with the same name poem ‘Ozymandias’.

‘Ozy’ means air, and ‘mandias’ means ruler. Thus, Ozymandias means ruler of air, the one who rules everything.

Summary:

Once a traveller from an ancient land comes and tells the narrator that there in the desert, two trunkless legs are standing. The head of the statue was half-sunk in the sand. The expressions on the face are still visible and clear. From the expression, one can guess that he was a tyrant. Also, the expressions are so real; one can say that the sculptor has studied a lot about Ozymandias. On the pedestal of the statue, there was written the following words:

I am Ozymandias; King of Kings

Look at my works; ye might but despair.

The poem ends with a conclusion that nothing leaves for a long whether it is power, strength or wealth.

Text-book Exercise:

1. "The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed." Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line?

Answer: The poet referred to the hands of the sculptor who made the statue of Ozymandias. The poet refers to the heart of Ozymandias.

2. "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:" Why does Ozymandias refer to himself as King of Kings? What quality of the king is revealed through this statement?

Answer: Ozymandias is the mighty king who has defeated almost all the kings and their empires around him. He is proud of his glory and power. So, he calls himself ‘King of Kings’. From this we come to know that Ozymandias was a powerful but a proud king. He is an arrogant king and contemptuous of others lesser than him.

3. "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Who is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks of ye Mighty? Why should they despair?

Answer: Ozymandias is referring to the kings of his contemporary era. He is also referring to the ones who are watching this statue.

Other kings of his era should be despair to see his endless empire and his achievements as it wouldn’t be possible for them (as they are not as strong as him) to be like him.

He is referring also to the people watching his statue that they should despair as they couldn’t be like him.

4. Bring out the irony in the poem.

Answer: The meaning of the word ‘Ozymandias’ is ‘the ruler of the air. Ozymandias, the king, talks about his power, his empire and tries to show other down. Also, he gets the words written on the pedestal of his statue, ‘I am Ozymandias, King of kings. Look at my works, ye mighty and despair’. But now when we look at the statue and the empire around the statue, there is nothing left but the endless sand. Even his statue, which was made so that people would remember him for a long time, was lying broken and has mixed with the dust and sand. There lies the irony.

5. 'Nothing beside remains.' What does the narrator mean when he says these words?

Answer: The narrator reads the words written on the pedestal ‘Look at my works, ye mighty and despair’. But when he sees, there is nothing left but the endless sand. The narrator here means to say that nothing remains forever, and nobody can defeat time. The achievements and the empires won have all turned into sand.

6. What is your impression of Ozymandias as a king?

Answer: Ozymandias was a great powerful king as he had defeated almost every king in his empire. His achievements could be seen throughout the empire. But his boastful nature, his arrogance, and his nature of showing others down make him a weak person.

7. What message is conveyed through this poem?

Answer: Through this poem, S.T. Coleridge wants to convey the message that time is all powerful. No king or his power can defeat time. All the achievement, in the end, leads to grave as nothing lives in the world forever. So, the pride and the showcase of power are useless. The greatness of a man is known by his good deeds.

8. Imagine that Ozymandias comes back to life and as he sees the condition of his statue, realization dawns on him and he pens his thoughts in a diary. As Ozymandias, make this diary entry in about 150 words. You could begin like this: I thought I was the mightiest of all but...

Answer:

November 30, 2014

11:00 A.M.

Dear Diary

I thought that I was the mightiest of all but I was wrong. Today, when I look at my own statue lying half-broken in the desert, I repent on my deeds. Whatever I did in my life was just to prove that I was strong. I was so blind in the power that I did not even think of my subjects. I forced them to salute me and call me next to God. But I forgot that I was mere a human being who was neither respected by his subjects nor loved by his own people.

Looking at my statue, I feel that, if given me one more chance, I would like to work for my subject, and prove by my work, that I am actually a good king.

But time never comes back. Time never waits for anyone. Time is the actual powerful one.

Ozymandias (the loser king)

9. 'Ozymandias' and 'Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments' are on Time. Compare the two sonnets in terms of the way in which Time is treated by the poets. Write your answer in about 150 words.

