CBSE Class 10 English Julius Caesar Worksheet Solved

 

 

Julius Caesar is a historical play which depicts events that took place around 42 B.C. Shakespeare has very deftly presented this political drama which is punctuated by personal strifes and moral dilemmas, faced by the main characters of the play. Julius Caesar is an able general, statesman and an immensely popular Roman. He returns to Rome amidst cheers and adulation after defeating the sons of Pompey. The Romans turn up in large numbers to cheer him since he has filled up the coffers of Rome. Caesar refuses the crown, which is offered to him three times. But it is feared that he may one day ascend the throne and revoke the privileges of men like Cassius. The threat that Caesar was moving away from the ideals of Roman principles towards an empire ruled directly by himself, is the chief reason that Brutus joins the conspirators. Brutus is the most trusted, respected and „noble of all Romans‟, but has a false conception of honour. He is an idealist, but is not shrewd enough to sense the purpose of the conspirators like Cassius.

 

 

Caesar wanders about in his night-gown and is kept awake by Calpurnia‟s nightmares. She called out in her sleep about supernatural omens that spelled disaster. Calpurnia believes that such bad omens are a premonition of evil and some harm would befall Caesar. Caesar rebuffs her, refusing to give in to fear. Caesar deems the signs to apply to the world in general and refuses to believe they bore ill for him personally. Finally, Calpurnia prevails upon Caesar to stay at home. Decius Brutus jeopardizes Calpurnia‟s plan and forces Caesar to go to the Senate, where the senators were waiting to offer a crown to him. On his way, Caesar rejects the petition of Cimber to revoke the orders for his brother‟s punishment. This proves to be the last nail in his coffin. Immediately afterwards, Casca and other senators along with Brutus stab Caesar. Caesar‟s last words are, “Et tu Brute?” The conspirators turn to the lebians and start shouting slogans of “Liberty, Freedom and Enfranchisement” as if they were safeguarding the rights of all the Romans. Mark Antony is too dumbstruck to see Caesar‟s dead body in a pool of blood, but tactfully restrains himself from making any statements. He requests Brutus for allowing him to make a funeral speech. Dismissing Cassius‟ objection, Brutus allows him but only after he has himself addressed the plebians. Antony uses his excellent oratorical skills very cleverly and succeeds in inciting the mob to mutiny and wreck havoc against the conspirators. Brutus and others have to flee for their lives and Octavious Caesar arrives to clinch the victory for Antony and save Caesar‟s honour.

 

 

 

He was a formidable conqueror who expanded Roman empire; brought war booties to it, defeated the sons of Pompy and dominated the political life of Rome. However he had some weaknesses. He was superstitious, boastful, haughty and arrogant. Immensely popular among the commoners, he was adorned and worshipped by them. Being large-hearted, he thought of common welfare. This courageous and brave General had won many wars.

 

Though credulous by nature he dismissed Calpurnia‟s fears as foolish and showed complete disregard for the bad omens He was very firm and rigid. Once he took a decision, he stuck to it. Having rejected Cimber‟s petition once, he didn‟t accept it again. He felt proud of not being moved by „couchings‟ and „lowly courtesies‟. He wished to rise higher and higher hence he kept on carrying out military campaigns.