Answer:

In both the sonnets, ‘Ozymandias’ and ‘Not Marble Not the Gilded Monuments’ time is presented in different way by the poets. In ‘Ozymandias’, S.T. Coleridge presents time more powerful than the most of the powerful king. On the other hand, in ‘Not Marble Not the Gilded Monuments’, Shakespeare present time as powerful but not as powerful and long lasting as his words for his friends. In ‘Ozymandias’ it is seen that even a great king is forgotten in the course of time if his deeds are bad. But if you love someone more than anything else in the world, as mention in ‘Not Marble Not the Gilded Monuments’, your love for that person lives forever. In such case, one doesn’t need to make a statue to make the memory live forever. Time can be won only by love not by hate. 

Figures of speech in Ozymandias:

Alliteration:

-        Cold command

-        Boundless and bare

-        Lone and level sand

-        Remains round

-        Stone stand

Metaphor:

The entire poem is a metaphor for the foolishness of a man who thinks that anyone can harness time.  Ozymandias boasted of his accomplishments, which now are nothing but fodder for the sand and the wind.

Synecdoche:

The hand that mocked and the heart that fed

Imagery:

-        Two vast and trunkless1 legs of stone

-        Half sunk, a shattered visage2 lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip

-        Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare

Class VIII: The Feeling of Power

Answer the following questions:

1.      Who were the people at the special meeting in the lounge of the New Pentagon?

Answer: Jehan Shuman, General Weider, Myron Aub, Congressman Brant and the President were the people at the special meeting in the lounge of the New Pentagon.

2.      Who was Myron Aub? Was he of any importance at the meeting? Why?

Answer: Myron Aub was an aging low grade technician who had long failed all the tests designed to find the gifted ones among mankind, and had settled into the rut of unskilled labour.

Myron Aub was an important person at the meeting because he was the one who would be showing the President and the Congressman his skills of computing without using computer. This skill was ‘graphitics’ (mental mathematics) which was very strange for everyone present there.

3.      What special skills did Aub have? Why did the others find it so remarkable?

Answer: Aub have special skills compared to others. He could calculate any given number only with the help of pen and paper by doing mental mathematics. On the other hand, others present in the New Pentagone special lounge, used to do it using computer and technology. So, others find it so remarkable.

4.      Why were the members of the committee excited by Aub’s gift? What advantage did they think it would give them?

Answer: The members of the committee were excited by Aub’s gift i.e. the graphitics (metal mathematics). They thought that they would use graphitics for making manned missile as it would be accurate. They also thought of using it for replacing computers in the warzone.

5.      What is ‘graphitics’? Who was the inventor of ‘graphitics’? Why did he take his own life?

Answer: ‘Graphitics’ means mental mathematics. Aub invented ‘graphitics’ as it was his hobby. He wanted it to be used for some peaceful purposes better for human race. But the President decided to use the same for more destructive purposes. Aub blamed himself for inventing such a destructive method, and kills himself.

6.      Do you think that the reinvention of mental mathematics would affect the course of human life in any significant way? Why/Why not?

Answer: Yes. I feel that reinvention of mental mathematics would affect the course of human life in any significant way because it will help them in doing simple and somewhat advance calculation without using any calculator. They will save time and mentally, they will always be active.

7.      Justify the title of the story, especially in the context of the last line?

Answer: The title ‘The Feeling of Power’ is apt (suitable) for this story. The setting of this story is of 500 years ahead from now. In that era, human being is completely dependent on technology. They are having a war with some alien planet named ‘Deneb’. They are trying to win the war with the help of power of computers. When they experience Aub’s mental mathematics ‘graphitics’, they thought of using the same for being more ‘powerful’ compare to Denebians. So, throughout the story, we see people trying to more powerful than each other. This feeling leads to destruction of the world. So, I feel the title of this story is very apt.

Water Watch — Summary, Question Answers & Solutions

Water Watch — Class 8 English Solutions

Chapter: Water Watch | Class: Class 8 English

Table of Contents

• Chapter Overview & Key Themes
• Important Questions & Detailed Answers
• Activities of the 'Water Watch' Society
• Recommended Class 8 Study Guides

Chapter Overview & Key Themes

The lesson Water Watch emphasizes the critical issue of water conservation through a school elocution competition. Through well-researched arguments and historical anecdotes, the chapter highlights how water scarcity affects agriculture, daily life, and national security, urging young citizens to adopt responsible water habits and act as true nationalists.

Important Questions & Answers

Q1. How did Deepak prepare for the annual elocution competition?
Ans: Deepak prepared his speech thoroughly by logically organizing all his arguments. He paid close attention to what earlier participants spoke, took relevant notes, and followed his elocution teacher’s advice to maintain steady eye contact with the audience throughout his delivery.

Q2. What examples did Deepak give to describe the effects of water shortage?
Ans: Deepak cited several compelling historical and modern examples:

• The historical defeat of the invincible fort of Gagron by Mahmud Khilji, achieved by severing the fort's water supply.
• The falling water table and severe irrigation hardships faced by farmers in Punjab and Haryana.
• The drying up and disappearance of natural freshwater springs in Uttarakhand.

Q3. Why did the Principal interrupt him?
Ans: Seeing that the audience was listening with complete silence and engagement, the Principal interrupted Deepak to invite views from other students and verify whether they were critically reflecting on the topic.

Q4. What did the other three boys say about the problems of water shortage?
Ans:

• Sukumar (Class VIII A): Shared that during summers, his mother limits him to half a bucket of water, which he shares for both his and his pet dog's bath.
• Arvind Joshi (Class IX C): Pointed out that rather than repeatedly discussing food shortages and grain imports, India must tackle water scarcity to become self-reliant in agriculture.
• Bharat Bajpai (Class VIII D): Emphasized practicing controlled water usage by consciously moderating personal consumption.

Q5. What steps were suggested to solve the problem?
Ans: A student-led organization called the 'Water Watch' society was established to plan and execute practical conservation programs across the school and local community.

Q6. Why do you think Deepak was told to maintain eye contact with the audience?
Ans: Direct eye contact establishes a personal connection with listeners, keeps them attentive, and makes the speaker's arguments more persuasive.

Q7. Why did Deepak begin his speech with a story? What effect did he wish to achieve?
Ans: Deepak began with a story because narrative openings immediately grab the audience's attention. His goal was to emotionally connect with his peers and highlight how vital water security is to survival.

Q8. What, in Deepak’s opinion, was the most difficult problem the country would have to face? Do you agree? Why?
Ans: Deepak identified acute water scarcity as the most pressing challenge. This view is accurate because declining groundwater reserves, changing monsoon patterns, erratic rainfall, and rising population demand make water management essential for survival.

Q9. What do you understand by the word ‘nationalist’? Who is a true nationalist according to Deepak?
Ans: A nationalist is someone devoted to defending and developing their country. According to Deepak, a true nationalist is anyone who actively conserves essential national resources like water, ensuring sustainable growth for the nation.

Key Activities of 'Water Watch'

The 'Water Watch' student society was designed to lead practical grassroots actions, including:

• Holding weekly Friday meetings to discuss local water wastage and conservation initiatives.
• Promoting personal water-saving habits and fixing leaking taps across the school campus.
• Organizing community outreach programs to build public awareness regarding sustainable water use.

More Important English Study Guides:

• Class 8 English: The Way Through the Woods — Summary & Q&A
• Class 9 English: How I Taught My Grandmother To Read — Solved Questions
• Class 10 English: Report Writing Format & Solved Examples
• Class 9 & 10: Diary Writing Format & Samples

Recommended Exam Preparation Guides:

Prepare for Class 8 English literature and language exams with solved practice papers:

View Class 8 English Guidebooks on Amazon →

Class X: Patol Babu : Notes

Questions – Answers:

1.      What was the news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave Patol Babu?

Answer: The news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave Patol Babu was that his youngest (Nishikanto’s) brother-in-law who was in the production department in the film business had been looking for a scene where they had needed an actor to play the character of fiftyish, short, bald-headed man just like Patol Babu. Nishikanto would like Patol Babu to play that character in the movie. Nishikanto Ghosh also mentioned that Patol Babu would be paid for that.  

2.      How did Patol Babu react? Why?

Answer: Patol Babu when heard of Nishikanto’s offer for working in a movie, he didn’t show any excitement. He was quite pleased. On the other hand, he desired to talk to Nishikanto’s brother-in-law. It is because Patol Babu had not expected in his wildest dreams that he would be offered a role in a film at the age of 52. Also, he used to perform in theatres long back.

3.      Why had Patol Babu lost his first job in Calcutta?

Answer: Patol Babu had lost his first job in Calcutta due to sudden retrenchment in his office due to the war cost him his nine-year-old job.

4.      How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him?

Answer: Patol Babu reminded of his mentor Gogon Pakrakshi who always used to tell him that any small role offered to an actor, shouldn’t be considered below his dignity. A true actor should play any role given to him with sincerity and honesty.

5.      Who was Mr. Pakrashi? How do his words help Patol Babu in enacting his role?

Answer: Mr. Pakrakshi was Patol Babu’s mentor. He was a wonderful actor without a tract of vanity in him. For Patol Babu, he was a saintly person, and an actor in a million.

6.      How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man?

Answer: Patol Babu was given only a single word ‘Oh!’ as a dialogue. He thought of different ways to enact that word in the most effective manner. He uttered the exclamation a number of times with a different modulation each time. He rehearsed the same a number of times. All his efforts show that Patol Babu was a meticulous man.

7.      Why did Mr. Mullick turn down Patol Babu's request for a rehearsal?

Answer: Mr. Mullick was a director. He wanted to shoot the shot in the sunlight. But clouds could have already begun to appear in the sky. So, he turned down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal.

  

8.      What were the special touches that Patol Babu gave to his role to make it more authentic?

Answer: Patol Babu thought that a newspaper in his hand would make his role look more authentic. He suggested the same to the director and director got agree. Patol Babu also mentally counted the steps to reach the spot of collision. He decided the pace at which he would have to take his steps. All his plans helped him in making his role more authentic.

9.      'I hope the part calls for some dialogue?' Who says this? Why does he /she ask this question?

Answer: Patol Babu says, “I hope the part calls for some dialogue.” When Naresh Dutt offered the role, Patol Babu thought of ‘a role with some dialogue’. Patol Babu was a well-known stage actor in his town. Naresh Dutt told him everything about the role but not about the dialogues. Patol Babu asked him about the dialogues so that he could rehearse and memorize the dialogues.

10.  'Were these people pulling his legs? Was the whole thing a gigantic hoax? A meek, harmless man like him, and they had to drag him into the middle of the city to make a laughing stock out of him. How could anyone be so cruel?' Why does Patol Babu have these thoughts?

Answer: Patol Babu, since he had been on the shooting place, had been treated not as an actor but as a common man. He wasn’t given the dialogues after asking for it for many times. He was made to stand in the sun. No special treatments were given to him. On the other hand, he was respected a lot for his theatre performances. But here, he wasn’t given the respect.

11.  Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge. Discuss.

Answer: Patol Babu was a very good actor in theatre. There, one is supposed to rehearse a lot and then perform. But he was completely stranger to movie acting. He was completely new to the pre-worked movie process. He was not a spontaneous actor who would act anyhow for any shot. He had his own ethics and practices for playing a character. Movie making was a completely new arena for him. So, acting in a movie was a challenge for him.

12.  Do you agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with whatever life has to offer? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: I agree with the statement that Patol Babu was a practical man. His life was full of struggle which enabled him to lose his jobs and his passion ‘acting’. He did whatever job was offered to him irrespective of his dignity in the past. He also showed his agreement to work in a movie for a small scene though he was a well-know theatre artist of his town. This shows that Patol was practical man.

13.  Why does Patol Babu walk away before he can be paid for his role? What does this reveal about his character?

Answer: Patol Babu wasn’t happy with the way people (actors) were treated on the set of the film. He had his own reasons to accept the role i.e. to earn money and to enjoy his passion ‘acting’. But the way, he saw film-making, where a true actor is not treated properly, where there are no rehearsals, where people work so busily without even looking for creativity, made him think that the job he way he had portrayed the character is far satisfactory than anything else. He didn’t wait to take the money because he was satisfied with his performance but wasn’t happy with the way people make films.

It reveals that Patol Babu was a true actor and a genuine person. He was a person who believes in doing best in whatever is given to him. He wasn’t the person who loves money more than his passion.

Class X: Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar – William Shakespeare

About the Author: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is one of the most influential writers of English language of all the times. He is known for his dramas and his sonnets. His dramas, especially his tragedies, are well-known for their complex human psychology, and his comedies are well-known for the use of language and wit. He has 154 sonnets and 37 plays on his credits. William Shakespeare and his works have been influencing the global theatre, literature and movies since a long time.

Summary:

Julius Caesar is the story of a ruler named Julius who an honest person and the man of his principles and his subjects. His friends Cassius, Brutus and others decide to kill out of their fear that he, once declared as a king, would become a dictator. His wife has nightmares and pleads to him not to go out of the house, but his manly ego, and Brutus evil mind, convinces him to go outside the house to the senate, where he is killed brutally by Brutus, Cassius and others. When his friend, Mark Antony, knows about this he feels very sad, but instead of taking revenge of Caesar’s death, he joins hands with the enemies, as he knows he has to wait for the right time. In the end, Brutus convinces people that whatever he has done (assassination of Julius Caesar) is a noble work for Rome as Caesar was an ambitious person. But, followed by him, Mark Antony, though his emotional and convincing speech, change the table in favour of Julius without even saying anything bad about the culprits. In the end, we see people revolt against the assassinators of their beloved Julius Caesar.

Questions – Answers:

1.      How do the heavens 'blaze forth' the death of Julius Caesar?

Answer: Through this phrase, Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar not to go out as she has seen many dreams which are ill-omens. She tries to convince him by this phrase that Caesar is a not a part of a crowd but a brave warrior. When such brave people die, the heavens mourn on the death. Meteors fall and comets blaze through the sky as if mourning the demise of the great person.

2.      What does Calpurnia try to convince Caesar of?

Answer: Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar of an ill-omen that she has seen her nightmares, which does mean a grave danger to Caesar’s life. She tries to convince Caesar not to go out as she fears he nightmares might turn true and Caesar might face danger for his life.

3.      Why does Calpurnia say Caesar's 'wisdom is consumed in confidence'? What does she mean?

Answer: Calpurnia tries to convince Caesar for not going out as she fears her nightmare might come true and Caesar might face danger for his life, but Caesar doesn’t listen to her. Instead of caring for his wife’s fear, he says that he is not scared of danger as danger and he are two brothers and he is elder one. He means to say that he is not scared of any kind of danger. That is the reason Calpurnia says that Caesar is trying to be over-confident. So, she says that Caesar’s wisdom is consumed by his over-confidence.

4.      What does Calpurnia dream about Caesar? How does Decius Brutus interpret the dream?

Answer: Calpurnia dreams that Caesar’s statue has hundreds of pouts from which blood is coming out like fountain. May lusty Romans are coming, and smilingly bathing their hands in that blood fountain. Calpurnia feels that this is a sign of ill-omen.

On the other hand, Brutus interprets the dream as a fortune for Rome. He interprets the same scene as great men shall gather around Caesar and stain their handkerchiefs in his blood which will serve as colours added to a coat of arms, an object of reverence, mementos and a badge of service.

5.      What are the arguments put forward by Decius Brutus to convince Caesar to go to Capitol?

Answer: When Brutus enters to escort Caesar to the court, he is told that Caesar would not come to the court. So, in order to convince Caesar to come out, he puts some arguments forward as given below:

-          What reason would he tell the court for Caesar not coming to the court?

-          Should he tell some lie to the court for Caesar’s not coming to the court?

-          He insist on asking some logical reason so that people in the court would not laugh at any illogical reason given by him

-          The senate has decided to crown Caesar as their king. If Caesar would not come to the senate on the very day, they may change their mind and make someone else their king.

6.      Why is Decius more successful than Calpurnia in persuading Caesar?

Answer: Calpurnia convinces Caesar not to go out because she has seen some ill-omens in her dreams. She keeps on mentioning some danger for Caesar’s life but she should have known that Caesar is not scared of danger as he is a brave warrior. On the other hand, Decius Brutus knows Caesar’s weak point i.e. his ego, his self-respect, and his pride in others. Decius constantly asks Caesar about ‘what people will say’ for his absence in the court, and that matters a lot for Caesar. So, Decius is more successful in persuading Caesar than Calpurnia.

7.      What is the petition put before Caesar by the conspirators? How does Caesar respond to it?

Answer: The petition put before Caesar by the conspirators is to cancel the banishment of Metellus Cimber’s brother repeal. To this, Caesar says that if he would have been a common man, he would have been moved by the petition. Further, he calls himself northern star who is fixed and cannot be moved by anything and anyone. So, he decides to continue to banishment of Metellus Cimber’s brother.

8.      Who says "Et tu Brute"? When are these words spoken? Why?

Answer: Caesar says, “Et tu Brute”. When Caesar is stabbed by Casca, others and then by Brutus, Caesar says these words. Caesar says so because he doesn’t expect his friend Brutus to betray him and stab him with his dagger.

9.      In the moments following Caesar's death what do the conspirators proclaim to justify Caesar's death?

Answer: In the moments following Caesar’s death, the conspirators proclaim (publically say):

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead.

Liberty! Freedom! Enfranchisement!

It means that people have got freedom from the tyranny of Caesar. They proclaim that people of Rome has got freedom from political servitude (slavery to Caesar). They say so to justify Caesar’s murder.

10.  Seeing the body of Caesar, Antony is overcome by grief. What does he say about Caesar?

Answer: Seeing the body of Caesar, the grief-stricken Antony remembers Caesar’s glorious past and says that Caesar was such a great person who has conquered many lands, and had many great things done. He exclaims that inspite of Caesars' conquests, glories, triumphs and spoils; he lies so "low". He offers to be killed and lie by Caesar's side whom he calls the choice and master spirits of this age and "most noble".

11.  Whom does Antony call 'the choice and master spirits of this age"? Why?

Answer: Antony calls Cassius, Brutus and the other conspirators ‘the choice and master spirits of this age’. He does not actually regard them so.  He says these words ironically.  He seems to mock them, though he pretends to please them. 

12.  How do Brutus and Cassius respond to Antony's speech?

Answer: Brutus and Cassius try to win Antony to their side.  They say that Antony will have equal share in the new political set-up.   He will be as strong as any other man in the government. 

13.  Why does Cassius object to allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral? How does Brutus overcome this objection?

Answer: Cassius knows that Antony is a clever and tactful person.  He fears that Antony could sway the people by his speech.  That is why he doesn’t want Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral. 

            However, Brutus rules out any such fear.  He says that he himself will speak first and explain to the people why Caesar had to be killed.  And then he will also tell that Antony is speaking with their permission. 

14.  What are the conditions imposed by the conspirators before allowing Antony to speak at Caesar's funeral?

Answer: The conspirators ask Antony not to blame them for Caesar’s murder while addressing the citizens at Caesar’s funeral.  He must say that they have permitted him to speak.  Moreover, he must speak after Brutus has explained to the people the circumstances in which Caesar was murdered. 

15.  When he is left alone with the body of Caesar what does Anthony call Brutus and the others?

Answer: When Antony is left alone with the body of Caesar, he gives vent to his anger and anguish.  He calls Brutus and the others butchers.  He says that those who had shed the blood of Caesar would have to pay a heavy price for the criminal deed.

16.  What prediction does Antony make regarding the future events in Rome?

Answer: Antony predicts that there will be a bloody civil war in all the parts of Rome.  Bloodshed and destruction will become familiar sights.  Mothers will smile on seeing their children cut to pieces in war.  Caesar’s spirit will move everywhere crying for revenge.  The dead and decaying bodies will find no room for burial. 

17.  What reasons does Brutus give for murdering Caesar?

Answer: Brutus says that he loved Caesar, no doubt, but he loved Rome more than he loved Caesar.  He paints Caesar as an ambitious and dictatorial person.  He says that if Caesar had lived, all of them would have died as slaves. He wants to establish democracy in Rome.  He says, “As he was ambitious, I slew him”.

18.  Who says, "Let him be Caesar"? What light does this throw on the speaker?

Answer: One of the Romans utters these words after Brutus’s speech.  The speaker seems to be a mindless person.  He has not clearly understood the reasons Brutus has given for the murder of Caesar.  Another Caesar after killing Caesar!  Then why was Caesar killed?  The mob in ‘Julius Caesar’ has been shown to be most illogical and fickle-minded. 

19.  Why is Antony's speech more effective?

Answers: Antony’s speech was more effective than that of Brutus. Brutus, in his speech talks about his reasons for killing Caesar and calls himself an honorable man. On the other hand, Antony doesn’t praise himself. He doesn’t tell people who is wrong and who is right. He gives them insight through the facts which indirectly prove that Caesar wasn’t ambitious and was a good person. He, without calling anyone a culprit, enrages people against Brutus and his gang. He creates curiosity in the audience with Caesar’s will and turns the table against Brutus. His oratory skill finally enables audience to know that assassination of Caesar cannot be justified. That makes Antony’s speech effective.

20.  At the end of the scene what is the fate of Brutus and Cassius?

Answer: At the end of Antony’s speech, the people of Rome get angry.  They set fire to the houses of the conspirators.   They want to seek the conspirators and kill them.  Both Brutus and Cassius have to run for their life.